Author Topic: Paddle Shifters  (Read 3450 times)

zak

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Paddle Shifters
« on: February 13, 2023, 21:42:41 »
I think that the 3 modern MB's we have all have paddle shifters.
I was never a fan and never used them. Do race cars have them ?

It is much more satisfying to me to put the foot down and hit the kick down button.
Anyone use them regularly ?

jz
1967 250 SL
1983 280 SL
2015 ML 250 Bluetec
2007 ML CDI
2004 E 320 Wagon
1999 E300 Turbodiesel

teahead

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Re: Paddle Shifters
« Reply #1 on: February 13, 2023, 21:44:18 »
w/the advent of 8, 9, 10, 11-speed auto trans, that's a lot of "paddling" you have to do.

Kinda stupid, but a bit more convenient if you HAVE to shift an automatic.
1970 280SL auto, AC - aka "Edelweiss"

MikeSimon

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Re: Paddle Shifters
« Reply #2 on: February 13, 2023, 22:39:20 »
We have 2 Audis with paddle shifters and I use them a lot. Love them.
1970/71 280SL Automatic
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dirkbalter

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Re: Paddle Shifters
« Reply #3 on: February 13, 2023, 23:18:55 »
Have them too. I believe they are useless for 99. 875% of the driving. With various modes selectable depending on who you want to race, you can not beat the electronics.
Dirk
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Cees Klumper

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Re: Paddle Shifters
« Reply #4 on: February 14, 2023, 02:21:11 »
We had them on our BMW Z4 which had a (I believe 6-speed) DSG box, and now on our GLK 250 7-speed. We never use them.
Cees Klumper
1969 Mercedes 280 SL automatic
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MikeSimon

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Re: Paddle Shifters
« Reply #5 on: February 14, 2023, 12:59:02 »
Have them too. I believe they are useless for 99. 875% of the driving. With various modes selectable depending on who you want to race, you can not beat the electronics.

I will argue about that. With the paddle shifters, you can pick your own shift points and that may give you the edge over the electronics. Also, you can use engine braking more efficiently. With so may fans on here of manual transmissions over automatics, I am surprised the paddle shifters don't get a more positive reception.
1970/71 280SL Automatic
Sandy Beige
Parchment Leather
Power Steering
Automatic
Hardtop
Heated Tinted Rear Window
German specs
3rd owner

Peter van Es

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Re: Paddle Shifters
« Reply #6 on: February 14, 2023, 13:06:32 »
I only use them when driving in the mountains...
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mdsalemi

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Re: Paddle Shifters
« Reply #7 on: February 17, 2023, 15:07:08 »
Had them on a few cars. On some of the cars, I didn't even know they were there. The average modern 6+ speed automatic transmission shifts better than all but the best of the world's drivers, so I let it be. The transmission generally knows when it needs the torque and when it needs to shift. I leave it alone. I generally don't have diagnostic equipment hooked up to the car when driving (it's a car, not a test cell) thus determining the efficiency of shift points, engine braking etc. is all just speculation.
Michael Salemi
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MikeSimon

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Re: Paddle Shifters
« Reply #8 on: February 17, 2023, 17:15:03 »
..and that's why race cars all rely on the automatic transmissions and their preset shifting patterns. There is a significant difference between an "automatic" with a torque converter and a double clutch automated manual...
1970/71 280SL Automatic
Sandy Beige
Parchment Leather
Power Steering
Automatic
Hardtop
Heated Tinted Rear Window
German specs
3rd owner