Auto-X with a Z4 3.0 lever

[KenC]

I'm considering doing any auto-x this weekend and I'm concerned about the Z4 3.0 lever I have. I'm affraid that downshifting into first under high loads will give me a hell of a time. It's not that I can't force it in, it just seems like it'd take a bit more effort and thus extra time when shifting...

Do any of you who auto-x use this lever? If so, how's it been?

[Matt86es]

I am sure that you are more experienced than me, but most of the auto-x courses that I've been to, the experts say that it is actually more beneficial to stay in 2nd on almost all of the turns. The extra time it takes you to shift plus the weight transfer causes your balance to be off.

[KenC]

Me = no experience in auto-xing.

I'll probably be getting a lot of advice though from guys there.

[Matt86es]

Well, I definately reccomend walking the course with a pro and they will help you determine when and if you need to downshift as well as many other things. If there are any experienced auto-xers just standing around I would ask if they could ride with you and give you some pointers. The knowledge gained will more than equal out your added weight and possibly slower time during that run and most people are more than glad to help. In my limited experience, the only cars that ever get in 1rst are ones that HAVE to keep revs up such as turbos, 4 bangers with VTEC or similar, or maybe rotary engines.

[f u z z]

I autox and i have the 3.0.

I can be topped out at 2nd, slow down then heel / toe to revmatch and peg it at 4500 in 1st. i love my 3.0 (but this was on the road course last weekend haha ) :twisted:

beleive me, you wont find yourself going into 1st at on Auto-x with a high rmp load. no point realy unless your going through like a dead stop 90 degree turn. just stay in first as long as you can, then get to second, and stay there as long as you can. I dotn drop back down to first unless i get below 3k. BE SMOOTH. SMOOTH = WIN.


learn to heel/toe, its great.

[///M Powered]

I auto-x'ed my 318i with the 3.0 and had no problems, however I never had to downshift . Like fuzz mentioned, you probably wont downshift unless it's a very tight turn, and you wont come out of 3rd unless there's a long straight( in wich case people jsut bounce the revlimiter anyway :twisted: ).

Go out there and have some fun, you'll be addicted even if it is with the little m10 :P

[Bill 84 318i]

I think I've only ever been on one course where I downshifted to first for a turn (and that was only one run...it just wasn't beneficial to do it on the others). Even with the shitty power down low (or lack thereof) from an M10, it's usually not worth it.

I vote for leaving it in second and just focusing more on making the car go in the direction you want it to.

Have fun, and whoop some 325i's ;) - I've left a few wondering what they're doing wrong.

[///M Powered]

I I've left a few wondering what they're doing wrong.

8) 4 cyl for life.

[Nick325is]

I think I've only ever been on one course where I downshifted to first for a turn (and that was only one run...it just wasn't beneficial to do it on the others). Even with the shitty power down low (or lack thereof) from an M10, it's usually not worth it.

I vote for leaving it in second and just focusing more on making the car go in the direction you want it to.

Have fun, and whoop some 325i's ;) - I've left a few wondering what they're doing wrong.

Bill, you my friend are an asshole :nice:


Nick

[Charlie]

You have no reason to be shifting to first gear, don't sweat it.

-Charlie

[Mystikal]

At my local course I'm 80% of the time in 1st; it's extremely tight. I also have a Z4 3.0 shift lever, and I've never gotten completely hung up but sometimes it has been a bit of a struggle to get 'er into 1st.

Don't worry about it and just go drive. Until your first run all you're going to be doing is worrying about stupid crap like this, but after that you're all good.

[spud814]

You won't need first gear.

[jweb]

I needed 1st gear at my last auto x. We had like three u-turns.

[trent]

autox sux

[BS87]

autox sux

Word, Oval for life, mang.