[Boostedphil698]

Does anyone know if it is safe to downshift this transmission into 1st when coming to a stop or should I let the car do it? I only ever control gear when I'm driving aggressive. Also, does using the paddles when in sport mode damage the car after awhile? One person, I remember told me that it eventually kills the transmission since it's not a DCT, can't imagine that true though.

[sspade]

Great question, Ive been wrestling with this myself.

I am very comfortable downshifting all the way into 2nd but first is definitely a bit scary. I usually come to a very slow roll and then shift to only cause a very slight blip of RPM but sometimes I do nothing and let the computer do it.

Interested to hear other opinions on this.

[thejeremyman9]

What's the specific concern going down into 1st? Just beacuse the gear ratio is so high the potential stress it puts on components?

During hard driving (autocross, canyons), i never go into 1st even in a really slow turn because 2nd has plenty of torque to accelerate out of the turn, and 1st is so short you would be spinning and need to shift right again anyways.

When driving around town in manual mode, i go into 1st only when i am <10mph or so and about to come to a stop, similar to the description above. I don't really ever come to a complete stop in 2nd, although i know its "OK" to do so and the computer will downshift to 1st if/when needed. I think this is similar to programmed behavior, because if you are in sport/+ and sport transmission (shifter to the left), you will see that it stays in 2nd down to very low speeds.

[Boostedphil698]

Originally Posted by thejeremyman9

What's the specific concern going down into 1st? Just beacuse the gear ratio is so high the potential stress it puts on components?

During hard driving (autocross, canyons), i never go into 1st even in a really slow turn because 2nd has plenty of torque to accelerate out of the turn, and 1st is so short you would be spinning and need to shift right again anyways.

When driving around town in manual mode, i go into 1st only when i am <10mph or so and about to come to a stop, similar to the description above. I don't really ever come to a complete stop in 2nd, although i know its "OK" to do so and the computer will downshift to 1st if/when needed. I think this is similar to programmed behavior, because if you are in sport/+ and sport transmission (shifter to the left), you will see that it stays in 2nd down to very low speeds.

I was always told that when driving a manual you never shift into 1st. I did shift into first by accident a few times in my ZF8 and the car didn't react like it didn't like but I'm not sure if it's a good thing.

[Eschmacher]

The ZF8 is programmed very well in this regard, it lets the engine rev match on downshifts including first. I vary between shifting into first at around 5-10mph or letting it shift itself when I come to a stop, depending on how quickly I plan on pulling away. for example if I'm coming to a turn and I do a rolling stop, I shift into first manually so that the transmission isn't in the middle of shifting itself when I apply the gas again.

[thejeremyman9]

Originally Posted by 435i_Phil

I was always told that when driving a manual you never shift into 1st. I did shift into first by accident a few times in my ZF8 and the car didn't react like it didn't like but I'm not sure if it's a good thing.

Driving a manual is a totally different story. As mentioned above the programming for the 8AT is pretty idiot proof. You can't downshift and overrev or downshift in any time it would be potentially dangerous. I wouldn't overthink it.

[harkes]

Use the settings in xHP to disable 1st gear - you will love it (everyone has xHP - no?)

[mcintoshf30]

Wait.. you guys actually don't use first? Lol

[harkes]

Originally Posted by mcintoshf30

Wait.. you guys actually don't use first? Lol

Nope. The ratio is so short that it is pointless + your car has a torque converter. I have not used 1st since the feature to disable it in xHP was released.

[XxThe_RemedyXx]

Originally Posted by harkes

Nope. The ratio is so short that it is pointless + your car has a torque converter. I have not used 1st since the feature to disable it in xHP was released.

I have xHP and didn't even know you could totally disable 1st. I usually let it downshift to 1st by itself.

[n55david]

Originally Posted by mcintoshf30

Wait.. you guys actually don't use first? Lol

im with you.. im like LOLWUT

[zole2112]

I always downshift to first when I come to a full stop. To suggest that a transmission is not built to handle a downshift to first under appropriate circumstances seems silly to me. On the other hand, first gear range is ridiculously narrow so when I do flash xHP I will disable the downshift to first I think.

[Boostedphil698]

It's interesting to find out that you can disable first LOL.

[Marlinman]

I would not recommend disabling the 1st gear in XHP if you have xdrive, it will place a high amount of unnecessary stress on the system. I still win drags this way too, just have learned to shift super early.

[XxThe_RemedyXx]

Originally Posted by Marlinman

I would not recommend disabling the 1st gear in XHP if you have xdrive, it will place a high amount of unnecessary stress on the system. I still win drags this way too, just have learned to shift super early.

Interesting... So just enable "launch in 2nd gear"?

[Jvac]

Originally Posted by 435i_Phil

Does anyone know if it is safe to downshift this transmission into 1st when coming to a stop or should I let the car do it? I only ever control gear when I'm driving aggressive. Also, does using the paddles when in sport mode damage the car after awhile? One person, I remember told me that it eventually kills the transmission since it's not a DCT, can't imagine that true though.

I have done it and I haven't seen a problem as long as the vehicle speed is appropriate at the time. The engine just revs a little, and the faster you are going, the more it will rev on downshift, I imagine. I won't be the guy to test the theory on my expensive transmission by downshifting at high speed. You wouldn't throw your manual down into 1st when you're doing 40, right? I think the same logic applies to the auto when using the paddles. If you are going reasonably slow as the others have said, it's a non event.

[thejeremyman9]

Originally Posted by Jvac

I have done it and I haven't seen a problem as long as the vehicle speed is appropriate at the time. The engine just revs a little, and the faster you are going, the more it will rev on downshift, I imagine. I won't be the guy to test the theory on my expensive transmission by downshifting at high speed. You wouldn't throw your manual down into 1st when you're doing 40, right? I think the same logic applies to the auto when using the paddles. If you are going reasonably slow as the others have said, it's a non event.

As i mentioned above the transmission is not going to let you downshift if it is unsafe to do so. So there isnt really the same concern about overreving or something like you could with a 6MT.

[zole2112]

Originally Posted by Marlinman

I would not recommend disabling the 1st gear in XHP if you have xdrive, it will place a high amount of unnecessary stress on the system. I still win drags this way too, just have learned to shift super early.

lol, the older I get the slower my reaction time is, I know I miss the optimal shift point from 1st to 2nd at times but I believe you are correct.

[ronanz]

Originally Posted by harkes

Use the settings in xHP to disable 1st gear - you will love it (everyone has xHP - no?)

no...... 🍻

.

[Boostedphil698]

Disabling first gear to me doesn't seem like a good thing lol. The next thing we'll see is guys throwing in Powerglide Transmissions in there F30/F32 lol.

[Marlinman]

Originally Posted by zole2112

lol, the older I get the slower my reaction time is, I know I miss the optimal shift point from 1st to 2nd at times but I believe you are correct.

I feel ya. I literally shift as soon as my foot hits the floor in 1st, haha! I also have the boost reduced by 20 % in first and second.

[thejeremyman9]

Originally Posted by Marlinman

I feel ya. I literally shift as soon as my foot hits the floor in 1st, haha! I also have the boost reduced by 20 % in first and second.

Why would you reduce boost on a xdrive?