What settings do you use the most?

eurospec 24vt · 18th November 2010, 07:06

I have never driven in automatic mode. I have heard bad stories so I have yet to use it. what about any one else? I also wonder if it causes more wear on the clutch if you use the s6 in m mode over like s4 in mode.

Hasan Shaikh · 18th November 2010, 09:07

Auto mode is a big negative.

S6 does wear the clutch faster than the S4.

hlmiii · 18th November 2010, 13:54

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hasan Shaikh

Auto mode is a big negative. S6 does wear the clutch faster than the S4.

Are you sure about this?

The biggest factor in clutch wear/life is the slipping, rubbing, and abrasion that occurs during engagement of the clutch. That's why the driver is supposed to get the clutch engaged as quickly (and comfortably!) as possible. The warning about not riding a manual clutch or inching through a line of traffic is based upon this.

Auto mode would be a negative for the same reason - all components slip longer and more gradually.

Everything I know and everyone I've talked to indicates that the faster the engagement the better for clutch life. Obviously there's a point where simply dropping the clutch is not good - but the problems stemming from that are different than simple wear and erosion of the clutch material itself.

S6 doesn't get near that point. So I'd say - along with shop personnel I've spoken with at BMW, Lamborghini, independents - that the higher/faster clutch settings are better overall.

Just drive the 5. At worst you'll lose a couple thousand miles, but you'll be a lot happier!!

Stormster · 18th November 2010, 20:30

Well..... with a 102,000 miles on mine, clutch replaced at 92k I can say around 70% of my driving was done in D2, the other 30% would have been nasty viscous driving, DSC off, P500s, S6,

I've heard almost every person say that the car is not driveable in D2 mode, I'm not sure if I have some sort of different or lucky transmission but it's totally fine for me, albeit most of my driving is motorway driving.

shezmon · 19th November 2010, 15:57

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stormster

Well..... with a 102,000 miles on mine, clutch replaced at 92k I can say around 70% of my driving was done in D2, the other 30% would have been nasty viscous driving, DSC off, P500s, S6,

I've heard almost every person say that the car is not driveable in D2 mode, I'm not sure if I have some sort of different or lucky transmission but it's totally fine for me, albeit most of my driving is motorway driving.

I drive my car 75% of the time in D2 also. Absolutely flawless.

///Pete · 19th November 2010, 18:09

I don't like auto mode at all so I pretty much never use it. If you're just cruising on the highway it isn't changing gears so it makes no difference what mode it is in, but even in light traffic the auto mode is annoying, IMO. I do most of my driving in S3 and then the M button is set to MDM, S5 and P500S of course. I mostly stay in S3 because that is what the car defaults to when you start it up. If there is a way to change that I would probably put it in S4 or 5.

KGP,Esq · 19th November 2010, 18:21

Most of my daily driving is simple P500 with DSC and comfort EDC - S3
P500S, no DSC and M EDC S6 for those times you need to have an adrenaline rush

BMWPower06 · 19th November 2010, 18:24

S6 offers the least amount of wear on the clutch, but the most amount of wear on the SMG pump.

S1 offers the least amount of wear on the SMG pump, but the most amount of wear on the clutch.

I find S3 a nice balance between the two

sephiroth529 · 19th November 2010, 18:49

normally P500, DSC=Normal, shift speed = whatever i feel like (6 speed). I've noticed that the added throttle response of the P500S really screws up my shifting so I never use it.

M6Cabrio · 19th November 2010, 19:25

S6 DSC off 99% of the time. I start the car and immediately drive in D1 until it's warmed for about 7 miles then the M button is pressed. I do this to warm everything up equally and to make sure I don't over-rev on the start.

S6 will wear your clutch less because less slippage like someone above mentioned.