[HighlandPete]

Originally Posted by grimlock

Think of the f10 as standard with paddles, but u can have the grandpa version if you really want it

And Grandpa doesn't normally do 'sporty' configurations.

Sports auto for me all the way, and I'm a grandpa.

To me, having the standard box is like 'almost' getting a real BMW.

HighlandPete

[citrilla]

I have the sports auto box, which comes with flappy paddles and I have added VDC. I have little use for the flappy paddles but the sports box changes the transmission characteristics and VDC is superb

[delvek]

the Sports Transmission isnt "just" paddles. Its a different transmission with different characteristics. One is the standard the other is performance oriented.

[pharding]

The Sport Automatic Transmission is superb. I don't use the paddle shifters so for me the $500 extra for the sport performance is a great value.

[BMW9]

Originally Posted by delvek

Not with you on this one BMW9, I bought this car to go fast, fast. If your not going to go fast why buy the 550i, buy the same exact car with all the options and goodies, plus its great looks and save LOTS with an engine that matches your driving style. Think about how much you will save in buying a smaller engine, actual cost of the car, gas, and insurance.

I fail to realize how you are saving 500 dollars.

I ordered the paddle shifters for my car as well and use them quite often. But pogodog said that he never used the paddle shifters on his 3 series. Why should he pay for something if he is never going to use it? He should not get the sport trans even if it costs $10, because he is not going to use the paddles.
I got the 550 because I love the low end to mid range torque of the engine. I love to feel the effortless acceleration of the car, But my paddle shifting transmission is not going to make me go faster in any noticeable way. Its just more convenient and less distracting because i can keep my hands on the steering wheel while driving.
I didn't get the 535 because I had to work that engine harder and rev it higher to get it going. I'm all for power and acceleration, but This car has mostly a luxury and slightly sporty feel to it. Its not a sport/race car you buy to win races in.

[BMW9]

Originally Posted by Jon D

Do you not consider that to be somewhat presumptuous? You might not drive very fast, but I don't see how you can assume others won't.
I bought my 535d because it's very quick and I often like to drive it that way. Okay, it's not as fast as a 550, but 0-60 in 5.7 sec and 40+ mpg is pretty good for such a large car.
I think $500 ($175 in UK) for sport auto is peanuts, especially when compared to the cost of other options. Admittedly, I don't use the paddles that often, but when I do, I'm glad I have them.

I'm coming from a GTR with 533 lbs of torque to the wheels. btw it also has paddle shifters. So, I do appreciate power and speed But, again I don't think that the paddle shifters will make sense for pogodog if he is never going to use them. IMO the new F10 series of cars are for driving (fast or slow) in comfort, Luxury and style, not racing. Same reason some one would buy a CL 63 or Bentley GT. All of these are fast cars but they are not very rewarding to throw around. They are heavy smooth driving cars. My 550 is a solid, smooth, high quality, fast luxury car. But when I pick up the pace, I can feel the excessive weight with every move I make.

[HighlandPete]

Why do we keep reading the sport auto is 'just' about the paddles?

Even after all the discussions on what the sport auto supports in the F10/11, we still seem to missing the point, IMO.

If you want the faster gearbox software, steering with the sport setting, the sport throttle response, you need the sport gearbox... paddles come as an extra.

HighlandPete

[pharding]

Originally Posted by HighlandPete

Why do we keep reading the sport auto is 'just' about the paddles?

Even after all the discussions on what the sport auto supports in the F10/11, we still seem to missing the point, IMO.

If you want the faster gearbox software, steering with the sport setting, the sport throttle response, you need the sport gearbox... paddles come as an extra.

HighlandPete

+1 That is exactly how I see it.

[Jon D]

Originally Posted by BMW9

I'm coming from a GTR with 533 lbs of torque to the wheels. btw it also has paddle shifters. So, I do appreciate power and speed But, again I don't think that the paddle shifters will make sense for pogodog if he is never going to use them. IMO the new F10 series of cars are for driving (fast or slow) in comfort, Luxury and style, not racing. Same reason some one would buy a CL 63 or Bentley GT. All of these are fast cars but they are not very rewarding to throw around. They are heavy smooth driving cars. My 550 is a solid, smooth, high quality, fast luxury car. But when I pick up the pace, I can feel the excessive weight with every move I make.

Of course it's not a racing car, but it's a large and luxurious one that you can drive a lot faster through the corners that others in the same class.
The sport auto makes the experience even more rewarding; Highland Pete summarises it very well - it's not just the paddles.
By the way, your GTR - 533 ft/lbs, my 535d - 600 ft/lbs and, before you ask, there's no way I'm comparing my car with yours in terms of agility and acceleration; I've driven a GTR and it blew my socks off, but I didn't buy it because I couldn't face losing my driving licence .

[Grover432]

Originally Posted by delvek

the Sports Transmission isnt "just" paddles. Its a different transmission with different characteristics. One is the standard the other is performance oriented.

It is the exact same transmission with a different shift program map. They arr the paddles for free.

[BMW9]

Originally Posted by Jon D

Of course it's not a racing car, but it's a large and luxurious one that you can drive a lot faster through the corners that others in the same class.
The sport auto makes the experience even more rewarding; Highland Pete summarises it very well - it's not just the paddles.
By the way, your GTR - 533 ft/lbs, my 535d - 600 ft/lbs and, before you ask, there's no way I'm comparing my car with yours in terms of agility and acceleration; I've driven a GTR and it blew my socks off, but I didn't buy it because I couldn't face losing my driving licence .

OK. sport trans for everyone....hehe. I think its worth it. I would not order my car without it if i had the choice.
Pogodog, like others here suggested, you should test drive and decide what works for you.

Wow! 600 lbs for the 535d? Did not know that. Thats a lot of force.
Stock GTR has 430 lbs at the crank and maybe about 380 at the wheels.

[bfg58simon]

Of course its each to his/her own.............

I took delivery of an F11 535D in November that had the sports auto missed in error. I had the car 4 days and decided it wasn't at all for me. Im sure you guys know that the sports auto was just a £110.00 option! The car was returned and I am now waiting for delivery of an exact car but with the sports auto!

When driving casually the paddles ADD comfort. With the paddles its convenient for slowing downhill with engine braking by flipping down a gear rather than reaching for the leaving moving across into manual then back into auto or continually braking.

[Jon D]

Originally Posted by Grover432

They arr the paddles for free.

Believe me - nothing is free with a BMW

[HighlandPete]

Originally Posted by Jon D

Believe me - nothing is free with a BMW

My wife got the 3-series symbol key ring, free. Ah... not quite, we had just spent £37k with the garage.

HighlandPete