[chenx15]

Please bear with me as this is my first BMW MT car and i am enjoying and my curiosity gets the best of me.

Anyway, i have been having issues regarding the changing of gears from first to second. But i've noticed the amazing tolerance of the second gear. in other cars if one is extremely slow close to a stop the first gear is the choice or the car will stall. But that is not the case with the MT of the 335i.

SO, my curiosity got the best of me and instead of using the first gear i went straight to second gear from a full stop (i actually tried it in stop and go traffic) and it blew my mind on how amazing it was and how it felt more natural. as a matter of fact it felt like the CDV was no longer there.

I think the bottom line is.

Do you guys with MT skip the first gear and just use the second gear right away?
Will it cause a problem with the transmission if i keep doing this?

Thanks again!

[mithiral67]

Even though our cars have the tq to start up on second, i dont.

The only major harm is excess wear as it will likely take longer to feather into gear in 2nd gear. It will probably cause excess wear, but it all comes down to the driver on how much faster than normal. At low rpms, the excess strain on the engine to start the car in 2nd over 1st is probably moot.

[dday]

I have zero probs shifting from 1st to 2nd in my 335, in fact it's easier than other cars I've owned. I'd say keep working at better 1-2 shifts

[coh4777]

Originally Posted by mithiral67

The only major harm is excess wear as it will likely take longer to feather into gear in 2nd gear.

This is probably right, but regardless, I am basically of the thought that 1st gear is there for a reason, so I use it. I'm sure there are much more sophisticated reasons out there tho...

[chenx15]

Originally Posted by mithiral67

Even though our cars have the tq to start up on second, i dont.

The only major harm is excess wear as it will likely take longer to feather into gear in 2nd gear. It will probably cause excess wear, but it all comes down to the driver on how much faster than normal. At low rpms, the excess strain on the engine to start the car in 2nd over 1st is probably moot.

Thanks man! it doesn't shake, it doesn't stall, it doesn't show any sign of weakness. it feels extremely natural the way an MT should feel except for the skipping of the first gear. You are right must be the tq but i will follow you by example and still go through the first gear first.

the best part of starting in second is the fact that it can push faster at absolutely neck breaking speed. No joke!

[Roowah]

I personally wouldn't recommend starting from 2nd gear under normal driving conditions. I don't think you'll cause damage to the transmission, but you'll cause unnecessary wear on your clutch. Plus, if you need to react quickly by accelerating, you won't have all your power at the ready. The only time I will start in 2nd gear is if the road is covered in snow and I know that even using 1st gear gently will cause unwanted wheel spin.

What issues are you having changing gears from 1st to 2nd? A certain amount of occasional "notchiness" is a common issue.

[dday]

Originally Posted by coh4777

This is probably right, but regardless, I am basically of the thought that 1st gear is there for a reason, so I use it. I'm sure there are much more sophisticated reasons out there tho...

It's there because you can accelerate much faster using 1st gear, it's there so you have less wear.

Top gear once did a test launching a vette in 5th and were able to do it, but just because you can doesn't mean gears 1-4 are useless

[tmo24]

Doesn't the auto start in 2nd gear if you are in normal D or maybe with DTC on or something? I can't remember exactly but I do remember seeing something on that. If this is the case, then there shouldn't be a problem. I actually want to say I read somewhere that it is recommended to start in 2nd when traction is questionable ie: snow, ice

[Baldur Abendroth]

I do both, although once a modified cdv is put in the 1-2 shift should be much more tolerable.

[slowSwede]

1st is good for traffich lights.
I´m guessing second is better launching. Going from first to second takes time which I think you gain starting straight from second gear.
More clutch wear skipping 1st for sure so I always use 1st since I go slow.

Perhaps some drag strip guys could like to chime in on this?

