at what RPM to upshift?

[kpneverdies]

if you are driving normal with E92 M double clutch, when's the best RPM to upshift?

[Small Yellow]

I foresee flamers.

[Projectile]

That depends on whether you want economy, or performance, or some compromise between the two don't you think?

I mean, what do you mean by "best"? "Best" for what?

If you want economy, I suggest trying to mimic the shift points in auto (D2 for instance - D1 will never let you see the shift point from first to second because it always starts the car in second gear). Of course, you could just drive in auto and pull the paddle the instant you want to take over if that's the case. That's not unreasonable since the most economical shifting will involve using all 7 gears.

I drive in S4 most of the time and just want to enjoy my car - I'm not too concerned with fuel economy unless I'm on a boring hwy drive. In S4, if I want to have fun, I rarely get out of 3rd gear (unless coasting is inevitable), since this car requires keeping the revs up, and upshifts are very fast (but not violent) while downshifts are rev matched.

[Echo M3]

Originally Posted by Projectile

That depends on whether you want economy, or performance, or some compromise between the two don't you think?

I mean, what do you mean by "best"? "Best" for what?

If you want economy, I suggest trying to mimic the shift points in auto (D2 for instance - D1 will never let you see the shift point from first to second because it always starts the car in second gear). Of course, you could just drive in auto and pull the paddle the instant you want to take over if that's the case. That's not unreasonable since the most economical shifting will involve using all 7 gears.

I drive in S4 most of the time and just want to enjoy my car - I'm not too concerned with fuel economy unless I'm on a boring hwy drive. In S4, if I want to have fun, I rarely get out of 3rd gear (unless coasting is inevitable), since this car requires keeping the revs up, and upshifts are very fast (but not violent) while downshifts are rev matched.

That's actually very interesting. I don't watch for economy either, but I find myself using the entire gear spectrum far more often (and I usually leave it in S3). Hopefully that's not putting undue stress on my transmission, but it's so easy to shift to the optimal gear in a DCT that I simply can't resist it. I'd have to say my fuel efficiency isn't horrible but it's not great considering that I certainly try to use the optimal gear (I get about 17 mpg, with 50:50 city:highway). And by optimal I mean in the 2-3k RPM zone (for cruising, easy overtaking, etc).

Spirited driving is a whole different game, however. That's when I stick it in M mode (S5), downshift a few gears, and keep it in the 4k+ RPM zone.

[SenorFunkyPants]

Originally Posted by kpneverdies

if you are driving normal with E92 M double clutch, when's the best RPM to upshift?

Its seems to have been mostly covered but for me:
At maximum attack upshift just before the red line.
Ultra fast, upshift when the first yellow shift light comes on.
Medium fast, around 4-5k revs.
Normal speed, around 2-3K revs.

As regards gearbox map I invariably use S2 for the smoothest shifts that also don't unsettle the rear of the car if shifting under hard acceleration not in a straight line. The M button set for S4 to switch to when braking for aggressive downshifts if desired or auto mode set to D4 for auto downshifts if I'm feeling lazy.......before going back to paddle/stick shifting in S2.

[Cab5er]

S3 most of the time 3-4k I shift most of the time. Of course sometimes I'll be in m mode lighting up the dash like a Christmas tree

[MrHarris]

The best time is at 8399 rpm.

[kpneverdies]

when i said normal driving... i just meant casual driving as in not speed and not driving below speed limit.

Thanks for the replies people. I appreciate it.

[gr8000]

Originally Posted by MrHarris

The best time is at 8399 rpm.

Is the redline 8,400 or 8,300rpm? I have seen both being mentioned in various places, which is confusing...

[mkoesel]

Originally Posted by gr8000

Is the redline 8,400 or 8,300rpm? I have seen both being mentioned in various places, which is confusing...

I believe mas power is at 8300 RPM while fuel cutoff is 8400 RPM.

I could be wrong though.

[gr8000]

Originally Posted by mkoesel

I believe mas power is at 8300 RPM while fuel cutoff is 8400 RPM.

I could be wrong though.

