View Poll Results: How do you SMG?
Voters: 44. You may not vote on this poll
SMG Poll: Paddles or Stick?
#1
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2004 545i | SMG | White/Black | Sport | NAV | Logic 7 | PDC | Fold-down Seats | Adaptive Headlights | Cold Weather Pkg | Clear-again Bra | Mud Flaps | Bluetooth | Coat Hangar | Aux Input | All Weather Mats | 18"X8.5" BBS RK w/ Michelin Pilot Alpin's (winter) | New steering rack @ 1.2K & 17K miles| Software V.19.1 | B&B Exhaust (vrrrroooooommm!) <---Click.
I was driving today and wondered how others use their SMG.
I find that I'll use the paddles a fair amount but I seem to use the stick more often.
I find that I'll use the paddles a fair amount but I seem to use the stick more often.
#3
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You had the perfect answer for me -- "Some odd combination of both."
I swear to God that just this evening, before seeing this poll, I was thinking about this exact thing. I found myself using the stick and wondered why I was doing it. Then I found myself using the paddles later on. I started to be more aware of what I was doing and I realized that there's no method to my madness -- it's seems to be totally random -- I sometimes use the paddles and sometimes use the stick. I did discover that when both hands are on the wheel, I find that I use my right hand for both up and downshifting. (I was even thinking about how hard it will be to retrain myself if I ever end up getting an M5 with the different paddle setup...)
Thanks for reading my mind there realtyman! Scary, that's what it is...
I swear to God that just this evening, before seeing this poll, I was thinking about this exact thing. I found myself using the stick and wondered why I was doing it. Then I found myself using the paddles later on. I started to be more aware of what I was doing and I realized that there's no method to my madness -- it's seems to be totally random -- I sometimes use the paddles and sometimes use the stick. I did discover that when both hands are on the wheel, I find that I use my right hand for both up and downshifting. (I was even thinking about how hard it will be to retrain myself if I ever end up getting an M5 with the different paddle setup...)
Thanks for reading my mind there realtyman! Scary, that's what it is...
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My Ride: '05 545i - scheduled for ED pickup in Munich on 7/22!
about 90% paddles and 10% stick.
paddles always when driving hard.
stick when i'm in traffic and my shoulder is tired (sports seats not sporty enough) or feel like putting my arm in a different position to get the blood circulating...
paddles always when driving hard.
stick when i'm in traffic and my shoulder is tired (sports seats not sporty enough) or feel like putting my arm in a different position to get the blood circulating...
#5
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2004 545i | SMG | White/Black | Sport | NAV | Logic 7 | PDC | Fold-down Seats | Adaptive Headlights | Cold Weather Pkg | Clear-again Bra | Mud Flaps | Bluetooth | Coat Hangar | Aux Input | All Weather Mats | 18"X8.5" BBS RK w/ Michelin Pilot Alpin's (winter) | New steering rack @ 1.2K & 17K miles| Software V.19.1 | B&B Exhaust (vrrrroooooommm!) <---Click.
Originally Posted by Rudy' post='240908' date='Feb 15 2006, 10:01 PM
You had the perfect answer for me -- "Some odd combination of both."
I swear to God that just this evening, before seeing this poll, I was thinking about this exact thing. I found myself using the stick and wondered why I was doing it. Then I found myself using the paddles later on. I started to be more aware of what I was doing and I realized that there's no method to my madness -- it's seems to be totally random -- I sometimes use the paddles and sometimes use the stick. I did discover that when both hands are on the wheel, I find that I use my right hand for both up and downshifting. (I was even thinking about how hard it will be to retrain myself if I ever end up getting an M5 with the different paddle setup...)
Thanks for reading my mind there realtyman! Scary, that's what it is...
I swear to God that just this evening, before seeing this poll, I was thinking about this exact thing. I found myself using the stick and wondered why I was doing it. Then I found myself using the paddles later on. I started to be more aware of what I was doing and I realized that there's no method to my madness -- it's seems to be totally random -- I sometimes use the paddles and sometimes use the stick. I did discover that when both hands are on the wheel, I find that I use my right hand for both up and downshifting. (I was even thinking about how hard it will be to retrain myself if I ever end up getting an M5 with the different paddle setup...)
Thanks for reading my mind there realtyman! Scary, that's what it is...
BTW, has anyone noticed that when using the stick, you only need to push it very little in either direction to effect the gear change (in other words, you don't need to hit the stop for it to change).
That'll give you guys something to do tomorrow on your way to work.
Try to see how little you need to push the stick to get the gear to change.
#6
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My Ride: 2006 M5, Silver Grey, Silverstone Full Leather, Alumium trim, Active/Ventilated Comfort Seats, HUD, Comfort Access, Split Rear Seats, Rear Seat Heating, etc.
I've only had my e60 for two weeks, so I am still getting used to the SMG, after spending the last 3 years on a manual. I'm noticing that I still tend to drive with my left hand at the 12 o'clock position on the wheel, with my right hand on the gearshift. I'm trying to condition myself to revert back to the 10 and 2 positions, but it is slow going...until I do, I suspect I will still favor the stick over the paddles. Somehow, my body seems to anticipate (i.e., ignore) the car's momentary hestitation in shifting better when I implement it via the stick... some kind of residual sense memory from doing the whole engage clutch-shift-disenage clutch routine.
#7
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jdubbs, you're completely "normal" in how you're adjusting to the SMG.
I went through the exact same process as you seem to be going through and I suspect that the others that went from a traditional manual to an SMG did too.
I'll bet that after time, you'll be using the same "odd combination of both" as many of us are now...
I went through the exact same process as you seem to be going through and I suspect that the others that went from a traditional manual to an SMG did too.
I'll bet that after time, you'll be using the same "odd combination of both" as many of us are now...
#9
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My Ride: MY05 545i Jet Black with Auburn interior. SMG, Logic7, Sport Package, Comfort Seats, Navigation.
Around corners, or crawling in shopping center's parking lots, I always use the stick. It's hard to shift via paddles when you're turning the wheel.
#10
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My Ride: Now Driving a Freakin' Prius!
Was...
2004 545i | SMG | White/Black | Sport | NAV | Logic 7 | PDC | Fold-down Seats | Adaptive Headlights | Cold Weather Pkg | Clear-again Bra | Mud Flaps | Bluetooth | Coat Hangar | Aux Input | All Weather Mats | 18"X8.5" BBS RK w/ Michelin Pilot Alpin's (winter) | New steering rack @ 1.2K & 17K miles| Software V.19.1 | B&B Exhaust (vrrrroooooommm!) <---Click.
Originally Posted by JDN' post='241156' date='Feb 16 2006, 09:49 AM
Nah, he'll figure out that the efficiency of the paddles beats the stew out of the stick.