[Houston 328i]

so i have the 2008 328i sport and premium package. it has paddle shifters but i was wondering why they don't let me down shift? i can only up shift with the paddles and have to use the knob to down shift. anyone have any idea why BMW would do this?

[FL335]

Are they the push/pull paddles? So you push one of them…left and right both work the same..to down shift and pull either to upshift..

[kdbryce]

Originally Posted by FL335

Are they the push/pull paddles? So you push one of them…left and right both work the same..to down shift and pull either to upshift..

+1

pull to shift up, push to shift down

they didn't switch to traditional paddles until 2010 or 11

I had those before... stupid design if you ask me

[Houston 328i]

wow i feel really dumb now haha i don't know why i never tried that before. thanks guys

[FL335]

Originally Posted by Houston 328i

wow i feel really dumb now haha i don't know why i never tried that before. thanks guys

All good…it's kind of a goofy set up. Enjoy them!

[SSW]

Yeah, they're there BUT, if you try to use them to shift like a manual at around 5k rpm, near where the top of the power band is supposed to be, you'll get a lot of jerking and very rough shifts AND don't even try to downshift above 3k or you put a hell of a lot of strain on your tranny and will probably break something eventually, if you keep trying to do it.

In my experience, you can only use the paddles to shift smoothly at around 2.5-3k rpm (up or down) where the auto tranny will shift by itself anyway. So, after trying it a couple of times, I don't even bother trying to use the paddles anymore and just go to DS if I want the car to shift a little more aggressively than it does in D.

[derrick603]

Originally Posted by kdbryce

+1

pull to shift up, push to shift down

they didn't switch to traditional paddles until 2010 or 11

I had those before... stupid design if you ask me

Maybe I'm the only one who feels this way, but coming from an MT, I like the push/pull arrangement for paddle shifting. Shifting with my left hand just feels weird.

[ezmaass]

Originally Posted by swingshiftworker

Yeah, they're there BUT, if you try to use them to shift like a manual at around 5k rpm, near where the top of the power band is supposed to be, you'll get a lot of jerking and very rough shifts AND don't even try to downshift above 3k or you put a hell of a lot of strain on your tranny and will probably break something eventually, if you keep trying to do it.

In my experience, you can only use the paddles to shift smoothly at around 2.5-3k rpm (up or down) where the auto tranny will shift by itself anyway. So, after trying it a couple of times, I don't even bother trying to use the paddles anymore and just go to DS if I want the car to shift a little more aggressively than it does in D.

I don't know about that... I've used the paddles during very spirited driving, shifting in the higher RPMs - buttery smooth. Granted you need to watch downshifts, but if you're doing it while getting on the gas it feels pretty good - not jerky or anything?

[SSW]

Originally Posted by ezmaass

I don't know about that... I've used the paddles during very spirited driving, shifting in the higher RPMs - buttery smooth. Granted you need to watch downshifts, but if you're doing it while getting on the gas it feels pretty good - not jerky or anything?

Maybe something wrong w/ or peculiar to the AT in my car BUT I know how to drive a stick (in cars, trucks -- including double clutching big rigs -- and motorcycles) and I can't shift the AT in my 335i smoothly at max revs w/the paddles like it's a "real" MT.

Tried it, didn't like it and I don't want to break anything. So, I'm not going to try it anymore. If I really wanted a 335i MT, I would have bought one and, FWIW, I've still got my little Toyota MR2 Spyder and my Kawaskai Concours to get my "shift" on.

[kdbryce]

Originally Posted by derrick603

Maybe I'm the only one who feels this way, but coming from an MT, I like the push/pull arrangement for paddle shifting. Shifting with my left hand just feels weird.

True. My brother has this set up and it really isn't that bad shifting with one hand. It's just frustrating to consider that one wouldn't assume it's the proper set up

[BOTUS]

Originally Posted by swingshiftworker

Yeah, they're there BUT, if you try to use them to shift like a manual at around 5k rpm, near where the top of the power band is supposed to be, you'll get a lot of jerking and very rough shifts AND don't even try to downshift above 3k or you put a hell of a lot of strain on your tranny and will probably break something eventually, if you keep trying to do it.

In my experience, you can only use the paddles to shift smoothly at around 2.5-3k rpm (up or down) where the auto tranny will shift by itself anyway. So, after trying it a couple of times, I don't even bother trying to use the paddles anymore and just go to DS if I want the car to shift a little more aggressively than it does in D.

what you have written is inaccurate

the electronics and mechanicals do the gear changing... (within the limitations of original tolerances and subsequent wear and tear on a specific vehicle). The most worrying mechanical damage is likely to be caused by the original software that's a disaster zone. Get the integration (car firmware) updated and its very likely to transform the quality and when it changes. I'd also get the geabox oil and filter changed by 60,000 miles if you want to look after your car.

