Originally Posted by BetterMakeWay' post='306419' date='Jul 3 2006, 01:11 PM

A bit of caution with turbo? By this what do you mean?
I for one know that diesels don't like particulary to be redlined, and nor the turbos that run them. I for one race the car from time to time (literally race) when traffic is minimum and the right competitors are there. Yesturday i got challanged by an EVO 9. So eeverytime i do it i give it full throttle. Sometimes i drift a bit, sometimes i do little burnouts.
I'm always carefull not to let the engine to loose temperature quickly when it was ran very hot, and i usually let it idle for 5 minutes or so before shutting the engine off. I know it's not good for turbos to cool down fast and the oil also.
Sometimes i drive it so hard that i simply try to do my very best of the best to keep the car neutral (swinging from understeer to oversteer). I like it when i acomplish that and still drive unbealiveably fast for the weight of the car. It feels it's on rails.
I dunno how much stress gets the steptronic gearbox, but i bealive it compes somehow better than if it were for a manual.

Originally Posted by windnsea00' post='305907' date='Jul 1 2006, 05:30 PM

BMW's are intended to be driven so as long as you properly maintain the car then don't worry about it. The engine/drivetrain (excluding automatic transmissions usually) will outlast the rest of the car. I've owned a few BMW's and never been shy on redlining the engine daily. Especially since it's only there for a quick second during shifts unlike Autobahn driving which can have the engine screaming for extended periods of time though it's built for that.

Originally Posted by VTec' post='306485' date='Jul 3 2006, 11:29 AM

Any input on pushing Steptronics hard? I'm a little worried about the comment from "windnsea00" regarding auto trans above. This is my first experience with Step - I'm used to manual and have had no real problems pushing the trans hard for years. Now I have Steptronic on my 545i. Am I ok pushing it hard as well? Anyone know or have experience?

Originally Posted by BMWN' post='306489' date='Jul 3 2006, 06:39 PM

After switching to non run flat tires I dont push it anymore, car feels vobly a little so hopefuly I'll get used to that. Back when I had run flats I'd go into a turn faster.

Originally Posted by BetterMakeWay' post='306491' date='Jul 3 2006, 11:42 AM

This is news for me. You must run a 65 tire sidewall...

Originally Posted by needforspeed' post='306467' date='Jul 3 2006, 05:36 PM

I just meant what you said - if you really gun a turbo you need to ease off a little bit at the end of the journey (or idle) just to let it calm down a bit before you switch off the engine.

Originally Posted by BMWN' post='306493' date='Jul 3 2006, 06:45 PM

Haa, how did you know?
Naa seriously its Pirelly pzero nero M+S all season tire with a good grip but mushy on 123 oem wheels.

Originally Posted by BetterMakeWay' post='306496' date='Jul 3 2006, 11:47 AM

Try maybe another tire. Michelin PS2 wich is a high performane summer tire....only good reviews for that tire.

Originally Posted by ImolaRedM' post='306488' date='Jul 3 2006, 10:35 AM

I have only owned two auto BMWs and only one of those were a step so I don't really have that much experience with them. But, I would think a good sprint in a slush box BMW would be better on the transmission than a hot afternoon stuck in stop and go traffic.