E89 road prescence

[pvr]

I need to read some technical papers on it, I'm interested if it's just an extension of the existing unit or a totally new design. The manual here still lets you select 1st to 7th I think. I think the DCT design means sequential is required because of the way the 2nd clutch works, up or down where you are now, has a clutch ready to engage. It might be that the 7 speed from Porsche is basically a DCT gearbox with the clutch swapped out with a conventional unit (i.e. gears and shafts design are mostly the same)... need to read more into it, I started with the design papers but some of the mechanics are a bit complex ...

It is the identical unit as that of the PDK, just manual. I have never driven another manual Porsche 911 so can not compare with that, but it is extremely easy to use and supposedly the best 7 speed box ever made.

The bit that makes it easy as well (or cheat), is that you can switch on the rev-matching (via a button) which makes for very smooth down shifts. Despite the level of power, there is no kangerooing or anything like that when you use the gearbox. Just how I like it, enough electronic assistance to make me the smoothest driver but still fully in control with clutch and gear (whilst displaying which gear I am in in front of me so I don't have to look down).

[john-e89]

The 35is sound does make you grin mind, the pops and bangs on downshifts, especially over 4k, are addictive, that would be very hard to lose, I don't know how much difference a 35i would be with the 10db less, yes yes 10db obviously, but I mean how much difference overall would it make from the cockpit, no way of knowing unless I can find a demo car for sale somewhere.

I've had both a 35i (previous) and iS (current). you will definitely miss the sound of the exhaust if you move to a 35i. it's more noticeable than the power difference.

Cheers for that, all food for thought.

[pvr]

What makes the difference in exhaust note? Is that retrofittable?

[stuartinzg]

Not sure - the iS might have a completely different system. When the car was on ramps I looked around - it's made by a third party with no BMW logos on it. Trying to remember the name now, but I have seen their brand on YouTube before. They are a big supplier.

[Z4M-2006]

That's interesting...

Will have to have a look to see if I can spot a name...

I take it the 35i has the exhaust flap in the offside tailpipe?

[stuartinzg]

I would love an Eisenmann Race but I can't justify 2k euros for it ... keeping my eyes open on the used market. They offer quad + twin tip, would keep it OEM looking with the twin

https://vimeo.com/28146421

[stuartinzg]

There is also the Meisterschaft GTS which is a bit more raw - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2V0I80JjBb8

[Z4M-2006]

I really wouldn't want to go much louder on mine....

I have done the flap mod and it's just about the right noise level for me...
The tailpipes could do with being polished stainless though instead of that crappy alloy stuff they are on standard exhaust

[stuartinzg]

I really wouldn't want to go much louder on mine....

I have done the flap mod and it's just about the right noise level for me...
The tailpipes could do with being polished stainless though instead of that crappy alloy stuff they are on standard exhaust

Yep the iS is already pretty loud - I haven't done the flap mod yet. Some people have complained about rough idle and/or other strange side effects - I can't think how that is possible but... notice anything odd on yours?

[Z4M-2006]

No, nothing at all..

Noisy on cold start but that's it....no other differences...apart from noise..

The mod takes 2 mins, and same to reverse if you don't like it... Worth a go..


Oh.... What " side effects" have you heard?

[stuartinzg]

Yea I was skeptical too - reading other forums one chap said his idle was more lumpy... another one said he lost the overrun pops?

Are they talking rubbish?

[john-e89]

Maybe by holding the flap open you lose some back pressure losing the pops? I don't know tbh. Maniac had some grief with his vacuum pipe but I don't recall him posting anything about the pops.

Are they still as loud Gaz?

[stuartinzg]

There are more pops in Sport mode too. Why is this?

Occasionally I get the odd one which is so loud that it even makes me jump. Feels like a gun going off under the car. Quite funny when you are driving down a back street and it goes off next to someone. One little girl screamed and grabbed her mums leg. Her mum glared at me with the most stern look...

I'm such a barry at heart, I should be driving a Subaru !

[john-e89]

Yep mine gives a really loud bang around 4250k revs on downshift, it's hilariously theatrical!

No idea why it's louder in sport mode, as far as I know sport just stiffens the shocks and has more aggressive changes.

[Z4M-2006]

You don't lose any of the pops..or back pressure.. The flap is right at the tailpipe.

The loud bang is usually when it's in overboost, or that's when mine seems to do it most... Although I have short shifted a couple of times and the shotgun blast has suprised me..

Yes, the car does pop and crackle more in sport...
The throttle mapping is different in sport mode, can only assume that causes it.