If you have paddle shifters...

I was just wondering how often do you use them
and
Do you ever use the "manual" stick shift and if so how often?

 

I played with them a few times when I first bought the car, but I doubt that I will ever use them as it doesn't feel natural for me to shift with the "Flappy Paddles".

 

I'm waiting for my wifes 370 to get broken in so I can determine if I like them enough to add them to my G. I do use the stick in DS mode when I want more control over the shift points. And I use it pretty often.

 

I drive with them most of the time... well that is I use the gear stick. But in the curves and up in the blue ridge mountains I use the paddles.

 

In commute traffic, DS mode and the paddles actually make the shifts more erratic so I usually leave it in D mode and leave the paddles alone. However, when i get on the road outside commute traffic or on a winding road, I use the paddles all the time. Ive used the manual stick only once. The shift up and shift down directions are bass ackwards from every other manual valve body automatic i've driven so I just leave it alone.

 

Like KAHBOOM 9 out of 10 times I'm using the so called manual mode. Only around curves I use the slapsticks

 

Same for me.

Over the years I've gotten good at using the accelerator to manipulate gear changes faster than anything I could do with my hands, so that's what I do...

 

I leave it in DS mode all the time as it downshifts more when breaking and again I really only use the paddle shifters to downshift so I can hear the exhaust as I pull up to lights. Other than that I just smash the skinny pedal and drive. Haha

 

I'm more concerned with the downshift 'left' paddle. It by far the one I use the most and trust me I use it alot. LOL

 

LOL flappy paddles... do they ever get "stiff"?

 

If the roads are twisty and you are going at a higher speed, the paddles are quite handy because holding the wheel with one hand can get tricky. Otherwise I use the gear lever.

 

During local stop and go driving I rarely use them, but on open roads and the winding roads I enjoy playing with them.

 

I wanted to add these to my coupe but after reading some of these posts i really wonder how often i would actually use them.... has anyone regretted adding them?

 

I assume that the 7AT still has no first gear kickdown (like on my '09). That was the primary time I used the paddles - when I found myself in 2nd gear going 10 or 15 mph. Grab the paddle, drop it into first and away you go. Of course you do that, you are stick in manual mode temporarily, so you have to us the other paddle to shift up.

I like my manual better, tho ...

 

I recently added paddles to my 09 x coupe, and I say if you enjoy "spirited" drives on open roads then get them. They def make the drive more involving and fun, while allowing you to keep your hands on the wheel. Just be sure to install a grounding kit too. From my experience it cuts down the wait time between shifts considerably.