Is the kickdown completely pointless?

walmark · 04-18-2014, 07:47 PM

Thanks guys for a great discussion!

Seems like most of you share the viewpoint of it being utterly useless on 335. I have no problem avoiding it when pressing the throttle (not STOMPING on it), I just wanted to know if perhaps I'm not using it right. I'll just save it for the day I want to make lots of noise and jerky motions :P

1NS0MN1A · 04-19-2014, 01:59 AM

DCT FTW. even if it shifts low it takes a split second to upshift so you don't lose any time at all.

Nebraska330xi · 04-19-2014, 03:14 AM

Kick down is great for us NA auto swines. Own an automatic (sans "manual" mode) that does not downshift when you hit the throttle and you will appreciate x1000. I use it regularly when passing, or trying to hear that 6 sing. But manual. Yea get that. Better. Enthusiast. Connection.

Dark_Knight_335 · 04-19-2014, 09:03 AM

So the general consensus is it's more noticeable/ useful on an NA car as opposed to a turbo, and overall more useful on an MT.

Got it!

dassub · 04-19-2014, 10:41 AM

Wait, I've never heard of this thing, and I've been driving my car for 5+ years.
Is it on manual cars?

MGT81 · 04-19-2014, 11:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dassub

Wait, I've never heard of this thing, and I've been driving my car for 5+ years.
Is it on manual cars?

No

roundle · 04-19-2014, 11:16 AM

Back in the late 90s, my mom's 328iA had the 4spd auto. With a 4spd auto, the kick down made a lot of sense. For example, on the highway, if you pushed the gas all the way down without hitting the button, the transmission would not down-shift past 4K RPM; if you clicked the button, it would go to the lowest possible gear (awesome!).

That little button gave you a huge amount of control over shift points. I sort of appreciated it. Keep in mind that I'm a guy who drives an MT in stop-in-go city traffic and has no plans to EVER give up this MT...

04-18-2014, 07:47 PM	#23
walmark Apprentice 86 Rep 491 Posts Drives: 550i F10 '15 Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: SF Bay iTrader: (2)	Thanks guys for a great discussion! Seems like most of you share the viewpoint of it being utterly useless on 335. I have no problem avoiding it when pressing the throttle (not STOMPING on it), I just wanted to know if perhaps I'm not using it right. I'll just save it for the day I want to make lots of noise and jerky motions :P
	Appreciate 0 Quote

04-19-2014, 01:59 AM	#24
1NS0MN1A Lieutenant 50 Rep 573 Posts Drives: IS Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Location iTrader: (7)	DCT FTW. even if it shifts low it takes a split second to upshift so you don't lose any time at all.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

04-19-2014, 03:14 AM	#25
Nebraska330xi Lieutenant 42 Rep 551 Posts Drives: 2006 330xi Sonora Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Nebraska iTrader: (1)	Kick down is great for us NA auto swines. Own an automatic (sans "manual" mode) that does not downshift when you hit the throttle and you will appreciate x1000. I use it regularly when passing, or trying to hear that 6 sing. But manual. Yea get that. Better. Enthusiast. Connection. __________________ 2006 Sonora Metallic 330xi. DIY: Charcoal Delete, K
	Appreciate 0 Quote

04-19-2014, 09:03 AM	#26
Dark_Knight_335 Came to the N55 Darkside 1110 Rep 12,740 Posts Drives: 2011 335 E93 M-Sport Join Date: May 2010 Location: NY/NJ iTrader: (28)	So the general consensus is it's more noticeable/ useful on an NA car as opposed to a turbo, and overall more useful on an MT. Got it!
	Appreciate 0 Quote

04-19-2014, 10:41 AM	#27
dassub Captain 60 Rep 965 Posts Drives: '14 328xi sport line Join Date: May 2009 Location: Toronto iTrader: (1) Garage List 1981 Fiat 124 Spider [0.00] 2014 F30 BMW 328xi [0.00] 2006 E90 BMW 325i ( ... [0.00] 1988 Audi 90 Quattr ... [0.00]	Wait, I've never heard of this thing, and I've been driving my car for 5+ years. Is it on manual cars?
	Appreciate 0 Quote

04-19-2014, 11:16 AM	#29
roundle EXPAT 65 Rep 889 Posts Drives: 18 VW GTI;18 CX9;11 E91 N52 Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: USA iTrader: (0)	Back in the late 90s, my mom's 328iA had the 4spd auto. With a 4spd auto, the kick down made a lot of sense. For example, on the highway, if you pushed the gas all the way down without hitting the button, the transmission would not down-shift past 4K RPM; if you clicked the button, it would go to the lowest possible gear (awesome!). That little button gave you a huge amount of control over shift points. I sort of appreciated it. Keep in mind that I'm a guy who drives an MT in stop-in-go city traffic and has no plans to EVER give up this MT...
	Appreciate 0 Quote