MRV99

Try this.... Mash the gas and when close to red line push forward... run to a corner in STEP mode and mash the breaks.... you will find the momentum of the body will be in step with the shifter....

Rudy

I still think your whole argument hinges on a couple of thin premises -- that of "starting out" and that a the movement of a tiptronic style shift lever is supposed to "simulate a typical manual" (tiptronics simulate manuals in the way they offer manual shifting, not in how the actual shifter moves).

I think you'll find it interesting that many manual transmissions, years ago, did, in fact have 1st gear on the lower left. Older 3-speed manual transmissions and even some 5-speed transmissions had this configuration. (I actually learned to drive on an antique car that had only 3 speeds using the standard "H" pattern with reverse in the top right position. )
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manual_transmission

Not so long ago, Mercedes used a left/right arrangement (rather than forward/backward) for their manual shift mode (can't remember if they changed it yet or if it's still that way today.) Our 2008 Chrysler Town and Country has a left/right manual mode arrangement too... Talk about not being intuitive!

As you said, there's really no "right" way to set things any of these things up and yes, intuitiveness can vary between designs and/or people. My whole point in this debate is that I don't think there's really any logical connection between the shift lever movements of a "tiptronic" style automatic and a traditional manual.

As far as I'm concerned (and I think we'll have to agree to disagree on this one), the most intuitive way to set up an SMG or tiptronic style shift lever is to do it exactly the way BMW currently does it. It's all about G-forces on your body. If the shift lever direction matches that of the G-force your body is undergoing during acceleration and braking, it's quite intuitive to move the lever in the same direction as your body is moving. That's precisely why they do it that way in race cars (much higher G-forces) and it makes sense to design it this way on our cars as well. It clearly shows BMW's understanding of not only racing but also it's customer (who's usually more racing oriented or, at the very least, a driving enthusiast.) If you want to have some fun, take a look at this awesome video of a guy racing a BMW with a sequential transmission. While you watch it, try to imagine the G-forces that the driver is experiencing -- especially during the downshifts under heavy braking. http://www.supercarchallenge.nl/video/Assen-bmwSTW.wmv

As far as the steering wheel paddle arrangement -- for years now I've been an advocate of the arrangement that BMW puts on it's non-M cars. Traditionally, race cars have the left-side downshift and the right-side upshift configuration but I think that it really isn't as intuitive as the "fingers upshift" and "thumbs downshift" configuration that BMW gives us non-M guys. Why? Because with the fingers/thumbs arrangement, you never have to think about what paddle you're touching (in case the wheel is turned) so you can shift up or down with either hand (helpful during times when you might be using one hand to adjust the iDrive controller, etc.) Also.......wait for it.......the paddles move in the exact same direction as the shift lever (forward to downshift, rearward to upshift) which, overall, offers the most intuitive experience! I really believe this push/pull configuration is something that even race cars should adopt -- I think the only reason they're setup differently is due to the "that's the way we've always done it so we're not going to change it now" mentality. The only other reason I can think of is that it's less complex to use a left/right paddle set up because there are less micro-switches to fail, etc. (Keep in mind that in the push/pull way, if a micro-switch fails during a race, the driver might still be able to shift up or down using the other paddle!)

I think it all comes down to individual experiences. If you're used to driving a car that has a push upshift, pull downshift arrangement, then BMWs are going to feel odd at first. Obviously, it's all about what you're accustomed to but I will say that it doesn't take long to get used to things (no matter which way) and before you know it, if feels intuitive and natural...

barry325

Wonder how many hotties are the cause of blown engines? As soon as my car is warmed up, it stays in sport mode - every time I'm in it. I usually don't shift it manually, but sometimes I do just to mess around, then back to sport mode.

Barry

advancedlogic

Had to dig up this old thread...Hey Rudy, I finally mastered it LMAO!!!

Cricketts

Part of BMW's heritage is the production of Airplane engines. the shift function in there cars is a carry Over from those days. " Push the stick forward to go down, pull it back to go up"
It does seem to be counter intuitive and I have trouble going in the correct direction.

AchtungE60

I don't think BMW ever changed it actually. I remember my 2001 E46 being this way and also the E39 too. The 99 E46 Auto didn't even have it. See...........