Technically speaking your not meant to change gear whilst turning. Your meant to change gear before the bend ... especially on a spirted drive
@garydavis15282 ай бұрын
Nor do you use the gearbox for engine braking other than going down steep hills, you use your brakes to be at the right speed and engage the right gear to then accelerate away when can.
@christophertyler80512 ай бұрын
@@garydavis1528 You use engine braking in bad weather i.e snow .....
@primavent12 ай бұрын
I want to retrofit the paddles on my e63 so I can shift manually. Override the auto just before I want to overtake and stuff. The steptronic is fine but as you have experienced, one or two wires will break when used frequently and I don’t want to replace the thing again.
@TimmsBMWRepairsandInformationАй бұрын
Replacing the wires would be a lot easier than retrofitting paddles! However, there are paddles available for this (they were used in the M6), the software might be a little harder
@hanynowsky2 ай бұрын
On my E60 paddle shifters are a must. The right one is similar to the left one. Pull to upshift and push to downshift. So I don t have problems using them even at a full.steering turn. When the DME enters its crappy economy mode and the shifts become too sloppy, too early too slugish, paddle shifters become a very handy tool. Also, the E60 sport steptronic shifter is disontinued so I don t use it anymore. In heavy traffic paddles are mandatory for me to compensate for the feable torque of the N52 engine. Last but not the least, I never shift during an angled turn. It s either before or after the turn. Even in D mode, the ZF6hp tends to hold the shift during a heavy turn unless you are demanding power. Recently during a trip in the mountains, I don t know how I could live without the paddles.
@TimmsBMWRepairsandInformation2 ай бұрын
That sounds like a useful paddle system unlike the one I have!
@CocaColaStar2 ай бұрын
Great video as always Timm! Completely agree with you on this 👍
@TimmsBMWRepairsandInformationАй бұрын
Thanks!
@acelectricalsecurity2 ай бұрын
My last 3 cars have had paddles and I have used them once just to try them on the first jaguar, I just put it in drive and let the car decide otherwise I would have just got a manual.
@TimmsBMWRepairsandInformationАй бұрын
Very sensible!
@sideshowbob322 ай бұрын
Aren't you supposed to be in the right gear before the bend? Also, if you leave the car and the gearbox in sport the car will only change gear if it thinks it will stall, you will have 'm' instead of 's' in the cluster
@TimmsBMWRepairsandInformation2 ай бұрын
It's a fair question, but I am using the gears for braking rather than shifting my feet around - and that need doesn't go away half way around a corner
@johnfaulkner86322 ай бұрын
That's why the paddles on sensible road cars like Ferrari are on the column and don't move. Can't understand what BMW were thinking!
@TimmsBMWRepairsandInformation2 ай бұрын
I agree!
@Passionforgermancars2 ай бұрын
Interesting video! I agree. Non stationary pedals aren't very usefull. Prefer the setup in for example a Maserati Gransport.
@TimmsBMWRepairsandInformation2 ай бұрын
I agree!
@christophercharnley30612 ай бұрын
Hi Timm, glad to see you enjoying your upgrade F12, as a fellow F12 owner I definitely agree about paddle shifting , however, I have an issue with all bmw automatics due to the counter intuitive up and down shifts via the gear selector. It’s my experience that most automatics work the other way round ie up shifts forward, down shifts back. As I drive regularly other automatics (Audi) I’m reluctant to use the selector in case I make a mistake. So I’m stuck having to use the paddles, I have no problem with Audi as it seems intuitive😅 and perhaps my muscle memory. I do love my bmw 650I but find this gearbox a pain in another area and that is being unable to engage neutral in case of emergency when it needs a tow if the engine won’t run or the battery is dead your in a world of pain ! Also, when garaged you can’t move the car around without starting the engine.😅
@HiruS222 ай бұрын
I’ve always thought that forwards for down and back for up was intuitive, I don’t like using a car that has it the other way around.
