Driving hard on M, exactly when do I shift?

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Jun 18, 2008 | 04:44 PM
  #1  
When I drive my E55 on Manual with the paddle shifters I'm not exactly sure when to shift because it doesn't have redline. Anyone have any advice on best time to shift. Exactly what RPM. I have these 2 buddies of mine with a M5 and M6 I mess around with all the time. I'm going to play with a 2008 M5 tom night as well. Thanx for feedback
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Jun 18, 2008 | 04:54 PM
  #2  
Your best bet would be to leave it in DS mode. You're never going to shift as fast or at the optimum shift points as the car. If you're doing rolling starts, downshift to 2nd or 3rd in DS. At the third honk, just floor it.
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Jun 18, 2008 | 05:07 PM
  #3  
Quote: When I drive my E55 on Manual with the paddle shifters I'm not exactly sure when to shift because it doesn't have redline. Anyone have any advice on best time to shift. Exactly what RPM. I have these 2 buddies of mine with a M5 and M6 I mess around with all the time. I'm going to play with a 2008 M5 tom night as well. Thanx for feedback
in Manual mode I found that, especially in 1 st and 2nd gear, the time it takes to shift is longer than the time it take to reach limiter intervention ... therefore you loose time ..safer DS !

sometimes I found it quicker in M .. but it s not reliable: shift no later than when you see 6000 or you get the limiter
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Jun 18, 2008 | 05:24 PM
  #4  
Since our transmissions have adaptive memory, I find it better if you drive in M all of the time and with basic driving I shift around 3,000rpm 1st,2nd,and 3rd. I usually dont get out of 3rd around town unless I want to waste some gas. Don't baby it up to 3k get a fairly decent take off everytime and while your cruising at 45mph in 3rd drop down a gear and nail it. Just before you hit 6,000 (5800) shift back in to 3rd and if it is safe do the same and shift into 4th. If you do this enough the car will get use to the way you drive. If you take off to slow you will feel the car wanting to go. good luck!

btw, I also downshift through each gear as well.
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Jun 18, 2008 | 06:43 PM
  #5  
DS is definitely more safe. The thing is we can do multiple run's because thats what we are planning on doing so i figured let me try manual and if I screw up I'll get to try it again and again. The only problem is that my supercharger might decide to turn off, i had a 335i on my bumper egging me on and I punched it a few times as he's chasing me and on the open road I let him jump on me so I can fly by him when my supercharger turns off. I'm sure people get upset but it drives me krazy.
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