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E36 M3 (1991-1999)

Auto transmission in 1998 M-3

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Author	Topic: Auto transmission in 1998 M-3
Zlutnicks@usfca.edu unregistered	posted 12-12-2001 04:30 PM I recently purchased a 1998 M-3 automatic. It is difficult to tell from the manual how to get the best performance out of it. What't the difference between "E", "S" & "M". Can you downshift in any/all of them? I'd like to hear from anyone with an automatic. IP: Logged
autom3er Member Posts: 8 Registered: Dec 2001	posted 12-15-2001 01:52 PM quote: Originally posted by Zlutnicks@usfca.edu: I recently purchased a 1998 M-3 automatic. It is difficult to tell from the manual how to get the best performance out of it. What't the difference between "E", "S" & "M". Can you downshift in any/all of them? I'd like to hear from anyone with an automatic. Reply: I have an auto 95 m3, and ur car would always run better on "s"(sport), however, u'll use a lot more gas. I prefer to always drive on "e", but for races.....ur must change to "s" mode. Downshifting?...thats for manual m3s. unless u want to downshift on "m" mode, which will prob jack up ur transmission ...hope I helped any......"S" is awesome. [This message has been edited by autom3er (edited 12-15-2001).] IP: Logged
15Vinceanity unregistered	posted 12-20-2001 02:03 PM I just got a '98 M3 auto myself and have been playing around with the shift modes. From what I understand and experienced E setting will go for optimun fuel Efficiency/Economy thus wanting to upshift right away, the Sport setting will allow you to go to higher rpms before upshifting, and the Manual mode will not change gears unless you manually change it, i've been using this mode from a dead stop and its awesome, almost like driving a stick. You can downshift in any of the modes too (which I prefer to do instead of mashing the gas pedal to force the engine to downshift). I probably use M 60% of the time S 30% E 10%. Anybody know if I'm killing my engine? IP: Logged
eduardo gonçalves Member Posts: 74 Registered: Oct 2001	posted 12-20-2001 02:23 PM M3 engine can`t be killed. IP: Logged
15Vinceanity unregistered	posted 12-20-2001 02:38 PM Eduardo, sounds good to me. So I can use Manual mode as much as I want to without hurting my engine? Also, do you know how to remove the shift knob of an automatic? IP: Logged
eduardo gonçalves Member Posts: 74 Registered: Oct 2001	posted 12-20-2001 03:56 PM Yes, you can use your manual as much as you want. There is no way of hurting the engine because even if you are driving close to red line and, by mistake, try to shift down the electronic management woun`t let the gear to engage. The SMG is safer for the engine than the manual gearbox. I don`t know how to remove the shift knob of an automatic because here in my country automatics are very hard to find. Only about 10% of cars here are auto. Eduardo. IP: Logged
MattZeeTerror unregistered	posted 12-22-2001 07:24 PM Is there a diference 0-60 and 1/4mile in the auto and manual? if so how much? IP: Logged
autom3er Member Posts: 8 Registered: Dec 2001	posted 12-23-2001 12:33 AM There is a difference between the manuel m3 and automatic because manual is lighter and better for the 1/4 mile. There is prob no more than a second difference...but it still is faster than automatic IP: Logged

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