stupid question...pickup speed

[cprogrammer]

I'm used to driving slow cars so when I first got the bmw I was amazed at its pickup. I treat my car very well and I take care of it. But, when I hit those straightaways I tend to slow down almost to a halt and then very quickly accelerate. It seems now after a few days it doesnt do it as much anymore. It does but it feels different. It still has alot of power and is very fast at pickup. Is it because I'm getting used to it or did I mess it up? (Doubt i messed it up it's only got 40 thousand miles and is in excellent condition). BMW's cant break that easily?

Interested in your opinions.

 

[VANCE]

you are getting used to it...almost impossible to tear it up by just gunning it.

 

[cprogrammer]

Great. So it doesn't hurt the car it you just slam it the pedal to the floor(besides the pedal a few times.

BTW mine is white also (I'm assuming Alpine white). I've taken some pics of it I'll hope to have them on here tommorow.

 

[VANCE]

as long as it is an automatic and not a manual....im assuming so b/c you did not mention shifting gears....

 

[cprogrammer]

Yeah it's an automatic.

 

[Abdoman]

I have noticed a drop in power when my air filter is dirty - make sure your air filter is clean .

 

[cprogrammer]

Cool thanks. I'll check that out, as long as its something I didn't do with my speeding I'm happy.

 

[andreyiv]

I noticed that too. Youre just getting used to it that's all, unless you gunit when the engine is still very cold. You can do the following to enhance the feeling, drive slowely and calmly most of the time and gun it like that only once in a while and then it seems as if the car is very fast although it's still the same.

 

[cprogrammer]

Yeah your probably right, I usually let my car have about 2-4 minutes of driving in 24 degree weather before the straight aways.

 

[andreyiv]

Umm, I think you should wait a little more than 2-4 minutes at that weather, remember, the gauge on the dash is not oil and oil takes longer to warm up.

 

[cprogrammer]

Thanks. I'll give it some more time then.

 

[andreyiv]

Welcome, always glad to help a fellow enthusiast.

 

[salvo]

This is why i still keep my 92 toyota pickup...just drive a piece of shit every once and a while and you keep appreciating the power!

 

[codex57]

Probably used to it. I went from a 4 cylinder to the BMW and I thought it was decently quick when I first got it. Now, I worry about picking up enough speed to merge on the freeway cuz it seems a bit slow... then I look down and realize I went from 40mph to over 85 unintentionally. Speed is real deceptive in these cars. I sure as hell woulda known if I hit 85 or even 65 in my old Civic.

 

[cprogrammer]

I also found out that it accelerates faster if you press the accelrator slower..if that makes sense. When I floor it faster it doesn't pick up speed at all. I think it's better to quickly press down about 1/4 the way, then go from there. Not because it looses traction, just for some reason the engine can't respond to all that gas goin in.

 

[frolf]

I also found out that it accelerates faster if you press the accelrator slower..if that makes sense. When I floor it faster it doesn't pick up speed at all. I think it's better to quickly press down about 1/4 the way, then go from there. Not because it looses traction, just for some reason the engine can't respond to all that gas goin in.

most likely you are just feeling the lag of the automatic fumbling its way down to the appropriate gear. slamming the throttle will get you the best you can get, the only thing i can think of with rolling the throttle on is that it may stay in gear so you'd have more instant response.

 

[andreyiv]

I would think it's because of the gear too, but I have heard that an engine accelerates faster when you press on the gas like 3/4 of the way and then go on slowly compared to full throttle from the beginning. It probably does not apply to these engines even if it is true.

 

[cprogrammer]

Thanks for all the feedback, I appreciate it. I don't know alot about engines but I think it also helps that after you press hard on the acceletor, let off a bit, then punch it again. For some reason it tends to go faster. I don't know why, but it seems like it does.

I still haven't tried sports mode, haven't got a chance. Plus I'm trying to read alot about it before I use it.

Today I just found out also that my car takes 89 (preferably 91) gasoline. That's going to be more expensive...but it's worth it

 

[My Toy 95]

You guys are cracking me up with these posts about how to punch the gas, with an automatic the fastest way to accelerate is to just put the pedal all the way down as quickly as possible...I think it might just feel faster to you by letting off an then hitting it again as you are jerking the car back and forth, if it feels like the car is really getting more acceleration by doing this you need a good mechanic to go through and figure out whats wrong with the car.

 

[slats]

with an automatic the fastest way to accelerate is to just put the pedal all the way down as quickly as possible...

It seems like it would be like that, but like someone posted before, the engine cannot respond to so much gas going in at once. If you have your left foot on the brake and you are revving the engine, then yes, I bet placing your right foot all the way down once you release the brake is the fastest way. However if you just gun it, youre going to feel a little lag before it gets into the upper gears. Just go 3/4s of the way and then go all out once youre in the upper-middle revs of second gear.