How often do you use your paddle shifters?

[DriveHard]

im in D/S about 75% of the time and paddle shift when there.. the other 25% im in stop and go traffic and either leave in in D/S or D but dont paddle shift.

[audimotion]

Steptronic- I use paddles 75% of the time. I find the shifter usage backwards. Not that the pull/push paddle is much better, but I'm used to it and find it easy to use.

[Bimmer100_]

Whenever I get a loaner...

[SteDevote]

DCT

4-5 times per week. Very useful to get max RPM's to keep the engine limber.

[fwmcb]

Originally Posted by Pangloss

That was intentional. I was curious if it might differ between DCT and non-DCT owners. I've read that the old paddle-shifters were poorly designed, and I wondered if that might have an impact on their usage.

The DCT population may be too small for useful results.

When you get used to the old style paddles they are great because they both upshift and down shift... It's just getting used to it that can be tricky.

[RPM90]

Originally Posted by swaite

No one is specifying whether they have auto or DCT...

If it's a pre 2011, then it's a slushbox.

[BimmerE82]

Must be an automatic thing....

[panoz7]

DCT here -- I use the paddles whenever I'm in manual mode, which is about 95% of the time. The only time I use the shifter is for the 1-2 upshift when I'm turning and the paddles aren't easy to reach.

[Pangloss]

Originally Posted by panoz7

DCT here -- I use the paddles whenever I'm in manual mode, which is about 95% of the time. The only time I use the shifter is for the 1-2 upshift when I'm turning and the paddles aren't easy to reach.

I read somewhere (might have been Car & Driver) that some feel the paddles should be mounted to the steering column instead of the wheel. This seems odd to me -- wouldn't they get in the way when you made a turn? But I can see why they wanted it -- it can be a bit tricky to find the paddle in the middle of a turn. Kinda like trying to mash the volume or track switches -- easier just to wait until you unwind the steering wheel. (Do other model BMWs have them on the column?)

Actually that whole area just behind the wheel seems kinda crowded, at least compared with cars I've owned in the past. Nothing really seems to get in they way, and it's great because everything's so close that I can just stretch a finger and tap whatever I need, but I wonder if some folks (with big hands?) might find it a bit too cramped.

I wonder wow much of that is just the 1-series, and how much of it is just the "BMW Way"? This is my first European car, all my experience is with American and Japanese makers, so I'm also still getting used to the turn signals, the small steering wheel size, cruise control on a stalk, etc. It all seems really perfect, though -- every time I turn around there's yet another feature that seems perfect. It's like the car I would build if I designed it for myself.

[GeeRam]

DCT, and I don't use the paddles that often on the daily commute in London traffic, other than for engine braking when occasionally 'making progress' and downshifting the odd gear for a bit of in-traffic acceleration.

Use the paddles most of the time once out in the countryside though

Being RHD, I never use use the shifter, as it doesn't come to hand naturally being designed for LHD operation

[IZAGLO]

95% of the time except in traffic..then D...Been driving mauals exclusivly for the past 20 years and find the paddle shifting a very nice alternative...no no t quite as engaged as a manual but in daily traffic it's a blessing. FASTER shifting than manuals for sure, with little boost loss and that blip my car makes when shifting is very cool. Late night driving while tired as well has me putting the car in D once in a bit...i have had enough of being totally locked into shifting manuals with no option, i actually could not wait to get out of my last manual.. especially in NJ congestion.I dig the Steptronic trans...maybe not as fast as DCT but a well made trans non the less.... As far as being working the paddles...i have no problem with them at all. You can shift or downshift with one hand and drink coffee in the other LOL... Driving in D or DS to me is boring when not in traffic and what is the point.

[Pangloss]

Originally Posted by IZAGLO

i have had enough of being totally locked into shifting manuals with no option, i actually could not wait to get out of my last manual.

Exactly how I felt.

[bogart]

I really wish BMW or someone would make extended paddles for the DCT.

[Pangloss]

Extended? You mean like longer?

[KingOfJericho]

...thus proving my point that these things are mostly a gimmick. Don't kid yourself, you drive an automatic.

[Pangloss]

And you don't. Which one of us wins? :-)

[cagekicker]

damn! glad i got the "stick". 100% driving bliss

[Pangloss]

I'm about done with antagonistic comments from manual transmission owners.

[panoz7]

Originally Posted by Pangloss

I'm about done with antagonistic comments from manual transmission owners.

Yep. To each their own.

I would have loved to have gotten a manual, but my girl friend can't drive stick, and the DCT is almost as much fun.

I miss the involvement that came with a clutch pedal and the ability to jump from 6th to 3rd without having to tap a paddle 3 times. On the other hand, I certainly don't miss having a sore left leg after sitting in an hour of stop and go traffic, it's great to keep my hands on the wheel on really curvy roads, and full throttle upshifts are amazing.

The paddles would only be gimicky if they didn't work as well as the shift lever. Not having to take your hands off the wheel is a big advantage (at least for me) over a traditional stick shift.

[GeeRam]

Originally Posted by Pangloss

I'm about done with antagonistic comments from manual transmission owners.

Little things please little people.........

[singular]

Originally Posted by Pangloss

That was intentional. I was curious if it might differ between DCT and non-DCT owners. I've read that the old paddle-shifters were poorly designed, and I wondered if that might have an impact on their usage.

The DCT population may be too small for useful results.

I've driven both and can't really see one way being better than the other. The only thing I would note is that the DCT interface is more consistent with other cars that have paddles.

The paddles work fine on the straight or with moderate turns, but I've found the shifter to be more convenient and intuitive on sharp turns.

[Harlequin]

I would have preferred it if they were mounted to the column rather than the wheel - like a Ferrari... At least then they'd be in the same place every time...

Main reason I don't use them as much as I'd like is trying to hunt down the "upshift" to grab 2nd mid corner...

Anyone know if you can fit the larger paddles from the M3 on the 135 wheel?