[ryanSTL]

I think I've got most of the 8AT sport transmission logic down. I know what the Sport to Sport+ selections do. I also know that versus the difference of pushing the gear lever to the left M/S position. (there is tons of misinformation by the way...)

My question is when I'm in Manual mode and using the paddles ... is there a way to go into Sport Auto mode without my hands leaving the wheel? or do I have to flip the gear lever to the right (to disable paddles) and then back to the left (to activate Sport Auto)?

Sometimes I'm in spirited driving with the paddles, and then either the nature of the road or traffic or both changes and I want to instantly switch to Sport Auto. maybe I'm missing something simple & obvious.

I have not read the manual yet, just thought i'd ask here.

[auf Deutsch]

gotta move the stick right (reverts to auto) then left (sport auto) [use paddles or up/down on stick to revert to manual]

The entire process takes a second or less.

[aacabriolet]

yeah quite irritating this... in the range rovers, you hold the paddle up (+) for a couple of seconds, and it reverts to normal D/DS from manual/paddle shift mode... much more elegant solution

[Mike_L]

Originally Posted by aacabriolet

yeah quite irritating this... in the range rovers, you hold the paddle up (+) for a couple of seconds, and it reverts to normal D/DS from manual/paddle shift mode... much more elegant solution

Like that in Cadillac too, and Chrysler does the same thing with the stick. Pretty sure my 540 was the same way back in the early 2000's with the stick. Hold it in + and it goes back to auto.

[Daftasabrush]

Originally Posted by aacabriolet

yeah quite irritating this... in the range rovers, you hold the paddle up (+) for a couple of seconds, and it reverts to normal D/DS from manual/paddle shift mode... much more elegant solution

That's similar to how it's meant to work in our cars too, but for some reason it doesn't. I posted about it here: http://f30.bimmerpost.com/forums/sho....php?t=1068159

[ryanSTL]

Originally Posted by Daftasabrush

That's similar to how it's meant to work in our cars too, but for some reason it doesn't. I posted about it here: http://f30.bimmerpost.com/forums/sho....php?t=1068159

interesting. i'll read my manual and play around with some of the prolonged paddle pulls and see what happens.

flipping the gear lever to the right and then back to the left is such a clumsy method. i don't care if it takes a second, .. it's dumb, requires my hand leave the wheel, and shouldn't be necessary.

[Dog Face Pony Soldier]

Originally Posted by ryanSTL

interesting. i'll read my manual and play around with some of the prolonged paddle pulls and see what happens.

flipping the gear lever to the right and then back to the left is such a clumsy method. i don't care if it takes a second, .. it's dumb, requires my hand leave the wheel, and shouldn't be necessary.

It is quicker than a long hold of the paddle lever. Personally I prefer it the way it is.

[Mike_L]

I'd like it best if it was like Ferrari and pulling both stalks put it in neutral. Since for whatever reason, BMW chose not to put a holder on these cars (why the hell not?), it would make life easier.

[aacabriolet]

Originally Posted by Daftasabrush

That's similar to how it's meant to work in our cars too, but for some reason it doesn't. I posted about it here: http://f30.bimmerpost.com/forums/sho....php?t=1068159

Originally Posted by ryanSTL

interesting. i'll read my manual and play around with some of the prolonged paddle pulls and see what happens.

flipping the gear lever to the right and then back to the left is such a clumsy method. i don't care if it takes a second, .. it's dumb, requires my hand leave the wheel, and shouldn't be necessary.

I agree. If it is indeed in the manual, we should take our cars into BMW and get them to log a fault/PUMA case or something on the system so an official investigation can be made and so something can be done about it in a future software update.

[USC2000]

A bit annoying, but I've learned to deal with it.

[BDWonder]

Originally Posted by ryanSTL

I think I've got most of the 8AT sport transmission logic down. I know what the Sport to Sport+ selections do. I also know that versus the difference of pushing the gear lever to the left M/S position. (there is tons of misinformation by the way...)

My question is when I'm in Manual mode and using the paddles ... is there a way to go into Sport Auto mode without my hands leaving the wheel? or do I have to flip the gear lever to the right (to disable paddles) and then back to the left (to activate Sport Auto)?

Sometimes I'm in spirited driving with the paddles, and then either the nature of the road or traffic or both changes and I want to instantly switch to Sport Auto. maybe I'm missing something simple & obvious.

I have not read the manual yet, just thought i'd ask here.

To my knowledge, no. You must flip the gear lever back to right then back to left. Quick process. It is a smart and intuitive process if you think about it. Also, this sport auto is one of the only ones that let u hold the gears in manual mode and doesn't upshift automatically. This is excellent. Much closer to a manual trans than other automatics. Other cars just shift up for u.

[BDWonder]

Originally Posted by ryanSTL

interesting. i'll read my manual and play around with some of the prolonged paddle pulls and see what happens.

flipping the gear lever to the right and then back to the left is such a clumsy method. i don't care if it takes a second, .. it's dumb, requires my hand leave the wheel, and shouldn't be necessary.

Question...has you ever driven a manual trans? One of your hands has to shift, so both hands will not be on the wheel at all times. Its ok. Not a problem. Lets not get lazy.

[ryanSTL]

yes, I've driven and owned multiple manual cars. They're now significantly slower to shift than autos and, relative to paddles, require an inordinate amount of hand and foot movement.

If you like all that, great. I don't hate it. It is what it is.
It definitely sucks in commuting & traffic.

my car is a quick shifting auto and I prefer paddle functionality.
it has nothing to do with laziness

[EvenKeel]

Originally Posted by ryanSTL

yes, I've driven and owned multiple manual cars. They're now significantly slower to shift than autos and, relative to paddles, require an inordinate amount of hand and foot movement.

If you like all that, great. I don't hate it. It is what it is.
It definitely sucks in commuting & traffic.

my car is a quick shifting auto and I prefer paddle functionality.
it has nothing to do with laziness

Well said.

[Chris@codemybimmer]

you can leave it in D and use the paddles.
but after i think 5 - 10 seconds if you dont use + or - it will revert to D

[....,,,,..,,..]

Originally Posted by ryanSTL

yes, I've driven and owned multiple manual cars. They're now significantly slower to shift than autos and, relative to paddles, require an inordinate amount of hand and foot movement.

If you like all that, great. I don't hate it. It is what it is.
It definitely sucks in commuting & traffic.

my car is a quick shifting auto and I prefer paddle functionality.
it has nothing to do with laziness

+1

This is my first auto, all cars owned since 1980 have been manuals of varies types of stick.

The 8AT is an excellent box, gives pretty much best of both worlds.

Taking your hand of the stick for a whole second is nothing major (think of all other times while driving any car how often you have a hand off the wheel).

Also remember you can still use the stick (fwd and back) for fear changes, handy if you mess up changes with paddles on a bend and paddles are out of position, just use the gearstick.

Also while driving for a while in town / city in traffic, then you hit clear motorway, briefly move the stick to the left to clear its driving memory (it will be in slow traffic mode and will not be quick at changing) it sort of wakes the gearbox up.

[Daftasabrush]

Originally Posted by aacabriolet

I agree. If it is indeed in the manual, we should take our cars into BMW and get them to log a fault/PUMA case or something on the system so an official investigation can be made and so something can be done about it in a future software update.

Indeed, has anyone else confirmed/replicated what I noticed or can other people get it to work?

[stormlv]

Originally Posted by 1lyfe

you can leave it in D and use the paddles.
but after i think 5 - 10 seconds if you dont use + or - it will revert to D

Yes, with one exception.
If you're going downhill, and downshift it won't go back to D, until the car is no longer engine braking.