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      01-16-2010, 05:45 PM   #1
Memphis1
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new paddles for 2011

the 3 series receive the correct up on right, down on left paddles.... hopefully i can get my hands on a par to retrofit on my Zed.
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      01-16-2010, 06:43 PM   #2
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Originally Posted by memphis2012 View Post
the 3 series receive the correct up on right, down on left paddles.... hopefully i can get my hands on a par to retrofit on my Zed.
you know, Im starting to like the paddles the way they are. Especially since someone mentioned how fast you can do a double shift down by pressing the two thumb buttons just a slight moment apart. It immediately drops down two gears. I tried it when he mentioned it and it works great.
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      01-16-2010, 06:53 PM   #3
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i still don't like them, maybe the gamer generation (read "young") have faster thumbs than non gamers (read "old folks") hehe... j/k
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      01-17-2010, 04:51 AM   #4
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Originally Posted by alan64 View Post
you know, Im starting to like the paddles the way they are. Especially since someone mentioned how fast you can do a double shift down by pressing the two thumb buttons just a slight moment apart. It immediately drops down two gears. I tried it when he mentioned it and it works great.
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      01-17-2010, 05:49 AM   #5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by memphis2012 View Post
i still don't like them, maybe the gamer generation (read "young") have faster thumbs than non gamers (read "old folks") hehe... j/k
yep, you're right , I'm just 46 so the double thumb downshifting is perfect for me, but can you get out of the car easy at your age ?
;-)
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      01-17-2010, 10:15 AM   #6
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yep, you're right , I'm just 46 so the double thumb downshifting is perfect for me, but can you get out of the car easy at your age ?
;-)
I am 57 and don't seem to have any issues with the double thumb downshift, however my getting out of the car does provide a lot of entertainment for by-standers, or it could be the florescent yellow knee pads that keep them in stitches.... and while I am aware that

don't expect any from this post
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      01-17-2010, 12:38 PM   #7
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I am 57 and don't seem to have any issues with the double thumb downshift,


Why you're still a baby I'm glad my new 35iS order will have the origional paddles, at my age (65) I need all the help I can get
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      01-17-2010, 01:15 PM   #8
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Hey, when you old farts catch your breath, help me out with a question, PLEASE (must show the proper respect to the elderly). BTW I'll be 54 this year.

Tell me, why would the new type work any different than the current Z paddles (apart from the obvious difference). Couldn't you double tap down shift the new ones, too?

I may be confused about what's different, but aren't we talking about the electronics behind that actual shift paddle and not the shift paddle itself?

Is it possible to retrofit the steering wheel from a 3 series to the Z? For some reason I got the impression BMW steering wheels were different for each model.

Signed, confused in So Ca.
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      01-17-2010, 04:23 PM   #9
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Hey, when you old farts catch your breath, help me out with a question, PLEASE (must show the proper respect to the elderly). BTW I'll be 54 this year.

Tell me, why would the new type work any different than the current Z paddles (apart from the obvious difference). Couldn't you double tap down shift the new ones, too?

I may be confused about what's different, but aren't we talking about the electronics behind that actual shift paddle and not the shift paddle itself?

Is it possible to retrofit the steering wheel from a 3 series to the Z? For some reason I got the impression BMW steering wheels were different for each model.

Signed, confused in So Ca.
I don't think there is any difference in the transmission, but the current Z4 paddles have 2 contacts per paddle, while the new ones only need a single contact per paddle. but with 2 paddles, both doing the same functions, you can hit the left thumb button to downshift and then the right button to down shift again, in really quick succession almost instantaneously. I don't think you can press one button twice in as short a period of time. the end effect with the current system is a downshift of 2 gears, which is instantaneous, I haven't been able to duplicate this using a single button, you always feel the intermediate gear engage before it drop tot he final gear.

I suspect the steering wheels are pretty much interchangeable [physically], but the buttons in the 3 series only push to activate [single contact], while the Z4 have a push and pull function with two contacts per switch so I suspect the wiring my be different, but at several grand I would have to say that a replacement is out of my league.
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      01-17-2010, 05:31 PM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by teagueAMX View Post
Hey, when you old farts catch your breath, help me out with a question, PLEASE (must show the proper respect to the elderly). BTW I'll be 54 this year.

Tell me, why would the new type work any different than the current Z paddles (apart from the obvious difference). Couldn't you double tap down shift the new ones, too?

