manual mode with steptronic
01-02-2006, 01:28 PM
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My Ride: 2006 550i Titanium Silver Metallic, Black Dakota Leather, Anthracite Maple Wood Trim, Cold Weather Package, Premium Sound Package, Sport Package, Steptronic, Navigation, Electric Rear Sunshades, Heated Rear Seats, Sirius Radio
I've had my 550 a little over a month now and currently have 1100 miles on the odometer; 11/12s of the way to nirvana. I really have not used the manual shifting mode, as I felt this would be a real downer coming from an e46 M3 with SMGII. Not so! I was amazed at how smooth the shifts are and the minimal amount of lag. I really enjoyed this driving experience. Ironically, I was forced into using the manual shifting mode due to the fact that it is almost impossible to keep this engine under 4500 rpms in the sport mode, unless you drive like an ultra-geriatric which I almost am. I have inadvertantly hit 5000, 5500, 6000 and 6500 on more than one occasion.
I am now more than ever pleased with my choice of transmissions. A car my wife can and will drive if she needs to. A 6 speed auto that is light years ahead of the 5 speed auto in my 01 530. And as a bonus no gas guzzler tax.
Don't get me wrong. I would be very happy with the 6 speed manual or the SMG, but my wife wouldn't. And I need her to drive this car when I take the SUV.
I am now more than ever pleased with my choice of transmissions. A car my wife can and will drive if she needs to. A 6 speed auto that is light years ahead of the 5 speed auto in my 01 530. And as a bonus no gas guzzler tax.
Don't get me wrong. I would be very happy with the 6 speed manual or the SMG, but my wife wouldn't. And I need her to drive this car when I take the SUV.
01-02-2006, 02:06 PM
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My Ride: Ordered 550i ED on 9/24/05. Titanium silver, priority one seating (black), steptronic, sports package, premium sound system, active steering, comfort access, power rear sunshades, navigation, head up display, rear door air bag
Ok, darkside -- you have convinced me. When I get my 550i back after ED, I WILL try the manual mode.
While I did put 1503 miles on the odometer in Germany, I never once use that mode of operation. I wasn't so much interested in aspect of the car's ability. I was more concerned about varying the rpms. The six-speed automatic seems real nice to me. I didn't seem like sport shifting was for me. But your post has me thinking maybe I should discover that region. I have yet to reach above 5000 rpms. And of course, the acceleration assistant and even the kickdown procedure has yet to be engaged. So much fun to come. The two weeks and two days I have left to endure before my baby comes back to me. O happy day!
While I did put 1503 miles on the odometer in Germany, I never once use that mode of operation. I wasn't so much interested in aspect of the car's ability. I was more concerned about varying the rpms. The six-speed automatic seems real nice to me. I didn't seem like sport shifting was for me. But your post has me thinking maybe I should discover that region. I have yet to reach above 5000 rpms. And of course, the acceleration assistant and even the kickdown procedure has yet to be engaged. So much fun to come. The two weeks and two days I have left to endure before my baby comes back to me. O happy day!
01-02-2006, 02:09 PM
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Originally Posted by darkside' post='218396' date='Jan 2 2006, 10:28 PM
I've had my 550 a little over a month now and currently have 1100 miles on the odometer; 11/12s of the way to nirvana. I really have not used the manual shifting mode, as I felt this would be a real downer coming from an e46 M3 with SMGII. Not so! I was amazed at how smooth the shifts are and the minimal amount of lag. I really enjoyed this driving experience. Ironically, I was forced into using the manual shifting mode due to the fact that it is almost impossible to keep this engine under 4500 rpms in the sport mode, unless you drive like an ultra-geriatric which I almost am. I have inadvertantly hit 5000, 5500, 6000 and 6500 on more than one occasion.
I like the manual mode on my 530d! I agree about the sports mode - I prefer to provide input into the upshift/downshifts; the sport mode is too aggressive! Also, when on a 'economy drive' you can make it shift higher earlier! (Especially 6th)
01-02-2006, 02:36 PM
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My Ride: 2014 X5 xDrive 5.0 M Package Carbon Black Metallic/2008 M Roadster Imola Red
Originally Posted by darkside' post='218396' date='Jan 2 2006, 05:28 PM
I've had my 550 a little over a month now and currently have 1100 miles on the odometer; 11/12s of the way to nirvana. I really have not used the manual shifting mode, as I felt this would be a real downer coming from an e46 M3 with SMGII. Not so! I was amazed at how smooth the shifts are and the minimal amount of lag. I really enjoyed this driving experience. Ironically, I was forced into using the manual shifting mode due to the fact that it is almost impossible to keep this engine under 4500 rpms in the sport mode, unless you drive like an ultra-geriatric which I almost am. I have inadvertantly hit 5000, 5500, 6000 and 6500 on more than one occasion.
