BMW X3 Forum
BMW X3 Forum
Welcome to the ultimate BMW X3 community.
BMW Garage BMW Meets Register Search Today's Posts Mark Forums Read
Post Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
      04-09-2011, 07:12 PM   #1
roders
Second Lieutenant
Australia
37
Rep
299
Posts

Drives: BMW X3 3.0D MSport F25
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Perth, WA, Australia

iTrader: (0)

Paddle Shifters.....not for Australia?

Hi All,

Just wondering if any other countries are getting no paddle shifters across the range? On every brochure/sales guide downunder there is a little *. And at the bottom states Paddle Shifters Not Available for Australia
Nobody seems to know why we cant have them......
Appreciate 0
      04-09-2011, 09:36 PM   #2
aussiem3
Colonel
aussiem3's Avatar
Australia
270
Rep
2,662
Posts

Drives: Goggomobil
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Kangaroo land

iTrader: (1)

Garage List
Once again the idiots at ADR have screwed things up and made life difficult for BMW Australia to have this option included. A bunch of wankers in you ask me about ADR. It's okay for all other countries except for our country.
__________________
F86 X6///
Appreciate 0
      04-09-2011, 10:10 PM   #3
roders
Second Lieutenant
Australia
37
Rep
299
Posts

Drives: BMW X3 3.0D MSport F25
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Perth, WA, Australia

iTrader: (0)

Damn ADR.....confusing since paddles are on pretty much every other manufacturer and other BMW models. Wonder why it was an issue for the X3?
Appreciate 0
      04-10-2011, 01:47 AM   #4
smarm
Worsier then Tupac dying.
17
Rep
873
Posts

Drives:
Join Date: Apr 2008

iTrader: (0)

How do we know it's the ADR? My current BMW has them.
__________________
135/M Sport/Jet Black/Business Nav/Logic 7/Sunroof

Quote:
If you write 'Wash Me' on my car, I'll carve 'Resuscitate Me' into your chest
Appreciate 0
      04-10-2011, 05:39 AM   #5
VikingOne
Private First Class
VikingOne's Avatar
United Kingdom
11
Rep
198
Posts

Drives: BMW G30 530e 2018
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Berkshire, UK

iTrader: (0)

Don't think they are an option for the UK either.
__________________

Previous: 2011 X3 2.0d xLine
Previous: 2015 X3 LCI 3.0d xLine
Current: 2018 530e 2L M-Sport I-Performance
Appreciate 0
      04-10-2011, 05:56 AM   #6
acey81
First Lieutenant
Sweden
48
Rep
313
Posts

Drives: F15 X5 40d M-sport; F80 M3
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Stockholm, Sweden

iTrader: (0)

Think that paddles are reserved for the 35i only for most markets. But are they really useful on a SUV anyhow? And generally, the BMW-paddles are been pretty bad compared to the competition. The shift-up and down on all paddles non-sense didn't really work that well.
Appreciate 0
      04-10-2011, 07:22 AM   #7
Nahoa
Lieutenant Colonel
United_States
45
Rep
1,876
Posts

Drives: F25 35i Mineral Silver/Black
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Virginia

iTrader: (0)

Bummer to hear you can't get them if you want them. I have them and have tried using them a few times and don't find it very useful. With the eight speed transmission, you're so quickly out of the sweet spot that you're shifting a whole lot in a dynamic situation (hills, curves) etc. Might get more intuitive if I practiced it more, but I found it distracting. It was a bit useful in a situation when you want to force the transmission out of the sweet spot (long, gradual decent at medium speed where the auto keeps you in a lower gear), but then the program only allows you to do that so long.

Dunno if that helps at all. If you already have experience and like them, I'm sure it doesn't!
__________________
Appreciate 0
      04-10-2011, 07:37 AM   #8
BIMMER UK 76
Major
BIMMER UK 76's Avatar
United Kingdom
48
Rep
1,089
Posts

Drives: BMW F25 X3 20d SE
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: United Kingdom

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by VikingOne View Post
Don't think they are an option for the UK either.
Correct
__________________

BMW F25 X3 xDRIVE 20d SE
Black Sapphire | Oyster Leather | Fineline Sienna Wood | 307 V Spokes | Auto | Prof Multimedia Package | xLine Package | Xenons | Business Radio | Sports Steering Wheel | Sports Seats | Panoramic Sunroof | Sun Protection Glass | Sun Blinds | Folding Ext. Mirrors + Titanium Grille | Chrome Exhaust Trim | Mudflaps
Appreciate 0
      04-10-2011, 08:44 AM   #9
roders
Second Lieutenant
Australia
37
Rep
299
Posts

Drives: BMW X3 3.0D MSport F25
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Perth, WA, Australia

iTrader: (0)

Yeh I'm sure its one of those options that you may use once and then never again...
It's just one of those things that you end up wanting because they say you cant :P
Appreciate 0
      04-10-2011, 08:55 AM   #10
Filski
Private
2
Rep
86
Posts

Drives: None
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Australia

iTrader: (0)

Have used them in the x1, not worth it on a diesel, especially an 8 speed.
Appreciate 0
      04-10-2011, 09:17 AM   #11
ecnirp
Enlisted Member
Australia
2
Rep
44
Posts

