[ScaredOnce]

Yeah, I actually use 5th all the time. It just fits the roads around here in Western PA pretty well. Most back roads are posted at 45 and there's a lot of hills/bends. So, 5th is a good gear for cruising. 3rd gets used in those diving turns when playing...

[Outlaw 06]

Both 5th and 6th gears on the 335i's ZF manual transmission are basically unusable on American highways. I rarely use either of them. I've found that the 335i cruises along very nicely at 80mph in 4th gear.

[HISI808]

The throw from 4th to 5th is a little long and quirky for me. I might have to try 4th to 6th. I had my car for a couple of months and have never used 6th gear yet.

[PeteW84]

I use 5th all the time, anything above 50mph on city streets.

[2kaccordocoupe]

I punch it in 2nd to merge onto the hwy then put it into 6th

[scheherazade]

Originally Posted by Funk365

This situation should NEVER arise. There is no point at which the clutch should be depressed if you aren't starting the car, changing gears or coming to a stop (in which case you'd be in neutral and there's no need to have the clutch depressed).

Sorry but this is a huge pet peeve of mine, it's called riding the clutch and it has to stop!

"Riding the clutch" refers to partially depressing the clutch pedal, and only having partial pressure in your clutch pack.

This is bad because it maintains clutch contact, but allows for slippage. This wears out the clutch pack (friction).



If you have your pedal not pressed, there is no slippage.
If you have your pedal fully pressed, there is no contact.





OP << I skipped 5th all the time.

I'd usually go :
1, 2, 3, <wait for rpm to fall> 6.

-scheherazade

[ABerry]

Originally Posted by Kikken

I think you mean when the clutch is released.
To address the OP, I use fifth on back roads when speeds are <= 55 because sixth is just too sluggish at those speeds. But that's surely not a problem with an N54/55.

you're right

[Clarence Watson]

Originally Posted by TJDiCandido

Both 5th and 6th gears on the 335i's ZF manual transmission are basically unusable on American highways. I rarely use either of them. I've found that the 335i cruises along very nicely at 80mph in 4th gear.

What are your highway mpg cruising in 4th gear?

[TheRox]

interesting

i like using fifth gear in medium/heavy highway traffic, it has better response than 6th

[bkrM3]

I find 5th very useful on 55mph highways around Philly because I rarely (never) do 55 but I rarely want to stay at 80+ for very long. Fifth has a good sweet spot where it lets me ride anywhere from 65 to 80 without cranking too many RPMs and when I let off the gas it'll still decelerate pretty rapidly (unlike in 6th, which is too tall to drop you from 80 something to 70 something very quickly just by letting up). If I decide I'm done burning traffic I'll put it in 6 and maintain whatever speed I think is appropriate, but 5th is pretty money with the high speed/high volume/55mph speed limit highways around here...

[Outlaw 06]

Originally Posted by Clarence Watson

What are your highway mpg cruising in 4th gear?

I really don't know. Probably low 20 MPGs at around 4,000 RPM.

[Tom K.]

Originally Posted by TJDiCandido

I really don't know. Probably low 20 MPGs at around 4,000 RPM.

And with max torque available at around 1,500, you'd rather cruise at 4,000 than 3,000 in 6th?

Oh well, it's your money.

Tom

[sam0182]

Skip

[Baldur Abendroth]

If I'm not accelerating quickly I'll always go into 5th out of habit before 6th. Generally on freeways between 60-70 mph I'm in 5th.

[Outlaw 06]

Originally Posted by Tom K.

And with max torque available at around 1,500, you'd rather cruise at 4,000 than 3,000 in 6th?

Oh well, it's your money.

Tom

Both torque AND horsepower must be considered when reviewing an engine's performance. The N54 produces 85 hp @ 1,500 rpm, 115 hp @ 2,000 rpm, 170 hp @ 3,000 rpm, 230 hp @ 4,000 rpm, and 300 hp @ 5,252 rpm. IMO, if you’re routinely operating the N54 at 3,000 RPM or below, then you’ve wasted money on performance you’re not using and don’t need (you’re also missing out on some fun too).

[Baldur Abendroth]

Originally Posted by TJDiCandido

Both torque AND horsepower must be considered when reviewing an engine's performance. The N54 produces 85 hp @ 1,500 rpm, 115 hp @ 2,000 rpm, 170 hp @ 3,000 rpm, 230 hp @ 4,000 rpm, and 300 hp @ 5,252 rpm. IMO, if you’re routinely operating the N54 at 3,000 RPM or below, then you’ve wasted money on performance you’re not using and don’t need (you’re also missing out on some fun too).

Only 2 things factor in to make me stay in those low rpms, weather, and mpg on longer drivers, other than that im stepping on it frequently.

[tony20009]

I almost never use sixth gear. Typical driving shift pattern is 1, 2, 3, 4, 6.

On rare occasions around town, I may need to use fifth.

I have wondered why a 6 speed manual is necessary. I suppose it has something to do with fuel economy.

[Tom K.]

Originally Posted by TJDiCandido

Both torque AND horsepower must be considered when reviewing an engine's performance. The N54 produces 85 hp @ 1,500 rpm, 115 hp @ 2,000 rpm, 170 hp @ 3,000 rpm, 230 hp @ 4,000 rpm, and 300 hp @ 5,252 rpm. IMO, if you’re routinely operating the N54 at 3,000 RPM or below, then you’ve wasted money on performance you’re not using and don’t need (you’re also missing out on some fun too).

I don't understand how simply cruising at 80 is more fun in 4th than in 6th. And if you need to always use that 300hp you paid for, then why 4th? 3rd is still comfortably below the redline at 80. Again, the situation is 80 mph cruising - not mountain road fun and games (which is really enjoyable with the 328i as you are rewarded for revving over 6k).

And an E90 needs how many HP to cruise comfortably at 80? Perhaps 60~70hp? So if we're considering necessary hp, your gearing in 6th is too low - perhaps you should dump the 6 speed and transplant the new 8 speed auto from the 5 series, or at least opt for something like a 2.5 final drive ratio. You'll still have plenty of hp to cruise at 80 in top gear!

Somehow, I doubt that cruising at over 75% of the HP peak rpm when you can shift up is beneficial to either engine life or overall expense. But like I said, it's your money.

Tom

[brocklanders]

the only time i use 5th is when im trying to go as fast as i can, and in that case i dont use 6th because the limiter kicks in before you get to the end of 5th gear.

[Fisch]

I use 5th in 50-55mph freeway traffic like others on here have mentioned.

[Deltari09]

Ah, crap. I forgot to mention that I use a STEPTRONIC, and use the M_ feature. For using N, it's when I'm alone coasting down Pali highway (downhill, the car is self-propelled and is almost perfectly balanced between gravity pulling the car and air drag slowing it down, so I don't have to use any braking) Just to clarify!