@TimmsBMWRepairsandInformation2 ай бұрын
Yes, no neutral is a pain! But the direction of the steptronic suits me - I even swapped the direction of it on my E31 to match the modern way: kzbin.info/www/bejne/qZarimOCith1e7s
@farazgholami1582 ай бұрын
There is a reason MR alpina himself was always against flappy pedals. They have some - & + in steering wheels. When you have a beautiful fast bmw road car it's nice to be relaxed and comfortable
@TimmsBMWRepairsandInformation2 ай бұрын
Excellent point!
@andrewthompsonuk12 ай бұрын
I think they would be useful for Autobahn driving where you are continuously driving between 150 Kph and 250 Kph to keep up with the big boys. Such driving requires using the gears to protect the brakes. I found having to take one hand off the wheel to use steptronic a little dangerous on my E38.
@derin1112 ай бұрын
I drive on the Autobahn for roughly half the year. Be realistic...this is a myth... you never drive at 250km/h (155 mph) in any E38. Even in a much higher performance car, you are not going to be following anything, for any length of time, at that speed. Even at 200km/h (which is rare!) repeated braking sufficient to 'cook' the brakes and induce brake fade is never going to happen. If you suddenly (rarely) needed to brake from even that speed, you're going to lift off and just hit the brakes. The length of time or number of times that you're going to hit those brakes, is not sufficient that you need to "protect the brakes".
@DoubleOSeven0072 ай бұрын
I find it nice to drop down a gear when approaching roundabouts to ensure a good pull away, the other side.
@TimmsBMWRepairsandInformation2 ай бұрын
That's the way to do it!
@simonh8702 ай бұрын
I rarely use them on my M140i, although they can be helpful if you wish to drop a cog or two for a swift overtake. Personally though I wish my car was a proper manual...
@TimmsBMWRepairsandInformation2 ай бұрын
I didn't see an auto until I was 35, so even at 66 they are still a novelty!
@Kartanomaa2 ай бұрын
I think what Timm really means is the basic principle of 100% control of the car's drivetrain and behaviour in all sircumstances, which you do not have with the flappy paddles.
@TimmsBMWRepairsandInformation2 ай бұрын
Couldn't have said better myself!
@KimCJorgensen2 ай бұрын
Interesting, it just goes to show I don't use them nearly enough to have noticed that. I don't use any of it except for knocking the gear lever over into power or sports mode, occasionally. That gives me the increased urgency in most cases. It takes away the lag, if you will.
@TimmsBMWRepairsandInformation2 ай бұрын
It does!
@phillipwilliams46742 ай бұрын
Personally I think your whole argument is about semantics. We all have our own unique way of doing things, and that also relates to how we drive our cars. Not everyone wants to drive like an F1 driver, and that's good, but the flappy paddles do find their use with certain methods of driving. I like that BMW allows the paddles to over ride the gearbox temporarily, because I prefer to leave the box in auto with whatever sport setting I feel to be in the mood for, and then I just use the paddles to adjust the engine speed for instantaneous conditions - maybe changing up when I feel the engine is revving a bit too much, or changing down ready for an instant burst of speed to overtake. I actually prefer the paddles to the steptronic system, but maybe that's because I've adapted to them differently to you. Please don't be offended! I do love watching your videos, and I've been really interested in your migration from an e63 to an F11. I have migrated from an e63 (635d with a 400 hp re-map) to an f31 (330d touring X-Drive no remap yet), and have experienced similar changes between these vehicles, albeit at a much lower power level. Keep up the good work.
@TimmsBMWRepairsandInformation2 ай бұрын
No offence taken! I've had 8 BMW's with the steptronic boxes and this is the first with paddles - that's probably one reason I don't like them!
@repairitdontreplaceit2 ай бұрын
flappy paddles on my e60 m5 , never had an issue :)
@TimmsBMWRepairsandInformation2 ай бұрын
Good man!
@jamiedaltry95802 ай бұрын
Only used on my E63 for overtaking, (when trying to impress) makes sense then, otherwise, use kick down or the torque, use the torque, Luke!
@TimmsBMWRepairsandInformationАй бұрын
Good man!
@huwprice8812 ай бұрын
It seems odd that they attach the paddles to the wheel, and not behind it so they remain in a fixed position when steering. Very confusing!
@TimmsBMWRepairsandInformation2 ай бұрын
They just wander all over the place!