[jopa489]

Originally Posted by tmo24

Doesn't the auto start in 2nd gear if you are in normal D or maybe with DTC on or something? I can't remember exactly but I do remember seeing something on that. If this is the case, then there shouldn't be a problem. I actually want to say I read somewhere that it is recommended to start in 2nd when traction is questionable ie: snow, ice

The AT starts in 2nd always, unless in DS or M1 specifically. But it also has a torque converter, so I still wouldn't recommend 2nd gear starts with MT even with the torque of a 335. If you're in extreme snow/ice, you can start from 2nd it won't break anything though.

When not aggressively driving, I always start from a dig in 1st. But as long as I'm moving faster than a walking pace, 2nd is fine.

[Kikken]

Originally Posted by tmo24

Doesn't the auto start in 2nd gear if you are in normal D or maybe with DTC on or something? I can't remember exactly but I do remember seeing something on that. If this is the case, then there shouldn't be a problem.

Sadly the comparison is irrelevant and so the conclusion is flawed. The automatic uses a torque converter; the manual uses a dry clutch.

[tony20009]

I start from first gear.

[ajeffrey]

I will start off in 2nd if I'm on a slight decline. I find that starting in first when the car is already rolling a bit can be relatively rough due to so much low-end torque. I think this may actually wear the clutch more as one has to be very precise to start smoothly in 1st gear when the car already has momentum, at least with an engine generating as much torque as my 335is. I live in SF, where the hills can be quite steep. Otherwise, starting in 1st is routine.

In the past, I think the synchros in Bimmers between 1st and 2nd have created a feeling of notchiness (if that's a word) b/c they're heavy duty. I had a 1988 M5 in which the tranny actually failed, and it ceased to shift from 1st to 2nd but was fine in every other gear. I think that's a function of how much torque is generated at high RPM in 1st gear, relative to the ratios. Someone with a physics degree could prob explain it better; that's my qualitative perspective. It may explain why 1st to 2nd shifts for someone w/out a lot of MT experience could be relatively difficult.

[gos]

If I have any momentum at all, I start from 2nd gear. Occasionally I'll start from second if the intersection is icy.

Otherwise, I start from first.

Even in the 330xi, starting from 2nd gear is really easy, the gear ratio is perfect for a wide range of driving.

[mryakanisachoad]

My friends z4 launches in 3rd and 4th with no hesitation.

[VTECaddict]

Most cars can start in 2nd gear. Obviously its easier the more power the car has. But I wouldnt recommend doing it because you will wear out your clutch much faster

[carve]

2nd gear starts are a lot easier in cars with this much torque. If you don't feel any vibration, there shouldn't be much extra engine wear, if any. There will be marginally less transmission wear, since you're saving a shift. However, you'll have to slip the clutch a lot longer, and any time the clutch is slipping, it's wearing. To minimize clutch wear, you need to let it out as quick as possible, using as little gas-pedal as possible, without causing any jarring.

The only times you want to use 2nd gear starts are 1) in the snow, to reduce torque at the rear wheels and minimize wheel spin (and then only if you're getting spin in 1st- it's basically to get unstuck) or 2) if you're pointed down hill & just want to be lazy.

Regarding stiffness going into 2nd: this could be an indication of the 2nd gear syncro showing some wear. Most cars get a little stiff going into 2nd as they age- especially when it's cold out. To minimize 2nd gear syncro wear, shift into 2nd at a low rpm, and DON'T JAM THE LEVER INTO GEAR. In daily driving, shifts should be very light. You should be able to shift with just a fingertip or two on top of the knob. Also, rev-match your downshifts.

I can't speak for the 328i, but the 335i steptronic always starts in first gear in D or DS unless you select 2nd manually OR (I'm not 100% on this) if it detects very slippery conditions. Normally, in D or DS, it always starts in 1st. 2nd gear starts aren't as harmful to an automatic though. It won't wear out the torque convertor, although it might add a little additional heat due to the extra slippage.

[Tom K.]

Both my 128i and 328i will start easily in 2nd although I only do it when heading downhill and driving very leisurely.

But the 1~2 shift is very smooth, even though both cars retain the CDV.

Tom