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2010 2011 BMW 5 Series Forum F10 BMW 5-Series (F10) Forums General 5-Series Sedan and Wagon (F10 / F11) Forum How often do you use the shift paddles vs fully automatic ?
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      09-21-2011, 01:27 PM   #23
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Seldom. I found the 8 speed kind of weird to down shift. Have to shift down at least 2 gears to feel the kick down. Using the sport mode kinda make the car sporty already.
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      09-27-2012, 12:11 AM   #24
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Paddle shifters

I have mixed feelings as well.

Love the look and feel of the paddles but their responsiveness is lacking. I use it almost daily but primarily to drop down a gear or as previously mentioned, two gears to get the revs up when I need it. But when planning I hit sport and hand shift it.

Also when in Sport or Sport+ its incredibly responsive in standard manual mode. When you are driving aggressively it seems to respond accordingly and keep the RPMs up. When you back off it does as well.
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      09-27-2012, 07:20 AM   #25
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Originally Posted by delvek View Post
... turns my 550i into a rabid beast. Why shift when the S gets it.
Yup ... agreed ... same animal affliction applies to the 520D in this scenario...
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      09-27-2012, 08:33 AM   #26
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Used mine only two or three times, but after all this chat, I'm gonna do a lot more experimenting!
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      09-27-2012, 09:19 AM   #27
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on the highway is where the fun is
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      09-27-2012, 11:29 AM   #28
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Rarely... too many gears to mess with.
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      09-27-2012, 11:36 AM   #29
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I always use paddles for downshifting in normal mode and for fun driving in sport+ manual mode pushing brakes with my left foot and throttle with right foot. Try!
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      09-27-2012, 11:55 AM   #30
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If I remember correctly, the paddle shifters are $500 item. If so, then I would get it even if you use it occasionally. At this point, its one the items you just cant add later (like an M Sport steering wheel).

And it will up the resale value of the car later.

Cheers!
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      09-27-2012, 12:24 PM   #31
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I have had a 2013 535 6-speed manual for about 2 weeks now (other car is 330 5-speed) and although I really like it and don't really regret it - I will add that if you are in constant stop and go or city traffic primarily, get the auto or preferably the sat.

The primary reason is that you need your right hand ALL THE TIME to be free in order to operate the iDrive. In my E46 330 the only "Tech" was my ipod plugged into the aux port, all the other buttons were quickly accessible as well, which isn't true with modern BMW's.

Additionally, the extra gearing, more aggressive shifting, better mileage than previous automatic transmissions all lean towards the sat/auto.
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      09-27-2012, 03:27 PM   #32
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I have the paddles on my '13 535xi....I've had the car for 1200 miles and have barely used them. I also have a 645cic which is a 6 speed manual. Using the paddles in the 5 series is nothing even remotely close to the feeling of rowing through the gears in my 6 series.
I bought the car to be an automatic because I already have a manual. If I didn't have the manual in my other car, maybe I would use them more.
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      09-27-2012, 03:45 PM   #33
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I never use the steering wheel paddles. I find them to feel awkward. I do like to slip the stick into manual though and use it like that. Popping the car into sport + and going manual with the stick is really comfortable when i'm driving aggressive. Having owned a few manuals in the past I have never been a fan of paddle shifting.
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      09-27-2012, 04:15 PM   #34
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Quote:
Originally Posted by vdubturbo View Post
Rarely... too many gears to mess with.
Does require a bit of concentration, particularly if we auto drivers are used to the relaxed approach of using "Drive".

I've just come in from driving down through our local Glen in the 535i, all functions set to sport. Chassis, drivetrain in sport and using paddles (SAT)for every change is just great, for a bit of an entertaining drive.

Then tomorrow I'll provbably just be in normal mode, using full auto, just plodding along in traffic.

For me it is, "how do I want to drive today?"

Plus I use the paddles as others do, just to get the right gear for a particular move, typically a down change or two to get the revs correct, then let it go back to full auto.

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      09-27-2012, 10:19 PM   #35
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I never used my old E60 535i sports pkg. Now on my new F10, I almost use everyday 80% of driving. I hv eisenmann race exhaust on and it makes fun plus amazing sound using shifter. It's definitly much louder than auto drive. Up shift gives you more power + exploded sound and down shift sounds are even better with turbo lag. Once I got use to it, it's pretty easy even im driving daily busy cloud. I also using it with my coffee hold on my hand.
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      09-28-2012, 12:03 AM   #36
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I use it for engine braking mostly on hills but find it needs two tweaks to be effective. I'm disappointed it moves back to 'D' so quickly.
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      09-28-2012, 12:13 AM   #37
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Gilgorm View Post
I use it for engine braking mostly on hills but find it needs two tweaks to be effective. I'm disappointed it moves back to 'D' so quickly.
The reason it moves to D so quick is that you didnt put ur shift knob to the left position. Once you move ur shift knob to the left from D positon than press ur minus shift paddle once to make M1. Will never go to D automatically.
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      09-28-2012, 12:20 PM   #38
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Nobleman View Post
The reason it moves to D so quick is that you didnt put ur shift knob to the left position. Once you move ur shift knob to the left from D positon than press ur minus shift paddle once to make M1. Will never go to D automatically.
Thanks but I do know the difference but my point is that it goes back to 'D' automatically too fast i.e. before the car has finished going down a hill even though the revs are higher. According to my manual, high revs are supposed to prevent the change back. I expect it to change back near the bottom of the hill as the revs fall. Its just the speed at which it changes that bugs me. Maybe its just my car. I like the concept but not the execution.
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      10-07-2012, 08:57 PM   #39
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Quote:
Originally Posted by EBRSKIH View Post
I wish both the left and right paddle shifter worked the same way instead of the left being for downshifts and right for up shifts.


I had it that way on my E60 and it drove me crazy 'cause our M5 has SMG which is down on left and up on right. I had to constantly remind myself which car I was driving, and it caused some embarrassing situations..........


I use my paddles a lot. The only time I keep in in regular automatic is if there is a lot of traffic.
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      10-10-2012, 09:22 AM   #40
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had never tried it coz it seems that the 8 speeds auto is convenience enough and the driving distance in HK is very short between the taffic lights!
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      10-10-2012, 10:27 AM   #41
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ezza8 View Post
Yep. Similar experience with my 535d.
Same here.

Plus driving around town where you often have sharp turns makes the paddles useless because of the steering wheel rotating. This is where the knob is better.
Could be different with a petrol engine I suppose....
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      11-16-2012, 09:08 AM   #42
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I have the shift paddles, had to have them, and never use them.
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      11-16-2012, 09:08 PM   #43
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Paddles are silly in this car

I got em and they are a waste of money. The transmission doesn't shift particularly well and the car is not that fast so the paddles are just BMWs way of adding a $500 upcharge to the 535. The paddles also block a comfortable driving position. Id order a car without them.
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      11-17-2012, 02:10 AM   #44
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I have used the paddles twice in 11 months...however the sport mode I use a lot, makes the car much more fun to drive!
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