Power restricted?

[Mike Trident]

are these cars power restricted in 1st gear?

my 2lt is rubbish in 1st, the gear is very low for a start. In fact it will usually drive away in 2nd much nicer.

It revs easy enough in first but there isn't any real power.

 

[Eddie Zedder]

Hi Mike. I have a 2lt too, I don't think you have anything to worry about. As with most cars 1st gear is there to get you moving. The M52 power delivery comes high up in the rev range (3000rpm +) and the gearing ratio in first makes it feel like you are revving the b***s off it and getting nowhere, that's just how the gearbox is. I'm sure you are aware that in third / forth it pulls like a train from 3000rpm onwards.

On the other hand, a dodgy VANOS unit can cause issues with low down torque. This link may help identify if you have issues.

http://www.beisansystems.com/faq.html

Bryan.

 

[Shelly]

Yes it's the same with my Z
No real power in 1st gear
But it's still a lot quicker than most cars in first gear

 

[Tracy Dee]

My 1.9 is the same in first gear once up into other gears it tootles along ok with the traffic.
Revs in first but does not really go anywhere guess it's the character on the smaller engines.
Wouldn't say mines quicker than other cars off the line. but then again she's an old girl I treat her with a bit of respect.
Tracy

 

[Mike Trident]

Yes, exactly like mine. 1st gear is really too low, which in theory would mean that giving it a large dose of throttle would make it try to spin the wheels ( at least with the traction control off) but it doesn't. It just revs but shows no sign of having 150 bhp, I am guessing it must be restricted in 1st to protect the driver, gearbox, and diff. Why they fitted it with such a low 1st gear I am not really sure, it's not likely to ever be setting off up hill whilst towing a 4 birth caravan.

Off course once out of first it begins to act normally, and lets me have the power. It pulls like a train in 3rd, 4th and 5th especially from about 3000 rpm. The VANOS system is working fine as I can actually hear the change in engine tone when it advances the cams to a more aggressive position.

I guess it's because it's a BMW, altogether more refined.

 

[windym]

Largely due to the DMF.

Andy