[srbs73]

Does anyone else use the paddles for manual gear changes by default?

After watching a few reviews of BMW’s (think it was AutoTopNL), i noticed that they always drove in Sport & Manual using the paddle shifters.

I thought I’d give it a go and now after a couple of weeks I do it by default. Just seems to make the driving a bit more engaging without too much effort! Also found out about the flashing “change up” lights in the HUD via a few late gear changes.

[GaryUFM]

I use them all the time to slow down at junctions. Just doesn't feel right to rely solely on the brakes. I never did in a manual and my thinking is in an auto you lose the benefit of engine braking and increase wear on the brakes. So in normal driving, I regularly downshift with the paddles, then quickly flick the box across and back into D before accelerating again.

I soon recognised in the BMW with the sports auto that just flooring the throttle and letting the box work its magic, relying on the kickdown, was better than me downshifting and stepping on it.

It really comes into its own on a country road (without the wife!) when I stick it into sport+ and push the lever to the left and then rely on the paddles. Great fun!

[Rhino at Work]

For me the auto box is excellent 99.9% of the time.

Sometimes when I brake on a steepish downslope it changes down when I don't want it to so I use the paddles to change up again.

[Andy-1878]

I use the paddles all the time. Other than cruising on the motorway, but will still use them if I need to slow down or overtake. They aren't as good at slowing you down as the Audi gearboxes are though, but I still prefer to not use just the brakes. Guessing it will be one of those things where some people prefer to use them, and others don't.

[UnluckySaxon]

I use the paddles to upshift for economy as it runs pretty revvy, but I use a downshift paddle for a rapid overtake as well. Works well

[Funboy78]

How are you all finding the changes? Mine is really jolty, I hate them. In my Audi it would auto rev to match the gear change keeping it dead smooth, my BMW jolts each change and not a little..... it’s horrible so never use them.

[srbs73]

Originally Posted by Funboy78

How are you all finding the changes? Mine is really jolty, I hate them. In my Audi it would auto rev to match the gear change keeping it dead smooth, my BMW jolts each change and not a little..... it’s horrible so never use them.

I only notice the jolt when changing up at high revs so don’t really mind. I tend to change up no higher than 4k rpm which is still quick but also smooth.

Will have to check to see if the change is smoother if you just kick down and have it change up at c.7k.

[MD707]

Auto box with paddles in this car is an absolute perfect fit. .

Put it in Sport Plus and enjoy the rev matches as you blip down for the approaching roundabout

Though in Sport Plus, it does like to hold on to the gears a bit much sometimes.

[hamera]

In comfort mode is seamless.
In Sport mode I guess the idea is to give you that harsher/more aggressive gear change, no?

[nisam]

Originally Posted by Andy-1878

I use the paddles all the time. Other than cruising on the motorway, but will still use them if I need to slow down or overtake. They aren't as good at slowing you down as the Audi gearboxes are though, but I still prefer to not use just the brakes. Guessing it will be one of those things where some people prefer to use them, and others don't.

Thats interesting I changed my A6 for a g30 and haven't noticed any difference other than quicker upshifts in auto.

[Andy-1878]

Originally Posted by nisam

Thats interesting I changed my A6 for a g30 and haven't noticed any difference other than quicker upshifts in auto.

Which gen A6 did you come from? I was coming from latest gen A4, setting off, so junctions/roundabouts the gearbox in the Audi was shocking, it was slow to react and dithery. Not what you need when trying to pull away. None of that with the BMW. But I did have 3 A5's from the first gen to the one before the current and their gearboxes were fine. Must be the recent ones which they've done something to.

[nisam]

Originally Posted by Andy-1878

Which gen A6 did you come from? I was coming from latest gen A4, setting off, so junctions/roundabouts the gearbox in the Audi was shocking, it was slow to react and dithery. Not what you need when trying to pull away. None of that with the BMW. But I did have 3 A5's from the first gen to the one before the current and their gearboxes were fine. Must be the recent ones which they've done something to.

C7 to G30, i found that mapping is better on the bmw (its to be expected with age difference) but other than that no major differences since if im not mistaken they use essentially the same ZF8 unit..

[Andy-1878]

Originally Posted by nisam

C7 to G30, i found that mapping is better on the bmw (its to be expected with age difference) but other than that no major differences since if im not mistaken they use essentially the same ZF8 unit..

In theory the A4 should have been better than the A5's I had, but it really wasn't. I know the A5's had a little more power but that shouldn't affect how they initially set off. Head technician's response "yeah, they're all like that". Shame, given overall it was a decent car. I'd even say it would be better than my G20 with grip/power. Numerous trips to the lakes and never missed a beat on steep, wet, winding roads. It doesn't feel as though the G20 has quite the same grip to me. Good, but not quite as good as the A5's were.

[Funboy78]

Originally Posted by srbs73

I only notice the jolt when changing up at high revs so don’t really mind. I tend to change up no higher than 4k rpm which is still quick but also smooth.

Will have to check to see if the change is smoother if you just kick down and have it change up at c.7k.

I’m out tomorrow so going to play in different modes, different revs, and see if it’s smoother on any setting.....

[Blackers]

I find it odd that some drive using the engine to brake the car rather than the brakes themselves. I was taught by our instructor that brakes are far easier and cheaper to maintain than engines and that brakes are designed to slow and stop the car plus those travelling behind you do not know you are using engine braking to slow down which potentially creates a hazard.

[Timbo8000]

You may know this already but just in case: If you pull both paddles at the same time it'll switch back into auto mode.

[OM3RTA]

Originally Posted by Blackers

I find it odd that some drive using the engine to brake the car rather than the brakes themselves. I was taught by our instructor that brakes are far easier and cheaper to maintain than engines and that brakes are designed to slow and stop the car plus those travelling behind you do not know you are using engine braking to slow down which potentially creates a hazard.

On a manual you are usually encouraged to use engine braking when safe to do so as it saves fuel & causes less wear on the brakes.

On an auto some people will tell you engine braking will cause excess wear on the transmission.

[blaz]

I was told by a police instructor that engine braking was no longer taught on modern cars about 15 years ago.

[Jim_330e]

Originally Posted by blaz

I was told by a police instructor that engine braking was no longer taught on modern cars about 15 years ago.

I think the thought process is that brakes are cheaper to replace than gearbox/clutch/engine etc.

I've had a play with the paddles as used them a lot on my previous GTI Performance but the 330e is a different car for 95% of the time (and actually has great braking due to the regen!) and happy cruising around and making the most of the hybrid system.

[Amos91]

The courtesy car I've just been given is a proper 6 speed manual. The gear change feels pretty notchy and not particularly nice (maybe due to only having 500 miles on the clock).

Plus the idrive controller & placement feels like an afterthought on the manual, horrible in comparison. Definitely recommend the automatic if any one reads this!

[Beemer5to3]

Weirdly the car I took out on demo (318d) was a manual, and I found it very nice indeed. Engine a little gutless, but the gear change was nice.

Would still always have an auto though.

[wassap]

Yes can confirm engine braking is no longer taught in the UK.