Downshift or break?

[jmgM3]

I've been driving manuals for close to 20 yrs and I never coast in neutral, always in gear. I grew up in Portugal where the majority of cars are manual trasmition. First thing they teach you in driver's ed. is that if your car is in motion it must be gear engaged.

[FVM3]

break? then broken

[sameh]

DCT here:
If I'm coming on a corner, I down shift just to be in the right gear at the apex and this down shifting slows me enough to start cornering. Of course by practice, the amount of gear braking is pre calculated in the entrance speed.
During enthusiastic drive (most of mine) I use downshifting to serve both purposes, slow and stay in good gear to speed up again.
If I'm coming on a red light, it depends, mostly use the brake but again I may elect to down shift to stay in appropriate gear if I think well be moving right away.
If I'm coming on a stop sign, only use brake since I know I have to stop.

[Edjay]

Use brake to slow down or stop the car. Brakes are cheaper and easier to replace than clutch. With that said, I brake and keep it in the gear its currently on, when im done slowing down and if i need to speed up again, i shift into the right gear. This works for me in both normmal or spirited driving

[captainaudio]

Originally Posted by Doc V.

Downshift to select the proper gear for the exit of a corner, not to slow the car. Selecting the proper gear allows the car to accelerate through the apex and the exit of the turn in the RPM range where the engine makes its best horsepower and torque.

Use the car's brakes to slow the car. A proper downshift does not affect braking distance or the balance of the car.

That it in a nutshell.

CA

[Ken37.73]

Sweet mother of god was my first reaction mate. I'm sure you are genuine and so I wish you knew how bad that question sounds, worse if you are already driving an M3. For your own good get some driving instruction, maybe on a track. It will benefit your driving in ways you can't imagine. No shame in getting instruction, I promise you that.

[e92_m3]

Originally Posted by Doc V.

Downshift to select the proper gear for the exit of a corner, not to slow the car. Selecting the proper gear allows the car to accelerate through the apex and the exit of the turn in the RPM range where the engine makes its best horsepower and torque.

Use the car's brakes to slow the car. A proper downshift does not affect braking distance or the balance of the car.

+1! Very well explained.

Op,
Once you downshift on a corner and the M3 starts to slow down (engine braking) your doing it wrong since the M3 is actually not on the right gear when taking a particular corner. For the proper way to do it, see quote above.

[OC3]

Originally Posted by Doc V.

Downshift to select the proper gear for the exit of a corner, not to slow the car. Selecting the proper gear allows the car to accelerate through the apex and the exit of the turn in the RPM range where the engine makes its best horsepower and torque.

Use the car's brakes to slow the car. A proper downshift does not affect braking distance or the balance of the car.

Well said.

However, engine-braking is so fun, though... especially with DCT.

[minigearhead]

Originally Posted by Ken37.73

Sweet mother of god was my first reaction mate. I'm sure you are genuine and so I wish you knew how bad that question sounds, worse if you are already driving an M3. For your own good get some driving instruction, maybe on a track. It will benefit your driving in ways you can't imagine. No shame in getting instruction, I promise you that.

I'm 13 smartass

[KJ]

Originally Posted by minigearhead

I'm 13 smartass

So you're 13 with an M3, you're too young to drive it...smartass.

But I guess you like coming on the forums to ask questions and then lash out at the people who try to help you.

Good way to make friends.

[kchu221]

13?!?! damn... you got nice parents!

[MKE_M3]

Oi to the vey

[Demkay]

From another thread that's been closed. Lol. .....

My Dad also took me for a ride on hamptons back roads and at one point went 80mph in a 35 mph zone!! had alot of fun and can't wait to drive it again next week!!!

I hope your Dad had you in a proper child seat; buckled up at the time.

interlagos blue e93- tan interior-bought it on friday february 5th!!

Second, your sig says you bought your car on Friday the 5th of Feb. ....Well, the 5th of Feb was a Sunday kid.
.

[minigearhead]

Originally Posted by Demkay

Second, your sig says you bought your car on Friday the 5th of Feb. ....Well, the 5th of Feb was a Sunday kid.
.

wtf? I thought my phone said friday was 5th guess its third then...

[minigearhead]

Originally Posted by kchu221

13?!?! damn... you got nice parents!

took a year to convince my dad to get a sports car convertible from when we first started looking. He doesn't regret it now though...

[kchu221]

Originally Posted by minigearhead

took a year to convince my dad to get a sports car convertible from when we first started looking. He doesn't regret it now though...

so is the m3 your dads...?

[minigearhead]

Originally Posted by kchu221

so is the m3 your dads...?

well i'm 13 so yes. he doesn't really like cars but I love them...

[1MOREMOD]

Originally Posted by minigearhead

well i'm 13 so yes. he doesn't really like cars but I love them...

[FVM3]

Originally Posted by minigearhead

well i'm 13 so yes. he doesn't really like cars but I love them...

[Singletrack]

Not sure if troll.