Both hands ALL the time, even in leisurely driving or stop-and-go traffic? Wow you guys have amazing etiqutte!

I know hands are supposed to be at 9' and 3' and this was no problem at all for me at the Ultimate Drive. I always use two hands at the right positions in aggressive driving or in conditions where I have the slightest doubt of safety (heavy rain, tricky construction, etc...).

It may just be an odd habit of mine, leaving the right arm on the armrest and shifter. I do itch for a manual transmission so don't tell me "you should have gotten a manual" because it was not my choice and when I do get the choice it will have 3 pedals (Heck the X3 wasn't even my choice but that's another story). However, it just feels "natural" to me for the right hand to be on something, ready to pop it into Sport Drive .

It just seems so wierd that BMW would design such an oddity. On all previous BMWs, everything felt right for me. From the design of the stalks on the steering wheel (hidden behind the spokes of the steering wheel, no distractions) to the resistence and size of the volume knob, it all made sense on the older BMWs. But of all things, the shifter doesn't feel ergonomically correct! That's a first for BMW.