I only use 6th gear if i am going over 80 mph

Juggs · 11-03-2006, 10:09 AM

Honestly i feel much more comfortable in 5th on the interstate. It has the extra juice to get the heck out of the way of some stupid ass 18 wheeler that is coming over into my lane or the moron up front who slams on his brakes for no reason at all. What about you all? I find 6th to almost be a little too weak if i am under 80. The few times i took her to 100+ i of course went into 6th

anyone have a chart on the gearing for a 325? I wouldnt be surprised to see the power above the 4k RPM range

BK · 11-03-2006, 10:15 AM

In traffic, I'm in 5th, often even in 4th. Never 6th. I need the engine braking as well as the ability to get the hell out of the way when necessary.

Outside of traffic, I'll put 'er in 6th even if I'm only going 55mph. 6th is basically an OD gear.

I should add, though, that accelleration is still not bad in 6th gear at highway speeds. It's no 335i, but it ain't bad on the 330i.

HRC · 11-03-2006, 10:35 AM

I use 6th below 80mph all the time.

Danny

HRC · 11-03-2006, 10:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BK

In traffic, I'm in 5th, often even in 4th. Never 6th. I need the engine braking as well as the ability to get the hell out of the way when necessary...

Downshift, upshift at a moments notice! That's what I do

Danny

rwwong · 11-03-2006, 10:39 AM

I use 6th all the time on the highway. I'm not sure about the acceleration in the 325, but I fell it's sufficient in the 330.

Richwm · 11-03-2006, 10:49 AM

If im above 65 im in 6th there is enough power if not I down shift to 4th or 3rd to get the power down.

sstarch1 · 11-03-2006, 11:14 AM

For a 335i 6th gear torque is more than enough to get out of any situation

whippersnapper · 11-03-2006, 11:32 AM

I use 6th from 60mph. I like at least 2500rpm on the tach in the new gear. If I need more acceleration I change gears. This is how a manual transmission works

just4kickz · 11-03-2006, 11:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HRC

Downshift, upshift at a moments notice! That's what I do

Danny

so versatile

HRC · 11-03-2006, 11:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BK

In traffic, I'm in 5th, often even in 4th. Never 6th. I need the engine braking as well as the ability to get the hell out of the way when necessary.

Outside of traffic, I'll put 'er in 6th even if I'm only going 55mph. 6th is basically an OD gear.

I should add, though, that accelleration is still not bad in 6th gear at highway speeds. It's no 335i, but it ain't bad on the 330i.

BTW, how's your average MPG?

Danny

HRC · 11-03-2006, 11:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by just4kickz

so versatile

Just call me Mr. Talented.

Danny

BK · 11-03-2006, 12:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HRC

BTW, how's your average MPG?

Danny

I don't drive highway miles every day. My drive to work has no highway miles.

I do track my mpg, though, and my overall average speed is around 30mph, and my overall average mpg is around 21.5mpg.

If you're wondering what the difference would be in mpg between using 6th all the time versus rarely using it, I've watched the "instant mpg" gauge to try to guess this -- and I suspect the difference is ~25mpg on the highway versus ~30mpg.

RiXst3r · 11-03-2006, 12:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sstarch1

For a 335i 6th gear torque is more than enough to get out of any situation

I was going to mention this also, but the OP obviously doesnt have a 335

Fraggy · 11-03-2006, 08:19 PM

Yea, in my lowly 325

when getting into tighter traffic on the freeway I use 5th for the reasons stated above. But once Im out of the congestion, I go back to 6th regardless of hiway speed.

mikepinkerton · 11-03-2006, 09:00 PM

I use 6th when I need to make sure i stay around the speed limit, even as low as 35mph. Every day. If I need power, i shift.

My mileage averages well over 25mpg even in the city.

BeeEmDubU · 11-03-2006, 10:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mikepinkerton

I use 6th when I need to make sure i stay around the speed limit, even as low as 35mph. Every day. If I need power, i shift.

My mileage averages well over 25mpg even in the city.

haha 6th gear at 35mph. im pretty sure thats bad for your car...

alaloom · 11-03-2006, 11:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BeeEmDubU

haha 6th gear at 35mph. im pretty sure thats bad for your car...

