FiveThirtyI

I just want to know how many people in here like the new BMW Shift Lever? I just got an 08 535i and it's taking a little getting used to.

Silly video I just found on youtube:

Allen

Are you talking about the auto shifter or the manual shifter? I have the manual and really don't care to much for the look of the shifter. I'm really not a fan at all of any of this aluminum on the shifters and the steering wheel. Unfortunately, I didn't have a choice. I have black interior & black exterior and the aluminum is WAY to bright in such a subdued interior...I really wish I had NO aluminum trim in the car.

bmwfan05

When i saw it in the X5, i thought it looked stupid and confusing. After gettin a 5 and got the feel of it, i like it very much.

Rudy

Yes, it can take some getting used to but after a while, it becomes second nature and it's really a non-issue now...

Richard in NC

I like the fatter design of the Sport Automatic shifter. It did take a bit to get used to the direction for reverse. Now, it mostly seems second nature.

I have gotten lazy and let it go into park itself, even from sport mode. I sometimes now forget to put the X3 in park before shutting it off.

Slowhand11404

Now that i am used to it, I like it. Took a while....

beaker

The only problem I've had with mine is that it doesn't go from left (sport) back to center when I shut the car off, so when I start it up I have to move it right, down (to drive), then back left to sport.

I thought it used to go back to center when I shut down, but I could be remembering wrong. I always drive with it left, manual shift, with the "sport" button pushed. It would be nice if it remembered that.

Rudy

The lever is supposed to move back by itself but it's a fairly common issue -- at least among sport automatics...

I had one shifter replaced early on (it was also causing the car to not go to sleep mode) and my replacement unit, which worked fine for a while, has gone from not moving back once in a blue moon to not moving back fairly often (it isn't causing any issues with sleep mode at this time though...)

WEB60

I have the new SAT lever - I think it looks MUCH better than the standard auto lever on LCI ....suits the sporty nature of the car and aesthetically more pleasing than standard unit
which is a lot bigger...........and the various modes you get with Sport/Paddles/Manual/Steptronic - fantastic.

I have to agree with those of you who felt this a little weird .............3 weeks on still getting used to after my old steptronic (pre LCI) shifter.

Very worthwhile Option - Must have- especially since price is only ?95 over standard auto (530i - 550i )/ (?100 on 535d) which is not available with manual box....?

I think maybe BMW forgot a zero on the option prices for SAT, but not sure if it has some components which are actually easier or cheaper to manufacture than std unit

Does anyone know difference in mechanicals.......SAT vs AUTO std...?

littlemouse

I like it. Had a loaner for a week, and loved it from day one. looks cool, and a much smoother action than conventional auto sticks, in my opinion. Also like the way it automatically goes into park, once the ignition is off.