Now the paddles... your requests (via the paddles) are all well within safety limits set within the software ... you can't cause any more abuse than its set up to do to itself with manual or auto changes anyway.

According to transmission specialists a hard change is actually kinder to the transmission... "tie down" where slow smooth changes actually engage two gears at the same time is much worse. At high rev, high power shifts I think the box makes for a harder change for this very reason.

Shifting manually at the right revs (for normal driving) makes for a better drive because the stock software's such a joke. And by letting it shift down on its own (in manual mode), over the top engine braking is avoided meaning you don't need to play with the throttle to stop your neck jerking around like an idiot




now where's the bit about getting trim off so you can rewire the left paddle so its the right way round....(like later BMW's)
[EDIT]

as Sparky66 says here http://www.e90post.com/forums/showth...37#post6667937

Do not touch the airbag, (I also left battery connected, with ignition off I'm only touching wires for the left paddle). On the steering wheel at the back of each spoke is a T15 torx screw, undo the three screws (and leave in place) and gently manipulate the trim with the steering wheel buttons from around the airbag. (it was cold and very tight around the airbag but with some silicone and a blunt small driver I eased it off enough to reach the left hand multiplug

Now, disconnect the left multiplug that looks like its the wires for the switches rather than the paddels (it just pulls off towards the centre of the column). Tease the multiplug apart to allow access to put a small driver to release connector pins and transpose two of the three wires leaving middle wire untouched. Snap mulitplug back together, plug back in and refit the trim. Not the 10 mins others say, but 30mins and the car is transformed.

I recco every driver with paddles does this mod ASAP

[SSW]

Originally Posted by BOTUS

the electronics and mechanicals do the gear changing... (within the limitations of original tolerances and subsequent wear and tear on a specific vehicle). The most worrying mechanical damage is likely to be caused by the original software that's a disaster zone. Get the integration (car firmware) updated and its very likely to transform the quality and when it changes.

Thanks for the response and the DIY fix for the problem I described BUT . . .

ALL of the problems that I was having trying to shift with the paddles in Manual Mode have now been SOLVED with the installation of the Alpina B3 AT flash in my car yesterday.

The Alpina flash really ROCKS! The automatic shifting is noticeably "better" in D and DS but paddle shifting is now absolutely TRANSFORMED in Manual Mode. I can rev & shift up to redline and the program will almost perfectly match the engine/trans speeds so that the shifts (both up and down) are almost totally smooth.

There is still some abruptness in the shift changes when upshifting but the flash is SUPERB in matching engine & transmission speeds when downshifting resulting very smooth downshifts, even when aggressively shifting from a lower rev band in a higher gear to a much higher rev band in a lower gear. No more jerking, no more shift lag and no more sounds of excessive engine strain while downshifting. The car now drives almost like a "real" MT when in Manual Mode, even though it's "just" an AT.

I am VERY, VERY happy!!!!

[BOTUS]

so does the Alpina flash reverse the left paddles incorrect operation ?

[SSW]

Originally Posted by BOTUS

so does the Alpina flash reverse the left paddles incorrect operation ?

I don't think the Alpina flash changes how the paddles work but, frankly, I've never tried using the left paddle.

I just use the right one. I push "down" on upper portion on top of the steering wheel to downshift and push "up" on the lower portion below the steering wheel to upshift. Don't have to worry about 2 hand positions on the wheel -- only one -- which is simpler and works fine for me.

Never thought about trying to use both of them -- one up and one down? Will try it to see how it works for me and will update this post w/my findings.

Update:

Just took a drive around the block to check this out.

Both paddles work the same. So, the Alpina flash doesn't affect that and I now understand what the DIY wiring suggestion is all about, BUT it's too difficult for me to try to use both paddles in tandem (one up and one down), especially when turning the steering wheel frequently. Easier for me just to use the right paddle only (which is my "normal" shift hand) as described above.

I guess if I lived in England or Japan, it would then make for sense to just use the left one. LOL!

[Benedict1957]

The push/pull setup is a little non-intuitive to me as well. I prefer left/right.

[BOTUS]

Originally Posted by Benedict1957

The push/pull setup is a little non-intuitive to me as well. I prefer left/right.

left right is the normal way..

