[Bimmer Pleaser]

In iDrive, Is there a way to disable shifting down automatically? Or at least disable first gear so it gets shifted to 2 at stop?
Thanks

[ianp622]

I mean, what do you want it to do, stall?

[Poochie]

Get a manual

J/k, no there isn't; it's all computer controlled so you won't strain the transmission.

Loaner cars taught me that...

[PDXF22]

Funny enough, I was just thinking about the same thing this weekend. I absolutely hate first gear on the ZF8. It's completely useless for me. At the strip I was noticeably quicker (.2) in the 1/4 mile by starting in 2nd and on the street it's so much smoother to start in 2nd.

Ultimately, it's not the ratio, but the programming or maybe the stall rate? The ZF8 is smooth as can be in all but first gear. It's really hurky jerky for me and the shift from 1st => 2nd is always a crapshoot of really smooth to snap your head back when just slowly accelerating.

I'd love to find a away to just have it downshift only to second and ignore 1st unless specially called upon. I know that won't happen, of course, but it'd be nice.

[Bimmer Pleaser]

Originally Posted by Poochie

Get a manual

J/k, no there isn't; it's all computer controlled so you won't strain the transmission.

Loaner cars taught me that...

Strain the transmission? I understand automatically downshifting but Unless you are drag racing up Burj Khalifa what’s the point of 1st gear?

[Poochie]

When I had a loaner car in 2010, I used to be able to rev-up to 3000RPM in neutral, drop into drive (1st gear) and burn out massively.. The car would allow it.

Fast forward to a 2011 loaner, tried the same trick and the computer would not allow me into any drive gear until the RPM drop back down to 0. They apparently added an electronic lockout for 1st gear at a higher RPM.

Point being, BMW engineers write the software based on what they feel is appropriate for the drivetrain's longevity and efficiency. I assume don't allow you shift-down to 1st because the RPM is at a higher rotation, for whatever reason they feel is not appropriate. Possible to avoid a stalling motor.

[Maynard]

After reading this I had to verify it, but at least on mine, you can put it into manual-mode and upshift to 2nd while stopped and start off from 2nd. DK if that is what you meant, or if you want it to just act like there is no 1st when it downshifts for you?

[pikcachu]

Originally Posted by Maynard

After reading this I had to verify it, but at least on mine, you can put it into manual-mode and upshift to 2nd while stopped and start off from 2nd. DK if that is what you meant, or if you want it to just act like there is no 1st when it downshifts for you?

Yeah. He wants the car not to go into 1st when you come to a stop.

But it's not possible

[morphomeman]

This man needs an old-fashioned two-speed automatic Power-Glide transmission, last seen circa 1973. It's the excessive number of gears that makes 1st so troubling.

[harma24]

Originally Posted by PDXF22

Funny enough, I was just thinking about the same thing this weekend. I absolutely hate first gear on the ZF8. It's completely useless for me. At the strip I was noticeably quicker (.2) in the 1/4 mile by starting in 2nd and on the street it's so much smoother to start in 2nd.

Huh... Now I'm curious. Do you have RWD or AWD? If RWD, are you getting too much wheel slip in 1st gear? I can't imagine any other scenario in which starting in 2nd would result in 1/4 mile times 2 tenths faster by starting in 2nd gear. But, now I want to try this the next time I hit the strip!

[omera60]

Well since last updating my car to I-level F20-18-07-531 and that jerkiness is gone. It’s silk smooth at the moment. The only way I can understand that it’s changing gear is by looking at the tachometer.

[SizzlerWA]

Originally Posted by omera60

Well since last updating my car to I-level F20-18-07-531 and that jerkiness is gone. It’s silk smooth at the moment. The only way I can understand that it’s changing gear is by looking at the tachometer.

Why do you want silky smooth? I like the jerkiness - it makes the car feel meaner!

[omera60]

Originally Posted by SizzlerWA

Why do you want silky smooth? I like the jerkiness - it makes the car feel meaner!

True but when driving in traffic as I do day to day in comfort mode I really appreciate it, when the time comes for some fun sport mode provides all the jerkiness I need 😁

[PDXF22]

Originally Posted by harma24

Huh... Now I'm curious. Do you have RWD or AWD? If RWD, are you getting too much wheel slip in 1st gear? I can't imagine any other scenario in which starting in 2nd would result in 1/4 mile times 2 tenths faster by starting in 2nd gear. But, now I want to try this the next time I hit the strip!

RWD, 8AT, stock MPSS. The things I learned at the track were that launch mode didn't help at all and that launching in first with the boost built up just spins the tires to the point of need to short-shift into second. Starting in second on boost just gives the right amount of the slip with a gear tall enough to get a nice smooth start. I also tried start in first and second off boost. Just basically going from dead stop/idle and second was still a hair quicker.

[PDXF22]

Originally Posted by SizzlerWA

Why do you want silky smooth? I like the jerkiness - it makes the car feel meaner!

I don't really need silky smooth, but first for me the engine is sometimes inconsistent with with the pedal. Like, I can apply 10-15% throttle and have the engine sort of go flat, then pick up then snap hard into second. This is just normal driving where I just want to get to work or pick up dinner. It's only first. All the other gears are fine. I just feels like bad programming or incorrect stall speed or something.