[Greg330]

I've never really given it much thought but whilst looking at where is best to set my shift light I found quite an interesting thread;

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showth...t+light&page=2

Post 31 in particualr.

So at what RPM do you guys usually change?

[ahenners]

When the box does it for me

[djgandy]

Just before 7k, as by the time my brain has processed changing gear I'm on 7k.

You should only shift before redline if your power after shifting would be more than your current power. For tighter gear ratios this could be true quite often on the N54 as the power can drop off by 20% from peak at around 5600. It depends on your turbos tune and rest of your set up though. Also the tighter gear ratios are higher up. For 1-2,2-3 it is basically always red line or near enough. The only change this argument really obviously counts is probably 5-6. Dropping to 6th a bit early will likely make more power. But jesus, how often does anyone do that above 6krpm?

Also pre-empting the "torque" brigade, power is torque normalised. So the same rule above applies for torque, but you must adjust the torque numbers for the ratio between the two gears.

[djgandy]

This post nails it. http://www.e90post.com/forums/showpo...9&postcount=18

It still amazes me how people don't understand that engine torque on its own is meaningless.

[achu]

wow i've always thought about this but never read anything on it... i'm such an amateur and always red line it lool... i think i'm gonna try out that post 31 and then maybe try a few experiments on my own...

[djgandy]

Originally Posted by achu

wow i've always thought about this but never read anything on it... i'm such an amateur and always red line it lool... i think i'm gonna try out that post 31 and then maybe try a few experiments on my own...

That post is about right. The exact point varies on your setup though.

[Greg330]

Originally Posted by djgandy

This post nails it. http://www.e90post.com/forums/showpo...9&postcount=18

It still amazes me how people don't understand that engine torque on its own is meaningless.

I get it now, by over running you are better off in the next gear!

To be honest the differences are going to be minimal in the real world!

[mojobmw_e90]

I shift at 6400rpm.after that point my boost drops from,17psi-13.5.shifting at that rpm keeps my turbos working at pull potential

[AWSAWS]

If I want to go really quick I'll use S mode. Otherwise I often chicken out in manual mode and shift probably a little after 6,000 rpm. The turbos are really going at that engine speed and I know they don't like the top end a lot.