Originally Posted by swingshiftworker

Both paddles work the same. So, the Alpine flash doesn't affect that and I now understand what the DIY wiring suggestion is all about, BUT it's too difficult for me to try to use both paddles in tandem (one up and one down), especially when turning the steering wheel frequently. Easier for me just to use the right paddle only (which is my "normal" shift hand) as described above.

I guess if I lived in England or Japan, it would then make for sense to just use the left one. LOL!

or Australia, New Zealand, a lot of Southern Africa, India, Ireland, and don't forget the last country to change moved to the correct left side of the road) :-) http://www.worldstandards.eu/cars/li...ing-countries/

The whole point of swapping just the left paddle wiring (as I mentioned in my post above), by reversing two connections and leaving middle one alone, is that right paddle continues to work as you are using it, and the left still retains a push and pull element so it too can change in either direction up or down the box... but by sorting the wires out the left paddle now operates in the "normal" intuitive fashion the majority of car manufacturers are now using.


Before I fixed it, I've been pulling left lever and wondering why it didn't respond... Subconsciously it didn't occur to me to try and use it any other way round. When nothing happens you start thinking its broken. Or maybe is not in manual so you look at the gear lever then you try again... by this time its changes down itself so you don't need it, 5 mins later same process again and after scratching your head you work out that BMW got it wrong. In frustration I put it back in auto, coz I'm not going to try and learn to use it the wrong way round. Next drive another deja vu moment, then you spot even BM have put it right in current cars and its time to research how to fix it.

and don't forget F1's been like that forever, as have Ferrari, Lamborghini and now Porsche moved to this correct way round for this year I believe, (had always had push buttons before),

What's clear to me is they should NOT be attached to the wheel. I want the paddle so I can change with the steering wheel in any position, I don't want to be trying to work out where the paddle is... which is why proper cars have them mounted statically on the column not wobbling about where each time its not where you want it.

[SSW]

Originally Posted by BOTUS

What's clear to me is they should NOT be attached to the wheel. I want the paddle so I can change with the steering wheel in any position, I don't want to be trying to work out where the paddle is... which is why proper cars have them mounted statically on the column not wobbling about where each time its not where you want it.

+1

[SSW]

Originally Posted by Benedict1957

The push/pull setup is a little non-intuitive to me as well. I prefer left/right.

For me the "push/pull" is more intuitive because in my mind push (down)=downshift and pull (up)=upshift. If I were to switch the connectors to make the left paddle push (down)=upshift and pull (up)=downshift, so that you could have a left/right "pull/pull only" orientation, it would just mess me up, particularly trying to make use of both paddles to up/down shift, when the paddles are rotating around while turning.

BUT if, as Botus (and I) would prefer, the paddles were mounted separately on the steering column, the position of the paddles would never change and you'd only use the left paddle to downshift and the right paddle to upshift and there then would be no question of which paddle to to use and no difficulty in reaching either of the paddles to shift up/down while going straight or while turning.

[SHEEDI]

i like old paddles, you need one hand to down or up shift, while new shifter -/+, you both hands to up/downshift

[BOTUS]

top gear just tested one of these....

clearly shows the need (and its got) paddles static on column, multiple shifts where wheel on slight angle and his hand where u expect and him changing with ease

[SSW]

LOL! Who needs paddles?

I was out for a Sunday morning drive today and, when I hit some twisties for the 1st time w/the Cobb Stage 1+FMIC ST Sport map and the Alpina AT flash installed, I just put it in M3 and really didn't have to shift at all.

I did shift to M2 and M4 on occasion but I could have just left it in M3 most of the time. Great torque and speed range in that gear for the twisties and when I was done having "fun," I just put it back in DS and let the AT do all the "work."

OBTW, I don't know if I could do it before but, after my AT flash, I can now just shift between gears in Manual Mode using the shifter. It's much easier than using the paddles and actually makes the paddles superfluous!

[BOTUS]

Originally Posted by SSW

OBTW, I don't know if I could do it before but, after my AT flash, I can now just shift between gears in Manual Mode using the shifter. It's much easier than using the paddles and actually makes the paddles superfluous!

gear knob always works if you move left to AS mode and then move lever back and forth (this put it into manual mode),

the quality of the gear leaver change is far more rewarding than using the paddles (as they are just cheap and nasty feeling in comparison)

On my 335d it also NEVER uses first and the car is far better without it -
pulls away smoother, less noise, less vibration and possibly faster. Makes you wonder what retard put such a stupidly short first gear in the car as its better off without it.