I thought it was 8,400 but it seems to me that redline actually is 8,300rpm by looking at the rev counter at times when I have bounced off the rev limiter. Looks more like 8,300 than 8,400 purely by observing the rev counter, although maybe it would be more scientific if I could confirm this via the secret menu or if someone else could use a diagnostic tool to read it.

[DutchManticore]

Dude it's a 4.0 Litre V8. The best depends on what you want. Do you want performance or economy.

When I drive cars I usually drive economic... and I have short 5 minute bursts of performance. So when I want economy I drive 50km/h in 4th or 5th gear. If I want performance I drive 50 in 3rd or even 2nd.

Depends what you want.

[the///Mthree]

Originally Posted by mkoesel

I believe mas power is at 8300 RPM while fuel cutoff is 8400 RPM.

I could be wrong though.

You want to shift at 8399 like MrHarris said, but most wont be able to do that. Rev limiter is 8400 on a stock car...But I know the car has a variable rev limiter to prevent engine damage when the car is revving very fast in a gear like 1st or possibly 2nd. So the rev limiter may hit earlier than expected in 2nd and definitely hits earlier than 8400 in 1st.

[mrkbbd]

Best Economy D1, I sit in traffic all day so basically never leave 2nd, only way for me to not have to upshift all the time --- gets about 9.8mpg

Best Comfort S1 - low RPM

Best Driving S6 - 8000k +

[OMID INC]

i always try to redline reverse getting out of the garage LOL sorry had to..

anyways, there is a different "best" time to shift depending on the situation as noted above.

for a reference, i shift typically at 3k-4k (all gears) for city driving, freeway, going to work, etc...

obviously more spirited driving calls for higher rpm shifts to give the driver that "wow!" feeling.

i try to avoid shifting below 2k, i dont know why, just like hearing the engine and having the power there in case i need it.

i have been in situations where i was in 7th gear at i think 2.5k-3k (something like that) and suddenly had to gas it to avoid an accident and the car sluggishly accelerated. i was in S mode not D. if i were in D, it would have downshifted automatically to probably 4th and give me more power to escape the situation.

i digress, just shift whenever you want not too low not too high.

[saeedg48]

Thank the great one that people that ask these questions don't drive a 6MT.

[Krozi]

R..'1...3...5
|__|__|__|
..._|-'''|--,|
..'_2...4_''6

[Projectile]

Originally Posted by saeedg48

Thank the great one that people that ask these questions don't drive a 6MT.

1. Can you explain how or what this comment contributes to this thread or this forum?

2. Are you suggesting that the OP should not drive a 6 MT because he's asking for information and opinions on what RPM to shift at during normal driving conditions? Because it seems to me that his question says nothing about his capability to actually perform the shift with a clutch and MT...

3. What does Wayne Gretzky have to do with it?

[BobsM3Coupe]

Originally Posted by Projectile

1. Can you explain how or what this comment contributes to this thread or this forum?

2. Are you suggesting that the OP should not drive a 6 MT because he's asking for information and opinions on what RPM to shift at during normal driving conditions? Because it seems to me that his question says nothing about his capability to actually perform the shift with a clutch and MT...

3. What does Wayne Gretzky have to do with it?

I always thought "The Great One" was Jackie Gleason?

[RichB]

Originally Posted by TrackRat

The car/trans was meant to be driven in a spirited manner if desired. If any of you folks have been to Germany and ridden with a typical (West) German driver who knows how to drive well, you'd be amazed at how the cars are driven but not abused. BMW engineers drive these cars everyday as they were meant to be driven so that you can too without worries.

+1. I always drive in a spirited fashion and found myself passed by many cars in Germany. Once they hit the unlimited speed sections of autobahn, they go flat out. Lots of 1-series (petrol and diesel), wagons, etc driving over 120 MPH. I felt like I was with my brothers.

[LemonOne]

Originally Posted by Krozi

R..'1...3...5
|__|__|__|
..._|-'''|-..|
..'_2...4_'''6

[Koroush]

Originally Posted by Krozi

R..'1...3...5
|__|__|__|
..._|-'''|--,|
..'_2...4_''6

What is that?