E89 questions..

S

sixspeed

Senior member
 Surrey, UK
Toying with the idea of picking up an E89 (alongside my current E86) as a new project.

Quick question, as I'm looking through the cars on the market, and obviously the option of DCT over manual is rearing its head. How does the DCT behave in "manual" mode? Can you wind the gears out and maintain manual control of the change-up, or will they automatically shift at/near the redline? I've also read the paddles work in a push/pull configuration on both sides of the wheel (rather than left-change down, right-change up). Is this set in stone? Has anyone changed this behaviour via mapping etc?

Also, any reliability issues or do these seem pretty good so far?
 
The 35i and 35is use the n54 engine which has a few reliability issues with the fuelling system. Mainly the HPFP.
The roof is also very expensive if if goes wrong. So I would advise a warranty.

The DCT is great, doesn't suffer from the main slushbox complaints. You can only get the DCT with the 35i and 35is models, the others come with the normal automatic.
The way it behaves seems to vary depending on what firmware it has. I have a very recent firmware update and my gearbox will hold gears in manual mode until it either drops too low or hits the red line. It won't revert to automatic mode unless I move the gear selector back over.

The pre-LCI models come with push/pull and the LCI models have pull/pull for gear change. You can retrofit the LCI pull/pull very easily just by swapping the paddles over. It's roughly £400 for parts and a 10min DIY.
 
Thanks for that info, very complete! :)

So the DCT will still shift at the red-line even in "manual" mode (ie: it won't run into the limiter and sit there waiting for you to change gear)?

I dug up a few posts on the LCI paddle swap but wasn't sure just how easy it was so thanks for confirming that too.

What are the other LCI differences? Headlights I picked up. Anything of any major importance?
 
Yes the gear will change up as soon as it hits the redline in order to stop you damaging the engine and possibly blowing up. You also can't miss shift and it won't let you shift down the gears to one that would result in the engine over revving
 
The only criticism I have of the DCT is a lag on flooring the accelerator. It maybe just me but it has bugged me on a few occasions when I have taken advantage on the 'open road'. Once the power transfer occurs though with the 10 or so percent increase in BHP the pull is simply breath taking for me as I never driven a more powerful machine.

The best performance I have squeezed I think is with 'sport plus traction off' but I would only ever do this on a warm engine, warm tyres, and excellent driving conditions.....

Never used the 'launch control' yet.

Cheers JC :D
 
I found with the engine being quite torquey there wasn't much need to hit the rev limiter. The management system also has an overboost function installed, the same as the 1M which produces an extra 37lb/ft torque under load for around 7 seconds I believe.
 
With the n54 it's best to shift at 6k anyway. Shouldn't be going near that red line unless you like the noise.

Not fully clued up on the LCI differences. Lights are different and there's probably some different bodywork somewhere.

What I found in the 3 series is that they just added a load of cost cutting measures in the LCI version. Simple things like the sun visor and armrest were more flimsy. Not always a step forward!
 
R.E92 said:
With the n54 it's best to shift at 6k anyway. Shouldn't be going near that red line unless you like the noise.

Not fully clued up on the LCI differences. Lights are different and there's probably some different bodywork somewhere.

What I found in the 3 series is that they just added a load of cost cutting measures in the LCI version. Simple things like the sun visor and armrest were more flimsy. Not always a step forward!
Click to expand...

The difference was the headlights have LED halos instead of Halogen, the indicators are silver with LEDs. The 23i was discontinued and the 2.0l 18i, 20i & 28i were brought in. Also the auto boxes in every other model apart from the 35i & 35is became a 8 speed.

No difference to body work, can't recall this being the case on any other facelift. It's usually lights, possibly engine and gearbox but body work remains the same.

As for the red line, having not established what variant your actually looking at on the 35is if your using it to it's full potential it will change just as it reaches the red line. That's how it's designed and well the noise is fab. Don't really think the engine in the 35is was designed to be driven like a granny plus it's the same engine as the 1M, enough said.
 
Zed_Steve said:
I found with the engine being quite torquey there wasn't much need to hit the rev limiter. The management system also has an overboost function installed, the same as the 1M which produces an extra 37lb/ft torque under load for around 7 seconds I believe.
Click to expand...

Correct but sixspeed what variant are you actually looking at in the E89? I'm assuming if it's a 'project' the 35i & is will be a no go unless your going CAT D route.
 
Angie4m said:
R.E92 said:
With the n54 it's best to shift at 6k anyway. Shouldn't be going near that red line unless you like the noise.

Not fully clued up on the LCI differences. Lights are different and there's probably some different bodywork somewhere.

What I found in the 3 series is that they just added a load of cost cutting measures in the LCI version. Simple things like the sun visor and armrest were more flimsy. Not always a step forward!
Click to expand...

The difference was the headlights have LED halos instead of Halogen, the indicators are silver with LEDs. The 23i was discontinued and the 2.0l 18i, 20i & 28i were brought in. Also the auto boxes in every other model apart from the 35i & 35is became a 8 speed.

No difference to body work, can't recall this being the case on any other facelift. It's usually lights, possibly engine and gearbox but body work remains the same.

As for the red line, having not established what variant your actually looking at on the 35is if your using it to it's full potential it will change just as it reaches the red line. That's how it's designed and well the noise is fab. Don't really think the engine in the 35is was designed to be driven like a granny plus it's the same engine as the 1M, enough said.
Click to expand...

The car will hold the gear until the line in automatic but if you want fastest acceleration it's best to shift at 6k.
I think all turbo engines are like that. Most will taper the boost off as you reach the line so you want to shift before that.
 
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