[AudiA4]

I love rowing through gears...manually, with a clutch. In fact, I've NEVER owner a car with an automatic transmission.

That being said, today's modern autos are both quicker AND more fuel efficient than their manual counterparts...due in no small part to their 8 cogs.

I'm not overly concerned with acceleration comparisons, but I DO regret that my engine is spinning at an additional 500 RPM in 6th at highway speed compared to 8th in the auto.

This got me thinking...5th is the forgotten gear (I NEVER cruise in 5th, even in town). Wouldn't it be grand if BMW moved the current 6th gear ratio to slot 5, and gave us a true overdrive 6th gear with a ratio closer to 8th in the auto?

I realize it wouldn't be suitable for any type of hilly 2 lane highway (would force you to change gears too often), but for long, relatively flat freeway runs, it would be welcomed.

[bavarianride]

BMW does that for 328i 6MT, namely, the direct of 328i is 4th, leaving 5th and 6th as overdrive. The 335i 6MT direct is 5th, hence there is only one overdrive(6th).

[nicknaz]

I used to use 5th in my e90 328 for small highways with 45-50mph limit. 6th felt like it would "lug" the engine and i wanted to get revs down for cruising

[nozydog]

Like you I hate auto boxes and love the flexibility of a manual. I use 5th all the time, only really go into 6th once I'm up to 80 plus on the fast lane (oops I mean outside lane)

On A roads it's usually 5th! But back to your point, I agree they could alter the ratios a little maybe for the top two gears!

[JJS]

I use 5th when I'm cruising in traffic between 60 and 80km/h. I agree 6th could be just a bit taller to drop my engine speed below 2krpm at 100km/h.

[spuntyb]

Originally Posted by bavarianride

BMW does that for 328i 6MT, namely, the direct of 328i is 4th, leaving 5th and 6th as overdrive. The 335i 6MT direct is 5th, hence there is only one overdrive(6th).

Didn't realize that, thanks!

[Torque of the Devil]

5th is a great gear, I know you shouldn't have favourites but this would be mine if you were allowed.

[Bbb34]

Originally Posted by AudiA4

I'm not overly concerned with acceleration comparisons, but I DO regret that my engine is spinning at an additional 500 RPM in 6th at highway speed compared to 8th in the auto.

Same as you, never owned auto (wife has, on and off, so I do get to drive them often), but have no issue with additional 500 RPM when cruising in 6th (not certain that's whee AT fuel saving is coming from if I'm honest). I mean, I was reading your post, and realized, that I wouldn't really change anything in way this transmission is setup. I mean, sure, you can always wish for things to be slightly different, but I usually just get used to setup over time whatever the gearing is. Never yet have I not purchased the car because the gearing wasn't exactly how I wanted it, for me lack of low end torque is a deal breaker, gearing ratio, not so much. But you are making interesting point, I suppose 5th is the one I spend the least time in, just never thought of that.

Originally Posted by Vanguard

5th is a great gear, I know you shouldn't have favourites but this would be mine if you were allowed.

Ha ha, no way, can't agree, it's gotta be 3rd, if you're picking favorites.

[paul e]

With all the HP and Torque the 340 motor makes, the gearing doesn't make a lot of sense.

6th could and should be more of a highway gear.

[chiefneil]

Originally Posted by bavarianride

BMW does that for 328i 6MT, namely, the direct of 328i is 4th, leaving 5th and 6th as overdrive. The 335i 6MT direct is 5th, hence there is only one overdrive(6th).

Huh, the engine with more torque and hp has a shorter top gear? Not what I would've expected.

If there were opposites for this sort of thing it must be the corvette. Doesn't that go like 80 in 2nd, then you can just dump it straight into the super-overdrive top gear? But then it turns off 4 cylinders so I guess maybe it does end up like a 328i in top gear on the highway

[bavarianride]

Originally Posted by chiefneil

Huh, the engine with more torque and hp has a shorter top gear? Not what I would've expected.

If there were opposites for this sort of thing it must be the corvette. Doesn't that go like 80 in 2nd, then you can just dump it straight into the super-overdrive top gear? But then it turns off 4 cylinders so I guess maybe it does end up like a 328i in top gear on the highway

In a way pre-LCI 328i(and even more so for 320i) 6MT is geared for fuel efficiency, while 335i(with direct@5th) is geared for performance.

Interestingly on MY17, bmwusa spec shows that 320i also has direct at 5th just like 340i, while 330i still has direct@4th. That's surprising, maybe bmwusa has a typo?

[snowghost]

I use 5th on surface streets that are not very congested. Also on the Freeway at 60-80 when you might need power on demand.

I too have never owned an AT. But this is one of the best MTs I've driven.

