Question about s mode/manual shifting

[Jxchen24]

Hi I'm new to this forum and I'm getting my M3 in 2 weeks. So I just wondering that if you are using s mode and you are deciding when to shift manually, what different styles u get from choosing 1-5?

[rjd598]

1 starts with the least aggressive shifts with 5 being the most aggressive. I personally love 5 but alot of people like to stick with S3 or S4

[C|3R1C]

Depends. I personally like 4, unless I am really wanting hard shift, then I use 5. I read on some thread that the higher shift modes shift faster.

[Arben72]

There's also a 6th setting if it is warm and traction control is off.

[CarbonFoot]

It's funny to me that there is even an option to change the the speed/firmness when in manual mode (S). I think it should just be defaulted to 5. Having the ability to cycle through the levels when in D I can understand.

[izzyM2]

Would you guys rather have less choices? This is what the M3 is all about. Having the ability to make changes depending on our driving needs. It does need more learning curve but I think its more fun this way, it keeps our M3 interesting despite the daily grind.

[OC3]

Originally Posted by CarbonFoot

It's funny to me that there is even an option to change the the speed/firmness when in manual mode (S). I think it should just be defaulted to 5...

+1

[canadian stig]

Here is my preferred style:

1) Push clutch pedal in.
2) Push/pull gear shift lever until it is in neutral position
3) Move gearshift lever sideways to desired gate
4) Push/pull gear shift lever to engage desired gear
5) Let clutch pedal out.

[GrussGott]

Originally Posted by canadian stig

Here is my preferred style:

1) Push clutch pedal in.
2) Push/pull gear shift lever until it is in neutral position
3) Move gearshift lever sideways to desired gate
4) Push/pull gear shift lever to engage desired gear
5) Let clutch pedal out.

Dude, it's REALLY not that big of deal: you got drunk, you were having a great time, and you woke up the next morning with dolphin-jumping-over-a-rainbow tattoo on your ankle.

Who cares? It's no biggie.

[GrussGott]

Originally Posted by Jxchen24

Hi I'm new to this forum and I'm getting my M3 in 2 weeks. So I just wondering that if you are using s mode and you are deciding when to shift manually, what different styles u get from choosing 1-5?

It's just faster, but also more jarring, shifts. It also triggers the throttle blip, i.e., the heel-toe rev match (mostly 4 and 5, but faintly in 3), and makes the throttle much more sensitive meaning it's harder to control; a little input in 5 translates to a LOT of throttle while lesser numbers are more forgiving.

Near as i can tell 5 almost always does a full throttle blip while 4 will do it depending on your speed and de/acceleration, and 5 likes to go ... if you back off of the throttle too quickly at too slow of a speed you'll get lurching as anyone who learned to drive a stick at 13 is familiar with.

S3 is my default for traffic or if I'm just chillin - I've never used 2 or 1 or any of the "d" modes. I have my M-button programmed for 5 but back it off to 4 if I'm having a "fun friday". such as today.

another board member shamed me into going to dealer to get a liter of oil and on the way out it was all s5. Since I have a 'vert (and had the top down) I really hear the throttle blips and as I was coming around right-turn loop from a 45mph to another 45mph I shifted from 3 to 2 and then romped it through turn. I layed down a little rubber in a slight drift since I have winters on (vred wintracs from last winter!) and she snapped back right fracking now under heavy throttle.

Anyway, the throttle blip scared the shiz out of a older guy who was on the sidewalk and I know because I heard him go "aahhHHHH!" as I downshifted. I feel pretty bad about that.

So there ya go: S5 scares pedestrians. That's your difference.

[SenorFunkyPants]

The actual shift speeds are essentially the same for all gearbox settings, what changes is the amount the ECU adjusts engine settings to reduce torque and throttle opening.
At one end S6 is basically a power shift while S1 is the smoothest with the most amount of torque blend and reduced throttle opening.
If you are in the habit of making full throttle shifts at the edge of grip in a turn or to tame power oversteer then S2 is the better shift map as it unbalances the chassis less.

[jeff4598]

Throttle sensitivity does NOT vary with transmission mode. I suspect you are feeling increased torque due to higher engine speed secondary to "blip".

[Jxchen24]

thanks yall for the infor

[DivideBYZero]

The S mode will default to the last setting you used, so in mine it's always on level 5. Level 1 pulls away in 2nd and is meant for low traction conditions. levels 2-4 are pointless. Use 5 all the time. Use level 6 for lulz.

[M4Now!]

With good weather, usually in M mode with S5. If it's raining, MDM switched off and usually S3 shifting.

Cheers

[GrussGott]

Originally Posted by jeff4598

Throttle sensitivity does NOT vary with transmission mode. I suspect you are feeling increased torque due to higher engine speed secondary to "blip".

could be but sure doesn't feel that way.

If I'm in S3 and slowly press down I'll get smooth acceleration. In S5 it's MUCH more touchy - I seem to have to do EXACTLY the right pressure with no changes or I'll get lurching.

Thus if I'm in traffic where someone in front of me may suddenly apply brakes etc then S5 will throw around passengers and S3 won't.

So whatever is happening it has the effect of making the throttle feel much more sensitive.

[MysticBlue]

Originally Posted by DivideBYZero

The S mode will default to the last setting you used, so in mine it's always on level 5. Level 1 pulls away in 2nd and is meant for low traction conditions. levels 2-4 are pointless. Use 5 all the time. Use level 6 for lulz.

On your side of the pond this is true, but not in the US. Here, it goes into S mode first and S mode always defaults to S3. D mode always goes to whatever you had it in last. Don't know why it's different. I'm sure lawyers had something to do with it.

[GrussGott]

Originally Posted by jeff4598

Throttle sensitivity does NOT vary with transmission mode. I suspect you are feeling increased torque due to higher engine speed secondary to "blip".

This is correct! After some further experimentation it's not s5 that makes the throttle touchy, it's the power button.

Apologies for any confusion and props to Jeff for the correction!

[Bubajay]

Does DCT roll backwards when going up a hill in automatic or does it hold in one spot?

[MysticBlue]

It's like hill holder that some cars have with manuals... It holds with the brakes for 2 or 3 seconds then releases.

[DivideBYZero]

Originally Posted by MysticBlue

On your side of the pond this is true, but not in the US. Here, it goes into S mode first and S mode always defaults to S3. D mode always goes to whatever you had it in last. Don't know why it's different. I'm sure lawyers had something to do with it.

Oh, wow, that's weak. You miss out on the really handy little storage cubby on the drivers side, too because of those ball sacks.

[mlhj83]

The purpose of having shift programmes is to provide optimal shift characteristics for the driving situation and the amount of traction available, not just for the sake of driver's preference. As an extreme example, choosing S6 for on a wet track will yield slower lap times than S3 when driving as fast as possible.