@kennethwedmorelund2 ай бұрын
02:36 “Well”😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂
@TimmsBMWRepairsandInformationАй бұрын
Tee Hee!
@brianjensen13512 ай бұрын
Seems like you're the kind of guy that doesn't adapt well to changes :-) I have shift paddles on both my X5 and E64 - I'm not using them much, but when I do need some "speedy driving" I always use the paddles and they are perfect ! - "never" uses the gear lever...I think it all comes down to habits
@TimmsBMWRepairsandInformationАй бұрын
Yes, I agree, I'm so used to manual gearboxes that having a hand on the shifter is second nature
@reemlsilkwormАй бұрын
I bought a 630i a few days ago with almost perfect MOT history (56 plate with 60,000 on the clock). It has two faults which were disclosed by the dealer (parking sensor, and cornering lights), both report errors on the dash. In the few days I've owned the car, there has been other errors which are driving assist failure, and the steering becomes heavy, but rectifies when restarted, and twice the auto gearbox has lost power in low gear, which lasts a few seconds before surging back to full power. Do you know of any problem Tim, which could be responsible for all of these things? I'm wondering if it could be an overall issue affecting all these systems, or if I have bought a nightmare? Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
@TimmsBMWRepairsandInformationАй бұрын
I would suspect that the main issue is battery condition. With any car you buy, the best place to start it with a new battery
@TheHejjaghetermaxАй бұрын
hi tim i need help. Can't find answers on the internet. I have 2 problems. engine n62b48tu 06 e61 550i 1 vacuum at idle isch 500mbar but new ccv valve and hose. 2 I think valetronic at bank2 doesn't work. I unscrewed the valvetronic motor and it was not spring loaded like the other side. the car runs fine but a little worried at idle and light load on the gas. no engine light. but error code on vanos adaptation stopped and camshaft inlet sensor no signal. can camshaft sensor cause dead valvetronic. and valetronic cause high vacuum pressure ??
@TimmsBMWRepairsandInformationАй бұрын
Firstly, the vacuum test must be made at the dipstick - the manifold WILL be at a higher vacuum. If you have no engine light then I would suspect the diagnostics is the problem and not the engine
@derin1112 ай бұрын
To be realistic and if people were honest, in modern BMWs (and many other cars) using modern multi-ratio gearboxes, and as demonstrated by the type of driving that you did in this video, not just the flappy-paddles but also Steptronic, is a totally pointless 'toy'. On a normal public road, at anything like normal public road speeds, you are just kidding yourself, showing off to yourself (or your passengers). You are not doing anything better or faster than the car's ECUs doesn't do better. You're not in a racing or 'race-bred' car with a dual-clutch system, like a CSL for example, on a race-track. It's just a toy that is massaging your ego. You're not going any faster, not changing gear faster or in any more control than if you just let the gearbox and its computers do it better than you. Added to that, as others have also said, I can't think in what situation you'd really be wanting to change gear when there is so much steering angle on that you don't even know what the orientation of the steering wheel (I.e. how many turns of lock you even have on) there is at the time that you're trying to change gear! Think about it. Even just one full turn of steering angle and you want to change gear during that? Seriously?
@davidmeek75192 ай бұрын
I think you are missing the whole point of owning a car like this, derin111. Well designed, powerful and sporty cars are simply a pleasure to drive. A large part of that pleasure is actively interacting with the car and the conditions, enjoying the acceleration, enjoying the 'sure-footedness' and enjoying the control that is inherent in cars like these. Have you not noticed how much pleasure Tim gets from driving his cars? It's got nothing to do with being better or faster and It's got nothing to do with ego. What do you think sports cars are all about?
@TimmsBMWRepairsandInformation2 ай бұрын
I would have to disagree, being brought up on 4-speed manual gearboxes I would miss the steptronic function enormously. I even used the braking abilities of the non-steptronic gearbox in my E32 (same as you have in the E34). It is just how you learn to drive, and I have always used engine braking!
