When to use Flappy Paddle Gearbox

[Wacko74]

Mine is quite weird in the ML (7G box)
when the auto box holds a gear slightly too long (maybe a slight incline in the road) I knock the up paddle and it seams to upshift but stays in auto not entering the d5 - d6 etc mode
I've tried this many times thinking it was just coincidence but it seams to work every time
Hope this isn't one of those signs that he gearbox is about to exit the car

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

Mine is quite weird in the ML (7G box)
when the auto box holds a gear slightly too long (maybe a slight incline in the road) I knock the up paddle and it seams to upshift but stays in auto not entering the d5 - d6 etc mode
I've tried this many times thinking it was just coincidence but it seams to work every time
Hope this isn't one of those signs that he gearbox is about to exit the car

I think that’s normal?

 

[billywoblyneck]

Thanx everyone - I still havent used em, Keep forgetting they are there - But after all the positive replies I am now planning a "paddle shifter appreciation day" - Theres a nice 30 mile stretch of twisty undulating tarmac not too far away from me that goes from Pickering to Whitby = A169, I think its the same road that Clarkson used when he was putting the BMW i8 through its paces, Will have a full on "flappy paddle" blast across and get some fish n chips and see how I get on - Might even push the Sports + button.

 

[kid-jensen]

They're ok-ish for an extra bit of engine braking when going down a long hill, but the brakes are better.
99% of the time, the auto picks just the right gear for whatever you are doing. Including twisty country roads, where it seems to know exactly how you want to drive...

However, they do make it easier to hang the back out smoothly when impressing local chavs in the one-way system...

 

[pillow]

I find the car much more urgent in manual mode and the torque converter feels like it more readily locks up.

In sport (and especially comfort) there feels like there's a smoothing when shifting between gears. In manual it feels a lot more like a manual clutch engagement.

I usually only use manual mode when I'm pottering around town to give the pedestrians an aural experience to remember or when I want to show someone how quickly a 2+ ton car can shift.

 

[tbourner]

I generally put it into M as soon as the oil temperature shows 80

 

[DITTRICH]

Flappy paddles aren't really needed. I find flooring the accelerator encourages the software to drop 2 gears and off you go. Its been that way since 5 speed auto boxes. My current 7 speed still has the same functionality. I used to enjoy feeling the w202 c230k's kompressor spool up from around 1700 rpm, drop 2 gears, and all hell breaks loose. Worked a treat on single carriageway roads on the continent.