[akkando]

Originally Posted by ajvdh

I sometimes use auto mode when I'm on the highway with cruise control engaged. Otherwise, always manual mode. I mostly drive with DSC off unless it's wet and/or very cold, or the cruise is engaged. Very wet/cold conditions I usually keep it in 'comfort' 'cause if I do need the nannies, I want them at maximum effectiveness. Sometimes I'll put it in Sport if it's kind of wet. I don't like the artificially sensitive throttle and "slam-you-in-the-back-for-no-reason" shifts in sport+.

I did try automatic mode with DSC off on the track, and at an auto-x. Auto shift is pretty good on the track, but not so much at auto-x.

I think Comfort and Sport have the same nannies of. The difference is just steering weight and throttle response. Obviously with more sensitive throttle response you could get into more trouble in the rain.

[thaalrasha]

ALways shifting manually except if i'm stuck in trafic or slow asses.

[MagnusT]

Oh dear. Had a hotdog again today.


I did drive it in auto for a long time when I first got the car. But nooooo, not going back to that. _I_ decide what gear I want, not a machine guessing. Love the car to bits!

[AndrewC1989]

Originally Posted by MagnusT

I decide what gear I want

same

[c1pher]

I drive my 135is DCT in manual all the time! It sounds even better that way since I can control the farts and burps better.

[qnet]

I'm probably going to get lambasted but I rarely used the paddles or manual mode on my M235i. I know the ZF-Auto isn't the same as the DCT, but I never got comfortable shifting with the paddles. My HPDE instructor suggested learning to use the paddles. I may put more effort into using manual-mode on the M2.

[MagnusT]

Originally Posted by qnet

I'm probably going to get lambasted but I rarely used the paddles or manual mode on my M235i. I know the ZF-Auto isn't the same as the DCT, but I never got comfortable shifting with the paddles. My HPDE instructor suggested learning to use the paddles. I may put more effort into using manual-mode on the M2.

Interestingly though the DCT is very very good at being in the right gear at all times on track. It guesses much better there than on the road. IMHO! But with manual you choose *exactly* where you want of course! My friend always drives auto mode on track but mixed auto and manual mode on the street. What I choose everywhere you already know hahaha.

[MagnusT]

Originally Posted by andrewc89

same

And your point being? Feel free to enjoy your manual, I know I have enjoyed my manual M3s for many many years.

[bollinm]

90 - 95% in Manual mode using stick most of the time. Paddles every once in a while. I really like audible feedback downshifting with the stick in Sport+ with the Fabspeed Catted downpipe, DINAN exhaust with resonator delete.

[MZWIE]

AUTO on freeway. No need for a whole lotta shifting. Manual off the freeway.

I do not like that paddles in most cars are attached to the steering wheel. Sometimes the + or - ends up on the other side and makes impossible to use. In these cases I use the shifter.

Personally I would prefer the paddles stayed in a fixed position.

[harperium]

great thread

don't have an m2, i have a 340i mppsk with the zf8

there is 1 situation where i often will use the paddle shifters: driving in semi-fast highway traffic, where I want the RPMs to stay in the 3000-4000 range, which means I can dart ahead and make quick maneuvers. in sports+, the engine runs closer to 2300-2500 (D vs M/S).

however, i have come to respect the zf8 - in sports+ mode, it's fast and eager. if i give just enough gas to maintain speed, it doesn't shift. if i give it just a bit of throttle, it downshifts. if it give it a little more throttle, it downshifts 2 or 3, and the car goes crazy forward. there is very little lag. so basically i can shift with the throttle there has never been a moment in sports+ where I was waiting on the car to shift.

in sports+ it also aggressively downshifts when slowing, which is fantastic. if i have to pinch the brakes for a bump, when i get back on the throttle, the car is downshifted and ready to go. no waiting, no shifting. when i approach a stoplight, i don't have to brake that much as the downshifting eats most of the speed. plus the exhaust burbles

[Pyrat 2]

100% manual mode when on the track
50/50 when on the street depending on my mood

Frankly, the automatic mode programming on the M2 is not as good as the same for the 135is DCT which I owned previously. The 1er auto programming was amazing. It always 'knew' what I was going to do and shifted accordingly. I used it even on the track.

