Paddle shift
 

Has anybody had much experience of paddle shifts and the advantages/disadvantages other than being much quicker. Having a test drive of the new Renault Alpine A110 next week,which has paddle shift.

I didn't like them much at first, but I think that's because my only experience of them was on my Merc and that probably wasn't the best system. I've been looking around at 911's recently and have been thinking it must be manual, however I am starting to lean towards a PDK, as they are awesome. I drove my mates GTR and again, awesome. The gear changes are unbelievably quick and then it has the benefit in traffic of being an auto. I do still enjoy changing gear though, that's the problem.

I've had automatic A class Mercs as hire cars with paddles and they've been atrocious, Audi A1 Auto with paddles was good fun as was the BMW 320d M Sport, was lucky enough to drive a 458 round Thruxton and the DSG was awesome, it even blipped the throttle on the down shift into the chicane and coming into the pits.

I think it's like anything, as once you get used to it, it feels pretty normal. I have have driven a few now... still not taken the leap though, by that's a different matter!

I saw one of those Alpines in the flesh on holiday this year. Lovely car.

My Q5 has Auto box, with both paddle shift manual and manual gear mode..Must say the paddle shift is quite nice around town if I don't fancy Auto mode.

I saw a black one put it into both sides of the Armco coming out of the karresell in Germany. Glad he deiceded to do it there and then as I was about to pass him .