Wow! Your first stick shift is a 330? Now THAT'S the way to do it with style!
Congrats! Is this your first bimmer too?
Some answers (note, I don't drive a 330 so it may be different for you) :
1) Nope, I give it gas with one fluid movement (no pause). It sounds like you just need a little more practice. Most people suggest the flat parking lot as a practice grounds, but I prefer a hill (or just a slight incline) when I learned stick at 15, that's how my dad taught me. I think it teaches fluid movements better, and more importantly it teaches you how to handle a hill so that you don't freak out when you come to your first one on the road!
2) Sounds about right . . . again don't know the exact RPM for the 330, but you should have a fair amount of revs going. If the shift is smooth, you're doing it right!:thumb:
3) I wouldn't worry about some rough shifts . . . you shouldn't cause any problems (unless you continue to do them for 30,000 miles -- which you won't have to worry about since it sounds like you've got the idea with the 1-2 shift) Don't worry about the "slowness" of the clutch movement. The key is not the speed of the clutch/gas travel, but instead the timing of the clutch engagement with the gas. As you practice and get better you'll get the timing down and then be wondering just how fast you can get it!
4) Yep. Although, at 20mph you could probably even go to 2nd if you wanted -- it'll give you better acceleration out of the toll. If you want to get really into it, work on the heal-toe braking and work your way down the gears as you approach the toll!
5) If by hard decceleration you're talking the violent jerk forward as the clutch engages, you should avoid that! There's an intersting thread over in the 3 series area about engine braking. Take a look. Although since it sounds like you're willing to learn and are looking to drive more enthusiastically, I'd suggest working on the rev matching too!
Congrats! Is this your first bimmer too?Some answers (note, I don't drive a 330 so it may be different for you) :
1) Nope, I give it gas with one fluid movement (no pause). It sounds like you just need a little more practice. Most people suggest the flat parking lot as a practice grounds, but I prefer a hill (or just a slight incline) when I learned stick at 15, that's how my dad taught me. I think it teaches fluid movements better, and more importantly it teaches you how to handle a hill so that you don't freak out when you come to your first one on the road!
2) Sounds about right . . . again don't know the exact RPM for the 330, but you should have a fair amount of revs going. If the shift is smooth, you're doing it right!:thumb:
3) I wouldn't worry about some rough shifts . . . you shouldn't cause any problems (unless you continue to do them for 30,000 miles -- which you won't have to worry about since it sounds like you've got the idea with the 1-2 shift) Don't worry about the "slowness" of the clutch movement. The key is not the speed of the clutch/gas travel, but instead the timing of the clutch engagement with the gas. As you practice and get better you'll get the timing down and then be wondering just how fast you can get it!
4) Yep. Although, at 20mph you could probably even go to 2nd if you wanted -- it'll give you better acceleration out of the toll. If you want to get really into it, work on the heal-toe braking and work your way down the gears as you approach the toll!
5) If by hard decceleration you're talking the violent jerk forward as the clutch engages, you should avoid that! There's an intersting thread over in the 3 series area about engine braking. Take a look. Although since it sounds like you're willing to learn and are looking to drive more enthusiastically, I'd suggest working on the rev matching too!
