Best all around gearing for s50?

[87e30]

I have a getrag 260 with 3.73 lsd.

I hate the gap from 3rd to 4th becuase I feel I want to be in third for freeway passing but there just isn't enough their in fourth (compared to third).

I love the super short gearing around town.

Does the s50 just not have the power of a newer car (like an e45 m3, s4, 335i) on the freeway or is my gearing holding it back?

It's not so much that it needs to be faster, it's that the gearing just feels weird and horribly matched. Maybe I'm just being picky.

What do you guys think?

[Stephen]

you're just being picky


get a zf and a 2.93

[MR 325]

I have the same gearing, I think it's perfect.

If your S50 doesn't have enough power in 4th something is wrong with it. :)

[87e30]

I have the same gearing, I think it's perfect.

If your S50 doesn't have enough power in 4th something is wrong with it. :)

Yeah I mean it pulls fine, to me I just feel like 3rd-4th is a really big jump.

[87e30]

you're just being picky


get a zf and a 2.93

gtfo 12v'er

:D

[Danny]

I want a 3.46 with my 260.

[87e30]

I want a 3.46 with my 260.

Yes, but I still wonder if the 3-4 gear is too far apart. But I do have to agree with you, I wish 3rd was just a little more useable for freeway passing.

I also want you to come visit again

[glucklich21]

I want a 3.46 with my 260.

Me too.

[samiam3356]

I want a 3.46 with my 260.

Me too.

I don't ;)

[glucklich21]

Trade you my 3.25 LSD. :)

[e30s50dan]

Just skip 3rd gear ....lol!

[samiam3356]

Trade you my 3.25 LSD. :)

I don't WANT, I HAVE! muahahahahhaa

[glucklich21]

Bastard

[Beej '86 325es]

I like the 260 with 3.73 gearing. Highway RPMs are a little high, but around town it's great. But I don't plan on doing much highway driving with my car.

[nrubenstein]

The S50 is a very peaky engine. In the 4-6k range, mine actually closely matches my S54. Unfortunately, above and below that, it isn't even close. You have a fairly small power band to work with and the 260 is just not quite optimal. IMHO, optimal is a 6-speed with a 3.46. The zf320 will also work if your exhaust is quiet enough.