Just purchased a new manual 2008 335i in New Jersey, pre-ordered with my specs. The concern I have is whether anyone else is experiencing the same problem as me. When I shift into first gear, it feels as if I am pulling a brick. There seems to be no acceleration until I shift into 2nd. How am I supposed to try and duplicate the sub 5 second 60, as advertised with the turbo, if it takes 4-5 seconds to get into 2nd gear? Is 1st gear only for rolling forward? I felt humiliated when a ford focus blew me away at the light. Once in a while, I like a spirited blast. Mind you, I just turned in my 2005 325i after 3 years and also a manual.

Getting blown by a Focus means either you or your car have serious problems. Unless you got it bogged down due to DSC intervention, Take it in and get it checked.

Do you have much experience driving a MT? You might be bogging it down. If you want to accelerate fast, give it more gas and let the clutch slip a little. It should pull pretty hard in first gear unless something is wrong with it.

Ford has not yet made a Focus that can humiliate a 335!

I have a feeling if he drove a 2005 e46 that was a manual, there isnt a problem in the shifting. Get it checked out.

Getting blown by a Focus means either you or your car have serious problems. Unless you got it bogged down due to DSC intervention, Take it in and get it checked.
car goes into dealer this friday at 7:45 a.m.

Do you have much experience driving a MT? You might be bogging it down. If you want to accelerate fast, give it more gas and let the clutch slip a little. It should pull pretty hard in first gear unless something is wrong with it.

Ford has not yet made a Focus that can humiliate a 335!
i've been driving a manual since 1990 when I completed college. prior to this nmodel, i drove a 2005 325i, prior to that a a 2002 540, and so on. I personally think it is a software glitch or an issue of bost pressure.

Just purchased a new manual 2008 335i in New Jersey, pre-ordered with my specs. The concern I have is whether anyone else is experiencing the same problem as me. When I shift into first gear, it feels as if I am pulling a brick. There seems to be no acceleration until I shift into 2nd. How am I supposed to try and duplicate the sub 5 second 60, as advertised with the turbo, if it takes 4-5 seconds to get into 2nd gear? Is 1st gear only for rolling forward? I felt humiliated when a ford focus blew me away at the light. Once in a while, I like a spirited blast. Mind you, I just turned in my 2005 325i after 3 years and also a manual.

I'm guessing the guy in the Focus has been stalking you and secretly reprogrammed your ECU the night before. He must have *known* he'd take you, otherwise there's no way a Focus driver would openly challenge a 335i to a stoplight drag. I could be wrong though...

If you didn't turn off the DTC and DSC, the ecu will limit torque to prevent wheel spin, and it will feel like the car is pulling trough mud. With the DTC/DSC off you will light up the tires if the clutch is dropped too fast.

I'm guessing the guy in the Focus has been stalking you and secretly reprogrammed your ECU the night before. He must have *known* he'd take you, otherwise there's no way a Focus driver would openly challenge a 335i to a stoplight drag. I could be wrong though...
in all truthfulness, he was my next door neighbor to whom i mentioned the problem with my 1st gear. by the time i hit 2nd-3rd gear, i was about 7 car lengths ahead. it's a rocket once you hit 2nd or 3rd

If you didn't turn off the DTC and DSC, the ecu will limit torque to prevent wheel spin, and it will feel like the car is pulling trough mud. With the DTC/DSC off you will light up the tires if the clutch is dropped too fast.
i must try that. but i would hate to ruin my tires or fishtail into someone.

If you didn't turn off the DTC and DSC, the ecu will limit torque to prevent wheel spin, and it will feel like the car is pulling trough mud. With the DTC/DSC off you will light up the tires if the clutch is dropped too fast.
i will have a more technical answer to share with all of you after the dealer sees it on Friday. thanks

Automatics can sometimes get you off the line. I'm guessing you were spinning the wheel. The system steps in pretty quick if wheel spin is detected. If I get on it off the line it goes like no tomorrow.

I had a co worker in the car the other day and I hit the gas and his reply was "WHOA!!!!"

This would not be the pesky CDV playing its mushy havoc, would it?

i must try that. but i would hate to ruin my tires or fishtail into someone.

So how do you launch? Even with my lowly 2.5 with DSC fully on, I can smoke a focus in first. Sure, it's a slower launch (no wheelspin) but once I get off the line it winds out quite nicely. By the time I get to 3.5K I'm pulling hard.

Maybe you have too much power compared to me so the DSC is preventing wheelspin throughout first.

Be sure to fully disengage the DSC and then practice launching in a straight line. No chance of fishtailing in a straight line, and even if you start to, get off the gas and correct. Note that order and don't do the opposite.

This would not be the pesky CDV playing its mushy havoc, would it?
No, not even relevant.