Not too bad, I usually switch between MM and D when cruising around Blacksburg(Virginia Tech) and average around 20-21 city.

 

I just become so used to engine braking with the MM that if i drive in D i feel myself pushing on the brakes a lot harder because im so used to stopping quicker and smoother

 

remember reading that it downshifts because it assumes you are going to pass someone.

 

Yea i switched it so i downshift by pushing and upshift by pulling. theres an easy mod here. you gotta be brave and open up the main console

 

The MM automatically shifting to "only" 4th doesn't do it for me. Would rather downshift to 3rd right away. Would there be any jerking if I went from D to MM and then quickly downshift to 3rd all in one quick motion?

 

depends on how fast you're going. what kind of situation are you looking at?

 

Basically highway cruising.. say 60-70.. and just wanna pass with some authority

 

There probably wouldn't be too much of a jerk if you switched over and downshifted in a fluid manner. I only drive my car in MM now and get about 20 MPG, just because you drive in MM doesn't mean that you're driving any faster or shifting any later, you just have more control. But as far as the jerking, it's depends on how much experience you have playing around with the transmission, if you know what you're doing and the right way to do it, then it should be as smooth as butter.

 

Haha am I a noob for passing with 4th at 60-70? the noise scares me.

 

ah i always thought driving in D and switching to MM while accelerator was going to be bad for your transmission. Learn something new. lol

I was on the highway yesterday and i was stuck on MM and i wanted to switch over to D cause traffic was coming up so i waited till i came to a complete stop to switch over. -_-

 

great info guys really appreciated it. I feel much better now.

 

Nope, switch whenever. I used to make the mistake of letting go of the gas. i guess i didnt understand what a clutch is back then

 

^Ive chirped tires doing that

 

Yes, it's normal. My 330Ci also shifts down a gear when I got from D to +/-. IRRC most, if not all manumatics does this.

 

lol, you worried the track hurt your car?