<center><img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/39860/r8.jpg"></center><p>I'm at 2100 miles now and am a bit concerned about the rough shift from 1st into 2nd. No issues shifting between other gears. Is there an optimum RPM-level that anyone has found that results in a smoother transition? Other techniques? Thanks.

No, no problem with any gears.

So you have to be pretty quick in the shift or else you will get that jerking motion.

attack. So you learn to give the gas a tiny blip between gears, just to keep the revs up. Try it.

Perhaps I did not explain it well. I've been doing it so long that I have to think it through again.

The <b>tiny</b> blip (I mean really tiny) helps balky gearbox synchros work better and virtually at the same time once the gear is engaged, you let the clutch out. Press the clutch, slide gear into neutral and pause for an infinitesimal moment, then nudge it into the next gear, using the tiny blip to find the right rpms to make it effortless, meanwhile at the same time the lever slots home, let out the clutch as the rpms fall. This is for relaxed street driving of course. 20K miles on 'rarri's clutch with no appreciable wear (both PO and we use the same technique, as do several Ferrari mechanics and a Ferrari restorer we know), and all our other cars go 100K+ (track and street) before needing attention.

Not the same car, I know. The revs drop so fast that it is hard to match rpms at 1-2 with a normal lift unless pushing the car. The two things that work for me are:

Shiftinq quickly for the 1-2 along with a normal lift off the gas (as stated by Bahn S4).

Also, trying not to lift works for me. I suspect I am involuntarily lifting slightly, even when I try not to, as the revs still fall a little. It feels weird but it works for me with the S4.

The April blip sounds like a good idea also. I'll have to give that one a try.

to April.
She knows her stuff.
And have you seen her stable of cars?
:)
[p]

you wear the clutch. i am talking about a true manual with three pedals. i do not know the effect of such a thing on automanuals like f1, r-tonic, or e-gear. i assume these transmissions have extremely precise control over clutch engagement (i.e when "blipping") and so might minimize clutch wear. however, the life expect of a gallardo e-gear is not that great (10 to 20K miles)...... and this may be a reason.

on the porsche CGT- owners have been told to FULLY let the clutch out before accelerating once a new gear has been selected. this car has a ceramic clutch. and replacing it costs about 20K USD.

in europe, R8 owners are asked to do the same thing unofficially by service depts. because i have a long relationship with my audi dealer, i was told this in confidence too. this is one reason the clutch is not covered by the warranty on the R8....

then the internals will be working overtime. And the car will lurch. Like shifting w/o the clutch (when it's broken) - rev matching helps but is extra tricky on quick revving cars - hence the tiny tiny blip. You could just as well hold the gas with your foot, and match the revs to the <i>next</i> gear - if you note the rpm range split for each gear. Auto-manuals like F1 cut timing to reduce power during the shift, but still rev match.

E-Gear cars need to be driven like manual cars with no creeping when possible. It's when you drive them like automatics, that they wear out quickly. Many of the people who buy them, aren't very familiar with manuals, so they drive like like autos - which wears the clutch out quickly.

I'm simply noting what has worked for me for many years, and quite a number of people I know. It's probably best demonstrated in person, as it's not an obvious or big gesture.