[Yellowpinkie]

...rather than the paddleshift? New to autos so apologies if I've just embarrassed myself with a daft question

thx

Ric

[Tengocity]

Not true kickdown as in pressing accelerator to the floor to get maximum drop in gears.. not sure why but I always just find it a touch uncouth and just not how I like to drive.. hard to explain!

Intelligent kick down where the gearbox senses that you want to get a move on based on your throttle opening and choice of driving mode is sufficient for me most of the time, or if I'm enjoying a proper blast then it's always the paddles.

[MWA]

All the time, whenever I want to floor it, foot all the way down (activates kick down).

Very rarely i use the shift down with the paddles, as they're set to go down one gear at a time, where as kick down is automatic, could bring you down 2 gears at a time

[Pablo68]

Often. The sound is glorious

[matx1982]

I hardly use the full kick down, as per Tengocity a blip of the throttle shows the car you are wanting more power.

The M DCT box has some short cuts like flooring it then down shifting with the paddles jumps you into the gear that will give you the rev's for peak torque (e.g. 7th to 4th). Not tried this on the Auto 8 speed box wouldn't surprise me if it did similar... does anyone know?

Mat

[PurpleTT]

Use kickdown all the time, every journey probably. Unless my mum's in the car!

Nearly done 12,000 miles and apart from checking the paddles work just after I got it, haven't touched them since.

[HighlandPete]

Originally Posted by mlepyro

I hardly use the full kick down, as per Tengocity a blip of the throttle shows the car you are wanting more power.

The M DCT box has some short cuts like flooring it then down shifting with the paddles jumps you into the gear that will give you the rev's for peak torque (e.g. 7th to 4th). Not tried this on the Auto 8 speed box wouldn't surprise me if it did similar... does anyone know?

Mat

The 8-speed will block change. The box is designed to allow such extremes as 8th direct to 2nd. Clearly that needs a fast throttle action, through the kick-down position.

I'd not normally use kick-down, like yourself and Tengocity, a bit of nifty throttle action gets the changes you need. No aversion to using kick-down when wanting maximum response in any auto I've owned. I'd normally flick the stick to M/S for a fast overtake anyway, whether intending to kick-down or not, to break from driver adaption and into the full cream sport program.

I know my car has dropped from 7th to 2nd in one block change, pretty aggressive and uses the full revs of the petrol engine. It's at those times you know rear grip can be near the limits.

HighlandPete

[M4dski11z]

All the time I try and let the slight delay catch me off guard so that I can feel the acceleration properly

[matx1982]

Originally Posted by HighlandPete

The 8-speed will block change. The box is designed to allow such extremes as 8th direct to 2nd. Clearly that needs a fast throttle action, through the kick-down position.

I'd not normally use kick-down, like yourself and Tengocity, a bit of nifty throttle action gets the changes you need. No aversion to using kick-down when wanting maximum response in any auto I've owned. I'd normally flick the stick to M/S for a fast overtake anyway, whether intending to kick-down or not, to break from driver adaption and into the full cream sport program.

I know my car has dropped from 7th to 2nd in one block change, pretty aggressive and uses the full revs of the petrol engine. It's at those times you know rear grip can be near the limits.

HighlandPete

I have seen my F31 change down several gears... I just wonder if any of the. DCT shortcuts exist. Throttle down but not kicked down, then a downshift on the paddles... what does he car do? Shall try tomorrow.

I have heard stories of M5 drivers having trouble with the 7th to 2nd change. The car holds 7th as long as possible, slowing down whilst coming to a roundabout, clear and foot down to go... car then changes to 2nd and near 600bhp is now in peak torque.

My F31 is definately programmed differently although to the shock of many I drive it almost always in ecopro mode. I shall have to do more playing in sport mode.

Love the auto and dct BMW are producing... I am very much one of those who has no interest in manual anymore.

Mat

[HighlandPete]

Originally Posted by mlepyro

I have seen my F31 change down several gears... I just wonder if any of the. DCT shortcuts exist. Throttle down but not kicked down, then a downshift on the paddles... what does he car do? Shall try tomorrow.

I've not experienced anything other than single step changes with the paddles. Not read anything on this either.

I assume you've used the shifter, moved across to M/S, that action will change down 1 or 2 gears according to speed/rpm.

HighlandPete

[pmheadwired]

I do like Kickdown and have used it quite often but in day to day driving for overtaking etc I normally notch the down paddle a couple of gear and press harder on the throttle... does the job for me.

I do like the paddle shift but other than the odd ad hoc gear up or down, I dont use it much.

[matt666]

For me, kickdown is for emergencies. If I have time to think I'll shift to sport or knock it down a couple using the paddles.

[....,,,,..,,..]

Originally Posted by matt666

For me, kickdown is for emergencies. If I have time to think I'll shift to sport or knock it down a couple using the paddles.

Years ago, when is drove my very first automatic ( a hire car , rover, vauxhall etc), I was oblivious to kick down.

Pulled out to over take on A9, then nothing, pulled straight back in with red face lol.

[RichardJS]

I've used kickdown a couple of times to try it out - including when overtaking. I find it a bit unrefined as a 330d really doesn't need that many rpm to be able to accelerate well and, being a diesel, sounds a bit harsh. Scares the wife! I expect it's more useful and pleasant in a petrol.

It's useful to know it's there though, for example if the driver of the car you're overtaking is a d**k and decides to accelerate.

[macv sog]

kickdown on this car is great makes all the right sounds as well

[E90F30er]

Do I get faster acceleration by kickdown or shifting from D to DS/Sport OR both in combination?

[dazzapb]

Originally Posted by Pablo68

Often. The sound is glorious

I do miss that sounds of the straight six, especially in tunnels. Also just blipping the throttle made a lovely sound. Oh well c'est la vie - maybe next time
335d is better sounding that I thought, its very nice one pushing on and warm, but its just not the same as the petrol beauty.

Have used kickdown pretty much straight away, amazing the amount of very expensive metal one can show a clean pair of heals to.

[HighlandPete]

Originally Posted by E90F30er

Do I get faster acceleration by kickdown or shifting from D to Sport?

The thinking (BMW) "Kick-down is used to achieve the maximum driving performance".

My experience, shifter across to M/S and kick-down is the most rapid and brutal way to get the gearbox into the optimum gear for maximum revs, ideal for the petrol engines. M/S shifter position and full throttle is less savage in the 535i, (my normal approach to fast overtakes) but still wakes up the gearbox and is pretty rapid.

M/S and kick-down will have you in the upper rev range virtually instantly. Some diesel users don't like that at all, particularly from lower speeds, as it means you can be past the best torque/power range. In a petrol, watch out if you touch the paddles, as you could soon be sitting on the rev limiter and it's waiting for you to change up.

HighlandPete

[E90F30er]

Can a 320i overtake a 320d, 325i overtake a 325d, 330i overtake a 330d with M/S and kick-down? Do we have to look at the specs first?

[....,,,,..,,..]

Originally Posted by E90F30er

Can a 320i overtake a 320d, 325i overtake a 325d, 330i overtake a 330d with M/S and kick-down? Do we have to look at the specs first?

Erm yes and also other way around.

Any car can over take another car, obviously at 150 there is less range available.

Confused what you want from your question.

If one car is travelling at 70 and another car accelerates it, it will over take it.

[dopper99]

I used kick down last night to overtake my mate in his Jag XF 3.0 V6 diesel as we were coming onto the A34. Left him standing.