encee Posted July 11, 2008 Report Share Posted July 11, 2008 Okay, I`m going to test-drive a BMW 330d automatic tomorrow, and it has the shift-paddles on the steering wheel. In view of the fact that I`ve never driven an auto with paddles before, what can I expect ? Is it good fun, or is it just a gimmick to give the auto driver a bit of a feeling that he/she is still in control of the vehicle ? I have, by the way, owned a 330d a couple of years ago, but that was a manual, and I`m very much interested in the auto now, as I have changed locations at work, and my commute is nearly all motorway, which (as we all know) means loads of left-leg aggravation. Please discuss.......... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cagey Posted July 11, 2008 Report Share Posted July 11, 2008 Well, I have a 330d Auto, and TBH, I only use the paddles either when in an economy mood, when I change up asap - usually around 1500-1750rpm, or when I push on a bit and the gearbox holds onto one gear a little too long, resulting in a sudden drop off in torque. I had a DSG GTi before the 3-er (albeit with a brief 2-month stint inbetween with a Z4 Coupe - also Auto), and there is no comparison between them really. In the Golf I would take it out on some of the good rural roads around here and use the paddles all the time. The blips on the downshifts and the 'whumps' that were emitted on the up-shifts made it far more fun than the torque-convertor 'box in the 3. I don't have as much inclination to just go fo a drive now... However, the Auto box is extremely smooth, either in D, DS, or via the paddles. Changes are reasonably quick too. Anyway, there is more to the car than the paddles - enjoy the test drive tomorrow. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
encee Posted July 11, 2008 Author Report Share Posted July 11, 2008 Thanks for the reply Cagey. Interesting to see that you mention the DSG in the Golf GTI, which really must be something, as I notice that it nearly always gets rave-reviews from people that have had it, as opposed to, say, SMG in the M3`s, that doesn`t seem to be as fondly thought of ? Maybe VW just did extremely well there, and developed a great pairing with the DSG/Autobox system, which is all credit to their development engineers. Anyway, it`ll be interesting to see for myself just how different it feels to drive the auto, as opposed to the manual that I had, and yes, the kid in me is really looking forward to having a go with the paddles. Speaking to the dealer on the phone about it today, and he stated that he thought that the auto, with paddles, was "the best of both worlds". We`ll see !! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tinka Posted July 13, 2008 Report Share Posted July 13, 2008 i know the 330&335 are both 3.0,but i thought it was just the 335 that had the paddle shift. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
encee Posted July 13, 2008 Author Report Share Posted July 13, 2008 i know the 330&335 are both 3.0,but i thought it was just the 335 that had the paddle shift. Not the case tinka, if I can be so bold. It could be specced on the 330 from March `07, I believe............ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CarMad Posted July 13, 2008 Report Share Posted July 13, 2008 Yep and you can retrofit it even if your car hasn't got it, I'm thinking about adding it to mine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
encee Posted July 13, 2008 Author Report Share Posted July 13, 2008 Yep and you can retrofit it even if your car hasn't got it, I'm thinking about adding it to mine. Wasn`t aware of that one CarMad. Any ideas on price ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CarMad Posted July 13, 2008 Report Share Posted July 13, 2008 Afraid not, though not cheap as you need to get a new wheel which can cost a fair few pennies ... ££. I miss it after the DSG in my Sportback had it fitted but thinking about it 90% of the time a quick slip of the gearshifter to the left to get it into sport is more than enough to get progress changed. If I need to play more then I can use it in manual mode but its never quick as quick thinking as a DSG box. But I hear you can get the 7 Speed DCT gearbox from the M3 fitted to the facelifted 335i, fingers crossed they do if for the whole range. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tinka Posted July 14, 2008 Report Share Posted July 14, 2008 Not the case tinka, if I can be so bold. It could be specced on the 330 from March `07, I believe............ well,i never,i stand corrected,i wonder if i can get it retro'd on mine,hmmmm. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tinka Posted July 14, 2008 Report Share Posted July 14, 2008 gave bmw a call today,and they said they cant retro fit it,i would be interested to know who can do it,as i would consider it,new wheel air bag and paddles,thats about£1200 at least,i have been watching these for a while.The Original VS Paddle-Shift Retrofit for BMW Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gizze Posted July 15, 2008 Report Share Posted July 15, 2008 I would guess you would need a new slip ring, a wheel with the paddles and multifunction buttons and be able to code it, if it needs coding, as it is can bus it may not. I don't think you even need to run wires to the gear selector on the latest gen car, from sept. 2005. I may try and pick a wheel up and have a bash. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cutter7 Posted October 5, 2008 Report Share Posted October 5, 2008 (edited) Okay, I`m going to test-drive a BMW 330d automatic tomorrow, and it has the shift-paddles on the steering wheel.In view of the fact that I`ve never driven an auto with paddles before, what can I expect ? Is it good fun, or is it just a gimmick to give the auto driver a bit of a feeling that he/she is still in control of the vehicle ? I have, by the way, owned a 330d a couple of years ago, but that was a manual, and I`m very much interested in the auto now, as I have changed locations at work, and my commute is nearly all motorway, which (as we all know) means loads of left-leg aggravation. Please discuss.......... This is the best part of the auto sport gear box it certainly is no gimmick !! Even on the motorway when you get the vauxhall boys! up your arse, or anyone else, just knock it downwards and with this torque, it's easier than braking, and then they are braking like **** because there are no brake lights showing, and then hammer your foot to the floor and look in the mirror, 3 seconds later they are 100 metres behind! This certainly stops me noding off up the M40. Brilliant technology from the Bavarian boys. Edited October 5, 2008 by Cutter7 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tom_hargreaves Posted October 6, 2008 Report Share Posted October 6, 2008 I have the paddle shift in the 325 and it's utterly pointless. It changes up if you get close to the red line. Which defies the entire existence of them. And they also won't change down when you want them to in some situations, say when your approaching a roundabout and it thinks it'll get to close to the red line again. So you end up pondering out of a bend, which naturally makes you floor the throttle (Which incurs a kick down) and switches you back to automatic mode when you don't want it to. Auto's are not made to be used with paddles (Hence the term "Automatic"). Paddles are for SMG and only work well with an SMG gearbox. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gizze Posted October 6, 2008 Report Share Posted October 6, 2008 It will do that if you flick the paddles without putting it in Manual mode, but put it in manual and it doesn't. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tom_hargreaves Posted October 6, 2008 Report Share Posted October 6, 2008 It does trust me. If you move the shifter over it just puts it into the DS Drive Sport mode and then when you hit a paddle goes into M "Manual" mode. So if you're in manual and you kick down it just reverts back to the DS mode. It aint like the SMG shifter options. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gizze Posted October 6, 2008 Report Share Posted October 6, 2008 Well I have owned about 6 cars with that and not one of mine have reverted back to DS mode. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tom_hargreaves Posted October 6, 2008 Report Share Posted October 6, 2008 This is my second and both have done. Might need a trip to the stealer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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