[comebackid]

Had the 335i for about a month now. Normally I leave it in D during regular driving. I'll switch to DS if I want to have some fun with it. But sometimes it would be nice to have it on DS all the time since there are times when I need to pass someone when I would least expect it. Don't get me wrong. It's quick in D mode, but DS keeps the revs up for better responsiveness.

So here's my question. Has anybody checked what their MPG is or how many miles they are getting on a full tank in D mode at all times and DS mode at all times? Thanks.

[NaViT]

not sure too many people have done that but i feel you though its more fun driving the BMWs in DS, i think it will lose about 1 MPG or so but cant confirm that... but hey, drive it how u want its an expensive and beautiful car so forget about gas and have fun

[BlueLion]

Originally Posted by NaViT

not sure too many people have done that but i feel you though its more fun driving the BMWs in DS, i think it will lose about 1 MPG or so but cant confirm that... but hey, drive it how u want its an expensive and beautiful car so forget about gas and have fun

yeah man....i agree....you are probably going to loose some MPG....but its going to be worth it for the better driving experience....thats what you paid $$$ for the car anyway....not the gas mileage

[comebackid]

I most certainly agree. And if it's a 1-3 mpg difference, then I'll have it in DS mode at all times. But if we're talking 5+, I don't think it's worth it.

[Josh49]

I think if you're cruising along at 50 mph and there are people in front of you (on a two lane road), no need to be at high revs and burning gas and wearing parts down. D is fine for that. And crusing on the highway.

Everything else I use DS/Manual for..

[bmwexecutive]

Originally Posted by Josh49

I think if you're cruising along at 50 mph and there are people in front of you (on a two lane road), no need to be at high revs and burning gas and wearing parts down. D is fine for that. And crusing on the highway.

Everything else I use DS/Manual for..

I would have it in DS all the time. I'm not worried about gas and spending money on gas. What keeps me from doing it is the fact that I'm wearing my engine down faster with the higher revs.

[new2the3]

DS is pretty fun... I am going to use that more often. I like getting good MPG but city driving is not that great in D or DS anyhow. increased engine wear does not matter to me I will only have the car for 27,000 more miles.

[panzer948]

Wow, does DS really increase engine wear? I am worried about that, as I bought to keep it for the long term.

[PAT]

A mile per gallon or so is not a big deal! I use DS all the time. I'm so indoctrinated to DS, I even use it to move the car in the driveway. I had a
'03 330ci prior to to getting the 335, and used DS exclusively on that one, too. My arm just automatically pulls to left when I reach D. DS is a lot more fun! Use it.

[bmwexecutive]

Originally Posted by panzer948

Wow, does DS really increase engine wear? I am worried about that, as I bought to keep it for the long term.

Absolutely! Using DS keeps the car's engine running at higher revs and higher revs equal more engine wear. Basic physics really.

[TiAg335i]

Originally Posted by bmwexecutive

Absolutely! Using DS keeps the car's engine running at higher revs and higher revs equal more engine wear. Basic physics really.

I would have to disagree. You are making it seem like its a civic or something. This car was designed to handle higher revving with the turbos. In fact, OCCASIONAL high spirited revving is optimal for the engine performance, if we are looking at 10+ years down the road, a car that was babied is going to be in worse shape than a car (335i) that was used with frequent (but not daily) RPM variation in excess of 5k every now and then.

Also, in DS mode, the revs rarely hit over 3.5k with normal driving. Nowhere near the amount of revs you would need to wear your engine down. If we are talking redline, then thats a different story but DS mode with normal driving WILL NOT even come close to producing significant engine wear, even 10 years down the road.

If you want to use DS daily, but all means go right ahead, you'll be fine and will be having fun with what you spent your money on - performance. Anyway, if you were concerned soley about engine life you probably bought the wrong car (althought I am sure BMW's last plenty long). This is not a camry or a civic, so have fun with it.

[uhaulball]

Originally Posted by TiAg335i

I would have to disagree. You are making it seem like its a civic or something. This car was designed to handle higher revving with the turbos. In fact, OCCASIONAL high spirited revving is optimal for the engine performance, if we are looking at 10+ years down the road, a car that was babied is going to be in worse shape than a car (335i) that was used with frequent (but not daily) RPM variation in excess of 5k every now and then.

