• We’re currently investigating an issue related to the forum theme and styling that is impacting page layout and visual formatting. The problem has been identified, and we are actively working on a resolution. There is no impact to user data or functionality, this is strictly a front-end display issue. We’ll post an update once the fix has been deployed. Thanks for your patience while we get this sorted.

Updated With Photos: "Loaner" Cars

Page 3 - Seeking answers? Join the AnandTech community: where nearly half-a-million members share solutions and discuss the latest tech.
Tsaar said:
Since I am inexperienced with a manual. I just went out for a late night drive.

Drove down a local highway very close to my neighborhood. Got on the interstate. Went to the next exit three miles down. Got back on the same highway (runs parallel to the interstate) and took it back home.

After coming from a Ford Ranger, the drive was so smooth. The acceleration felt good even in 5th gear. I travel some with my job, so I have driven quite a few small cars (such as the ford focus). Those drove nice, but something about this felt really good.

I had a long post about getting a stick. Now that I have one...I am still VERY weak on getting the ball rolling in first gear. Basically, I give it some major gas to make sure I don't stall. Hoping I get smoother at this.

The other thing I didn't think about...in an automatic if I want to make micro adjustments (such as moving up a few feet) all I have to do is put it in gear and the "idle speed" can carry me there.

In a stick, the only way I have been able to micro adjust is to keep holding the clutch down slightly and give it the gas to slowly move forward. I assume this is really bad on the clutch? Obviously if I let go of the clutch the car is gonna want to move much more than a few feet....or stall with my experience....
Click to expand...

Believe me...once you get the hang of it...those micro adjustments will be even easier in a stick. I have way more control with my clunky truck (with manual) than I do with my wifes automatic. Modulating the clutch as needed allows you unbelievable control when needed.

And don't worry...you won't be having to apply the massive gas long. practice letting the clutch out without even applying gas and get used to the feeling of the clutch starting to catch...then push it right back in. This will wear the clutch a bit...but it will give you invaluable experience on where the clutch is catching so that you naturally start to understand when you need to start applying gas...and you'll slowly get a lot better at incremental adjustments in throttle input. Now some cars are famously difficult to drive stick in...your BMW definitely is not one of them (I'd say a lot of people would argue it is the easiest...with maybe the exception of some honda's).
 
PricklyPete said:
Believe me...once you get the hang of it...those micro adjustments will be even easier in a stick. I have way more control with my clunky truck (with manual) than I do with my wifes automatic. Modulating the clutch as needed allows you unbelievable control when needed.

And don't worry...you won't be having to apply the massive gas long. practice letting the clutch out without even applying gas and get used to the feeling of the clutch starting to catch...then push it right back in. This will wear the clutch a bit...but it will give you invaluable experience on where the clutch is catching so that you naturally start to understand when you need to start applying gas...and you'll slowly get a lot better at incremental adjustments in throttle input. Now some cars are famously difficult to drive stick in...your BMW definitely is not one of them (I'd say a lot of people would argue it is the easiest...with maybe the exception of some honda's).
Click to expand...

After driving the last few days in traffic I have gotten much better, but I am still afraid of getting sued for whiplash when I shift gears with people with me (drove some guys to lunch yesterday...they were saying crap joking because they knew I was new to the stick). 😀

I leave early in the morning to beat traffic, but I am usually stuck in some during the afternoon drive.
 
My E90 330i has almost 90,000 miles and no issues so far *knock on wood*.

The non turbo 3s tend to be pretty reliable.

Edit: You got a steal of a deal, ignore the haters.
 
Tsaar said:
The other thing I didn't think about...in an automatic if I want to make micro adjustments (such as moving up a few feet) all I have to do is put it in gear and the "idle speed" can carry me there.

In a stick, the only way I have been able to micro adjust is to keep holding the clutch down slightly and give it the gas to slowly move forward. I assume this is really bad on the clutch? Obviously if I let go of the clutch the car is gonna want to move much more than a few feet....or stall with my experience....
Click to expand...

My sister flew in from Australia a couple weeks ago and was stepping me through the finer points of driving a manual recently. One thing she showed me, which you can try on a flat surface, is letting the clutch out only to the point where the RPMs drop and the car inches forward without your foot on the gas. It was in an old, beat-up Saturn with a worn clutch, but the motor would drop to about 700rpm and the car would just inch forward slowly.

This same point where the RPMs drop just a bit off idle is what you want to be at when starting on a hill, FYI. You then apply the same amount of throttle as if you were in an automatic and release the clutch at the same time.

And when in doubt, it's all in the clutch.
 
Tsaar said:
After driving the last few days in traffic I have gotten much better, but I am still afraid of getting sued for whiplash when I shift gears with people with me (drove some guys to lunch yesterday...they were saying crap joking because they knew I was new to the stick). 😀

I leave early in the morning to beat traffic, but I am usually stuck in some during the afternoon drive.
Click to expand...

I guarantee within a week you'll reporting back to us that you're good to go. it will seem unnatural at first and become second nature quicker than you think.
 
KIAman said:
What were your 325i platform and model year of your focus? What makes your focus better for you overall?
Click to expand...

I had a 2003 and 2006 E90 and have a 2009 Focus. I'm not saying they weren't nice just not worth 2-3x more than my current car. I'm not really a car person.
 
nickbits said:
I had a 2003 and 2006 E90 and have a 2009 Focus. I'm not saying they weren't nice just not worth 2-3x more than my current car. I'm not really a car person.
Click to expand...

To be fair, the 2009 Focus is a nice little car compared to the crap Ford used to make.

Also, if price/performance was your sole consideration, no luxury manufacturer will ever be good for you. For those with other considerations (look at my previous post) it is more than worth the money.
 
I spent some time in a Focus in Calgary this past April for business (got some snow weather driving also)...it drove nice, but I am really loving how my car drives.

So far I love everything about it (except the wheels).

Every time I walk out to my car I say to myself "That's a damn good-looking car." 😀
 
Tsaar said:
Old and New:

100_0891.JPG
Click to expand...

Somebody here parks like an asshole. :hmm:

Nice car, btw.
 
Last edited:
PricklyPete said:
Tell that to the people with the turbo 2.8 in the Caddy SRX. While the engine does have the proper knock sensor and timing adjustments...some engines literally blew from this. It's best to stick with premium in a turbo engine that requests it.
Click to expand...
^ This. I would NEVER feed < 91 octane to my LS.
 
Who's that chick in the third pic, in the zebra dress?

Congrats man, and enjoy it. Take care of it and it will take care of you.
 
But yeah, go to VMR, they make wheels specifically for BMW fitments, among others. Their wheels are quality wheels, and are very inexpensive. I think you may have to buy from their distributor, but look for a local one and go see for yourself.
 
SSSnail said:
But yeah, go to VMR, they make wheels specifically for BMW fitments, among others. Their wheels are quality wheels, and are very inexpensive. I think you may have to buy from their distributor, but look for a local one and go see for yourself.
Click to expand...

I liked those wheels, but they didn't have anything smaller than 18s.

I think 18s may look kind of funny on it. Will keep looking for some 17s.
 
Tsaar said:
I liked those wheels, but they didn't have anything smaller than 18s.

I think 18s may look kind of funny on it. Will keep looking for some 17s.
Click to expand...
Why would you want 17s? Are you planning on going off-road with your beemer? The sports package comes with 18's and M's come with 19's. The 18's would look perfect on your car. Check out some of the pictures that Alkemyst linked earlier, I believe most of them are 19's so 18's would be a good compromise between good looks and forgiving ride.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

TRENDING THREADS

Back
Top