[Nick325xiT 5spd]

Well, whaddya you guys think?

 

[Nick325xiT 5spd]

BTW, I would LOVE to see a six speed close ratio.

 

[Mystikal]

Well, although a close-ratio sounds great, our Bimmers aren't really high-RPM screamers at all. I'd bet that slightly short-shifting them would baerly even affect lap times that much.

With that in mind, I just want to keep our current ratios and add a ~0.83:1 6th to calm it down on the highway.

 

[webguy330i]

While I love the 1:1 5th gear, it would be mad cool to have a 6spd with direct drive on 6th. Man what fun autox would be!! With the 5spd, I don't know if I'll ever get out of 1st.

 

[Nick325xiT 5spd]

Well, although a close-ratio sounds great, our Bimmers aren't really high-RPM screamers at all. I'd bet that slightly short-shifting them would baerly even affect lap times that much.

With that in mind, I just want to keep our current ratios and add a ~0.83:1 6th to calm it down on the highway.

I recall reading that switching an E36 325i's 3.15 diff for a 3.45 decreased the distance to 140MPH from 5 miles to 3. That seems like quite a difference.

 

[Kaz]

I have a 3.46 diff and could use a OD 6th.

 

[Plaz]

5-spd's good enough for me.

The torque curve seems even enough through the lower revs that I don't see the need for another gear for acceleration, and running at 3-3.5k on the highway really doesn't seem to be "insane screaming revs" to me, as others have stated.

To me, it looks like the rampant 6-speed envy is simply a "grass is greener" scenario, since so many cars are now coming out with them. I don't really see what practical purpose an E46 would need it for... at least with the 3.0l engine.

 

[Nick325xiT 5spd]

Yeah, well, you're driving the lightest variant of the E46 in the US, the sedan...
I've got the 2.5 liter engine AND an extra 400lbs AND the all wheel drive system sapping power.