[AndyP]

So we've had our MCSa for over a year now. Still love it to bits and back.

When we first got it, we loved playing with the manual functions and the paddle shift. But recently I've noticed neither my wife or I bother with these. We've found that simply by dropping the right foot to the floor when overtaking is more than sufficient, the car changes down incredibly fast. And it seems to be smoother just letting it come back up the gears on it's own.

How's everyone else driving theirs these days? Still using the paddles or have you ditched them and are sticking it in "drive" and letting it get on with the job?

[AprilWhine]

I played with the paddles a little at first, but now just put it in drive and concentrate on the handling.

[YQTYYZ]

Set it to D, and let the right foot do the braking and accelerating.

Paddles as well as the other modes haven't been touched once.

[Wesmonster]

I've found that I still use the paddles from time to time, mostly when I'm approaching a steep hill or when I'm passing, but this is usually in 'D' mode. Also when I want to manually put it in 1st gear for a quick getaway, but for the most part the tranny does a great job by itself, they're just fun to play with. I still prefer shifting with the paddles over using the shift selector as I'm becoming fond of keeping both hands on the wheel.

[bjerk]

I usually keep it in 'D' but I still use the paddles for those passing opportunities. Otherwise for the occasional spirited drive I switch it over to 'SD'

[Jim Ray]

Mostly drive and let the software do its thing. I just love hanging on with both hands, flooring it and letting it blip through the gears.

When I see a long sweeping curve that I know I am going to take at a ridiculous speed I will knock the shifter to the right and downshift with the paddle, in order to know that the car will not shift while I am pushing the adhesion of the tires in the curve. Yea, I know, I run wuss tires, but I like the softer ride.

I do love an entrance or exit ramp that appears while I am being tailgated by a lout in a Ford Exploder, or Excretion. I am usually totally through the ramp and on my way before he reappears in the mirror again. OOPS, off topic, must moderate myself. Shame.

[Ferroequine]

I barely spend any time in D, except when it is really cold out (to let things warm up a bit first and keep the revs down), or when ambling along in rushhour traffic. Otherwise, I spend about 60% of the time in SD, and 40% in Manual.

My right arm is still too trained from previous vehicular love affairs, and wants to shift mostly with the selector instead of the paddles.

My wife spends all of her time in D.

[AWW_MCS]

My wife uses D all the time ...I call it (Driving Miss Dasy mode)

I use a combination of Paddles or Shifter and only D when told to slow down, I change into more relaxed driving mode

What I don't like about driving in D is ...if I don't use the paddles to shift down going around roundabouts the car changes up a gear .... in contrast to steptronic namual you have control of the car rather tha the car deciding for you.

Also in manual mode 1st to 2nd and so on changes will automaticly happen at 6,700 rpm if you want to floor it.

[nike61]

Mines just a year gone also. Spend 90% in Manual with paddles as just got use to using these. When my wife drives as per others thats when "D" gets a run. Agree with the comments on cornering, this is why I use the paddles as change down prior to cornering.
Some times I wish for a manual, but in traffic I am glad that I do not have one.

[MrT-Man]

Spend 35% of my time in D, 65% in SD... I *always* downshift when passing (usually by tapping the pedal to the floor), and/or when a stretch of highway opens up in front of me & I've got some room to accelerate.

Otherwise I don't use the manual mode a whole lot, but I'm glad it's there... great for when I want to rev really high & hear some growl from the engine! (can't believe how many people think that reving it is somehow bad!)

[newyorkcitymini]

i spend 100 percent of my time shifting manually - haven't touched D or SD since break-in!

cheers - drew

[bjl]

99% manual mode. Stick to shift 85% of the time (15% paddles)

(Had mine for ~380 days)

[rozminiblack]

I use the ears whenever Im not stuck in traffic. How good is M1 for getting off at the lights eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeaaaaaaaaaaa
Raoul

[Roofas]

95% of time paddles only. Only use D when I'm counting on my fingers and SD when I'm thrashing it on the M1

[jf1972]

Half and half. I like to use the paddles when I am exiting or slowing down.

[MMMCS]

Almost always in M using paddles unless in reverse

Never ever bother to use SD. I think D and M are sufficient for any multi-mode gear box, no need for the 3rd way.

To be honest I got it for my wife and 90% of the time she is driving it. So I like to put the M to better user whenever I get a chance.