I guess I should have spent some time reading BMW's version of War and Peace, aka the owner's manual, but since I did not have a spare 74 hours, I sort of discovered stuff through this forum and on my own.

One of the most startling discoveries made on this forum a few weeks ago is when someone mentioned the DS setting on the autobox I have in my 550i. I always thought this setting was for snow and winter driving, so I never used it. I also never shifted the car myself, because I lack the F1 Jedi reflexes to drive the car without someone thinking Stevie Wonder was driving the car.

But last week I put the car in DS and drove it around and discovered that damn, this car has more power than I thought. In fact, I was mad that I spent 18,000 miles driving the car without the afterburner effect of the DS setting. Wow, what a difference this makes in both performance and fuel consumption. I am proud that I am now almost on par with the M5 on the dx/dt = V numbers, and the extra carbon diet as well (I own stock in Chevron and BP so I am in essance, increasing my portfolio at the same time.)

Just goes to show that you can indeed, teach and old dog new tricks.

More cool tricks, more female beach volleyball, keep going dollar!!

Stu

18,000mile and never used your DS thats amazing.

You should try this, it might make the shifting smoother.

http://forums.e60.net/index.php?showtopic=...;hl=25sec+reset

All I have to say to that is... wow. :wow: Enjoy DS mode! I wouldn't drive mine any other way!

Congrats on the new discovery :) I knew DS was the place to be at prior to getting my 535i so in my case it has been the opposite....I almost NEVER am in D....mine is always in DS!!! Especially since I installed my tune, DS makes a huge difference! I love it. Every single one of my previous cars have been manual trans so I debated heavily back and forth about whether to Step or not to Step my new 535i. After lots of soul searching I finally decided to Step... I am VERY glad I did. DS pretty much runs the way I would shift anyway and I can always go to manual if I so desire....Steptronic is awesome, I am a believer.

Look on the bright side of it - you had a good break-in period before you started the real driving.

I agree on the depth of the owners manual. FYI for all new owners - if you order your E60, while you are waiting the months to get it, you can download the manual. It helps pass the time.

I always drive in DS Mode until I get onto the Expressway/Highway then slap it over to D Mode (saves on gas too). Then when exiting I slap it back into DS.... The car is much more responsive..

... that's certainly one way of looking at it! :lol:


Enjoy the DS Stu... :D