Flappy paddle shift - have we reached 'critical mass' yet?
Discussion
Just pondering a couple of points relating to flappy paddle gearshifts and wondering what the wider PH consensus is ...
1: I've read in numerous places that on Ferraris and Lamborghinis the clutches wear out quicker on the 'flappy paddle' cars than they do on the conventional manual versions of the same cars. I would have thought that the clutch would last longer on an automated system as each gearchange will be 'perfect' as there isn't a potentially clumsy human to screw it up occasionally, but anwyay ... is it still the case that they wear out quicker than they might on a conventional system? And what about with ordinary cars like BMWs? I can't see someone who buys a 3 Series saloon with a flappy paddle accepting the clutch wearing out really quickly like a supercar owner might.
2: If I bought a BMW M4 tomorrow (I'm not going to because I can't afford one, but if I did) would its resale value be damaged by me opting for a conventional manual or would a future buyer of the car prefer a conventional system which is likely less fragile and also cheaper to repair if it should break? Or, are we at a point where BMW 'M' car buyers expect the latest tech? There were groans all round when it was revealed that the latest Audi R8 will not be offered with a 'stick' shift, so clearly some people still want a stick even if manufacturers are starting to move on. Which is more desirable right now? The flappy paddle is still an optional extra in most of the BMW range so I'm thinking it's the exception rather than the rule, but elsewhere I've read that the manual has had its day on BMW 'M' cars and you should opt for the flappy paddle to make your car easy to sell in future, like that's what everyone will want.
So, what gives? Is the flappy paddle gearshift the thing now or are we still some way off reaching critical mass?
1: I've read in numerous places that on Ferraris and Lamborghinis the clutches wear out quicker on the 'flappy paddle' cars than they do on the conventional manual versions of the same cars. I would have thought that the clutch would last longer on an automated system as each gearchange will be 'perfect' as there isn't a potentially clumsy human to screw it up occasionally, but anwyay ... is it still the case that they wear out quicker than they might on a conventional system? And what about with ordinary cars like BMWs? I can't see someone who buys a 3 Series saloon with a flappy paddle accepting the clutch wearing out really quickly like a supercar owner might.
2: If I bought a BMW M4 tomorrow (I'm not going to because I can't afford one, but if I did) would its resale value be damaged by me opting for a conventional manual or would a future buyer of the car prefer a conventional system which is likely less fragile and also cheaper to repair if it should break? Or, are we at a point where BMW 'M' car buyers expect the latest tech? There were groans all round when it was revealed that the latest Audi R8 will not be offered with a 'stick' shift, so clearly some people still want a stick even if manufacturers are starting to move on. Which is more desirable right now? The flappy paddle is still an optional extra in most of the BMW range so I'm thinking it's the exception rather than the rule, but elsewhere I've read that the manual has had its day on BMW 'M' cars and you should opt for the flappy paddle to make your car easy to sell in future, like that's what everyone will want.
So, what gives? Is the flappy paddle gearshift the thing now or are we still some way off reaching critical mass?
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