Steptronic Owners - What Mode Do You Use?

[soundmax]

Hi all,

For the first time since owning in January 2007, I drove around for a little bit in SD mode. I definitely noticed a difference coming the mark. The down shift was also more pronounced as I came to a halt. I normally drive in "D" mode. Next I'll have to try the manual mode.

What is mode is everyone else driving in? I guess it's going to come down to personal preference. Just curious.

 

[jcz1987]

When Im on the freeway I leave mine on D or in city traffic. When im some windy road but lazy to shift, I put in SD mode. when I really want to have fun or put the car to the limit or racing with some guys in the twisties i put her in manual mode.

 

[MrElussive]

Once or twice a week I drive my Uncle's 750Li for work. Normally I put it in plain old drive because it's the smoothest and I shift to Manual mode when I feel like having fun. I like how Manual Shift mode, unlike other manually-shiftable automatic transmissions, will not automatically downshift for you. I can start from a stop in 2nd or 3rd gear, and that is really pimp...puts the driver 100% in charge of the gears.

I don't much care for Sport Mode...it becomes jerky at low speeds since the accelerator is more sensitive and the transmission holds each gear for longer.

 

[Average Jae]

I don't much care for Sport Mode...it becomes jerky at low speeds since the accelerator is more sensitive and the transmission holds each gear for longer.

the engine braking tugs at your neck esp right before coming to a stop. when i drive the x5, i usually put it in the S mode, but when i have to come to a stop, i click it back to regular drive for that exact reason.

does it make the accel more sensitive? i thought the sensitivity was just because it was in a lower gear. just like all manuals are real sensitive when it sits in first gear, i do that when i'm too lazy to shift in traffic, just for kicks.

 

[Doughnut]

Im yet to explore the joys of a 'clutchless manual,' Sounds like fun!

 

[lawman330xi]

I drive my car, a 2001 330xi, in manual mode almost all of the time. Besides the control factor, I got 60,000 miles out of my first set of brakes by downshifting, rather than braking. I also added a Dinan trans chip to smooth out the rough edges when shifting.

 

[///M SPEED]

Im yet to explore the joys of a 'clutchless manual,' Sounds like fun!

FYI: Steptronic is not a clutchless manual. It is an automatic transmission.....

 

[CosmosBlack]

When I had my 540i, I usually drive in S, unless I'm on long trips on the highway.
The manual mode was fun to play around with but it upshifts too early before you hit too high in the revs, and that took the fun out! And the shifts were rather slow.

The Porsche's Tiptronic is more fun to drive, shifts are smoother and quicker.
But I feel it's still not as close to a manual as the SMG is.

I tried the SMG in a 545i and loved it. That's the clutchless manual. I was briefed by the BMW salesman to ease up on the gas for a split sec when I shift, that was after my 1st test drive and I complaint about the shifts being jerky! Then I went out for a 2nd test run and did what he told me, it was nice...just like a manual but without the clutch, ease on gas very quickly then shift.

Now...I know some people who drive the SMG, and they tell me they just keep the pedal down when shifting, jerks a little but they say that's how it is. I have not seen the manual, so I don't know which is the correct procedure. I tend to believe the BMW salesman was correct, as it did feel right when I shifted his way. Can someone here clarify how the SMG is supposed to be shifted?

 

[Average Jae]

Now...I know some people who drive the SMG, and they tell me they just keep the pedal down when shifting, jerks a littel but they say that's how it is. I have not seen the manual, so I don't know which is the correct procedure. I tend to believe the BMW salesman was correct, as it did feel right when I shifted his way. Can someone here clarify how the SMG is supposed to be shifted?

Kenny, i agree with you and the salesman. it only makes natural sense. in a manual you ease on the accel when upshifting right?

jerky shifts while the accel is depressed. DUH!!! just because SMG or other clutchless boxes shift lighting quick doesn't mean it's not a manual at heart! point of upshifting is to drop the rpm. but if you mash on the gas it does the opposite, so there will be a slip to make the rpms match up. i believe that's when the car jerks, just like if you took too long to upshift, your revs are messed up and the car tells you so.

as for that's how it is: yea its because you are DUMB! if your car's not smooth, either the car or the operator is doing something wrong.

 

[MrElussive]

Jae, I might be wrong regarding the accelerator sensitivity. I am aware that the accelerator would naturally be more sensitive when the car is in Sport Mode due to holding gears longer, but I am quite sure that when I am in Sport or Manual mode that part of being in these modes is making the accelerator petal more sensitive (more responsive) as well as firming up the power steering. Just like pressing the "Sport" button on the Z4's with Sport Package.

As for SMG, I once drove my friend's M3 around and I found that treating the accelerator like I was in a full manual car helps smooth things out; that means letting off/easing off the accelerator when making upshifts. That being said, I found that a full manual transmission is is just generally smoother than SMG if the driver knows what he/she is doing. But when it comes to those high-rpm shifts, computers just don't make mistakes.

 

[soundmax]

I drive my car, a 2001 330xi, in manual mode almost all of the time. Besides the control factor, I got 60,000 miles out of my first set of brakes by downshifting, rather than braking. I also added a Dinan trans chip to smooth out the rough edges when shifting.

lawman330xi,

Wouldn't down shifting vs breaking be hard on the transmission over time and thus wear it out faster? Just a question.

 

[lawman330xi]

I've spoken to my service rep about it and he says no, as long as I'm not abusive.

 

[radmandpowersports]

I think it is all personal preference. I like manual mode when I feel like having some fun in my 98 318. But I normally don't get to drive my car much anymore since my wife works further from home than I, so I have to take her 04 silverado to work! (at least its the V8!)