What's your favorite transmission gear?

[ELVA164]

Okay, bear with me here.

I heard a quote once that I think was attributed to Hans Stuck. It went something like "A real race car needs no more and no less than 5 forward speeds" and it got me thinking about which gear in my E30 was the most generally enjoyable. My favorite gear is third because it's short enough for decent acceleration but tall enough to reach highway speeds at higher rpm. That said, I could see why other people would enjoy different gears for different reasons.

After thinking about this, I came to the obvious and reasonable conclusion that I should poll you lot and see what you think!

Discuss.

[ST1G]

3rd for the same reason. Might change after the s52 swap is in.

[lambo]

3rd

[Wschnitz]

2nd here, will probably change with M20 ITB upgrade when im not poor, but as is in 2nd gear M20 feels tite.

[Hooffenstein HD]

Second gear. Short enough for rapid acceleration, tall enough to almost reach 100km/h.

It's also dependant on driving situation though. If I was thrashing around the hills it would be in third 80% of the time.

[LJ851]

Turd gear for sure.

[nando]

2nd for me. I think i can just tag 60mph at 7500. Will easily be able to do that at 8k.

[ELVA164]

I suppose the poll can be E30-focused, but what about other cars you guys (and girls?) drive? I think I'd still say third in the Cortina, but maybe second gear in one of the Ginettas. Sig pic is 6,500rpm in third btw :nice:

I also think I might have voted second gear for our old iX because it wasn't quite as spirited as my car is.

[Best_name_available]

Second gear. Short enough for rapid acceleration, tall enough to almost reach 100km/h.

[Das Delfin]

Second feels best when you punch it but third accelerates over a broader range.. I voted 3rd

[flyboyx]

rob gear.

[ELVA164]

rob gear.

No stories of car theft.

[nando]

If this was a newer BMW forum, 99% of the responses would be #6..

[stonea]

2nd in the ix, 3rd in the Z3, and option 6 in the 325i

[ELVA164]

If this was a newer BMW forum, 99% of the responses would be #6..

That's why we fight the good fight!

I'm actually surprised there aren't any first gear dorifto fans yet, I expected some of those.