heezy545i

Even with a CDV in, I find that I can upshift smoothly from 1st to 2nd and to third just fine. Perhaps I'm using up the clutch a tad more than I otherwise should, but the shifting is smooth nonetheless.

I find that if I think about the actual shifting too much, then my smoothness with the gearbox goes away. Normally I try to be rhythmic with my shifting, along with using a delayed motion as someone mentioned earlier and it works just fine for me.

When I'm really on the gas, shifting at or near redline, I don't have the smoothest shifts, but then again, I don't think you're supposed to.

Now I'm by no means the best driver, so take that into consideration. Just giving some input on how I personally drive.

heezy545i

On another note, I normally shift from 4th to 6th, but read that shifting gears on the upshift may be bad for the synchros. Not sure if it's completely true, but I now work my way through all the gears.

It's not really a hassle, but just trying to make it a habit again.

su27TT

guys, the upshifts are not a problem for me at all - though the throws are long, I adjusted to upshifts almost immediately. My concern is the downshifts that didn't work as expected for me. Somebody here said not to release the throttle on downshifts at all to prevent RPM's drop. Not always easy in all conditions (like after breaking) but that's what I'm going to try today, plus I'll find a '05 545 hopefully with the new soft installed. Going to dealers in an hour to give it another try...

Centurion

A little off topic, but since it was already thrown into the mix...

I'm aware the e46 M3 models have the SMG II tranny (which has had their fair share of problems) which shifts at ~0.8 seconds between gears.

While a different breed of SMG was used in the e60/e63 (not 'race' inclined), does anyone have statistics on it's shifting speed? Does it also have launch control?

pennetta

I am glad you asked and invited the SMG contingency's comments. I'll begin.
Yes there is a launch control called acceleration assistant, when you downshift the engine matches the appropriate revs to gear/speed, there is three speed settings to the shift speed- normal mode, sport mode and sport mode with DTC off. There is an adaptive memory as well that learns your driving pattern. Also if you shift closer to redline the shifts are faster.
There was a technical paper here:
http://forums.e60.net/index.php?act=module...cmd=si&img=1623
but the link is dead, I just tried it. Maybe some can repost it.

EBMCS03

Link works great.

Mark545

I am a little late into this discussion, but surely the key problem here is the poor throttle reponse of these E60 engines. My previous car was an E39 540i which had an instantaneous throttle response. The E60's seem to think about revving before anything happens and to blame the fly by wire is not good enough. With the speed of modern electronics speed should be the least of their problems. 18.1 this week so we will see if things improve!

EBMCS03

Ya... let me correct that... its because they can control the speed of throttle response by drive by wire... they hold it back for better emissions.

UUronL

Ya... let me correct that... its because they can control the speed of throttle response by drive by wire... they hold it back for better emissions.
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I know this is a 545i thread, but since some of this discussion has centered around throttle response and how it factors into driving a manual transmission, I'll say that my car has instantaneous throttle response.

wiszmaster

mine is pretty damn good about throttle response too .. even my '04 530i steptronic was. maybe its a 545i / V8 deal? the try to keep all power from hitting at once? reduce wear/tear?