Performance Shifting
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 501
Likes: 64
From: Columbia MD
Performance Shifting
Well, I'm about ready to pull the trigger but like just about everyone else I'm struggling with the transmission question...which one to get?
I really want the M7. My biggest fear is my ability. I know how to drive a manual but I don't know how to shift like a performance driver. So, I don't want to buy the car and then find out if I run a 1/4 mile I'm getting 15 second times. How long does it take to learn how to drive a manual well, when you're getting 12 second times? Does it take years of practice? Or if I spend a weekend at Spring Mountain will that get me there?
I really want the M7. My biggest fear is my ability. I know how to drive a manual but I don't know how to shift like a performance driver. So, I don't want to buy the car and then find out if I run a 1/4 mile I'm getting 15 second times. How long does it take to learn how to drive a manual well, when you're getting 12 second times? Does it take years of practice? Or if I spend a weekend at Spring Mountain will that get me there?
Tech Contributor
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 4,761
Likes: 240
From: Saint Louis MO
St. Jude Donor '14-'15
This car has one of the most forgiving and easy-to-use manual setups I've encountered in dozens of standard cars that I've owned over the years.
With Auto Rev Matching, you don't have to worry about heel-toe (I still like to, but that's just me), and the pedal is linear and has a very positive engagement.
The auto will be faster down the track (especially the A8), but don't have any fear about being overwhelmed. (Old) BMW manuals were a bitch-and-a-half to learn on, and we won't even get into double-clutching. This M7 is cake.
My wife drove my C7 the second day I had it, and she had only driven a stick in one of my other BMWs. Had no problem. Edit: Only an issue with my car and hill control.
If you're adept at a manual already, just grip it and rip it. Get an MGW and you'll never look back.
With Auto Rev Matching, you don't have to worry about heel-toe (I still like to, but that's just me), and the pedal is linear and has a very positive engagement.
The auto will be faster down the track (especially the A8), but don't have any fear about being overwhelmed. (Old) BMW manuals were a bitch-and-a-half to learn on, and we won't even get into double-clutching. This M7 is cake.
My wife drove my C7 the second day I had it, and she had only driven a stick in one of my other BMWs. Had no problem. Edit: Only an issue with my car and hill control.
If you're adept at a manual already, just grip it and rip it. Get an MGW and you'll never look back.
Last edited by Theta; Mar 21, 2015 at 08:10 PM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 1,151
Likes: 190
From: SoCal
Don't know about new ones but my '14 DOES have hill start assist. It just needs to sense a hill that it classifies as steep enough and it will apply the e-brake until enough torque is applied to the tranny to get moving forward. That feature can take some learning but if you have a step driveway then you can practice hill starts there.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 2,180
Likes: 233
From: Minnetrista Minnesota
M7 all the way! I bought an A6 in my C6 and hated it (thought the paddle shifting would be really cool, but didn't do it for me). Like Theta said, the M7 is Cake. And look at this way, you will probably spend 99% on the street, and maybe 1% at the track. Do you want to be bored with an auto 99% of the time???
And I also installed a MGW shifter, expensive ($375), but the best mod I did by far. They have a new flat stick shifter that is super retro (wish they had this when I ordered mine).
And I also installed a MGW shifter, expensive ($375), but the best mod I did by far. They have a new flat stick shifter that is super retro (wish they had this when I ordered mine).
Tech Contributor
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 4,761
Likes: 240
From: Saint Louis MO
St. Jude Donor '14-'15
Don't know about new ones but my '14 DOES have hill start assist. It just needs to sense a hill that it classifies as steep enough and it will apply the e-brake until enough torque is applied to the tranny to get moving forward. That feature can take some learning but if you have a step driveway then you can practice hill starts there.
Another lovable flaw of my 'first-500' car.
Pro
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 594
Likes: 13
From: Michigan
Hey, i just purchased a 15 C7 A8 yesterday and absolutely LOVE the A8. I'm not easy to please and just find it great. You my friend don't have an issue. The M7 is a great transmission as well and very easy to learn to shift efficiently. The rev match feature is also amazing! If you really want the manual then go ahead and get it. You will easily be running 12's before you know it. You truly cant go wrong either way though!
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 1,151
Likes: 190
From: SoCal
I'll have to apologize for that then - it was listed in the features, but mine under normal 10-degree or steep 40-degree conditions doesn't have any assistance. Kind of resigned myself to the fact it was just one of those things that didn't get done in time. I will edit my first post.
Another lovable flaw of my 'first-500' car.
Another lovable flaw of my 'first-500' car.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 4,761
Likes: 240
From: Saint Louis MO
St. Jude Donor '14-'15
I'll play with it a bit - there's a terrible hill here that has a light at the top of it - it's a nightmare for manual drivers.
Never had it kick in for me whether in Neutral, 1, 2, or so on. My other cars do it, so I'm used to the second or so you have to gas up. I have to slip the clutch out to not roll into somebody.
I think there is a PI somewhere about this, but I'm not too worried about it. The last thing I want to do is take it in with this engine. Talk about confusing the techs...
Never had it kick in for me whether in Neutral, 1, 2, or so on. My other cars do it, so I'm used to the second or so you have to gas up. I have to slip the clutch out to not roll into somebody.
I think there is a PI somewhere about this, but I'm not too worried about it. The last thing I want to do is take it in with this engine. Talk about confusing the techs...
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