[mase]

So I know there's a Learn to drive manual thread, but I wanted some tips specifically for the elusive 1-2 shift in e90s. I've tried and currently use the "Thumb along gearstick pointing down and fingers curled around front of knob" technique, but it doesn't work that well.

Any tips such as "Pull in this direction" or "apply this type of pressure" or "use this handgrip" or "this shiftknob is easiest", anything. Thanks!

[330MX]

Whatever placement allows you to place the shifter into 2nd the smoothest. There is no one size fits all solution. The 1-2 is pretty straight forward (or should I say backward) so whatever is comfortable for you. You are placing the shifter into gear, not slamming it.

[DJKhan85]

I found the harder you pull into 2nd, the more resistance you encounter. You have to find that sweet spot of just enough force. I also found that it gets easier if you start letting the clutch up when the shifter is almost in 2nd.

Just gotta practice.

[ianthegreat]

Originally Posted by DJKhan85

I found the harder you pull into 2nd, the more resistance you encounter. You have to find that sweet spot of just enough force. I also found that it gets easier if you start letting the clutch up when the shifter is almost in 2nd.

Just gotta practice.

+1

1 -> 2 shift is a bitch at the track. You have to ease it in.. if you force it you will wind up just grinding.

[J Tyler]

Originally Posted by 330MX

Whatever placement allows you to place the shifter into 2nd the smoothest. There is no one size fits all solution. The 1-2 is pretty straight forward (or should I say backward) so whatever is comfortable for you. You are placing the shifter into gear, not slamming it.

+1, very well said.

1-2 is a tricky shift because the RPM difference is so big (the syncro needs a little bit more time to 'pop' onto the new gear), and because gears 1 and 2 are relatively short - therefore making the car very sensitive to every little movement the driver does in these gears.

In racing/tracking production cars, you never use 1st gear anyway. OP, I assume you are talking about drag racing?

[mase]

well in normal driving i go to 3k rpm in 1st before shifting... it's a lot smoother when i shift around 2.5k. When do you guys usually shift just street driving?

i've noticed that some guys in steptronic when racing start in 2nd.. is there a rationale to that, just less shifting = faster? do guys racing stick also start in 2nd?

[mase]

btw i realize my response was about the smoothness of the shift itself, but my original question was just about how to get the actual shifter in there smoothly.

[valbauer]

Originally Posted by mase

So I know there's a Learn to drive manual thread, but I wanted some tips specifically for the elusive 1-2 shift in e90s. I've tried and currently use the "Thumb along gearstick pointing down and fingers curled around front of knob" technique, but it doesn't work that well.

Any tips such as "Pull in this direction" or "apply this type of pressure" or "use this handgrip" or "this shiftknob is easiest", anything. Thanks!

Get a short shifter

[The HACK]

Originally Posted by valbauer

Get a short shifter

How does a short shifter address an inherent issue with gear "spacing" and synchro?

[valbauer]

Originally Posted by The HACK

How does a short shifter address an inherent issue with gear "spacing" and synchro?

It doesnt

[mase]

Originally Posted by J Tyler

In racing/tracking production cars, you never use 1st gear anyway. OP, I assume you are talking about drag racing?

What does this mean? You start in 2nd gear at the track??

[Porschefile]

Originally Posted by mase

What does this mean? You start in 2nd gear at the track??

Unless you are in an actual race and it is a standing start you don't really use 1st. The only time you would be in 1st is leaving the grid, and you wouldn't be flogging it to redline right out of grid usually. And you would never go to 1st for a corner, 2nd can handle some slow stuff.