Stupid Question

[kevin7199cg]

Ok, i'm a complete BMW newbie as I drove my first BMW ever, a 330i. Previoysly, I've driven Hondas my entire life. I loved it, except I had no clue on how to shift it into reverse. I tried pushing down the shifter, etc., but I'm an idiot, I had no clue. How do you get the shifter into reverse. Thank you so much and I look forward to becoming a BMW enthusiast.

[pmolfese]

Recent models have Reverse in the upper left.

[SHAHAB323IS]

what kind of transmisson are you talking about, that is critical info

[aschueler]

Haha -- sounds like me when I was test-driving a 330Ci (which I bought) to the salesman.

I am sure you mean the manual 6 speed.

You have to give it a quick slap or push to the left, then move it up.

[woobiee]

Originally posted by aschueler@Aug 17 2004, 07:26 PM
Haha -- sounds like me when I was test-driving a 330Ci (which I bought) to the salesman.

I am sure you mean the manual 6 speed.

You have to give it a quick slap or push to the left, then move it up.

yup, a nice slap to the left....that will get you into the reverse gate, then you just push forward once you pass the reverse gate

[Platinum52]

Yeah a good push will do the trick. Every time one of my friends go to drive mine they go a foot forward 2 or 3 times before they back up

[auburn330]

yeah - my firend did that too... day 2 after I got my 330...

friend: "can I drive it?"
me: "sure, I guess...."
friend: " where is reverse"
me: "same as your VW - upper left"
friend: "ok"

so he puts it in first, punches it and almost slams right into his Scirocco....

[alpinestar]

hah sounds like my experience test driving my 325i.... the salesperson must have been new or something, I asked him how to get into reverse gear? (I kept going into 1st) He says he isn't sure and steps out of the vehicle to consult his manager, well after a minute or two I figure out it takes quite a bit of pull to get it far left, then up. I wait another 2 minutes but the guy isn't back yet...so I take off and go on my little test drive lol.

[LOS]

This is a general trick I have learned from driving different cars including a Lotus Sprit....

Here it goes, step on the clutch, shift into first, without removing your foot from the clutch set it into reverse and should engage easly.... Please remember, this only applies when you're having difficulty getting into reverse.

LOS

[woobiee]

Originally posted by LOS@Aug 19 2004, 11:10 AM
This is a general trick I have learned from driving different cars including a Lotus Sprit....

Here it goes, step on the clutch, shift into first, without removing your foot from the clutch set it into reverse and should engage easly.... Please remember, this only applies when you're having difficulty getting into reverse.

LOS

you can do this in any gear, i believe by doing that you are realigning the syncros; but the stiffness of bmw reverse gates are unique. it is just made stiff

[LOS]

Good info AC, I learned something new today....