Steptronic Auto
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Joined: Feb 2005
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From: Colorado Springs, CO
My Ride: 2002 330CIC with Sports and Premium (Sold 4/2005)
2005 545I Black Saphire Metalic, with Black Dakota Leather, Poplar trim. Sport Package, MTech Body kit and Spoiler, HUD, Comfort Seats, Navigation, Premium sound, CWP, Heated Rear Seats, Window shades. Valentine 1 hardwired, Aux input.
I use it all the time. The one upside to this is gas mileage. I get better fuel economy using the manual mode than auto, or drive sport.
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Joined: Jan 2005
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From: San Jose, California, USA
My Ride: 2008 Porsche 911 Carrera S Convertible. Midnight Blue, 6 Speed.Retired - 2007 997 Carrera S, Midnight Blue, Grey leather, premium audioRetired - 2007 550i, Monaco Blue over Beige, Navigation, Logic 7, Cold Weather Pack, Comfort Access, Sport Package
Model Year: 2008
noticed the same thing, for some reason I seem to get better mileage in manual mode and with the revs kept pretty high (3500 to 5000 or so) 
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Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 17,310
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From: Pittsburgh, PA USA
My Ride: G30 M550i
Model Year: 2018
Originally Posted by Merv the Derv' date='Jul 20 2005, 05:23 PM
....Also BMW should offer a non manual mode box and charge less for it.?
Just my opinion.
Just my opinion.
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Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 129
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From: Uk
My Ride: 525, Dec 2003, Silver Grey, Black Dakota Leather, Bluetooth, Satnav, 18'' Runflats, Sunroof, Folding mirrors, Automatic
I like the manual mode to tackle a few hills near me which the auto mode seems to
choose the wrong gear on, every time. I expect the car is actually in the correct gear!, but I'd rather have the choice to drop the revs a bit.
choose the wrong gear on, every time. I expect the car is actually in the correct gear!, but I'd rather have the choice to drop the revs a bit.
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Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 299
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From: Johannesburg, South Africa
I find the step mode very useful.
FOr being in the right gear for cornering as mentioned before, specially with the diesel to keep the turbo in the right rev range.
Also, for slowing down quickly on slippery surfaces. I know the brakes work and there is traction control but I prefer to use engine braking in those situations.
What I dont like is the fact that the box is low to respond when you flick the gear change lever and as a result the change never happens at the point that you wish it did. You need to anticipate and change early.
Streak
FOr being in the right gear for cornering as mentioned before, specially with the diesel to keep the turbo in the right rev range.
Also, for slowing down quickly on slippery surfaces. I know the brakes work and there is traction control but I prefer to use engine braking in those situations.
What I dont like is the fact that the box is low to respond when you flick the gear change lever and as a result the change never happens at the point that you wish it did. You need to anticipate and change early.
Streak
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Joined: Jun 2005
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From: UK
My Ride: 2006 535d MSport ; Retired at 110,000 miles
October 2010: 2010 535d MSport; Space Grey/Black Dakota, Adaptive Xenons, High Beam assistant, Prof. Nav, Voice Control,SAT, Adaptive Drive, Powered boot, Comfort Access, Climate Comfort W/Screen, Surround View, Side/Rear Sunblinds, Comfort Seats, HUD, Active Cruise, TV, Prof Loudspeaker, Night Vision, Lane Change warning, 4-Zone A/C, split rear seats, Speed Limit Display
I find the 'manual' mode really useful; going down hills with engine braking, and especially in a line of traffic waiting to overtake - you can be in the right gear, ready to go, just that bit faster to respond as you don't have to wait for the 'box to kickdown.
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Joined: Jun 2004
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From: FLA - East Coast, USA
My Ride: (USA) 645Ci, Silver Gray, Chateau, Cold Weather PKG, Premium Sound PKG, Sport PKG, Step, NAV [Std Equip in 645], HUD, Satellite (SIRIUS) Radio, Aux Input, Bluetooth enabled using iPhone 3GS w/ adapter cradle - Build date - 01/05, Baby delivered 2/24/05
Originally Posted by cerbera' date='Jul 21 2005, 06:39 AM
I find the 'manual' mode really useful; going down hills with engine braking, and especially in a line of traffic waiting to overtake - you can be in the right gear, ready to go, just that bit faster to respond as you don't have to wait for the 'box to kickdown.
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Senior Members
Joined: May 2005
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From: Bucharest, Romania
Originally Posted by cobradav' date='Jul 21 2005, 07:50 AM
[quote name='cerbera' date='Jul 21 2005, 06:39 AM']I find the 'manual' mode really useful; going down hills with engine braking, and especially in a line of traffic waiting to overtake - you can be in the right gear, ready to go, just that bit faster to respond as you don't have to wait for the 'box to kickdown.
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[/quote]Plus u can always take it to higher rpm near the readline in DS. right? SO no...i think it's good it has manual mode. Heard that it doesn't shift in ds mode into 6th. correct? how fast would the car be near redline in 5th? I ask u beacuse i have the car only for 2 days and didn't have time to test it on long journeys.
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Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 168
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From: New England, USA
Manual mode in Step also great in traffic on highway. When traffic is stop & go at really slow speeds, just leave it in 2nd or 3rd and crawl along. No clutching, no automatic changing gears needlessly, and you get the braking needed with out the brakes being applied constantly. Saves your brakes and adds to the life of the transmission.
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Joined: May 2004
Posts: 136
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From: CYPRUS
My Ride: DMS 535d. Titanium Silver on Black leather. M- Sport Package.
For smaller engine E60's the manual mode on the steptronic is usefull especially when you want to get the max out of your engine. I really Like the manual mode feature 