I am now more than ever pleased with my choice of transmissions. A car my wife can and will drive if she needs to. A 6 speed auto that is light years ahead of the 5 speed auto in my 01 530. And as a bonus no gas guzzler tax.
Don't get me wrong. I would be very happy with the 6 speed manual or the SMG, but my wife wouldn't. And I need her to drive this car when I take the SUV.
I am now more than ever pleased with my choice of transmissions. A car my wife can and will drive if she needs to. A 6 speed auto that is light years ahead of the 5 speed auto in my 01 530. And as a bonus no gas guzzler tax.
Don't get me wrong. I would be very happy with the 6 speed manual or the SMG, but my wife wouldn't. And I need her to drive this car when I take the SUV.
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01-04-2006, 12:36 PM
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My Ride: My ex-ride: EU '08 LCI 520dA. Space Grey, Sport Seats in Black Leather/Fabric Anthracite, Sport Steering Wheel, A/C with Extended Features, Hi-Fi Speakers, Cup Holders, Cruise with Braking function, Folding Rear Seats, Xenons, Park Distance Control.
I hope darkside your car is a lease.
You did not brake the car in :thumbsdown:
But you still have 48,000 miles until your warranty is out...
Seriously, I do not see what's good in a stick shift.
No one, but no one can beat your 550iA from 0 - 70 mph
with a stick shift 550i.
You did not brake the car in :thumbsdown:
But you still have 48,000 miles until your warranty is out...
Seriously, I do not see what's good in a stick shift.
No one, but no one can beat your 550iA from 0 - 70 mph
with a stick shift 550i.
01-04-2006, 12:43 PM
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My Ride: 2005 BMW 545i, Silver Grey, Sport Package, R. Shades, Cold Pkg, Sat. Rad., Prem. Sound.
Originally Posted by darkside' post='218396' date='Jan 2 2006, 04:28 PM
I've had my 550 a little over a month now and currently have 1100 miles on the odometer; 11/12s of the way to nirvana. I really have not used the manual shifting mode, as I felt this would be a real downer coming from an e46 M3 with SMGII. Not so! I was amazed at how smooth the shifts are and the minimal amount of lag. I really enjoyed this driving experience. Ironically, I was forced into using the manual shifting mode due to the fact that it is almost impossible to keep this engine under 4500 rpms in the sport mode, unless you drive like an ultra-geriatric which I almost am. I have inadvertantly hit 5000, 5500, 6000 and 6500 on more than one occasion.
I am now more than ever pleased with my choice of transmissions. A car my wife can and will drive if she needs to. A 6 speed auto that is light years ahead of the 5 speed auto in my 01 530. And as a bonus no gas guzzler tax.
Don't get me wrong. I would be very happy with the 6 speed manual or the SMG, but my wife wouldn't. And I need her to drive this car when I take the SUV.
Attachment 13829
I am now more than ever pleased with my choice of transmissions. A car my wife can and will drive if she needs to. A 6 speed auto that is light years ahead of the 5 speed auto in my 01 530. And as a bonus no gas guzzler tax.
Don't get me wrong. I would be very happy with the 6 speed manual or the SMG, but my wife wouldn't. And I need her to drive this car when I take the SUV.
Attachment 13829
I guess that's why some of you installed the aftermarket exhaust.
01-04-2006, 12:44 PM
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My Ride: 2004 BMW 530I steptronic, Orient Blue, Dakota Black Leather, Finishers Aluminium with Wave Cutting interior, NAVIgation, Radio PROFESSIONAL, CD in-dash, Hi-Fi extended sound system, PDC system, Bi-Xenons lights with washers, cruise-control, heated seats, Extended AC, auto"shade" mirrors, auto lights sensors, rain/wiper sensor, M-tech leather multifunction steering wheel, side airbags rearseats, sliding armrest, smoker's package (I don't smoke!), velour floor mats, spare wheel and jack, 122 style rims winter setup, M135 style rims summer setup
[color=red]Mods:[/color]
[color=blue]M tech sport steering wheel with M5 SMG paddles working retrofit done !
Trunk lid opening button retrofit done.[/color]
[color=blue]3M window 35% tint done
Chrome grilles
E60.net Clings
[/color]
and you might also want to read this one 
I love it, the best combo IMHO
http://forums.e60.net/index.php?showtopic=...&hl=smg+paddles
I love it, the best combo IMHO
http://forums.e60.net/index.php?showtopic=...&hl=smg+paddles
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