Question about Auto E38/E39 manual override

[andrewrob]

Wondering if someone could answer this question for me.

When using the manual override on an Auto E38/39, when the revs reach the red line would the gearbox go up to the next gear without you touching anything or will it bounce off of the limiter until you change it with the selector?

Thanks

[bramley]

It changes up for you.

(My E39 does anyway)

[andrewrob]

Ah right wondered if it might.
Do you use the manual override much? Just wondering how usable it actually is.

thanks

[bramley]

I use it for overtaking sometimes, and if pressing on it's worth using as it stops the auto box changing up when you don't want it to. Also allows the power to get to the wheels a bit faster out of corners as the box doesn't have to have a little think about what gear it/you wants.

Main use is wet roundabouts tbh, DSC off, 2nd gear....wooooo!

[TheEnd]

depends on the type, the e34 and e36 gearboxes had a snow mode where it would be locked in a gear, and would not change up or down, or the manual stick position which would limit the gearing to that position.

ie, stick in 3rd,
snow mode would be starting and staying in 3rd
other modes would be 1-2-3, and no further changes

[trickywoo]

It also changes down for you but doesn't go to 1st.

I use mine a fair bit on country lanes to stop it changing down too much up and down hills (the engine braking setup is more agressive than I'd like).

[bramley]

Good point - the early E39's had a different system to the later Steptronic system that my E39 has - there are two versions and they are night and day. Later version miles better.

[andrewrob]

Thanks for all the information, much appreciated.

[williamp]

I always use the manual override on the E39- I like the up/down lever, and using it without using the clutch

[andrewrob]

Just incase anyone is interested in doing this and has never heard of it there are also a couple of straightforward flappy paddle conversions that can be done.

There's one in which you swap out your own wheel for an M3 DSG one
or the other cheaper option which involves mounting the AMG paddle set which costs around £80 from memory.
End results are good judging by pictures/videos I have seen.

The wiring looks pretty straightforward as it just piggy backs off of the selector +/- wiring

All I need to do now is ditch my French shed save some money and pickup a nice E38!