6MTers - A left foot shifting action poll

[Totti]

Want to see how many of you change gears with your heel dragging across the mat, verses how many have it off the floor. List your reasons below.

Cheers

[1sikbmr]

Off the floor. I don't know why but I find it very comfortable

[jimmyeatsworld]

Neither. My heel is anchored to the mat and is a pivot.

[kyleb350]

Wait, I answered too quickly. After just mimicking how I shift, I realize I drag my heel most of the time. I guess touching the mat gives it a better reference of position.

[Totti]

Originally Posted by jimmyeatsworld

Neither. My heel is anchored to the mat and is a pivot.

Interesting. I tried this today (Hadn't even read your post) - It works but you need the PERFECT seating position to pull it off.

[piloto]

I find on my car that the clutch pedal is so light, and grab point is sooo close to the top of the pedal travel that I only need to place my foot on the pedal and hardly apply any effort in order to shift. So lately I've been trying to just keep my heel on the floor and pivot about it.

Earlier, I was doing like I do on my other cars, and lift my foot and push the clutch in, and with the light flywheel on this car, I was getting jerky shifts, up and down, despite rev matching. I first took out the assist springs, which made it better, but then realizes that I don't even need to depress the pedal that much to where they come into play. I only have just under 5K miles, so I'm sure as the clutch wears, my method of pressing the clutch will change soon.

Anyway, I have my ultimate pedals on order, as well as the illuminated ZHP knob and a tri-color stitched leather boot. If those don't get it to where I want it to be, then I'll get the Rogue Octane as well.

Sorry to go off topic, but this car would be so much more fun to drive if they put in a better 6MT.

[Totti]

Ultimate pedals? Sounds intriguing.

[piloto]

Originally Posted by Totti

Ultimate pedals? Sounds intriguing.

Here's a set on a Z4:

http://www.zpost.com/forums/showthread.php?t=392513

The M3 versions would be the same. The one in the photo in the link above is the upper extension version of the throttle. You can get an entire side extension or lower extension as well. I got all three pedals, and should have them by next week. I can't wait.

And here's the website:
http://www.ultimatepedals.com/
You can select from numerous textures. I find the texture on the stock pedals to be too grippy, so it makes it difficult to slide your foot towards the right side of the brake pedal in otder to blip the throttle.

And becuase the on the throttle the aluminum pedal would sit on top of the existing pedal, whereas on the brake the aluminum would replace the rubber cover, the throttle pedal's face will be more "in plane" with the brake pedal, making it even easier to heel and toe.

[Totti]

Originally Posted by piloto

Here's a set on a Z4:

http://www.zpost.com/forums/showthread.php?t=392513

The M3 versions would be the same. The one in the photo in the link above is the upper extension version of the throttle. You can get an entire side extension or lower extension as well. I got all three pedals, and should have them by next week. I can't wait.

And here's the website:
http://www.ultimatepedals.com/
You can select from numerous textures. I find the texture on the stock pedals to be too grippy, so it makes it difficult to slide your foot towards the right side of the brake pedal in otder to blip the throttle.

And becuase the on the throttle the aluminum pedal would sit on top of the existing pedal, whereas on the brake the aluminum would replace the rubber cover, the throttle pedal's face will be more "in plane" with the brake pedal, making it even easier to heel and toe.

Ahh nice. I actually have the ZCP OEM Alum. Pedals which look similar but have dual insert with a plastic backing. I had them in my 135i and grew to love them.

[piloto]

Originally Posted by Totti

Ahh nice. I actually have the ZCP OEM Alum. Pedals which look similar but have dual insert with a plastic backing. I had them in my 135i and grew to love them.

The best bit about the ultimate pedals is the extension option, especially the upper extension. The BMW aluminum pedals don't do much in that sense. It's certainly possible to heel and toe without any of this, but it sure makes it easier and thus more fun. Not to mention safer and better for the track.

And congrats on your new car. Looks beautiful....even with the wheel on the wrong side and all.

[LiM3y]

I had an extended gas pedal until I found that I couldn't reliably "miss" the throttle during emergency stops at a driving skills school. Day-to-day was fine, but I would clip it too frequently with the side of my foot when asked to do a spontaneous stop to be comfortable.

Oh, I lift off the mat and control the clutch pedal motion with my upper leg muscles as I find this smoother. I rest my foot on the dead pedal when not shifting, to avoid resting on the pedal, which is bad for the clutch.

[jimmyeatsworld]

Originally Posted by Totti

Interesting. I tried this today (Hadn't even read your post) - It works but you need the PERFECT seating position to pull it off.

I should have mentioned that I used my leg to step on and the above to release. That was the smoothest way for me to drive.

[1sikbmr]

Originally Posted by LiM3y

I had an extended gas pedal until I found that I couldn't reliably "miss" the throttle during emergency stops at a driving skills school. Day-to-day was fine, but I would clip it too frequently with the side of my foot when asked to do a spontaneous stop to be comfortable.

Oh, I lift off the mat and control the clutch pedal motion with my upper leg muscles as I find this smoother. I rest my foot on the dead pedal when not shifting, to avoid resting on the pedal, which is bad for the clutch.

+1

[N8dawg]

Originally Posted by jimmyeatsworld

Neither. My heel is anchored to the mat and is a pivot.

+1