BMW question.

mjt · 27 Nov 2009 at 23:23

can you use the gearstick as a shifter, or does it have to be on the paddles?

mind you, if i had an M3 i probably would too. i suspect it'll be slightly more fun than a 525d

NickXX · 27 Nov 2009 at 23:32

mjt said:
can you use the gearstick as a shifter, or does it have to be on the paddles?

mind you, if i had an M3 i probably would too. i suspect it'll be slightly more fun than a 525d

You can use either. I use both.

Downshifts are sublime as are full throttle upshifts

Burned_Alive · 27 Nov 2009 at 23:32

NickXX said:
We are talking about BMW drivers here...

With regards to the £105 paddles option. I'd imagine most 6 series auto buyers have absolutely no with to change gear manually.

I want new plastic paddles for my m3, they cost more than £105 just for the plastic bits!

Why not just get some in carbon instead?

http://www.ca-automotive.co.uk/single_prod-cHJvZF9pZD0yNzY1JmNhdF9pZD0mY29tcF9pZD04.html

NickXX · 27 Nov 2009 at 23:39

Burned_Alive said:
Why not just get some in carbon instead?

http://www.ca-automotive.co.uk/single_prod-cHJvZF9pZD0yNzY1JmNhdF9pZD0mY29tcF9pZD04.html

It is tempting and those are cheaper, but I am trying fervently trying to keep it as it left the factory.

Burned_Alive · 27 Nov 2009 at 23:57

Would match the carbon grills...

NickXX · 28 Nov 2009 at 00:08

Burned_Alive said:
Would match the carbon grills...

olv · 28 Nov 2009 at 00:15

NickXX said:
It is tempting and those are cheaper, but I am trying fervently trying to keep it as it left the factory.

It already has a choad exhaust, might aswell make it choad paddles too

Will Gill · 28 Nov 2009 at 02:13

you can add it to any car (pretty much) with a defi unit

Dandle · 28 Nov 2009 at 02:29

[TW]Fox;15410819 said:
6 Series has it as well. It's rare because most people who buy new BMW's are idiots.

Further examples of idiocy can be found in the fact that nobody ever specs the 'Sports Automatic' transmission option for the autobox which adds paddleshift, despite the fact it only costs £105 extra.

Sometimes you come across as a real knob.

Scania · 28 Nov 2009 at 03:43

mjt said:
probably true with a lot of 5 drivers too.
my dad gets annoyed when i use the steptronic
"stop messing about with the gears and leave it in D!"

My Dad said the same to me when I used to drive my old e38 and he still moans that I use the steptronic in his moon miles e39, he seems to think that "at its age & miles I should leave it alone!" :rolleyes:

He's in his 70's, bless him.

Dandle said:
Sometimes you come across as a real knob.

To my mind he makes a bloody good point! :confused:

You merely did a good job on yourself there imo Dandle, sorry.

Django x2 · 28 Nov 2009 at 09:37

the HUD is nice. It wasn't on my list as I'm able to look at the dials and maintain control of my vehicle. I've seen a lot of 535ds with it normally on PH classifieds.

Fox talking about SAT is another issue altogether. If you've driven one you'll realise that it's fun for about the first 5 minutes then you'll hardly ever use it again. It also adds little to the resale value of the car. Oddly, to retrofit it would cost near on £500.

[TW]Fox · 28 Nov 2009 at 10:09

Dandle said:
Sometimes you come across as a real knob.

What?!

Sometimes I do, yes, but I hardly think I do in this thread :confused:

Gaygle · 28 Nov 2009 at 10:14

Dandle said:
Sometimes you come across as a real knob.

Someone got out of the wrong side of bed...

Fireskull · 28 Nov 2009 at 10:15

[TW]Fox;15413561 said:
What?!

Sometimes I do, yes, but I hardly think I do in this thread

Maybe he was a said idiot?

Gaygle · 28 Nov 2009 at 10:16

Fireskull said:
Maybe he was a said idiot?

I'm thinking a family member...

EDIT: Damn, it appears you were right

. He owns an 07 530d Touring Auto....presumably without paddleshift

[TW]Fox · 28 Nov 2009 at 10:19

He bought his car used not new, so he should be able to see my point, given the previous owner of his could have specified Sports Auto for him to benefit at marginal extra cost

Dandle · 28 Nov 2009 at 10:55

If i bought my 5 series new I would have speced the SAT for the price but to the majority of 5 series buyers flappy paddles make no odds at all the whole reason they buy an auto is so thet don't have to change gear. I certainly wouldn't call the majority of them idiots though because they don't have the same priority as me.

The_Dark_Side · 29 Nov 2009 at 12:03

mjt said:
yeah, it costs ~£1000

not only is it expensive, but how useful is it really? unless your racing and can't take your eyes off the road, i can't really see why anyone would want it.
apart from epeen obviously

It massively reduces driver fatigue.

The_Dark_Side · 29 Nov 2009 at 12:04

Will Gill said:
you can add it to any car (pretty much) with a defi unit

I remember someone posting an article on one of those defi units ages ago and it looked pretty good IIRC.

[TW]Fox · 29 Nov 2009 at 12:08

Dandle said:
If i bought my 5 series new I would have speced the SAT for the price but to the majority of 5 series buyers flappy paddles make no odds at all the whole reason they buy an auto is so thet don't have to change gear. I certainly wouldn't call the majority of them idiots though because they don't have the same priority as me.

It boosts residuals as SAT is so rare people pay a little more for it on the used market. Therefore they turn a slight 'profit' or at worst break even.