i dont have paddles ( yet) but I find DS to be great as it allows you to 'hang' in a gear for a while before it shifts up to maintain rpms and such.

I have not actually shifted manually in ds mode yet because other than a down shift pre cornering I feel all the up shifting is done better than I could do with a true clutch.

DS for a 5.3 sec to 60 launch is a must!

 

manual paddle shifting is great cuz the auto shift just sucks so hard. I find myself right much smoother than the auto.

 

I've had my G for almost 2 years and thought that I had to do the shifting on my own in DS but guess not, I do downshift once in a while because it sounds really sweet with my new exhaust oh yeh imam go crazy tomorrow with it.

 

I see several posts on how DS has a more aggressive downshift when you let IT do the shifting but to point out the obvious I dont see it downshifting for an engine brake brake assist or down shifting on the way into the corner while your braking as you would normally do yourself in an MT...
Just saying. ..I see the paddles helping in the downshifting more so and having to learn from the car the best points to up shift.
I havent tried a full manual DS . I generally let it shift up and down when Im "sporting" (a woody)

 

Usually never, when I'm by myself. I'm usually in slapstick mode. However, if my girl is with me and holding my hand or some bs I have it in DS.

Not trying to sound obnoxious or anything...Lol

 

Owned the car for 5yrs and never knew that. And yes I did FTM.

 

Loll I just hold my gf's in between shifts I'm in manual mode 99% of the time.

 

Lol, I've tried that but she gets all pissy. "Why can't you just drive normal?!"

 

Yeah man, hate it when girls want to be intimate. XD

 

Only use the DS when getting out of dodge (passing) on the freeway, or sometimes to downshift coming to a stop light. It's not very functional in town or on the highway for me.

 

I'm dying here lmao!!

 

WHAT did you do to the manual?!?

 

LOL, I actually still have it. Forgot to include it when I sold the car and they never asked for it. I just don't ever remember reading that line in the manual. All in all, that car was a blast to drive LOVED, LOVED the engine flares when stomping on the brakes and the engine braking was simply poetic.
My current S4 wouldn't know what engine braking was even if it laid in her lap and called her mama.
Infiniti has what I've found to be the best (read aggressive) AT on the market. A little unrefined but a hoot and a half.

 

same here

 

I like how it downshifts and growls when you hit the brake.