I have them in both cars and use them 70% of the time....

It depends on the car. I have had them on a Automatic box and frankly they are just a gimmick on these cars. But i also had them on a M3 CSL and they were sublime on a car purpose built for that kind of gear-changing. To change gear in a real sports car on full throttle at 8k revs is an incredible experience - they give instant change which gives you greater control, always with both hands on the wheel. They just make that type of car more complete.

On a car created to be an Auto, they are a gimmick IMHO.

Hope this helps

The car I'm ordering is not a sports car, is available as a manual gearbox or with auto with the paddle shift. The replies are very interesting and exactly as I thought - paddles are great on performance type cars with peaky petrol engines and best forgotten about on a diesel. Unfortunately there is no option for an auto without paddles on the car I am thinking about. 2018 Mini Countryman Cooper S E All4 PHEV in Melting Silver - it’s whisper quiet in EV and polluter modes

Tim
What car are you thinking of? I have a diesel auto with paddle shift, and it works well. Current MY2020
Gone: 1 x L405 and 2 x L322's

Paddleshift on the Tdv8 4.4 is brilliant, and used very often, particularly for engine braking, or when hustling cross country.

Most sports cars with paddleshifts now are faster than their manual equivalents. QED !