Also, in DS mode, the revs rarely hit over 3.5k with normal driving. Nowhere near the amount of revs you would need to wear your engine down. If we are talking redline, then thats a different story but DS mode with normal driving WILL NOT even come close to producing significant engine wear, even 10 years down the road.

If you want to use DS daily, but all means go right ahead, you'll be fine and will be having fun with what you spent your money on - performance. Anyway, if you were concerned soley about engine life you probably bought the wrong car (althought I am sure BMW's last plenty long). This is not a camry or a civic, so have fun with it.

i dont know if it wears the engine or not. but

+1 on the fact that the DS rarely goes above 3.5 - 4k rpms when i use DS. Only when i give it near WOT does it ever go beyong 3.5k - 4k.

[bmwexecutive]

Originally Posted by TiAg335i

I would have to disagree. You are making it seem like its a civic or something. This car was designed to handle higher revving with the turbos. In fact, OCCASIONAL high spirited revving is optimal for the engine performance, if we are looking at 10+ years down the road, a car that was babied is going to be in worse shape than a car (335i) that was used with frequent (but not daily) RPM variation in excess of 5k every now and then.

Also, in DS mode, the revs rarely hit over 3.5k with normal driving. Nowhere near the amount of revs you would need to wear your engine down. If we are talking redline, then thats a different story but DS mode with normal driving WILL NOT even come close to producing significant engine wear, even 10 years down the road.

If you want to use DS daily, but all means go right ahead, you'll be fine and will be having fun with what you spent your money on - performance. Anyway, if you were concerned soley about engine life you probably bought the wrong car (althought I am sure BMW's last plenty long). This is not a camry or a civic, so have fun with it.

I guess we can agree to disagree then.

My car must be a rebel because when I'm in DS mode after redlining it once the revs always stay above 4K. Maybe that has to do with my car learning my driving habits as I go but it takes a very long time to drop below 4K after redlining it once.

[ahnh77]

i switch back and forth from d to ds frequently...and even to tip mode....sf city driving..gotta be aggressive...and don't let the cab drivers push me around....

[uhaulball]

Originally Posted by ahnh77

i switch back and forth from d to ds frequently...and even to tip mode....sf city driving..gotta be aggressive...and don't let the cab drivers push me around....

thats what i do, back in the city where my parents live, i have to usually keep DS mode on more often than D cuz u just have to get ahead of the aggressive city drivers, but then in the rural county that my college is in, i rarely use DS unless i see a ricer.

[335i Ecstasy]

You did not pay thousands of $$$$ in gas guzzler tax... So your already ahead... REV IT UP!!!

[hhkim]

now that were talking about DS and D is it ok to shift from D to DS while youre driving? does it hurt the engine at all? and what about shifting to the steptronic? does that not hurt the engine in any way or is it all electrically regulated so when you do shift from D->DS or Step, its ok?

[EDK99]

Don't forget if you have the paddle shifters and you are in D you can use them to switch to a lower gear for passing or whatever. Then after so many seconds of not using the paddles you will be switch back to D mode.

Ed

[Mr.F1 Fan]

Any reason why those who need to suddenly drive it hard don't just use the paddles? DS certainly keeps the revs up and that's great if you intend to be getting on it over an extended period, but I found it's just as easy to down shift one or two gears with the paddle and have my way with it!

Another thing is that for daily driving, it's kind of annoying to have the engine spun-up all the time for no reason. If I'm leisurely driving from light to light, I don't need the car pushing that hard.

Using DS seems best suited for those early Sunday morning drives where you hits some twisties and need the revs to hold while cornering. Nothing worse than pushing through a corner and having the car shifting for no reason, especially up shifting prior to a full exit from the corner.

[just4kickz]

well if your on the highway just switch to DS, upshift once and it'll be in M6. if you want to pass somebody... down shift to M5 and pass them... not so hard.

[dc_alwaysblue]

I use DS all the way ONLY IF I'm driving alone, but I figured that it'll never shift to 6th gear, correct me if I'm wrong.

However, I'll use D when I have passengers, especially my wife. 'Cuz when you hit the brake, the transmission will quickly down shift to provide engine brake, which I like. But my wife thinks it'll make the ride feel jerky. F**king women!

[ironic]

i'm pretty sure ds would be more of a diff than just 1mpg, but i can't confirm so iono

normally if i need to overtake, i jsut downshift w/ the paddles