Paddle shifters

Marc45 · 01-12-2010, 12:44 PM

I was wondering what y'all thought of the paddle shifters. I find that upshifting is fine but downshifting is cumbersome. It takes too much force and sometimes my thumb slips off.

I have a Maserati with the F1 paddle shifters (pull left =down, pull right = up) and I like the action. I don't know if it's possible but I would like to have this kind of operation on the Z4. Pull left for down and pull right for up. If I'm turning the wheel a lot I'll go for the big shift lever on the console.

Also, what's with the console shift lever. I keep having to look at it to figure out which direction I'm going. I would think pull back = reverse but no it's the opposite. There must be some German logic there, hmmm.

Otherwise the car is perfect!

Rubber Ducky · 01-12-2010, 12:52 PM

It's a simple matter: there is only one correct configuration for paddles. And no one knows what it is. Some prospect of this topic replacing A/T vs stick in forum debates or run-flats vs non. Believe the best statement on the subject: YMMV.

Memphis1 · 01-12-2010, 01:03 PM

not sure what YMMV stands for, but you can get the M3 paddles, you have to plug them in a certain way(basically leaving the downshift out of the right plug and the upshift out of the left plug) so that the computer upshifts on the right and downshifts on the left.

Rubber Ducky · 01-12-2010, 01:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by memphis2012

not sure what YMMV stands for...

Your Mileage May Vary...

Memphis1 · 01-12-2010, 01:09 PM

oh. thx!

riccis · 01-12-2010, 02:26 PM

Seem to recall a thread somewhere where the poster said he had known someone on another bimmer (not a Z4) who had got his dealer to swap some wires (probably what memphis2012 was referring too?). Seem to remember that it involves taking the steering wheel apart or something.

Anyway, if someone does know how to do it, I would live to know as I too would love to have LEFT=down shift and RIGHT=up shift on the paddles.

Memphis1 · 01-12-2010, 02:58 PM

http://www.n54tech.com/forums/showthread.php?t=699

FYI, this was done on an 3 series, not sure if everything applies to our cars or even to our DCT

juhap · 01-12-2010, 03:05 PM

Maybe one day BMW will make the paddles configurable. It really shouldn't require more than a simple iDrive software update.

mrboon · 01-13-2010, 04:41 AM

I like the setup of the z4 paddles. It takes a little getting used to, but now you can change gear (up/down) with just one hand, and that can be very handy sometimes...

yabbanoname · 01-13-2010, 06:32 AM

When I ordered my car, I wanted my dealer to swap them for the M3 paddles. He was unsure about the fitment of these. Anyway , I got used to this setup now, and it's kindof ideal setup for "lazy" shifting. Like godius said: perfect for one hand shifts but also perfect for fast double downshifts (use both thumbs at almost the same time).
It would be nice however to have a software switch to enable/disable left/right hand shifting with the same paddles.

Vintage · 01-13-2010, 08:09 AM

I too like the paddle set up - I would prefer the M3 paddles but the Z4's are fine as is for me.

s2000jan · 01-13-2010, 08:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by yabbanoname

When I ordered my car, I wanted my dealer to swap them for the M3 paddles. He was unsure about the fitment of these. Anyway , I got used to this setup now, and it's kindof ideal setup for "lazy" shifting. Like godius said: perfect for one hand shifts but also perfect for fast double downshifts (use both thumbs at almost the same time).
It would be nice however to have a software switch to enable/disable left/right hand shifting with the same paddles.

good tip ! Will keep this in mind when I (hopefully) receive my Z4 ...

Marc45 · 01-14-2010, 01:34 PM

I don't have a problem with the paddle layout although I am used to having pull right upshift and pull left downshift but I can adapt. What I don't like is the downshift press is way too firm, to the point where my thumb slips off sometimes. It also has a cheap feel to it. I think I may do the wiring switch and disable the push downshift function.

