Flappy paddles automatic

[snaponbob]

Interested in a flappy paddle 335. The most current ones (like the one in the new Supra 3.0) pretty much think for you. Quick shifts up and down, rev matching, etc. What are the characteristics of the 335's auto? Looking for a track worthy Time Trials and track days car.

[328 Power 04]

The F30 chassis 335i also use a similar generation of the ZF 8HP automatic 8-speed transmission as in the BMW Supra. It's a very good transmission. It's incredibly crisp and fast, without slurring gears.
That being said, I would still select my own gears on the 8HP automatic than letting it do it for you. Software will not ever perfectly know your intentions on track, especially when it comes to downshifting. Not all of them come with paddle shifters, but they all have the same transmission if they're auto.

[snaponbob]

Interesting assessment on the flappy paddle version. A friend of mine, who is a multi time SCCA nation solo and pro solo champion. He's a first rate wheel man in front, rear, and all wheel drive cars. He owned a 21 Supra and ran it in multiple track events. He tried using the flappy paddles, but others who have been tracking them have found the gear box can take care of the car better than the driver can. My friend found that the gearbox never missed an up or down ship whenever needed, and rev matched perfectly.

I am considering putting my 04 M3 back to stock and replacing it with a flappy paddle F30 335.

[328 Power 04]

It sounds like you came to the thread already convinced! And that's not a bad choice.
If it's a question of revmatching, even the manuals do it perfectly now too, on their own; when you select the gear, it will blip the throttle up to perfect rpm. But as far as braking into a turn and exiting the apex using the desired gear, you'll still want (and have) control over that with the 8HP automatic. It's an automatic that is completely different than the old gen automatics.