6MT owners- when do you shift?

diamondsbylauren · 01-26-2011, 07:48 PM

Ho Gordon- you're saying that driving at too low a rev level will cause damage- it seems others have suggested that driving at the 4k mark will do damage...
Interesting discussion for me.
I[m still trying to figure out what WOT is.....

to me it seems that when I shift at the 2.5-3k range, there's no way to feel the turbo at all......

gordongekko · 01-26-2011, 07:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by diamondsbylauren

Ho Gordon- you're saying that driving at too low a rev level will cause damage- it seems others have suggested that driving at the 4k mark will do damage...
Interesting discussion for me.
I[m still trying to figure out what WOT is.....

to me it seems that when I shift at the 2.5-3k range, there's no way to feel the turbo at all......

I've read both things honestly on this site. It seems like driving at high RPMs for a long time would do some damage I guess. I was more eluding to driving around in 6th gear at 1.5k RPMs. I'm not even in 6th gear most of the time on the freeway.

infinitekidM2C · 01-26-2011, 08:17 PM

WOT = Wide Open Throttle...basically smashing the gas pedal....

diamondsbylauren · 01-26-2011, 08:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by infinitekid2002

WOT = Wide Open Throttle...basically smashing the gas pedal....

TYVM!!

roo97ss · 01-26-2011, 10:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by diamondsbylauren

Ho Gordon- you're saying that driving at too low a rev level will cause damage- it seems others have suggested that driving at the 4k mark will do damage...
Interesting discussion for me.
I[m still trying to figure out what WOT is.....

to me it seems that when I shift at the 2.5-3k range, there's no way to feel the turbo at all......

if you like that instant response at 4k, just get your car tuned so you can have similar acceleration at 2500 or so.

mtla4 · 01-26-2011, 10:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by diamondsbylauren

In terms of wear and tear- that's one great aspect of leasing a car.
....

That's why I'm not buying used cars.

gordongekko · 01-26-2011, 10:25 PM

So does anyone have a definitive answer?

perral1 · 01-26-2011, 11:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gordongekko

So does anyone have a definitive answer?

How can you have a definitive answer? It's all about tradeoffs. Keeping it in 3rd gear at 60mph is going to make the car more responsive. On the other hand, it's going to cause more wear on the engine and decrease gas mileage. Plus, it sounds kind of obnoxious (IMO). Most people, I would guess, under most situations, are going to shift up much sooner.

scorcherjf · 01-27-2011, 02:37 AM

lol i can see why you're getting speeding tickets. Even if you're not speeding, cruising in 3rd gear at 4k rpm will be audible to any cop and you'll most likely get pulled over.

The only time i ever hold it in 4k+ territory is on a racetrack in a series of turns or something. If i see a cop i actually shift at 1.5k... just to try and minimize attention. But normally... just drive as you would any other manual car - shift around 3-4k, cruise in the highest gear.

Quote:

Originally Posted by diamondsbylauren

Hi all,
Having had too many speeding tickets to mention, I need to be extremely careful driving.
I've gotten into the habit of driving at the maximum possible speed( generally speed limit plus 10)
I frequently drive the West Side Highway- speed limit 50- so I can get away with 60. ( I've also got a ...minivan ugh- and the cops will allow another few miles an hour when I'm driving that, but in the 1, you have to be super careful- but that's another story)
Anyway, if I keep her in third gear, 60 miles an hour is 4000rpm- which keeps the car at it's most responsive point. It feels faster and more fun to drive.
When do you shift?
What gear do you drive in if you need to go 60mph?

GaryS · 01-27-2011, 05:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gordongekko

So does anyone have a definitive answer?

LOL I already gave you a definitive answer. Here's an authoritative answer from the 135i Owners Manual:

Quote:

When accelerating, shift up before reaching high engine speeds.

When you reach the desired speed, shift into the highest applicable gear and drive with the engine speed as low as possible and at a constant speed.

As a rule: driving at low engine speeds lowers fuel consumption and reduces wear.

FDM68 · 01-27-2011, 06:29 AM

Pretty much never in 5th/6th less I'm above 90mph. But for the most part on non autobahn drives I'm in whatever gear keeps it in the low to mid 3k's.

Quote:

Originally Posted by GaryS

You like the feeling of high revs, high compression. But your 135i's engine is the opposite of that.

Your revs should be relative to throttle. If you're accelerating WOT, you should shift near redline. If you're accelerating leisurely, you should shift around 2500. If you're cruising at 60, you should be in 6th or sometimes 5th.

gordongekko · 01-27-2011, 09:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by perral1

How can you have a definitive answer? It's all about tradeoffs. Keeping it in 3rd gear at 60mph is going to make the car more responsive. On the other hand, it's going to cause more wear on the engine and decrease gas mileage. Plus, it sounds kind of obnoxious (IMO). Most people, I would guess, under most situations, are going to shift up much sooner.

A definitive answer to whether driving in high gears (6th gear going 50 MPH??) will "carb up" your car and is bad for your engine.

SlicktopTTZ · 01-27-2011, 09:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gordongekko

A definitive answer to whether driving in high gears (6th gear going 50 MPH??) will "carb up" your car and is bad for your engine.

LOL you aren't going to "carb up" a N54 or 55. Even at 1500 in 6th gear the car has plenty of torque to accelerate, and it definitely isn't "bogging".

Do you guys not play with your cars?

SlicktopTTZ · 01-27-2011, 09:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by diamondsbylauren

Ho Gordon- you're saying that driving at too low a rev level will cause damage- it seems others have suggested that driving at the 4k mark will do damage...
Interesting discussion for me.
I[m still trying to figure out what WOT is.....

to me it seems that when I shift at the 2.5-3k range, there's no way to feel the turbo at all......

