Open Track Day in 3rd gear - BMW 1 Series Coupe Forum / 1 Series Convertible Forum (1M / tii / 135i / 128i / Coupe / Cabrio / Hatchback) (BMW E82 E88 128i 130i 135i)

OAM · 05-07-2012, 11:29 AM

I recently went to my first open track event. I was able to run the whole track in 3rd gear, never had to downshift to 2nd or upshift to 4th. On the back straight I would get up to about 6200rpms. I put about 80 miles on the car at that event. Am I in any way harming the car by running it that hard in 3rd gear only? I'm also running a cobb OTS map, if that matters.

ESC OFF · 05-07-2012, 11:43 AM

As long as you are not hitting the rev limiter you're OK. There are quite a few tracks out there that can be entirely run in 3rd gear. I'm not sure where you were running but I'm assuming there were not a lot of long straights or tight turns/switchbacks that allow for high speeds or require slow speeds for turning?

bdaddylo · 05-07-2012, 12:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ESC OFF

As long as you are not hitting the rev limiter you're OK. There are quite a few tracks out there that can be entirely run in 3rd gear. I'm not sure where you were running but I'm assuming there were not a lot of long straights or tight turns/switchbacks that allow for high speeds or require slow speeds for turning?

+1

As noted in many reviews the large amounts of torque available in the low RPM range is one of the best attributes of our N54.

sleedawg · 05-22-2012, 06:04 PM

Which track did you go to? Lime Rock? Watkins?

RaptorKTM · 05-22-2012, 06:36 PM

I dont see anything wrong with running in 3rd gear, I think you will just end up putting a bit more wear on other items such as brakes. But if it worked great, that low end torque is a great thing to have.

Ender_ · 05-22-2012, 10:03 PM

Just did a lapping day myself, luckily my instructor also has a 1M and he said only use 3 and 4 on the track (get up to about 220km/hr on the straights), seemed to be fine even with some tight corners if you keep the speed up through them, with the ass end out

05-07-2012, 11:29 AM	#1
OAM Second Lieutenant Drives: Sitting Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Northeast Posts: 219 iTrader: (3)	Open Track Day in 3rd gear I recently went to my first open track event. I was able to run the whole track in 3rd gear, never had to downshift to 2nd or upshift to 4th. On the back straight I would get up to about 6200rpms. I put about 80 miles on the car at that event. Am I in any way harming the car by running it that hard in 3rd gear only? I'm also running a cobb OTS map, if that matters.
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05-07-2012, 11:43 AM	#2
ESC OFF Major Drives: 1M (AW) & CaymanS Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Chicago Posts: 1,018 iTrader: (0)	As long as you are not hitting the rev limiter you're OK. There are quite a few tracks out there that can be entirely run in 3rd gear. I'm not sure where you were running but I'm assuming there were not a lot of long straights or tight turns/switchbacks that allow for high speeds or require slow speeds for turning? __________________ The faster you go, the better it feels

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05-22-2012, 06:04 PM	#4
sleedawg Private Drives: 2012 328i & 2011 335i Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Millbrae, CA Posts: 65 iTrader: (0)	Which track did you go to? Lime Rock? Watkins?

05-22-2012, 06:36 PM	#5
RaptorKTM Colonel Drives: 1 M Coupe Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: San Diego Posts: 2,366 iTrader: (1) Garage List 2011 BMW 1 M [0.00]	I dont see anything wrong with running in 3rd gear, I think you will just end up putting a bit more wear on other items such as brakes. But if it worked great, that low end torque is a great thing to have.

05-22-2012, 10:03 PM	#6
Ender_ Lieutenant Drives: BMW 1M VO Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Ottawa Posts: 405 iTrader: (0)	Just did a lapping day myself, luckily my instructor also has a 1M and he said only use 3 and 4 on the track (get up to about 220km/hr on the straights), seemed to be fine even with some tight corners if you keep the speed up through them, with the ass end out