DSC off... Sport mode or Manual mode... ALL the time! :thumbup:
"D" is for dummies... j/k

 

I did the ultimate drive today - what a buzz - confirms that I am making the right choice - just won't help the waiting process

I am getting the 6 speed - but I loved the sport mode in the Auto - very manual like in the engine braking and a nice crisp change.

Man!!! Do I get the Burl Walnut or the Aluminium!!! Decisions!!!!

 

I normally drive in D mode about 80% of the time. If I'm not is D, I usually drive in manual mode. If I'm going to drive hard, I usually like to pick shift points myself.

I'm very pleased with how smoothly the new box downshifts. Excellent!

 

I'm interested in whether people are using D or DS. About 80% of the time I use D but I'm finding myself liking the aggressive DS more and more.

How do you put it into "DS"?

 

How do you put it into "DS"?

By "DS" I think he means "S" which is sport mode.

 

How do you put it in M?

 

How do you put it in M?

Once you're in DS mode, you either upshift or downshift and that will put it in the next higher or lower gear in relation to the gear you are currenting in. So for example, you are cruising along in DS 4th gear, if you push the lever up, it will downshift to 3rd, but pull in down, you will upshift into 5th. It's the same for all Steptronic BMWs except for the X5. The X5 is the opposite way.

-Chris

 

It's the same for all Steptronic BMWs except for the X5. The X5 is the opposite way.

-Chris

Nope. You must be thinking of the first year of production for the X5, 2000 model year, which was reversed until BMW decided on a standard. They have all been the same for years now, push forward for downshift and pull back for upshift.

 

Nope. You must be thinking of the first year of production for the X5, 2000 model year, which was reversed until BMW decided on a standard. They have all been the same for years now, push forward for downshift and pull back for upshift.

Yup...mine was a 2000 4.4...

I thought it was wierd and I did accidently upshift instead of downshift due to the mix-up for the first year X5s.

-Chris

 

In all liklihood I will get an Auto, and will spend most of the time is Sport. I like that the Auto shifting is a lot faster than clutch shifting, and I find the manual shifts are very responsive. Yeah, so I'll lose a few HP in the torque converter, whatever.

It even kicks in nicely at 60mph for lane changes.

 

Oh, and go for the Walnut....

 

i use the Manual mode unless im running low on gas, i only use sport on highway cuz its fun to pass people. Sport mode just eats away my gas for some reason..

 

When I first got my car I was using DS most of the time. I drive over the Santa Cruz Mts daily and I use D on the uphill and DS on the downhill to control the speed so I don't have to break so much. It seems to be working really well for me. If only the slowpokes in the left hand lane would get out of my way!!!

 

If there is open road I will put it in DS, but since I drive in heavy traffic, I leave it in D most of the time. I rarely use M mode, and when I do it's mostly for downshifting.

 

If there is open road I will put it in DS, but since I drive in heavy traffic, I leave it in D most of the time. I rarely use M mode, and when I do it's mostly for downshifting.

What he said. If I tracked the car I'd use M for the gear-holding, but when I'm driving hard on normal roads, S mode gives me what I want as far as holding.

 

What he said. If I tracked the car I'd use M for the gear-holding, but when I'm driving hard on normal roads, S mode gives me what I want as far as holding.

True, the gears hold very well in DS. It's pretty cool because if you are in heavy traffic that is moving a little you can put it in DS and avoid having to brake so much.

 

I'm interested in whether people are using D or DS. About 80% of the time I use D but I'm finding myself liking the aggressive DS more and more.

let me repost my reply on e90post on how I use my steptronic tranny again here, just to see if this thread can be brought back to life:

1. D_MODE - I usually start my day from my garage in D-mode, to the main neighborhood street, and lights, drinking my coffee, easy driving, no cares, on my way to the Parkway (beltway,Hway)

2. D/DS_MODE - Im usually still in D-mode doing speed limit at my initial first miles on the Hway/Beltway. As the traffic lightens up, I would normally Arm-and-Load my baby, by slapping the stickshift to the left (DS-Mode).

Im armed and ready to execute. Normally, at this point(DS_MODE), Im a little over the speed limit, either setting the trend or pacing the already fast traffic trend. But still comfortable speeding drive.

Im ready to get challenge at this point (DS-mode)

3. M-Mode - I guess this is manual mode, from the posting here. While in DS_mode Im waiting for an opportunity or a challenge. Soon, as Im challenged or an opportunity to speed, I would SLAP the stick from DS-mode to M-mode, I would normally downshift to provide me more torque.

Usually that will put me down to 4th and just watch my rpms, until i shift up to 5th again. Or, maybe down shift to 3rd for curves, engine brakes etc.

I make sure that my radio is off, windows ups, sunroof closed, A/C off, and i dont carry a heavy load when i speedup at m-mode.
I do this as safe as possible, when traffic permits and weather is good.

After I get the urges out of my system, I could slap the stick back to D-mode and sit on my throne, and hope that I show them that I am their daddy, until a bigger daddy show me their toys and tells me "Whos your daddy?" and i :bow:.

Im new to this thing, and Im not a racer, but just your average joe, enjoying life simple pleasures. I wish to learn more from others on the ways to be more effective driver on a E90.

 

I haven't even tried the Sport mode yet, but I am planning on it soon. I actually forgot I had it. Thanks for reminding me.