Next Car Will Be Auto - Worth Getting Flappy Paddle Things?

[DaveyBoyWonder]

As above really. Apart from the novelty factor, would it really be worth tracking down a car with paddle shift? I'm no racing driver but do like a quick drive - would a standard auto box possibly drive me mad with me having no control? Cars I'm looking at are mk2 FL Octavia vRS', A4 S-Line Avants and 3-Series M-Sports... I'm not even sure you can get paddle shift with the beemer?

[A900ss]

You'll use it once for 5 minutes then select D like everyone else. Occasionally you'll put it in Sport mode (but still without using the paddles)

My auto has 8 gears, I'd be forever 'flapping'.

Good luck.

[Vladimir]

I have them (BW 335d) but don't use them very often. Not essential IMO.

M Sport won't mean paddles or not, it's the engine.

[Jimbo.]

A900ss said:

You'll use it once for 5 minutes then select D like everyone else. Occasionally you'll put it in Sport mode (but still without using the paddles)

My auto has 8 gears, I'd be forever 'flapping'.

Good luck.

Or you'll catch one with your finger, thus prompting the car to remain in that gear until you push another button or you wait the required amount of time...:/

[Bonefish Blues]

No.

[Ozzie Osmond]

DaveyBoyWonder said:

would a standard auto box possibly drive me mad with me having no control?

I don't think you've quite grasped things. Any auto built in the last 30 years will give you the ability to change gears manually, simply by moving the shift lever. In the vast majority of cases all the paddles amount to is a differently positioned switch to achieve exactly the same result.

Once you've got an auto it will live in "auto". Manual shift only has one real benefit - enabling a downchange ready for an overtake. This can be achieved either with or without paddles.

[Billyray911]

Have them on my 335d and use them constantly in both gearbox modes.I have access to various vehicles at work,including several Audis with non paddles.
I have to say that the Audis gearbox seems lazy without the option to paddle change,as would the 335 without the option.
Driving an F30 330d with the the fantastic 8 speed,the paddles make a great car superb.
It's all down to driving style I suppose.I prefer them and will source my next car with them.

[Rumple]

No I think they are ste, got them on our Honda, I prefer the stick change tiptronic in my 330, I do use that every time I drive it, before the Honda I was gutted the BMW didn't have them, now I wouldn't give them house room, I find them awkward when turning.

[anonymous-user]

I've got them in my Saab. The only time I use them is for overtaking, when I want to control the kickdown to manage the lag.

[B17NNS]

Novelty. After a while you'll be happy wafting in D.

[davepoth]

Yup, wafting round in D for me too. It's so easy to "drive around" the minor foibles that I can never be bothered with faffing around with changing myself. On an old school auto I might get a bit more involved though.

[traffman]

I tried it for a while (5 minutes) then stuck it in D.

[V8Wagon]

I don't have the flappy bits but do use the manual shift in my Accord auto for overtaking, and joining fast moving traffic from a slip road.

Rest of the time 'D' it is.

[Glosphil]

I have a Skoda DSG with paddles. I won't buy a DSG equipped car without the paddles. Why mess around with the 'stick' to select and cancel manual over-ride when you can use the paddles. Change a gear or more BEFORE starting an overtake and after completing the overtake go back into auto by just holding the right paddle for a couple of seconds - all without taking your hand off the steering wheel. Can over-ride the auto at any time just by using the paddles.

I have never put the gearbox into manual mode using the stick; always use the paddles.

[Ozzie Osmond]

Interesting to see how auto drivers actually use their cars in the real world.

I've never understood why autos don't have a "change down" button on the steering wheel to deal with the one situation where manual intervention can be useful.

[8bit]

Going to buck the trend here. I recently bought a Jag XKR and I do use my paddle-shift regularly. Not always, no point on a motorway cruise or taking the car into town but if I'm driving purely for fun then I do use them. I will occasionally put the box in S mode and let it shift, if I'm feeling lazy.

[22rgt B Squadron]

Just a novelty and absolutely pointless. As for an overtake, just press further on that right hand pedal and if you have the torque available you'll pass another car like you would a manual. If you really do require a down change press the throttle to the floor and the box will automatically kickdown into a lower gear. However, the wannabe racing drivers on this forum will now say its a quicker change down with a paddle...its milliseconds difference and in the real world of road driving will make sod all difference..

[22rgt B Squadron]

Just a novelty and absolutely pointless. As for an overtake, just press further on that right hand pedal and if you have the torque available you'll pass another car like you would a manual. If you really do require a down change press the throttle to the floor and the box will automatically kickdown into a lower gear. However, the wannabe racing drivers on this forum will now say its a quicker change down with a paddle...its milliseconds difference and in the real world of road driving will make sod all difference..

[so called]

I used to use the shift on my FTO but she. I've driven a flappy car, never used them.

[V8Wagon]

22rgt B Squadron said:

Just a novelty and absolutely pointless. As for an overtake, just press further on that right hand pedal and if you have the torque available you'll pass another car like you would a manual. If you really do require a down change press the throttle to the floor and the box will automatically kickdown into a lower gear. However, the wannabe racing drivers on this forum will now say its a quicker change down with a paddle...its milliseconds difference and in the real world of road driving will make sod all difference..

It's nice to be able to hold a lower gear though until the moment comes to overtake. Hard to do this without the manual shift.