What do you mean by shift faster? Do you mean shift at a lower RPM like 4500 instead of redline? The transmission shift point is based on many factors. Engine RPM, engine load, throttle position, etc, etc.....

If you drive conservatively, the trans will shift at a lower rpm, but if you have your foot to the floor the trans will shift at a higher rpm.

I would it's a 4.4 not as easy as 3.0

Do this, and win the internets!!! :thumbup:

Champagne would fall from the heavens. Doors would open. Velvet ropes would part.

I have read this a couple times now. The e46 guys can take E39 V8 6-speeds, and swap out the bellhousing to bolt up to the M54. I bet you could do the reverse with a 3.0 manual trans.

HOW TO: E39 M5 trans into E46 non M, must have info for all inside - E46Fanatics

You can do that with E30's as well taking the E46 6spd and bolting it to an also swapped m50, m52, s50, or s52.

I think with the E53 the problem you run into is not with the physical part of it but the electronic. I'm just guessing on that, but if I ever get an e39 540i/6 that was wrecked and a non-lci E53 I'd love to try the swap... hell maybe the trans would even bolt to an N62...?

The way my 4.8is is setup and the way it shifts is almost instant and on demand... For a trans that is not smg or dct it moves. Not one bad thing to say in terns of shift speed, holding gears, and using tiptronic.

The 4.8is uses a different trans if reading these forums is correct (and my memory serves, which is getting worse with every passing year). Perhaps they are designed to shift more "crisply" or "sporty?" My 4.8is is worlds above the shifting of my 4.4i... not that I thought that one was super slow either, but the new truck is definitely more sport oriented.

Yea my 4.4 shifts pretty slow i guess the only real way to solve this and make it shift faster is software or a tune.

I bet you can find something that'll bolt up.

As far as electronics, If the ABS/DSC is coded differently from manual to auto, I bet you could reflash it. I am sure the ECU could be dealt with the same way the e46/e39 guys do. Hell, people are now stuffing M/S54s into E30s with OE management and picking and choosing which OE software features they want. It really helps that they made both a manual and auto version, even with a different engine.

Didn't you say in another thread that you use 89 AKI fuel then sometimes 93 AKI? If this is the case...not only does this affect how your X responds...as upallnight mentioned...the way you use the gas pedal also affects shift parameters.

The required minimum fuel octane for the N62 4.4 is at least 91 AKI. Unlike some earlier BMWs that have a required minimum of 87 AKI and a recommended 91 AKI...your N62 engine has a "required" 91 AKI if you want performance as engineered for the vehicle. Using the lower 87-89 AKI will affect performance...especially if you also consider other variables like terrain and elevation above sea-level. Using 91 AKI or 93 AKI will provide increased performance...although as you can see in some of the previous posts...some owner's "butt dyno" can tell the difference and some can not. :D


The way you specifically drive will also affect the way the vehicle shifts. BMW debuted ATC (adaptive transmission control) back in 1994..and has continued it's development over the decades.

The premise of ATC is that it will select 1 of 3 predetermined shifting patterns based on individual driver input as well as 6 additional road & environmental conditions or patterns...all of this is done automatically unless the gear shift lever is moved into the manually selectable SPORT or STEPTRONIC modes.

Driver Influenced Adaptations of ATC (based on how you mash the accelerator pedal) will select one of the 3 modes below at every start-up. This data is NOT recorded and each engin start-up...new data is measured which means that if granny was driving prior to you...when you get behind the wheel and are more agressive than her...the vehicle will respond to your individual driving style...and not stick you with the driving style/shift pattern of granny:

1. extreme economy (granny-toe mode)
2. economy (the average mode)
3. sport (aggressive driver mode)

So if you don't like the way the vehicle is shifting...try filling up with the recommended 91 or higher AKI fuel and mash the gas pedal more aggressively.


You could also engage the manually selected SPORT mode...which will elongate the shift pattern of the lower gears and allow you to take advantage of the engine's power reserves before shifting gears.


Here's some info about ATC and how it works...along with the other 6 adaptive driving programs that were originally part of ATC's engineering design...and the manually selected EXTREME SPORT mode which would also include the "S" program for those with STEPTRONIC gear shift :

1. Stop-n-Go Mode
2. Winter Drive Program (primarily RWD vehicles prior to AWD)
3. UP Hill Recognition Program
4. Down Hill Recognition Program
5. Curve Recognition
6. Cruise Control Drive Program