[Ao1]

I have a 325i paddle shift pre-lci (2009) MSport and would like to upgrade to a M3 steering wheel. Is the 325i paddle shift & air bag the same as the M3? Does it matter if the M3 wheel is pre or post lci?

Some photos below of the my current steering wheel.

Thanks in advance.

[kwano888]

They should be the same pre or post LCI. I recently replaced mine with an M3 steering wheel abeit without paddles. You can re-use your same M Sport airbag. You may need to re-use your original buttons which pop out after unscrewing and replacing into your new M3 wheel which I did as one of the buttons had a different symbol.

[Ao1]

Thanks for the feedback. So the only potential issue is compatibility between the MSport paddles vs the M3 paddles.

[gaza01]

Originally Posted by Ao1

Thanks for the feedback. So the only potential issue is compatibility between the MSport paddles vs the M3 paddles.

You need to use yr original buttons and the m3 paddles will work. If you use the m3 buttons the buttons will work eg volume etc but the paddles wont

[Ao1]

I ordered the steering wheel yesterday. Wheel only, no air bag or buttons, which by the sounds of it I can transfer from the Msport wheel.

It does not come with the paddes either, which is the only bit I am now worried about.

Will the paddles be a direct swap? If not is it just the paddles that need to be changed (low cost) or the switch and paddle (expensive)?

[gaza01]

Originally Posted by Ao1

I ordered the steering wheel yesterday. Wheel only, no air bag or buttons, which by the sounds of it I can transfer from the Msport wheel.

It does not come with the paddes either, which is the only bit I am now worried about.

Will the paddles be a direct swap? If not is it just the paddles that need to be changed (low cost) or the switch and paddle (expensive)?

Straight swap for the air bag and buttons so no issues there.

You're original paddles will fit the m3 wheel.

Keep a look out on ebay for m3 paddles though...could come across a cheap set

[Ao1]

^ Thank you

[Ao1]

Sadly the paddles were not a direct swap. (Mine is pre-lci and the M3 wheel is lci)

[Ao1]

LOL, BMW are charging £501.26 for a pair of M3 paddle shifts. There are a number of different part numbers available, so its not so easy to find what matches what. I found a German Ebay selling them for £202. Hopefully they fit.

Lesson? Don't but a steering wheel from Ebay without the paddles.

BTW my old steering wheel, including paddles is up for sale in the classified section

[acerboo]

airbag as is said is a swap as is the trim panel and switches. I had m3 paddles but found them rather stiff. the m3 paddles fitted the pre lci standard wheel and the lci ones fit the m3 wheel so in theory your paddles should go on albeit with a small gap. try the lci paddles they look and feel much nicer plus are 1 up and 1 down. they need altering to work on pre lci but you can find them on ebay already done.

[Ao1]

^ Oh joy. I ordered OEM M3 lci paddles today. Do you know what the modifications are? Could I do them myself?

[Ao1]

M3 paddle shifts fitted and working OK.

Are the plus/ minus signs on the M3 paddle shifts supposed to illuminate? If so mine aren't, but at least the gear change function works. If they are supposed to illuminate is there anything I can do to make that work?

[acerboo]

Originally Posted by Ao1

M3 paddle shifts fitted and working OK.

Are the plus/ minus signs on the M3 paddle shifts supposed to illuminate? If so mine aren't, but at least the gear change function works. If they are supposed to illuminate is there anything I can do to make that work?

the m3 paddles fit straght on the pre lci its the lci standard paddles that need modifying so as you've found you are ok. the + and - signs don't illuminate.