[rondocap]

There seem to be a lot of different packages on the x3, which year and package give you paddle shifters?

Same question for the x5...

[BeeMdblU]

you get it with the M-package

[02420X3]

You also got the paddles with the Sports Activity Package (ZAP) in 2011 - 2013. ZAP is not available in 2014. Basically, anything that includes the Sports Automatic Transmission includes the paddles. I can only speak personally for 2011, but 2TB was the Sports Automatic Transmission with Shift Paddles, and 2XA was the Sports Leather Steering Wheel with Paddles.

[rondocap]

Thanks - anyway it seems pretty rare. I have barely seen any X3s with paddles, especially 2011 or 2012.

[Amber]

when you slam on the brakes for an emergency stop, the radio shuts off automatically.
Less confusion is much better.

[boogysbmw]

Originally Posted by 02420X3

You also got the paddles with the Sports Activity Package (ZAP) in 2011 - 2013. ZAP is not available in 2014. Basically, anything that includes the Sports Automatic Transmission includes the paddles. I can only speak personally for 2011, but 2TB was the Sports Automatic Transmission with Shift Paddles, and 2XA was the Sports Leather Steering Wheel with Paddles.

Not true. I have the sport activity package and I don't have paddles. I have a 2013 model. I believe you have to go M-sport or just add it as an accessory option when building

[RhoXS]

All my primary drivers since 1974 have been small, mostly two seaters with manual transmissions. I enjoy the feel and the sound of shifting gears and especially enjoy the thrill of a fast down shift and then immediate full throttle acceleration. I even like the sound and feel of using the transmission as a supplement to the brakes. I have never driven an automatic, no matter how well performing, that is able to duplicate the sensory feedback that comes with manually shifting gears and using a clutch. I even once avoided buying a BMW with the SMG transmission for this reason. I drove my brothers M5 a few times and the SMG (actually whatever they call in recent years) just did not provide the fun a real human shifted manual does.

My SUVs have all been automatics as, of course, will the 2011 CPO X3 I am taking delivery on in a few days. My X3 will have the M package so it will have paddles. I am just not sure I understand why I would ever want to use the paddles in a relatively big vehicle like an SUV. I dont mean to sound naive but I would like to better understand what useful purpose the paddles have when the transmission can very competently shift itself under almost all driving regimes.

[ADRQ0811]

We have a very early build 2013 x3 msport and it doesn't have paddles I think you have to add that or it might have became standard with msport later on in the year I thought I read that some where but I could be wrong

[KrisNL]

The paddles are standard with M Sport, but you also have an option (well in Europe) ordering the M Sport steering wheel with paddles if you don't take the M Sport package.

[buze]

I personally don't understand the paddles on the wheel. Most of the time, if you want to manually downshift, you're in the later part of a curve ready to reaccelerate, and my hands on the wheel are /nowhere/ near their resting position on the wheel, making the paddle totally useless. If they were on the steering column that'd be different.

Mind you, it also applies to the other controls, the phone ones comes to mind often. Everyday I try to turn into my work parking while calling the gate so it opens itself, and bitch about whomever decided to put that control on the wheel.

[richard in NC]

Originally Posted by buze

I personally don't understand the paddles on the wheel. Most of the time, if you want to manually downshift, you're in the later part of a curve ready to reaccelerate, and my hands on the wheel are /nowhere/ near their resting position on the wheel, making the paddle totally useless. If they were on the steering column that'd be different.

Mind you, it also applies to the other controls, the phone ones comes to mind often. Everyday I try to turn into my work parking while calling the gate so it opens itself, and bitch about whomever decided to put that control on the wheel.

I have the paddles on my '13 35i MSport and use them fairly often.
On a race track, one must downshift before turning in. Even if you are VERY good with heel and toe, shifting in a turn with a manual rapidly changes the available torque and upsets the balance of the car. Not good when at the limit. Hence I have always downshifted before a turn even on a twisty back road. I only use the shifter when in manual mode on the street, accelerating from a stop, often exiting a turn from a light.

Granted the paddles are not the same as a manual and the street is not a track but even the X3 auto in full sport mode shifts quicker and more smoothly than most persons can do with a manual. Whereas the M-DCT is better/faster than most professionals.

Lastly I have used paddles with several BMWs (550i, Z4, 335is, no X3 so far) on the Tail of the Dragon. With 318 curves, you are constantly shifting to stay in the power curve. 2nd in the corners and 3rd on the straights. Up and down constantly with often only a few seconds in a gear. Rarely is a person wanting to do that with a manual. Here is one I can recall, an incredible video of Hans Stuck on the Nurburgring. Notice, never a downshift in a turn. Turn it up! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q-tuGOb0p0s

[ReturnZero]

I use the paddles quite a bit, when I want to go quickly from a turn I would downshift before the turn as stated above so the turn itself is smoother and the acceleration is smoother afterwards. Plus I use them quite a bit for engine braking when slowing down.

[colson79]

Originally Posted by boogysbmw

Not true. I have the sport activity package and I don't have paddles. I have a 2013 model. I believe you have to go M-sport or just add it as an accessory option when building

They must have stopped in 2013 then, I have a 2012 with SAP and I have the paddle shifters.

[CatFlap]

Originally Posted by rondocap

Thanks - anyway it seems pretty rare. I have barely seen any X3s with paddles, especially 2011 or 2012.

I took delivery if my X3 3.0d M-Sport in October 2012 and was told it was one of the first I the UK to have paddles 'as standard'. This may explain why you haven't seen many 2011-12 with them.

[Teemo Panda]

Just to make this simple since your guys are complicating things

-28i 2011-2013 (thru May Build) wont have the paddle shifters, even with Sport Activity Pkg or Msport

-28i 2013 (Aug Build +++) will have Shifters only with M-Sport

-35i 2011 (+++ regardless of build dates) will have shifters if you opted for Sport Activity Pkg or Msport

[kozzi]

I love my paddles!!! In 2011, the Msport package was not available until after April-May. The sad thing to see go on the X3 with SAP was the staggered setup.