Am I the only one who thinks paddle shifters make no sense?
Thread Starter
Joined: Aug 2008
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15 GLA 45, 09 C63, 06 WRX STi
Am I the only one who thinks paddle shifters make no sense?
I had a manual car before I got my C63, and cant say I have missed shifting in the C63 (always keep it in S mode and it seems to shift like I would normally shift in a manual anyway, just have to know how to control the gas to make it do what you want it to do).
So no complaints there, but when I tired the paddle shifters I quickly realized they just make no sense for a sports car. Turn the steering wheel more than 90 degrees (which you would commonly do on the track or spirited driving) and you quickly loose track of which paddle shifter is up shift and which is down.
And the worst thing is you usually down shift as your going into turns and upshift right as your coming out of them so as your spinning the wheel like crazy your supposed to be able to shift the right one???? what???
I guess im either used to shifting with a manual tranny, or I am using these paddle shifters in a completely wrong way.
So no complaints there, but when I tired the paddle shifters I quickly realized they just make no sense for a sports car. Turn the steering wheel more than 90 degrees (which you would commonly do on the track or spirited driving) and you quickly loose track of which paddle shifter is up shift and which is down.
And the worst thing is you usually down shift as your going into turns and upshift right as your coming out of them so as your spinning the wheel like crazy your supposed to be able to shift the right one???? what???
I guess im either used to shifting with a manual tranny, or I am using these paddle shifters in a completely wrong way.
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From: Richmond BC Canada
C63 AMG
um... first you are suppose to downshift before you turn your wheel and enter a corner. So therefore I don't see why you should be turning and shifting.
Secondly even when you are turning into the corner and you wanna correct your gear, both of your hand should be at the 9 and 3 o'clock position anyways which is where the paddles are. I really don't see reason why you are complaining.
Secondly even when you are turning into the corner and you wanna correct your gear, both of your hand should be at the 9 and 3 o'clock position anyways which is where the paddles are. I really don't see reason why you are complaining.
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From: Northern NJ
2009 C63
I rarely ever use my paddle shifters, I don't know but it feels a little slower than using the shifter.. But I let one of my other friends drive my car and he thought the paddle shifters were the best thing since sliced bread.
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From: SoCal
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I had a manual car before I got my C63, and cant say I have missed shifting in the C63 (always keep it in S mode and it seems to shift like I would normally shift in a manual anyway, just have to know how to control the gas to make it do what you want it to do).
So no complaints there, but when I tired the paddle shifters I quickly realized they just make no sense for a sports car. Turn the steering wheel more than 90 degrees (which you would commonly do on the track or spirited driving) and you quickly loose track of which paddle shifter is up shift and which is down.
And the worst thing is you usually down shift as your going into turns and upshift right as your coming out of them so as your spinning the wheel like crazy your supposed to be able to shift the right one???? what???
I guess im either used to shifting with a manual tranny, or I am using these paddle shifters in a completely wrong way.
So no complaints there, but when I tired the paddle shifters I quickly realized they just make no sense for a sports car. Turn the steering wheel more than 90 degrees (which you would commonly do on the track or spirited driving) and you quickly loose track of which paddle shifter is up shift and which is down.
And the worst thing is you usually down shift as your going into turns and upshift right as your coming out of them so as your spinning the wheel like crazy your supposed to be able to shift the right one???? what???
I guess im either used to shifting with a manual tranny, or I am using these paddle shifters in a completely wrong way.
) don't leave the steering wheel. You always maintain your hand position. The same concept works poorly in cars that have more than 2 turns lock to lock with much softer steering ratio. I think the whole idea is to make you feel like you are driving a race car, ie driving enjoyment. Many of times the stick lever comes handy when shifting while steering.
Thread Starter
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15 GLA 45, 09 C63, 06 WRX STi
I see your point though. The paddles come from F1 where your hands (that is if you are an F1 driver) don't leave the steering wheel. You always maintain your hand position. The same concept works poorly in cars that have more than 2 turns lock to lock with much softer steering ratio. I think the whole idea is to make you feel like you are driving a race car, ie driving enjoyment. Many of times the stick lever comes handy when shifting while steering.
) don't leave the steering wheel. You always maintain your hand position. The same concept works poorly in cars that have more than 2 turns lock to lock with much softer steering ratio. I think the whole idea is to make you feel like you are driving a race car, ie driving enjoyment. Many of times the stick lever comes handy when shifting while steering.
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From: Washington DC
axe muderer with headlights
F1 shifting paddles are column mounted anyway, so yes I agree steering wheel mounted paddles are useless if you are turning your wheel.
Last edited by iatacs19; Sep 29, 2009 at 09:01 AM.
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See Sig
I rarely shift with the paddles. They suck and are unresponsive. Straight line racing from a stop I shift with the paddle into 1st and let the auto take it from there. It seems to shift right at redline anyway and I avoid the lame auto tranny shifting me into 2nd before I want to.
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From: Hainesport, NJ
2014 CTS-V (6spd, phantom grey), 2010 Cadillac Escalade ESV (black raven)
um... first you are suppose to downshift before you turn your wheel and enter a corner. So therefore I don't see why you should be turning and shifting.
Secondly even when you are turning into the corner and you wanna correct your gear, both of your hand should be at the 9 and 3 o'clock position anyways which is where the paddles are. I really don't see reason why you are complaining.
Secondly even when you are turning into the corner and you wanna correct your gear, both of your hand should be at the 9 and 3 o'clock position anyways which is where the paddles are. I really don't see reason why you are complaining.