Not really unless you are stalling the car which at 35 won't happen unless you try to accelerate. I usually use 6th gear in the city in place of Neutral, like when decenting a slope. I think having the wheels turning the engine rather than idle saves more gas. I average 24 MPG and rising (95% city, non-interstate, busy roads). As soon as I need to accelerate I'm back in 3rd or 4th.

Driv3r · 11-04-2006, 01:33 AM

ehhhhhhh, i use 6

bavarian19 · 11-04-2006, 05:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mikepinkerton

I use 6th when I need to make sure i stay around the speed limit, even as low as 35mph. Every day. If I need power, i shift.

My mileage averages well over 25mpg even in the city.

I am rarely in 6th around town. There are no real open highways in Northern VA, so the most I will get to is 5th anywhere around here. But when I get on highways outside of here, I will go to 6th gear occasionally around 75mph+.

Ill be driving to pittsburgh later today... maybe Ill have that brief moment of 120mph and Ill probably still be in 5th

ska///235i · 11-04-2006, 07:41 AM

Shifting is about RPM not MPH....IMO

whippersnapper · 11-04-2006, 07:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ska

Shifting is about RPM not MPH....IMO

They are the same thing though

remmib · 11-04-2006, 07:59 AM

I haven't got a 6th, yet.

11-03-2006, 10:09 AM	#1
Juggs Bavarian Motor Werks Fanatic 144 Rep 245 Posts Drives: BMW 325i sport Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Dallas iTrader: (1)	I only use 6th gear if i am going over 80 mph Honestly i feel much more comfortable in 5th on the interstate. It has the extra juice to get the heck out of the way of some stupid ass 18 wheeler that is coming over into my lane or the moron up front who slams on his brakes for no reason at all. What about you all? I find 6th to almost be a little too weak if i am under 80. The few times i took her to 100+ i of course went into 6th anyone have a chart on the gearing for a 325? I wouldnt be surprised to see the power above the 4k RPM range
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11-03-2006, 10:15 AM	#2
BK Smiling politely 165 Rep 7,931 Posts Drives: 330i Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Washington DC iTrader: (0) Garage List 2006 330i [9.00]	In traffic, I'm in 5th, often even in 4th. Never 6th. I need the engine braking as well as the ability to get the hell out of the way when necessary. Outside of traffic, I'll put 'er in 6th even if I'm only going 55mph. 6th is basically an OD gear. I should add, though, that accelleration is still not bad in 6th gear at highway speeds. It's no 335i, but it ain't bad on the 330i. __________________ E90 330i Black Sapphire 6MT \| 991.1 C4 Platinum Silver 7MT
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11-03-2006, 10:35 AM	#3
HRC MAUI BUILT 485 Rep 7,781 Posts Drives: 2006 330i MT Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: NORCAL iTrader: (10) Garage List 2002 E46 325i [0.00] 2012 E70 35i [0.00]	I use 6th below 80mph all the time. Danny __________________ Arctic/Blk Leather/Alum.Trim/MT/ZSP/Sunshades/Blk Lines/M3 Illuminated Knob/Alcantara Performance Wheel/M-E-Brake Handle/Euro Fog Switch/Koni Yellows/H&R Sport Springs/19" VMR V718's w/PS2 Tires/M-Tech Body Kit/Carbon Fiber Spoiler/Bimmian Interior Bulbs/OEM Eye Glass Tray/SSK/Alcantara Boot/Split Armrest/OEM Dual Rear Power Outlets/Rear Ashtray Delete/OEM Alum. Pedals/Osram 6000K/Brex Rings/LED Side Markers/BMS Power Box
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11-03-2006, 10:39 AM	#5
rwwong Captain 115 Rep 626 Posts Drives: 2006 330i, 2008 Jeep Hemi Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Minneapolis iTrader: (0) Garage List 2006 330i [0.00]	I use 6th all the time on the highway. I'm not sure about the acceleration in the 325, but I fell it's sufficient in the 330.
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11-03-2006, 10:49 AM	#6