[nozydog]

A few of you have described 4th or 5th gear as the 'direct'... never heard this before, what does it mean (top before overdrive maybe?)

Also, anyone tell me roughly what speed you'd be doing in a 340i in 6th gear at 2k revs?

[metallicpea]

They mean it is 1:1 ratio - same revs into trans as out of it. Most manual trans have 1 gear - usually the top gear that has a 1:1 ratio. Recently overdrive has been added to manual trans - some as mentioned have 2 overdrive gears, meaning output shaft spins faster than input.

[bavarianride]

Originally Posted by nozydog

A few of you have described 4th or 5th gear as the 'direct'... never heard this before, what does it mean (top before overdrive maybe?)

Also, anyone tell me roughly what speed you'd be doing in a 340i in 6th gear at 2k revs?

What rear tire size is on your 340i? Just look up the revs/mile info from tirerack for your tires(brand+size), e.g. it says 801 revs/mile for 255/45R18 Bridgestone S001 RFT.

Then go look up the 6th gear ratio, e.g. 1:0.85, plus the rear diff ratio, e.g. 3.23.

Then do this math:

((2000rpm/0.85)/3.23)/801 = 0.909 mile/min, or 54.6mph.

[jeffro535]

Depends on traffic. but around here, I find myself in 5th fairly often. Also when on the interstate and i need to get around someone quickly, I'll grab it to get that little extra oomph.
So typical of the way BMW does this, 5th is the direct and 6th is the overdrive, 1.00:1/.85 :1 respectively. That said, with the emphasis on torque these motors have, it feels like they could have gone with a taller overdrive ratio, especially for the 435/440 models. That said, BMW has a long history of getting the gearing spot on. Loved running my 535 on the 'bahn and it would max out right at the horsepower peak in 6th

[AudiA4]

Interesting responses...clearly people drive their cars differently. I just never find myself using 5th. If I'm going more than 40, even in town on city streets, I'm in 6th. The car has plenty of torque, and when/if I must shift down, it's usually to 3rd or 4th.

I wouldn't debate that using 5th more frequently - or any other methodology - isn't just as valid as my practice. But from my perspective, I'd rather the 0.85 (current 6th ratio) occupy slot 5, and give us a higher, highway overdrive gear as 6th...especially on the 340/440's.

[stopbeingabozo]

I almost always jump from 4th to 6th. I rarely use 5th gear. I find it too far out of reach. I like my comfort

[Humdizzle]

My car is primarily used for highway commuting at 80-90mph. The 6 speed is doing 2900rpm at 80mph and the auto is 2200-2300.

I would have loved to buy a 6 speed if they threw in a long overdrive. Mainly for the reduced engine noise, but the added gas savings and having less wear on the engine would have been a plus too.

[HighlandPete]

Got to ask a simple question here?

Why would an MT user not use (or favour) a particular gear? Surely the idea of MT is to use the gearbox, and in this case (if efficiency is in the thinking) 5th gear would be a favoured gear to benefit from the gearbox design. The 1:1 in/out efficiency.

As for a higher gear, again isn't that a compromise for a sport biased MT?

Do you want a sport setup (close ratios) or an "oddity" overdrive ratio with a gap in overall ratios?

[paul e]

I think the point here is that with all the HP and especially the super wide torque band the need for a close ratio manual is not really there, especially in the top gears.

This is especially noted in the highway RPM as stated above. The 4th gear could be 1:1 with the first three gears spaced close and the top 2 gears more highway oriented.

[HighlandPete]

Originally Posted by paul e

I think the point here is that with all the HP and especially the super wide torque band the need for a close ratio manual is not really there, especially in the top gears.

This is especially noted in the highway RPM as stated above. The 4th gear could be 1:1 with the first three gears spaced close and the top 2 gears more highway oriented.

I fully understand the lower revs for cruising, but we aren't exactly running short gearing for a MT, are we?

Personally I wouldn't want the top two ratios spread out, certainly not the top ratio. If we must have longer gearing, I would prefer a change in diff ratio to obtain the lower revs at cruising speed. But it is not that simple.

I've driven MT with odd top gear ratios, we've seen it a lot in the UK over the years, they are not 'driver' biased, you have a hole in the ratios, whatever the engine characteristics.

The other technical issue is the 'ratio spread' from the gearbox. There is only so much spread possible. Plus 1st gear must pull off on a specified incline, that limits the diff ratio. Therefore the 1st gear ratio, gearbox ratio spread (6-speed MT) and diff ratio, combine to limit the cruising rpm.

The ZF 8-speed AT answers all the criteria, efficient close ratios, wider ratio spread (7.8) within the 'box, allows for longer gearing.