E/m Shifting..need Some Help Understanding

[MichelVaillant]

sorry for the repost...i had post this in the 3 series instead of the 5r's.

Wondering if anyone can assist. I have a 525i 1991...in my book, it should be an E34 M50(correct me if I'm wrong), just learning the BMW jargon lol

so anyways, the car's automatic, however i don;t know how to use the E/S, I know when I put is on E, it means economy, so I just leave it on Drive(D) and go on.
How can I use the M shift on this thing?
Your help is greately appreciated.
MV
"God bless all the bimmers out there!"

[The Deuce]

The "M" selection manually overrides the electronics and puts the car in the gear you have selected, 1, 2, or 3. I'm pretty sure it locks out of OD, so it would be 3rd in D as well.

It's mostly for traction limited situations, where you don't want the car spinning it's tires in 1st in snow, ice, etc.

I only wish I had realized this before I got stuck at a friends house during the ice storm we had last winter. Luckily they have a spare bedroom.

[MichelVaillant]

Thks for the response, does this mean that when I select M, i can shift between 1-2-3 sequentially while driving? or just chose one of them?

I hear you about snow...i hate snow...even though I get it 4 months/year...I live in Montreal/Quebec

MV

[The Deuce]

You can shift between 1 2 and 3 with M selected. But if you are in 3 and stop, you will also start in 3.

[Torque]

Ah, this helped me understand my dad's '91. Thanks guys.

So, it's pretty much worthless in normal weather...