Drives: .
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Melbourne

iTrader: (0)

I've been trying to find out about this too.

http://x3.xbimmers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=487294

Quote:
Originally Posted by acey81 View Post
Think that paddles are reserved for the 35i only for most markets. But are they really useful on a SUV anyhow? And generally, the BMW-paddles are been pretty bad compared to the competition. The shift-up and down on all paddles non-sense didn't really work that well.
The paddles have been re-configured by BMW for recent updates and new models including the F25 X3. They now perform separate up and down shift functions consistent with other manufacturers.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Nahoa View Post
Bummer to hear you can't get them if you want them. I have them and have tried using them a few times and don't find it very useful. With the eight speed transmission, you're so quickly out of the sweet spot that you're shifting a whole lot in a dynamic situation (hills, curves) etc. Might get more intuitive if I practiced it more, but I found it distracting. It was a bit useful in a situation when you want to force the transmission out of the sweet spot (long, gradual decent at medium speed where the auto keeps you in a lower gear), but then the program only allows you to do that so long.

Dunno if that helps at all. If you already have experience and like them, I'm sure it doesn't!
In my experience, shifting the transmission into sports mode is where the paddles are most useful as it will hold gears for longer giving you more flexibility with when you shift. This can be both useful and fun, even with the diesel engines !
Appreciate 0
      04-10-2011, 10:08 AM   #12
MA78
TK-421
MA78's Avatar
United_States
17
Rep
610
Posts

Drives: 2011 X3 35i
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Portland, OR

iTrader: (0)

I love my paddle shifters. I don't use them if I'm just heading to the gym or grocery, but when I'm on a back road or the freeway, they're great. The learning curve was a bit steep for me. But now that I can do it without having to constantly check my gear, it's great.
Appreciate 0
      04-10-2011, 10:26 AM   #13
kozzi
Pygocentrus Piraya
kozzi's Avatar
United_States
924
Rep
1,007
Posts

Drives: 2021 BMW X3MC
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Brooklyn, NY

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
2021 BMW X3MC  [10.00]
+1
I love my paddles. They allow me to keep both hands on the wheel and maneuver thru traffic with lots of fun and grins. Downshifting while braking hard is what it’s all about…practice that and you will see what I mean.
__________________
kozzi

2021 BMW X3MC
Donington Grey Metallic / Sakhir Orange & Black Extended Merino Leather / Aluminum Carbon Structure
Appreciate 0
      04-10-2011, 03:56 PM   #14
aussiem3
Colonel
aussiem3's Avatar
Australia
270
Rep
2,662
Posts

Drives: Goggomobil
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Kangaroo land

iTrader: (1)

Garage List
I installed the E46 M3 steering wheel with paddle shift on my E53 X5 and enjoyed the novelty for a while. But I haven't found regular use and because you're so used to driving in auto mode, even when you're in sports mode you forget to upshift or downshift. It's annoying in that sense.

That's one reason I didn't want to option my current M3 with the M-DCT. I habve an old fashioned manual box.

I might be wrong with the paddle shifts - it might not at all be an ADR issue - BMW Australia might have made the decision not to include it because I was told over 75% of X1, 3 and 5 owners or opting for diesel. So given the application with the diesel, they might have decided not to include. My 2c.
__________________
F86 X6///
Appreciate 0
      04-10-2011, 08:13 PM   #15
Nahoa
Lieutenant Colonel
United_States
45
Rep
1,876
Posts

Drives: F25 35i Mineral Silver/Black
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Virginia

iTrader: (0)

Hmmm, thanks for that above. May have to give the paddles another whirl and see what fun can be had!
__________________
Appreciate 0
      04-10-2011, 08:50 PM   #16
roders
Second Lieutenant
Australia
37
Rep
299
Posts

Drives: BMW X3 3.0D MSport F25
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Perth, WA, Australia

iTrader: (0)

Just had a play with the loan 123d which came with the paddles. They are fun, but the car's Auto keeps putting it back to D even when you dont want it to.
Wish you could have them perminatley in paddle mode and then have to option to switch back to auto D mode when you want. I know this is how the Mitsubishi Evolution X's work.....would be great in a BMW too
Appreciate 0
      04-10-2011, 09:29 PM   #17
ecnirp
Enlisted Member
Australia
2
Rep
44
Posts

Drives: .
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Melbourne

iTrader: (0)

You need to move the shifter to the right to permanently engage sport mode, otherwise it will revert back to normal drive mode a little while after engaging either of the paddles.

Last edited by ecnirp; 04-11-2011 at 01:01 AM..
Appreciate 0
      04-10-2011, 09:56 PM   #18
roders
Second Lieutenant
Australia
37
Rep
299
Posts

Drives: BMW X3 3.0D MSport F25
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Perth, WA, Australia

iTrader: (0)

Ah that makes sense...will have to have more of a play tonight.
Appreciate 0
Post Reply

Bookmarks

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 03:59 AM.




xbimmers
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
1Addicts.com, BIMMERPOST.com, E90Post.com, F30Post.com, M3Post.com, ZPost.com, 5Post.com, 6Post.com, 7Post.com, XBimmers.com logo and trademark are properties of BIMMERPOST