[Paddy]

100% paddles with 100% DSC off.
It’s a pain that you can’t program DSC off as default. That long press every start is tedious.

[qnet]

I had to bump this thread since I didn't want to start a new topic on this subject. I just wanted to say that like using the paddle shifters on my M2. It's a different experience than with my M235i, which I didn't use much. The M2's DCT is much more fun and aggressive, than the ZF was, and it lets you have some control, without being too difficult to use. The more I use the paddles the more I like it, and am getting familiar with it.

[jonahk]

Originally Posted by qnet

I had to bump this thread since I didn't want to start a new topic on this subject. I just wanted to say that like using the paddle shifters on my M2. It's a different experience than with my M235i, which I didn't use much. The M2's DCT is much more fun and aggressive, than the ZF was, and it lets you have some control, without being too difficult to use. The more I use the paddles the more I like it, and am getting familiar with it.

So here's another question - how many of you use the paddles vs the console shifter?

After a little over months and 2K miles I find myself driving in manual mode about 75% of the time (auto in the mornings when I'm tired or traffic is just stupid), and of that time I'm about 50/50 on paddles vs the console shifter. I think that's because I kind of miss the familiarity that came from 3 years of my manual M235.

[dmboone25]

Always.

100% of the time...

[izzyM2]

Originally Posted by jonahk

So here's another question - how many of you use the paddles vs the console shifter?

After a little over months and 2K miles I find myself driving in manual mode about 75% of the time (auto in the mornings when I'm tired or traffic is just stupid), and of that time I'm about 50/50 on paddles vs the console shifter. I think that's because I kind of miss the familiarity that came from 3 years of my manual M235.

Coming from a manual I tend to use the console naturally. Come to think of it if u treat it as a manual it acts and feels as such minus the delays in pushing a clutch pedal. I don’t know if people have forgotten that this is not a conventional auto but a dual clutch.

[qnet]

Originally Posted by jonahk

So here's another question - how many of you use the paddles vs the console shifter?

After a little over months and 2K miles I find myself driving in manual mode about 75% of the time (auto in the mornings when I'm tired or traffic is just stupid), and of that time I'm about 50/50 on paddles vs the console shifter. I think that's because I kind of miss the familiarity that came from 3 years of my manual M235.

I haven't tried the console shifter yet, but now that I think about it; It could be useful when making a sharp turn while shifting out of 1st.

[akkando]

Originally Posted by qnet

I haven't tried the console shifter yet, but now that I think about it; It could be useful when making a sharp turn while shifting out of 1st.

I use both, but I always use the console shifter if I'm making a sharp turn from 1st.

[MagnusT]

I like to keep both hands on the wheel if I drive enthusiastically And when driving in normal traffic manually shifting is second nature just as it is in a manual car, I don't think about it, it's just done. So I just about always use the paddles. Only when shifting in the middle of a tight bend I use the stick. And auto if I'm eating something in the car, hahaha.

Since driving the DCT in manual mode gives me an as good, or even better control of what gear I want to be in at all times I really only miss the clutch pedal when I want to break the rear end loose to do a drift. With a clutch I have better control on exactly *how* I want the rear to break loose. But I drove the M2 at a real drifting event and it works very well without the clutch pedal by mashing the throttle while turning in. But I do miss the fine tuning ability of breaking loose with a clutch pedal.

[jonahk]

Originally Posted by izzyM2

Coming from a manual I tend to use the console naturally. Come to think of it if u treat it as a manual it acts and feels as such minus the delays in pushing a clutch pedal. I don’t know if people have forgotten that this is not a conventional auto but a dual clutch.

With a much smoother clutch action than I've ever been able to accomplish

[Pyrat 2]

DCT on the track any day over the manual. On the street just the opposite.