01-12-2010, 12:44 PM	#1
Marc45 Private 5 Rep 70 Posts Drives: 2015 i8 Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Virginia iTrader: (0)	Paddle shifters I was wondering what y'all thought of the paddle shifters. I find that upshifting is fine but downshifting is cumbersome. It takes too much force and sometimes my thumb slips off. I have a Maserati with the F1 paddle shifters (pull left =down, pull right = up) and I like the action. I don't know if it's possible but I would like to have this kind of operation on the Z4. Pull left for down and pull right for up. If I'm turning the wheel a lot I'll go for the big shift lever on the console. Also, what's with the console shift lever. I keep having to look at it to figure out which direction I'm going. I would think pull back = reverse but no it's the opposite. There must be some German logic there, hmmm. Otherwise the car is perfect!
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01-12-2010, 12:52 PM	#2
Rubber Ducky Lieutenant 47 Rep 519 Posts Drives: 2020 M340i Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Cocoa Beach FL iTrader: (1)	It's a simple matter: there is only one correct configuration for paddles. And no one knows what it is. Some prospect of this topic replacing A/T vs stick in forum debates or run-flats vs non. Believe the best statement on the subject: YMMV.
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01-12-2010, 01:03 PM	#3
Memphis1 Lieutenant Colonel 90 Rep 1,838 Posts Drives: Z4 SDrive 35i Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: CT iTrader: (0)	not sure what YMMV stands for, but you can get the M3 paddles, you have to plug them in a certain way(basically leaving the downshift out of the right plug and the upshift out of the left plug) so that the computer upshifts on the right and downshifts on the left. __________________
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01-12-2010, 01:09 PM	#5
Memphis1 Lieutenant Colonel 90 Rep 1,838 Posts Drives: Z4 SDrive 35i Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: CT iTrader: (0)	oh. thx! __________________
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01-12-2010, 02:26 PM	#6
riccis Private First Class 11 Rep 176 Posts Drives: Z4 30i Auto Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: London iTrader: (0)	Seem to recall a thread somewhere where the poster said he had known someone on another bimmer (not a Z4) who had got his dealer to swap some wires (probably what memphis2012 was referring too?). Seem to remember that it involves taking the steering wheel apart or something. Anyway, if someone does know how to do it, I would live to know as I too would love to have LEFT=down shift and RIGHT=up shift on the paddles.
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01-12-2010, 02:58 PM	#7
Memphis1 Lieutenant Colonel 90 Rep 1,838 Posts Drives: Z4 SDrive 35i Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: CT iTrader: (0)	http://www.n54tech.com/forums/showthread.php?t=699 FYI, this was done on an 3 series, not sure if everything applies to our cars or even to our DCT __________________
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01-12-2010, 03:05 PM	#8
juhap Lieutenant 14 Rep 530 Posts Drives: sDrive35i Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Finland iTrader: (0)	Maybe one day BMW will make the paddles configurable. It really shouldn't require more than a simple iDrive software update.
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01-13-2010, 04:41 AM	#9
mrboon Lieutenant 76 Rep 561 Posts Drives: Speeeed Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: *** iTrader: (0)	I like the setup of the z4 paddles. It takes a little getting used to, but now you can change gear (up/down) with just one hand, and that can be very handy sometimes...
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01-13-2010, 06:32 AM	#10
yabbanoname Private First Class 3 Rep 115 Posts Drives: Z4 sDrive35i Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Antwerp iTrader: (0) Garage List 2009 Z4 sDrive35i [0.00]	When I ordered my car, I wanted my dealer to swap them for the M3 paddles. He was unsure about the fitment of these. Anyway , I got used to this setup now, and it's kindof ideal setup for "lazy" shifting. Like godius said: perfect for one hand shifts but also perfect for fast double downshifts (use both thumbs at almost the same time). It would be nice however to have a software switch to enable/disable left/right hand shifting with the same paddles. __________________ GrtZ Yo!
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01-13-2010, 08:09 AM	#11
Vintage Colonel 379 Rep 2,588 Posts Drives: BMW G80 (MT), 718 Spyder Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Austin, Texas iTrader: (0)	I too like the paddle set up - I would prefer the M3 paddles but the Z4's are fine as is for me.
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01-14-2010, 01:34 PM	#13
Marc45 Private 5 Rep 70 Posts Drives: 2015 i8 Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Virginia iTrader: (0)	I don't have a problem with the paddle layout although I am used to having pull right upshift and pull left downshift but I can adapt. What I don't like is the downshift press is way too firm, to the point where my thumb slips off sometimes. It also has a cheap feel to it. I think I may do the wiring switch and disable the push downshift function.
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