[Lankster]

For all you AT drivers out there who always drive in M-mode, when you come to a stop, do you have to downshift to M1 or leave it at M2? Or does your car automatically downshift to M1 for you?

[AzureHaze]

The diesels are not as efficient off the line on M1 due to the massive torque and short rev band so I just let it stay on M2 and let it rip.

[scotty_miller]

I leave it at m2 when I stop, the only time I put it in m1 is when I want to hear that wonderful muffler delete sound sometimes. But m1 is such a short gear and kind of a pain in my opinion, so I just let the tranny do it's thing

[Lankster]

Reason I ask is lately, very infrequently, my transmission though being an automatic will stay in like 5th gear or 6th gear even though the indicator says M2 when coming out of a stop. I figured this might be because of me always starting in 2nd when it should start in first...

[135Pats]

There is no reason to be in first on a stock turbo car. It's so responsive second gear handles everything no problem.

[fravel]

Originally Posted by 135Pats

There is no reason to be in first on a stock turbo car. It's so responsive second gear handles everything no problem.

Even in the N52 E90's, 1st is so short it's practically useless. In fact, the only time I ever use it is when when I'm bogged up in traffic so I can let the car idle along and avoid using the throttle to save gas.

[Ian0611]

I just got my N52 E90 a couple weeks ago and my initial tendency was to always go down to M1. But it only took me a day or two to realize that M2 works pretty well off the line so I usually just leave it there.

[Lankster]

No worries that constantly starting in second will have adverse effects on the tranny?

[Art818]

i DOwnshift to 1

[Lankster]

Lol looks like this is a close race

[insane79]

I shift to M1, i got the N52 no turbo, i feel M2 does take longer to get to speed & also why strain the engine & box, i feel bmw did this M2 thing to make the cars more efficient..

[fravel]

Originally Posted by Lankster

No worries that constantly starting in second will have adverse effects on the tranny?

I highly doubt BMW would program it to do something that would cause damage.

[only1harry]

Originally Posted by Lankster

Reason I ask is lately, very infrequently, my transmission though being an automatic will stay in like 5th gear or 6th gear even though the indicator says M2 when coming out of a stop. I figured this might be because of me always starting in 2nd when it should start in first...

This is an issue that has been discussed here a few times. A few people with '08-09 models have the same symptoms as you. The car is in a different gear than what it shows. It starts out doing it intermittendly and then gets worse. It is usually cut wires under the shifter when using Sport Mode a lot. The motion going from left to right with the (auto) shift knob cuts into the wires under the shifter panel. Poor design. Try doing a search. There were pictures posted recently of different wires being totally destroyed in 2 different places(!).

Harry

[Lankster]

Originally Posted by only1harry

This is an issue that has been discussed here a few times. A few people with '08-09 models have the same symptoms as you. The car is in a different gear than what it shows. It starts out doing it intermittendly and then gets worse. It is usually cut wires under the shifter when using Sport Mode a lot. The motion going from left to right with the (auto) shift knob cuts into the wires under the shifter panel. Poor design. Try doing a search. There were pictures posted recently of different wires being totally destroyed in 2 different places(!).

Harry

Thank you! Im on this site a lot and must have missed the issue entirely!

[only1harry]

No problem, I 've only been here less than 2 weeks and picking up my first Bimmer in 2 days. But I have been reading a lot doing my homework so I know what to expect I am sure I don't know 95% of the common issues, but that one stuck in my head from a few days ago The latest (free) fix I read was putting glue on any damaged wires (or splicing them if possible) so they don't move or completely separate/get cut, and moving them out of the way (don't remember exactly how). That is after you remove a few things to get under the shifter.. If your car is under warranty, bring it to the dealer. They usually replace the entire module and harness under there, but there should be a Service Bulletin on it. I am not sure how putting new parts in prevents the wires from being cut again over time. They must have a workaround for it like securing the harness differently so they do not rub against anything.
Good luck!
Harry

[iturbo_bmw]

never go down to m2 unless i wanna spin my wheels for fun. m1 is too short and jerky compared to m2 for me

[135Pats]

Originally Posted by fravel

Even in the N52 E90's, 1st is so short it's practically useless. In fact, the only time I ever use it is when when I'm bogged up in traffic so I can let the car idle along and avoid using the throttle to save gas.

Good point. Powerband characteristics aside, 1st is so short you run out of gear before anything important happens. It’s just an awkward gear on this platform to be honest, feels out of place. The only time I’m in 1st is when the car is cold and I’m waiting to get a bit of temp in the oil. Torque comes on so quickly you can get off the line without dialing in a ton of load, which feels like crap on a cold motor.

[Lankster]

I agree, but the fact that there is a first gear means I should use it, but its so pointless!

[Dozhdbog]

I primarily use it for climbing our steep driveway.

[Lankster]

Gotta bump it, break the tie!