When do YOU Shift up ......
 

Hey there, i was curious to know how all you x5 owners out there use your manual feautre on the automatic transmission. I try to up shift right around 3000 RPM but i find that when i do i dont have as much power and acceleration. Maybe its because i own a 3.0i and only have 5 gears to play with. Oh how i wish i had that 6th gear ;)

when i use it i switch gears depending on what i am doing. for example if i'm gettin onto a highway i switch at 5 to get the most i can from it. but when i'm in the city i just leave it on automatic. i really only use it for highways and when i just feel like gunnin' it.

I run my X to redline in every gear every time!
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there is no reason to run it to readline because you make more power at less than the redline. When the power graph starts to level out/decrease it's time to upshift to get back into the powerband.

I only use manual mode in really sport driving when I want an element of control. Sport mode is often enough for spirited driving. In manual mode, I usually upshift around 4500rpm to 5500rpm if I want to drive hard. I rarely redline no matter what (guilty conscience don't know why).

I dont redline at all, i always thought that was bad for the engine. The other day i was using manual and i forgot i was in first gear and accelerated right to the redline, i didnt like the sound my engine made. That's just my 2 cents

When I drive my X in manual I shift it right before redline and by the time it shifts the rpm will be at about red line....I also enjoy keeping the engine at about 3000-3500 rpm (peak torque rpm) and then hammering the throttle...that really gives you a pretty good punch in the seat even in a 3.0!! also keep the gear lower and rpm up for a turn to give me power on the exit...but I drive manual around town gently also for fun just to cruise