Hi group - I am brand new and just acquired my first BMW, a 2004 X5 with a 6-speed manual transmission. This took me quite a long time to find. It has 88,000 miles (as of Mar 2018) so very low mileage and great condition for it's age.
I have an odd question. First gear feels very "awkward" and I'm wondering if something is wrong, normal, or modable. I have owned many many manual trans vehicles with my previous being an 07 Nissan Xterra 4WD manual. First gear feels like the engine RPMS are very high at < 10 mph and it feels like it awkwardly needs to be dropped to 2nd gear much sooner than anything I've driven. Or that I should start in second (probably not real good for the clutch). So is it me and I get used to it or is something amiss? I test drive an X3 manual trans a few months ago and don't remember feeling this at the time but may have missed it. Please be nice to me if I have asked an FAQ as a noob - I did search and couldn't locate anything :-).
Thanks! Todd H. Quincy IL
unless the clutch is slipping then is ok.
I do not feel a slip on the clutch. 1st just seems unusually low. Oddly low; like I'm needing to shift to 2nd gear at 7 mpg.
Sounds almost like you're driving a pre-millennium VW LOL
2007 FJ Cruiser (best vehicle to date)
2012 X6 35i Sport
2013 ML350 BT
2019 4Runner
I realize this is an old discussion string , but... yes, you are correct. 1st gear in my 2004 X5 is low - perfect for boat launches and steep inclines . It is a weird 1st gear ratio for normal commuting .
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