Paddle Shifters.....not for Australia? - XBimmers

roders · 04-09-2011, 07:12 PM

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......

aussiem3 · 04-09-2011, 09:36 PM

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.

roders · 04-09-2011, 10:10 PM

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?

smarm · 04-10-2011, 01:47 AM

How do we know it's the ADR? My current BMW has them.

VikingOne · 04-10-2011, 05:39 AM

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

acey81 · 04-10-2011, 05:56 AM

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.

Nahoa · 04-10-2011, 07:22 AM

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!

BIMMER UK 76 · 04-10-2011, 07:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VikingOne

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

Correct

roders · 04-10-2011, 08:44 AM

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

Filski · 04-10-2011, 08:55 AM

Have used them in the x1, not worth it on a diesel, especially an 8 speed.

ecnirp · 04-10-2011, 09:17 AM

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

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

Quote:

Originally Posted by acey81

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

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 !

MA78 · 04-10-2011, 10:08 AM

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.

kozzi · 04-10-2011, 10:26 AM

+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.

aussiem3 · 04-10-2011, 03:56 PM

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.

Nahoa · 04-10-2011, 08:13 PM

Hmmm, thanks for that above. May have to give the paddles another whirl and see what fun can be had!

roders · 04-10-2011, 08:50 PM

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

ecnirp · 04-10-2011, 09:29 PM

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.

roders · 04-10-2011, 09:56 PM

Ah that makes sense...will have to have more of a play tonight.

04-09-2011, 07:12 PM	#1
roders Second Lieutenant Drives: BMW X3 3.0D MSport F25 Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Perth, WA, Australia Posts: 207 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......
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04-09-2011, 09:36 PM	#2
aussiem3 Captain Drives: '07 E92 M3/'11 F25 X3 3.0D Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Down Under Posts: 758 iTrader: (0)	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. __________________ 2007 E92 6MT - Silverstone II with Extended Black and /// Performance Exhaust and BPM Sport Tune 2011 F25 X3 3.0d

04-10-2011, 05:39 AM	#5
VikingOne Private First Class Drives: BMW X3 2.0D SE Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Wokingham, UK Posts: 165 iTrader: (0)	Don't think they are an option for the UK either. __________________ UK Order 10 Feb 2011 - picked up 30th Sept 2011

04-10-2011, 07:22 AM	#7
Nahoa Lieutenant Colonel Drives: F25 35i Mineral Silver/Black Join Date: May 2008 Location: Virginia Posts: 1,853 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! __________________

04-10-2011, 10:26 AM	#13
kozzi Pygocentrus Piraya Drives: 2011 BMW X3 35i Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Brooklyn, NY Posts: 137 iTrader: (0)	+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 2011 BMW F25 35i Deep Sea Blue Metallic/Nevada Mojave/Brushed Aluminum/SAP/DHP/309 Run-Flats

04-09-2011, 10:10 PM	#3
roders Second Lieutenant Drives: BMW X3 3.0D MSport F25 Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Perth, WA, Australia Posts: 207 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?

04-10-2011, 05:56 AM	#6
acey81 Private First Class Drives: F25 on order Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Stockholm, Sweden Posts: 184 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.

04-10-2011, 08:44 AM	#9
roders Second Lieutenant Drives: BMW X3 3.0D MSport F25 Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Perth, WA, Australia Posts: 207 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

04-10-2011, 08:55 AM	#10
Filski Private Drives: None Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Australia Posts: 86 iTrader: (0)	Have used them in the x1, not worth it on a diesel, especially an 8 speed.

04-10-2011, 10:08 AM	#12
MA78 TK-421 Drives: 2011 X3 35i Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Portland, OR Posts: 610 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.

04-10-2011, 03:56 PM	#14
aussiem3 Captain Drives: '07 E92 M3/'11 F25 X3 3.0D Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Down Under Posts: 758 iTrader: (0)	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. __________________ 2007 E92 6MT - Silverstone II with Extended Black and /// Performance Exhaust and BPM Sport Tune 2011 F25 X3 3.0d

04-10-2011, 08:13 PM	#15
Nahoa Lieutenant Colonel Drives: F25 35i Mineral Silver/Black Join Date: May 2008 Location: Virginia Posts: 1,853 iTrader: (0)	Hmmm, thanks for that above. May have to give the paddles another whirl and see what fun can be had! __________________

04-10-2011, 08:50 PM	#16
roders Second Lieutenant Drives: BMW X3 3.0D MSport F25 Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Perth, WA, Australia Posts: 207 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

04-10-2011, 09:29 PM	#17
ecnirp Enlisted Member Drives: . Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Melbourne Posts: 44 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.

04-10-2011, 09:56 PM	#18
roders Second Lieutenant Drives: BMW X3 3.0D MSport F25 Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Perth, WA, Australia Posts: 207 iTrader: (0)	Ah that makes sense...will have to have more of a play tonight.

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