E60 M5 Discussion The almighty M5. Have you seen one today?

SMG shifting

Old Dec 5, 2008 | 05:43 AM
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Do those of you with the SMG in your M5 tend to use the paddles on the wheel more often to change gears, or the shift lever itself?

When driving the new M3 with the DCT recently, I found using the shift lever itself seemed more convenient.

I presume the concept between the SMG and the DCT is fairly similar, so I just wondered.
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Old Dec 5, 2008 | 05:51 AM
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I use the shift lever most of the time on my 530i.
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Old Dec 5, 2008 | 05:58 AM
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I use a combination of both -- not sure why -- whatever comes naturally based on where my hands are, etc.
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Old Dec 5, 2008 | 06:08 AM
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+1

Originally Posted by Rudy' post='738567' date='Dec 5 2008, 08:58 AM
I use a combination of both -- not sure why -- whatever comes naturally based on where my hands are, etc.
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Old Dec 5, 2008 | 07:06 AM
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Combination of both really,
Normal driving about i just stick it into drive and keep the sensitivity to two bars, then when i get on to the back roads i hit the m-button and switch onto the paddles!
The roads here in N.Ireland are some of the best twistys in the world! In my opinion of course!
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Old Dec 5, 2008 | 07:23 AM
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I almost always use the paddles when in M mode, but when i'm driving normally on normal roads and around town, it's in Auto and S2!! Tend to use Auto and S1 on the motorways though. Not sure why. Just think it feels a little smoother.
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Old Dec 5, 2008 | 07:36 AM
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I can honestly say I've never used the shift lever, except to move it between D and S. I use D1/400 in heavy traffic (which makes the box change down to 2nd when stopped rather than 1st, handy for avoiding rear-ending whoever is in front), D4/500 when pootling about, S5/500 using paddles whenever the road opens out.
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Old Dec 5, 2008 | 07:39 AM
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Originally Posted by Jon M5' post='738646' date='Dec 5 2008, 04:23 PM
I almost always use the paddles when in M mode, but when i'm driving normally on normal roads and around town, it's in Auto and S2!! Tend to use Auto and S1 on the motorways though. Not sure why. Just think it feels a little smoother.
Do you mean Auto and D2?
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Old Dec 5, 2008 | 10:25 AM
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Possibly! I thought it was called S 1-6 no matter whether you were in Auto or SMG! If i'm wrong, then yes i mean D2
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Old Dec 5, 2008 | 11:07 AM
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If I'm driving lazy and have one arm resting on the console arm rest, then I'll use the lever. If I've driving spirited, I'll use the paddles. I also use the lever if I need to shift to second on a turn from a stoplight into a large sweeping left or right through a big intersection since the wheel is at such an angle that the paddles to shift is not easily accessible.
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