@derin111Ай бұрын
@@TimmsBMWRepairsandInformationI too was brought up on 4-speed manual BMWs. My very first car, as a 19 year old in 1982, was a 1974 BMW 2002tii. Since then, over the last 42 years, I have owned nearly 70 BMWs of all shapes, sizes and gearboxes. These have included an E30 M3 that I owned for 7 years and an E46 CSL that I owned for 3 years. I have also owned my E31 840 Ci Sport, with 27K miles on the clock, for nearly 19 years Obviously, many of my BMWs have come with the automatic/steptronic ‘ box, so I’m fully versed with these cars! In the CSL with its SMG gearbox the flappy paddle changes did make a difference. In a Steptronic, you are actually still just driving a plain Auto….that’s inescapable, whether you change on the stick or the paddles. I say again, and we may have to agree to disagree, with these modern multi-ratio ‘boxes with their different modes and ‘clever’ electronics, it is highly doubtful whether you can change gears better than the car can do it….and it certainly won’t make a blind bit of difference on a public road. In other words, I maintain that it is essentially just a ‘toy’ to massage the driver’s ego!
@derin111Ай бұрын
@@davidmeek7519 I refer you to my reply above…..Thank you for your comment and observations. Yes, people like playing with ‘toys’. It makes them ‘feel good’….that’s why BMW put them there. But, it doesn’t change the fact that they’re still just ‘toys’. (Edited to add: In case you weren’t aware, a 650i isn’t a sports-car. My E85 Z4M Roadster and E85 Alpina Roadster S, both of which I recently sold and both of which were featured in BMW Car Magazine a few years ago…simultaneously because I owned both at the same time…would be considered as ‘sports-cars’. A 650i isn’t! )
@derin11129 күн бұрын
@@TimmsBMWRepairsandInformation Why have you deleted my two further, in depth, responses to this? That’s very ‘lame’ when you won’t allow valid opinions (with explanations) that run counter to your own! I shall therefore repeat myself and see how long you leave it up this time! Like you, I too was brought up on 4-speed manual gearboxes on BMWs. Indeed, my very first car, as a 19 year old in 1982, was a 1974 BMW 2002 tii. In the subsequent 42 years, I have continued drive (and also restore older) BMWs and have personally owned nearly 70 BMWs in my time. Amongst these have been cars with all the various gearboxes formats that BMW have offered. I owned an E30 M3 for 7 years with its 5-speed dogleg manual (as did my daily driver at the time, an E28 M535i). I owned an E46 CSL for 3 years with its SMG ‘box. And, of course, I have owned many, many Autos and of course many of these have been Steptronic. So, I am more than familiar with this format of gearbox that I have probably driven for hundreds of thousands of miles! My own 1998 E31 840Ci Sport which I have owned for nearly 19 years and which still has only a mere 27K miles on the clock, is one of these many cars fitted with a Steptronic AUTOMATIC gearbox. The thing with the Steptronic ‘boxes, unlike the SMG in the CSL, is that no matter ‘what way you slice it’, it is STILL an automatic ‘box. That’s the reality! Add to this now the more modern multi-ratio ‘boxes with their improved technology and clever software and you are kidding yourself to think that you can change gear better than the car….especially on a public road! I actually don’t believe one could do it ‘better’ than the car even given the freedom of being on the Nürburgring! Furthermore, in relation to your complaint about the flappy paddles: You still haven’t addressed my point about the fact I can see no possible valid reason, if you are driving ‘properly’, where there would be ANY situation where you would have so much steering angle on that you have even lost orientation of which paddle is which, yet you STILL want to change gear! Think about it! If you were in one of the manual cars that you grew up on, when in the middle of a tight bend or corner would you, or even should you, be changing gear?! Why would it be any different with any other format of gearbox? Therefore, your issue about the flappy paddles is a ‘non-issue’ and essentially a ‘non-starter’. In summary: “I can’t use the flappy paddles to change gear whilst I have a lot of steering angle on” is simply countered by: “Well, why do you want to? You shouldn’t be doing that in the first place!” If it makes you ‘feel better’, go ahead and do it! But, it’s a ‘toy’ that BMW put there because they know people like playing with ‘toys’, especially ones that make them feel like they are in control or even like racing-drivers!
@roberttaylor4652 ай бұрын
It's more of a problem with the way you drive.
@TimmsBMWRepairsandInformation2 ай бұрын
You may have a point, but after 55 years of driving I'm not going to change!