At WOT you will feel the turbo spool from 2.5-3K RPM. Go test it.

The point is, if you are cruising, you don't want to spool your turbo all the time. Hell I can do 6 quick shifts at WOT going from 1000 - 1800RPM and the turbo will be spooling.

For normal driving, for the least wear and tear, and the most gas mileage, you want to give just enough throttle to accelerate but stay out of boost. Shifting anywhere from 2000-3000RPM is fine.

Of course, don't be scared to rev your car out, 7000RPM WOT is fine, I just don't see the point of being in low gear all the time or flooring it, public roads are not race tracks, plus gas is expensive.

N2Nalgas · 01-27-2011, 10:02 AM

I shift between 2.5k and 3k for normal daily driving.
If and when i feel like having a slight heavy foot i will shift between 3k and 4k.

When driving spirited on the highway i will shift around 4.5k-5k to try to get the most out of every gear.

1SerieStud · 01-27-2011, 10:06 AM

Normal/conservative driving = 2000-2300 rpm.

Spirited driving = 3000-3500 rpm.

Pushing the car to its limits = 6000-6500 rpm since past that point power drops.

Cruising at 60mph = 6th gear; thus car has enough torque to cruise in 6th without feeling luggish or the need to downshift.

gordongekko · 01-27-2011, 10:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SlicktopTTZ

LOL you aren't going to "carb up" a N54 or 55. Even at 1500 in 6th gear the car has plenty of torque to accelerate, and it definitely isn't "bogging".

Do you guys not play with your cars?

I just got my car and it's the dead of winter where I live.

infinitekidM2C · 01-27-2011, 11:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by diamondsbylauren

TYVM!!

What?..edit: i think ur saying Thank you very much...right?

SlicktopTTZ · 01-27-2011, 11:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gordongekko

I just got my car and it's the dead of winter where I live.

Oh well you are going to have a blast when you can actually drive! These cars start making good torque about 600RPM off idle, better than some large V8s!

gordongekko · 01-27-2011, 11:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SlicktopTTZ

Oh well you are going to have a blast when you can actually drive! These cars start making good torque about 600RPM off idle, better than some large V8s!

It has made the break in period easier. I can't wait for warmer weather and the snow tires off though.

diamondsbylauren · 01-27-2011, 11:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by infinitekid2002

What?..edit: i think ur saying Thank you very much...right?

Yes, that was my (lame) attempt at humor

diamondsbylauren · 01-27-2011, 11:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scorcherjf

lol i can see why you're getting speeding tickets. Even if you're not speeding, cruising in 3rd gear at 4k rpm will be audible to any cop and you'll most likely get pulled over.

The only time i ever hold it in 4k+ territory is on a racetrack in a series of turns or something. If i see a cop i actually shift at 1.5k... just to try and minimize attention. But normally... just drive as you would any other manual car - shift around 3-4k, cruise in the highest gear.

For the record I have not gotten a speeding ticket in the past three years- and never in my 135.
I don;t think the sound has near as much to do with it as the way cops seem to target cars like BMW, or Porsche.
There's one guy on the West Side Highway who seems to have some high end car pulled over every time I see him
I must have seen him catch at least 50 cars.
Maybe once it was a Honda.

That's part of the point of my thread.
I agree- the car will pull from 1500 RPM, I've driven in sixth- but it just feels faster driving between 50-60mph in third.
Loud or not, I've never gotten pulled over if I'm driving within the speed limit- or close enough to it.

01-26-2011, 07:48 PM	#23
diamondsbylauren Private First Class 35 Rep 166 Posts Drives: 2015 BMW M4 CV Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: NYC iTrader: (0) Garage List 2015 BMW M4 [9.00] 2001 Porsche Boxter S [0.00] 1969 DeVille Conver ... [0.00] 2011 1351 [0.00]	Ho Gordon- you're saying that driving at too low a rev level will cause damage- it seems others have suggested that driving at the 4k mark will do damage... Interesting discussion for me. I[m still trying to figure out what WOT is..... to me it seems that when I shift at the 2.5-3k range, there's no way to feel the turbo at all...... __________________ David Currently driving 2015 M4 Vert
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01-26-2011, 08:17 PM	#25
infinitekidM2C Major General 4207 Rep 5,728 Posts Drives: 2019 M2 Competition Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Orange County, CA iTrader: (4) Garage List 2019 M2 COMPETITION [9.50] 2008 135i (my old car) [7.39]	WOT = Wide Open Throttle...basically smashing the gas pedal....
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01-26-2011, 10:25 PM	#29
gordongekko Private First Class 1 Rep 134 Posts Drives: 2011 135i Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Royal Oak, MI iTrader: (0)	So does anyone have a definitive answer?
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01-27-2011, 10:02 AM	#37
N2Nalgas New 2 BMW World 11 Rep 205 Posts Drives: 2011 135i Coupe 6MT White\Red Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Long Island, NY iTrader: (0)	I shift between 2.5k and 3k for normal daily driving. If and when i feel like having a slight heavy foot i will shift between 3k and 4k. When driving spirited on the highway i will shift around 4.5k-5k to try to get the most out of every gear. __________________ Old car: 2004 Subaru STI 6MT New car: 2011 135i 6MT
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01-27-2011, 10:06 AM	#38
1SerieStud Brigadier General 183 Rep 3,939 Posts Drives: '11 VO 1M (498 of 740) Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Jacksonville, FL iTrader: (11)	Normal/conservative driving = 2000-2300 rpm. Spirited driving = 3000-3500 rpm. Pushing the car to its limits = 6000-6500 rpm since past that point power drops. Cruising at 60mph = 6th gear; thus car has enough torque to cruise in 6th without feeling luggish or the need to downshift.
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