I may be confused about what's different, but aren't we talking about the electronics behind that actual shift paddle and not the shift paddle itself?

Is it possible to retrofit the steering wheel from a 3 series to the Z? For some reason I got the impression BMW steering wheels were different for each model.

Signed, confused in So Ca.
sixty here. I figured I better buy the car before I got to the point that I couldnt fold myself getting into it. Im enjoying this car tremendously. I think the design and execution are just brilliant in every way. I really like the way the black on black looks with the aluminum trim accents in the car and on the steering wheel. This one will be kept for a long time and I have to say I like the paddles more and more the way they are as well as how nicely this car was built. I was contemplating a 370z for my roadster fix, but this car is just miles better in every way.
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      01-17-2010, 06:34 PM   #11
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just turned 30...i like the F1 aspect of the new paddles, but for me its manual all the way! just too engaging!
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      01-17-2010, 06:59 PM   #12
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I like the Z4 paddle arrangement. Being a lefty, I use my right hand all of the time for up and downshifts. It works well for the Z4 DCT and the 550i Sport Automatic. I would get really confused if the two cars were different.
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      01-18-2010, 07:56 AM   #13
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I like the Z4 setup as well. In my previous BMW, an M3 with SMG, I sometimes found myself searching for the right paddle when trying to make a shift while in a turn.

I'm 62 and a bit challenged getting in and out of car, tend to fall into the vehicle, but once in place it's sheer joy.
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      01-18-2010, 08:26 AM   #14
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I like the current Z4 set up; I sat in an M3 recently and also like those paddles - for me, the Z4's current set up is better
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      01-18-2010, 08:39 AM   #15
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It all depends on the sort of steering you've got. If it's very direct like in a racecar I think you're better off with the left-down/right-up pedals but if it's a normal setup like in our cars push-down/pull-up (l&r) are the better option. Best way to find out is to take a trip to the "Dragon Tale" and push your car to the limit...

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      01-18-2010, 11:03 AM   #16
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I tried an M6 with the same paddles and got confused as all heck but once I got into the Zed I got used to the paddle set up really quickly, I like them a lot.
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      01-18-2010, 04:51 PM   #17
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Quote:
Originally Posted by BarrowJon View Post
I like the Z4 setup as well. In my previous BMW, an M3 with SMG, I sometimes found myself searching for the right paddle when trying to make a shift while in a turn.

I'm 62 and a bit challenged getting in and out of car, tend to fall into the vehicle, but once in place it's sheer joy.
I find it much easier to push/pull the console lever in a turn rather than find the correct paddle when the wheel is turning. On my Maserati, the paddles (like Ferrari) are fixed and don't turn with the wheel. I'm not sure which is better but it may depend on how tight the turns are and when you want to shift.

You would think there would be a study done on this to figure out what is best. I figure for the vast majority of folks, the paddle shifters are just marketing.
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      01-18-2010, 06:22 PM   #18
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Originally Posted by Marc45 View Post
I find it much easier to push/pull the console lever in a turn rather than find the correct paddle when the wheel is turning. On my Maserati, the paddles (like Ferrari) are fixed and don't turn with the wheel. I'm not sure which is better but it may depend on how tight the turns are and when you want to shift.

You would think there would be a study done on this to figure out what is best. I figure for the vast majority of folks, the paddle shifters are just marketing.
I too use the gear shift when upshifting 1-2 when starting out in a turn.
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      01-18-2010, 07:34 PM   #19
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Quote:
Originally Posted by BarrowJon View Post
I like the Z4 setup as well. In my previous BMW, an M3 with SMG, I sometimes found myself searching for the right paddle when trying to make a shift while in a turn.

I'm 62 and a bit challenged getting in and out of car, tend to fall into the vehicle, but once in place it's sheer joy.
thats me for sure. I fall into the car and then swing my old legs in. Once inside it feels like im wearing a glove. I just love that feeling.
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      01-19-2010, 03:44 AM   #20
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i use the same method...fall in, it is easier...! what is really a joy however is when the co-driver (when a she) gets in out of the car...reveals a lot depending on the dress....
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      01-19-2010, 06:52 AM   #21
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Quote:
i use the same method...fall in, it is easier...! what is really a joy however is when the co-driver (when a she) gets in out of the car...reveals a lot depending on the dress....
But by time I manage to get out of car and back on my feet, show's over.
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      01-19-2010, 12:43 PM   #22
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you guys are funny... shouldn't you guys be all in Florida driving Deville's?
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