Overtaking in a F25 X3 30d

[mekondelta]

So I have the ZF 8 speed auto on an F25 X30d and I want to overtake a lorry, classic 40-70mph acceleration required.

To get to 70mph fastest, should I:-

1. Go into manual mode and hold the gear I want and accelerate from there and change manually
2. Go into Sport mode and accelerate from there and the gearbox will sort it out
3. Manual + Sport mode?

I feel sometimes the Sport mode goes into too low a gear and it feels like a higher gear and the torque would accelerate quicker.

Anyone know the definitive answer?

[anonymous-user]

As you know overtaking requires planning and time for the turbos to spool. When I had a 30d engine, I found myself throwing the stick to D/S for sports gears less than I pressed the switch from comfort to sport. Find a quiet bit of legal road and familiarise yourself by doing a few pulls.

All being clear around the truck, around 100 meters away I’d be pressing the switch to get into sport (or sport+), spool, cogs will be easier to swap as there is usually enough time for the box to adjust… then add as much acceleration as necessary e.g. bit of a slope so need more power.

There is a YT channel called Reg Local. You might not live in Scottish Highlands but I found his videos quite useful. I am sure there are plenty of these YT channels out there so it’s one of many:

https://youtu.be/NLB_C7HgG3Q

[anonymous-user]

I’d also add a final bit you are probably aware of. Driving in the torque range. If your car makes peak at 1750 rpm then it’s harder work when you are in the highest gear possible cruising at 1000 rpm. This goes back to the planning point on spooling up etc. So keeping with any torque band is an obvious one but easy win.

[SteBrown91]

When I had my 3 series I always used to just know the gearbox to sport and it would 90% of the time pick the perfect gear for a quick overtake. Once you know you are in the clear I’d change up a couple with the lever and then knock it back into D

[ian in lancs]

mekondelta said:

So I have the ZF 8 speed auto on an F25 X30d and I want to overtake a lorry, classic 40-70mph acceleration required.

To get to 70mph fastest, should I:-

1. Go into manual mode and hold the gear I want and accelerate from there and change manually
2. Go into Sport mode and accelerate from there and the gearbox will sort it out
3. Manual + Sport mode?

I feel sometimes the Sport mode goes into too low a gear and it feels like a higher gear and the torque would accelerate quicker.

Anyone know the definitive answer?

I have the same car. For short overtakes I use the paddles to drop down one-two gears. For longer overtakes or 'making progress' knock the gearstick into sport. I hardly ever use manual shifting.

[Lozw86]

Push the gear shift to the left

[ashenfie]

I have a 320d with the same gearbox as others have said when in comfort mode, drop back slight and plan the move you really should find it shifts down ready to go.

[mekondelta]

Thanks everyone! I guess Sport mode will suffice most of the time. Activating kickdown in Comfort mode also an option but less control and I think I'm OK I'm more likely to fluff the gear change if I put it into manual. I'm now not used to a manual box and up/down movements not intuitive for me yet.

[Pistonheader101]

Never needed to mess about with paddles or sport mode.

Just put your foot on accelerator to speed up

[SlowV6]

Serious question as one of these is high on the list to replace our E91.

Does it actually take much preparation to execute an overtake in an F25 30d? I would have hoped when teamed with the ZF8 that it would shuffle down a couple of gears and rocket up the road?

Note - I go for downshift using paddle in our E91 and then go for it if real shove required.

[rassi]

SlowV6 said:

Serious question as one of these is high on the list to replace our E91.

Does it actually take much preparation to execute an overtake in an F25 30d? I would have hoped when teamed with the ZF8 that it would shuffle down a couple of gears and rocket up the road?

Note - I go for downshift using paddle in our E91 and then go for it if real shove required.

Some of the other posters seem to take it rather serious, but in my experience an F25 30D is more than adequate at overtaking, just plant your foot and you are past - it may be a bit slower than a F30 330D due to weight and aerodynamics but it is a close to sub 6 second car to 60, so really not an issue

[g3org3y]

rassi said:

SlowV6 said:

Serious question as one of these is high on the list to replace our E91.

Does it actually take much preparation to execute an overtake in an F25 30d? I would have hoped when teamed with the ZF8 that it would shuffle down a couple of gears and rocket up the road?

Note - I go for downshift using paddle in our E91 and then go for it if real shove required.

Some of the other posters seem to take it rather serious, but in my experience an F25 30D is more than adequate at overtaking, just plant your foot and you are past - it may be a bit slower than a F30 330D due to weight and aerodynamics but it is a close to sub 6 second car to 60, so really not an issue

On all my auto BMWs (ancient by comparison ZF 6HP)...if it's a spontaneous overtake just nail the throttle for kickdown. If I have a car lined up for an overtake, put into Sport mode...wait for the right moement....and then nail the throttle for kickdown.

I remember on my old E36 325i auto, it would sometimes change down too far and you'd end up at 6k+ rev with no torque, no acceleration and lots of noise!

[brums evil twin]

if full on lockdown is to much (to lower a gear) and you don't want to play with paddles, manual mode etc - have you tried kick fast?? if you want to the transmission to drop down just one gear. All you have to do is a quick fast stab of the throttle pedal. This will tell the car you need to accelerate a bit faster and drop it one ratio.

Its a great tool for overtakes.

[mekondelta]

SlowV6 said:

Serious question as one of these is high on the list to replace our E91.

Does it actually take much preparation to execute an overtake in an F25 30d? I would have hoped when teamed with the ZF8 that it would shuffle down a couple of gears and rocket up the road?

Note - I go for downshift using paddle in our E91 and then go for it if real shove required.

Not really, I was just looking for the optimal setup for an overtake. The car is a beast and way faster than I would have expected. The ZF8 does do a good job in standard comfort mode, as others have said there is kickdown where you go foot to the floor and you’ll drop a gear or two and be in a good place for acceleration or a quick stab of the throttle will do you down immediately without accelerating you forward and you’ll be ready to time a move. Going in to sport mode probably gives you the best control though overall. Either way you’ll get past pretty much anything

[cerb4.5lee]

g3org3y said:

I remember on my old E36 325i auto, it would sometimes change down too far and you'd end up at 6k+ rev with no torque, no acceleration and lots of noise!

This reminds me of the first time I put my foot down in the E90 330i auto I had. It revved its backside off and it made a load of noise...but it didn't actually seem to go anywhere though! Whereas I used to floor the E90 330d auto I had...and in comparison that would fly down the road.

So basically from the first day I had the 330i I had a downer on it performance wise. I think that a manual gearbox in the 330i would've made a lot of difference to it though I reckon.