Richwm Captain 65 Rep 920 Posts Drives: 06 E90 330i 6MT, 01 E46 330i Join Date: May 2006 Location: Canyon Country, CA. iTrader: (0) Garage List 2020 Jeep JLU Wrangler [0.00] 2006 (Mar 05 build ... [8.00] 2001 330i [9.00]	If im above 65 im in 6th there is enough power if not I down shift to 4th or 3rd to get the power down. __________________ Mar 05 Build date,2006 E90 330i, Sport Package, Premium Package, TR MT-1's . V-1 Hard-wired power with custom V-1 Concealment Display . Rear fogs, Rear power outlet's, M short shifter knob, BlackLines, BMW Strut tower bar, CDV Delete, Front M3 wishbones + tension struts, BMW Performance shocks and springs, BMW Performance Brake kit F&R, OEM short shift kit. Rear M3 Guide rods and Wishbones. 2006 E-90 330i with 302,000 miles.
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11-03-2006, 11:14 AM	#7
sstarch1 From Russia With Boost 36 Rep 1,076 Posts Drives: E92 335i - Vroom Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Alexandria, VA iTrader: (0) Garage List 2007 335i [0.00]	For a 335i 6th gear torque is more than enough to get out of any situation __________________ 2007 BMW 335i - Delivered 9/8/06 Sparkling Grpahite with Black Leather/Aluminum Trim Premium Package, Sports Package, Comfort Access.
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11-03-2006, 11:32 AM	#8
whippersnapper Captain 23 Rep 972 Posts Drives: people mad Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Atlanta iTrader: (0) Garage List 2006 BMW 325i [0.00] 2006 BMW 325i [0.00]	I use 6th from 60mph. I like at least 2500rpm on the tach in the new gear. If I need more acceleration I change gears. This is how a manual transmission works __________________ __________________________________________________ __________________ 2006 BMW 325i, Jet Black, 6MT, ZSP, Black Leather, Aluminum, Power Seats, Logic 7
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11-03-2006, 08:19 PM	#14
Fraggy Brigadier General 193 Rep 3,469 Posts Drives: 2016 M3 Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: San Diego iTrader: (11)	Yea, in my lowly 325 when getting into tighter traffic on the freeway I use 5th for the reasons stated above. But once Im out of the congestion, I go back to 6th regardless of hiway speed. __________________ 2016 Alpine White M3 (gone) 2019 Alfa Romeo Guilia (Totaled) 2020 Car-less 😁 (no more) 2020 M340
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11-03-2006, 09:00 PM	#15
mikepinkerton Private First Class 6 Rep 196 Posts Drives: '06 330i Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Northern VA iTrader: (0)	I use 6th when I need to make sure i stay around the speed limit, even as low as 35mph. Every day. If I need power, i shift. My mileage averages well over 25mpg even in the city.
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11-04-2006, 01:33 AM	#18
Driv3r Colonel 177 Rep 2,355 Posts Drives: 2006 E46 M3 ZCP Join Date: May 2005 Location: Miami Beach, FL iTrader: (8) Garage List 2006 325i [0.00]	ehhhhhhh, i use 6 __________________ 2006 E46 M3 ZCP 6SPD-Interlagos Blue - 6SPD - SSK - AA Headers -AA Tune - Navigation w/ Splashscreen Mod - 3M Crystalline Series 60 - Carbon Splitters - Swissvax Treated - Bridgestone 2012 Yamaha FZ8 - Matte Black/Grey - Michelin Pilot Pure 2CT - Vortex Rear Sets - Yoshimura R-77D & Fender Delete - Spectro Race Oil - GP Reverse Shifting
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11-04-2006, 07:41 AM	#20
ska///235i ***** noob 1370 Rep 10,479 Posts Drives: 325xi>M235i>428GCx Mspor Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Boston iTrader: (34) Garage List 2006 325xi [0.00]	Shifting is about RPM not MPH....IMO __________________ 2006 325xi (Sold) 2014 M235I (Current) 2015 428xi Gran Coupe (STB)
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11-04-2006, 07:59 AM	#22
remmib General 1569 Rep 29,202 Posts Drives: 2013 F10 520d M-Sport Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Norway iTrader: (0)	I haven't got a 6th, yet. __________________ F10 520d M-Sport Alpine White \| HRE P43SC 20x9+20x11 \| Michelin PSS 255/35+295/30 \| KW V3 Coilover \| M5 Front Sway Bar + M550d Rear Sway Bar \| 3DDesign Front Lip \| BMW M Performance CF Spoiler \| BMW M Performance Diffuser \| BMW M Performance Black Grills \| BMW M Performance Pedals \|
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