Yikes...if that's the trend that BMW is going with, then I don't see myself owning another BMW. There's some things that you just don't mess with in an "ultimate driving machine" (shift knob and handbrake)...yes...even if it's an automatic! Even if there are paddle shifters, there are times that you just want to grab the gear lever itself and if that doesn't feels right, it takes out the whole driving experience with it.