The paddles are either column mounted (Ferrari, Maserati, Lamborghini) or steering wheel mounted (BMW).
I have driven both types and personally like the steering wheel mount because I usually keep my hands relatively fixed for "spirited" driving, and there are those times when you have to correct the gear while in or coming out of a turn, and the paddles are always in the same position relative to my hands.
As far as paddles are concerned in general, they provide a better sense of control because you keep BOTH of your hands on the steering wheel, and don't have to worry about heel-toeing in cars equipped with rev/matched downshifting, IMHO.
Last edited by shchow; Sep 29, 2009 at 11:52 AM.
Joined: Jul 2006
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From: Seattle
'19 E63S, ‘16 CLS63 RIP, '09 E63 Gone, '06 M5 Gone, '97 Supra TT Gone
um... first you are suppose to downshift before you turn your wheel and enter a corner. So therefore I don't see why you should be turning and shifting.
Secondly even when you are turning into the corner and you wanna correct your gear, both of your hand should be at the 9 and 3 o'clock position anyways which is where the paddles are. I really don't see reason why you are complaining.
Secondly even when you are turning into the corner and you wanna correct your gear, both of your hand should be at the 9 and 3 o'clock position anyways which is where the paddles are. I really don't see reason why you are complaining.
What he said. Shifting mid-turn is a no-no, you're throwing the weight distribution off and it's only a matter of g-force before you're spinning.
Second, there is no point to paddle shifters on an automatic transmission, other than to make you feel cool.
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From: Las Vegas
C63 & Mustang Mach1(s)
Sorry guys but you are missing one important point with the paddles.....The ability to throttle blip. When you get the right combination of RPMs and gear selection it is like a symphony of sound. This one aspect is worth every penny I spent on this car.
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.
At what RPMs?
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From: FL
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um... first you are suppose to downshift before you turn your wheel and enter a corner. So therefore I don't see why you should be turning and shifting.
Secondly even when you are turning into the corner and you wanna correct your gear, both of your hand should be at the 9 and 3 o'clock position anyways which is where the paddles are. I really don't see reason why you are complaining.
Secondly even when you are turning into the corner and you wanna correct your gear, both of your hand should be at the 9 and 3 o'clock position anyways which is where the paddles are. I really don't see reason why you are complaining.
Actually, I would think many ppl complain about paddle shifters if they don't turn with the steering wheel...then, you would have to take your hands off (or reposition your hands) the steering wheel to shift. 
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I understand what you guys are saying about the paddles not working on a street car. I felt the same way too. BUT.... Your wrong and so was I. The streets are filled with 90 degree corners! You wont find that on any corner filled highway or track if you want to track your car. This is where the paddles work best. Remember you dont have to use the paddles just because you have them. But would you rather not have them at all for straight line fun or like a said, for highways or twisty mountain roads? Ya in the city you may not use them as much but I love them on the mountain roads. Im happy to have them just for fun.
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CLK Black
The paddles have nothing to do with this. It blipps on agressive downshifts in S mode as well as if you use the gear lever to downshift in manual mode.
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R8
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From: Las Vegas
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Sebring that works too. But its more fun to click the gears down IMHO.
Dictator, agreed the shifter works too but you paid for 'em so might as well use them
Hey SIN, around 4 - 6K RPM/30 - 40 MPH and use the trany to slow the car down. On a few occassions it was pure magic.
Here's a MB pro driver, it appears to me he's using the paddles
http://www.dailymotion.com/relevance...ing-north_auto
Dictator, agreed the shifter works too but you paid for 'em so might as well use them
Hey SIN, around 4 - 6K RPM/30 - 40 MPH and use the trany to slow the car down. On a few occassions it was pure magic.
Here's a MB pro driver, it appears to me he's using the paddles
http://www.dailymotion.com/relevance...ing-north_auto
Last edited by Vegas_AMG; Sep 29, 2009 at 10:40 PM. Reason: add video link
Member
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From: Sao Paulo, Brazil
2009 C63 AMG / 2007 BMW 130i M Sport
I understand completely the statement that the paddle shifters make no sense. Functionally, they really don't. All you can do with them, you can do with the stick (give me a break guys, I don't know the name of it in english!), considering it is an automatic car.
I've had an E46 M3 SMGII. It had the paddle shifters and they were much more vital. The SMG automatic shifting worked so poorly that it was easier to change the gears myself, even in heavy traffic. The shifters were also important because the E46 M3 engine was a hig-rev engine (much less torque in lower revs) so I had to constantly downshift to keep revving higher. With the C63 and its monstruous torque, it is not necessary.
For the Benz, I use the paddle shifters only in 2 cases, none of them related to good driving: (i) to scare away the pedestrians so I can enter my office's garage; (ii) to show ricers that my benz sounds better.
I've had an E46 M3 SMGII. It had the paddle shifters and they were much more vital. The SMG automatic shifting worked so poorly that it was easier to change the gears myself, even in heavy traffic. The shifters were also important because the E46 M3 engine was a hig-rev engine (much less torque in lower revs) so I had to constantly downshift to keep revving higher. With the C63 and its monstruous torque, it is not necessary.
For the Benz, I use the paddle shifters only in 2 cases, none of them related to good driving: (i) to scare away the pedestrians so I can enter my office's garage; (ii) to show ricers that my benz sounds better.
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From: Houston, Texas - USA
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I like it when I'm about to encounter traffic and hold down the downshift button until it selects the lowest gear automatically, slows down the car then hold it there until the traffic clears up. This is on the freeway. Its a nice feature.
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