F10 M5 Kickdown?

[Nish]

Hi All,

New to the car and trying to figure this out.

I generally keep the car in default "eco" settings when driving around, and then switch to M1 or more likely M2 (both on default settings) when I fancy a bit of fun.

There doesn't seem to be a kickdown however? So say cruising at 60mph, engage M2, floor throttle - its a slow build up of speed as the gearbox is in 7.

I read on a US forum that there is a kickdown "switch" so engaging M2, flooring and then shifting down by one gear on the paddle should take the gearbox down to the best gear for take off - doesn't seem to happen, just drops down from 7 to 6?

[Rob747]

I think it's because the gearbox defaults to manual mode in M2

[Nish]

Rob747 said:

I think it's because the gearbox defaults to manual mode in M2

Hmm that makes sense. I could change M2 to D instead of S and keep shift speed at 3. That could mean the kickdown kicks(?) in and i can then take over via paddles if need be for the subsequent shifts.

Will give it a go!

[Timbuktu]

Floor it then pull the left paddle, if it's the same as the M3 in manual mode it will kick down to the best gear for acceleration.

[Nish]

Timbuktu said:

Floor it then pull the left paddle, if it's the same as the M3 in manual mode it will kick down to the best gear for acceleration.

Is that also called "S" in the M3, i.e. sequential/manual? Definately tried that this morning and it didn't work, will try again.

[Timbuktu]

Yes it's called "S" but it just shows the gear number in the dash rather than "D" for auto mode.

You have to be floored all the way to the kickdown button for it to work I think!

[Nish]

Timbuktu said:

Yes it's called "S" but it just shows the gear number in the dash rather than "D" for auto mode.

You have to be floored all the way to the kickdown button for it to work I think!

Yep that sounds the same,maybe I'm not being forecful enough with the pedal. Watch out for a sporadically accelerating M5 on the M4 this evening!

[theboss]

I should say, if you're new to the car, you might want to try this when there isn't much traffic about. It's quite possible to get it sideways at motorway speeds if you're anything less than progressive with heavy throttle input, and DSC doesn't always catch it in time. Don't ask me how I know this.

[Amizade]

theboss said:

I should say, if you're new to the car, you might want to try this when there isn't much traffic about. It's quite possible to get it sideways at motorway speeds if you're anything less than progressive with heavy throttle input, and DSC doesn't always catch it in time. Don't ask me how I know this.

lol...agreed, I managed the above at 110mph - just needed a quick dab of oppo....and a change of underpants!

If conditions allow - dry & empty road with a reasonable margin for error - go into D, keep well out of MDM for the first attempt & regardless of which throttle response setting, press the throttle (gently/gradually), until floored & then press a bit harder.... bingo kick down/warp drive

Edited by Amizade on Thursday 31st March 13:51

Edited by Amizade on Thursday 31st March 13:52

[MOBB]

theboss said:

I should say, if you're new to the car, you might want to try this when there isn't much traffic about. It's quite possible to get it sideways at motorway speeds if you're anything less than progressive with heavy throttle input, and DSC doesn't always catch it in time. Don't ask me how I know this.

Ditto, I planted the throttle one dry day, doing around 90mph, in auto, the car wheelspan and went a bit sideways

Evil car at those speeds, I love it :-)

[Nish]

Right so found an open stretch!

Changed M2 to switch gearbox to D3.

Hit the M2 button and planted it - you were all correct, rocket speed and horizon disappearing as it pushed down to 3 from 5 (kept it all straight, kinda!)

Am able to still use the paddles at any point if required by just pulling so I think this is problem solved - Thanks!