[AlanIOW]

Hi

Does anyone know if the Flappy Paddles can be retrofitted to a 320D Auto?

[biscuits]

I looked into this when I had a E60 535d... if you google retrofit-paddles-bmw you'll get loads of info from US sites. basically it just hardwires into the + & - shift side of the selector stick...

[trixman]

You can from Burger Motorsports in the states, not sure if it'll fit a RHD though although can´t see how it would be much different

[E92Fan]

Yes you can retrofit the paddles -

The airbag is the same for both styles of wheels. You would need a new wheel rim though, with the cutouts for the paddles. Obviously you need the paddle set too. Then you would most likely need a different steering wheel slipring with the contacts for the paddles. And after that, you'd need to get the cabling from BMW, or make it yourself, to hook up the new slipring connector to the gearbox slave.

[AlanIOW]

Thanks for the tips guys, its amazing what you can find on these forums.

I have ordered an M paddle shift wheel and paddles off Ebay. I'm hoping the slipring in the late models has the extra connections so that I can make a connection to the Auto Selector circuit.


I'll post again when its done.

[tinka]

Also try rhese. www.mrpaddleshift.com.

[E92 LeMans]

To be honest I have them and hardly use them dont think there is much point on a diesel on a petrol I can see the benerfit.

[330cdsport]

Funny how we all differ. I have them on the 335d and really like them. I use them daily when overtaking (two down shifts so that i am in the right gear before flooring it)

It is something that I really miss on the X5 as you have to put the damn thing over into DS box before you can shift up and down.

The X6 comes with them as standard too.

[E902717]

Originally Posted by 330cdsport

Funny how we all differ. I have them on the 335d and really like them. I use them daily when overtaking (two down shifts so that i am in the right gear before flooring it)

It is something that I really miss on the X5 as you have to put the damn thing over into DS box before you can shift up and down.

The X6 comes with them as standard too.

I know what you mean, ive got them in mine and love them and use them all the time i wouldn't have had an auto without them and after having them i don't think i would go back to a manual car.

Your right about the 2 down shifts for overtaking

[TMP]

Originally Posted by 330cdsport

Funny how we all differ. I have them on the 335d and really like them. I use them daily when overtaking (two down shifts so that i am in the right gear before flooring it)

It is something that I really miss on the X5 as you have to put the damn thing over into DS box before you can shift up and down.

The X6 comes with them as standard too.

Yeap same here - use them all the time to nudge the 'box. Come into their own for manual mode on b roads

I really do miss them on the 5

[AlanIOW]

The Deed is Done!!

It took me all day, but I have now got fully operational Flappy Paddles on my 320D. I must say they are brilliant, you can leave it in D but over-ride without having to move the Selector to DS so a quick flick and your in the right gear for a hill or an overtaking manoeuvre, then it reverts back to D itself if you don't do anything.



It cost me £200 for the M Sport Wheel and Paddles off Ebay, I just had to shift over the Airbag and Multi Function switches from my old wheel. The wiring is a bit tricky, but luckily there are 2 spare holes in the Multi Function Switch plug which I inserted the metal pins and connected through the Slip Ring and eventually found where they appear on the other side of the Indicator Switch gear. Again I had to insert 2 pins, then thread a wire to the gear selector. I used pins and connector wires from old computer Audio Cables and Pin Header Plugs, so they cost nothing. I did ask my BMW spares dept. for some of the original plugs and sockets, but they would have cost about £50 as they only sell the various bits in packs of 10!! plus they would have to order them and they could not confirm they would be the correct items as they only use similar diagrams to realoem.com .

I must thank all those who have posted various DIY projects, like Steering Wheel Changing and Centre Console removal as I would never have had the confidence to blindly strip down the various bits to get at the electrics.

[330cdsport]

Looks like you did a great job. Welcome to the flappy paddle club

[M3-FAST]

Excellent DIY job

[maximed3]

do you have any pictures how do you fit the paddles ?

[Dr Dave]

Hmmmmmm I like the idea of this.....

So no coding etc to do, just plug and play?

[jaza45]

post a diy

[AlanIOW]

Originally Posted by Dr Dave

Hmmmmmm I like the idea of this.....

So no coding etc to do, just plug and play?

Yes it is sort of plug and play, there is definitely no coding required. It all depends on the Slip Ring, which is the bit that transfers the signals from the steering wheel switches to the cars' brain. I gather that they change that part regularly and it depends on whether you have the multi function switches. On my late 08 build I found there were two spare contacts and used them by knocking up a circuit behind the airbag and another from the back of the slip ring to the Gear Selector. Very simple wiring, but you have to dismantle quite alot to do it. ie remove airbag, remove old wheel, remove steering column covers, remove centre console trim etc. Plus you have to get hold of a wheel with the flappy paddles, you can't just add the paddles to your existing wheel. I picked mine up on ebay, but would probably cost £800ish from a dealer for all the parts.

Overall I would highly recommend fitting them, but its not too easy and you do have to be very careful when dealing with Airbags!!! - Make sure you disconnect the battery before doing anything - You have been warned!!

There are loads of DIY help on the various forums, some of it did not directly relate to my model, but it was very helpful - especially how to remove the existing wheel - just do a search

[Dr Dave]

Many thanks - now to source a wheel!

[Dr Dave]

Stunning job - I so want! No wheels on ebay though!

I've even got the go-ahead from 'er indoors! [shock horror]

So you had to run wires from the rotary coupler to the gear selector area?

Mine's an 06 with multifunction wheel, so I'd be fairly hopeful that I have the right 'coupler.

I guess taking the wheel off and having a look before taking the plunge would be a good plan. I reckon these couplers would be £300+

[CraigUK]

I'm really interested in this too but as you say, steering wheels on ebay are hard to come by. Regarding the slip ring issue, if when I take my wheel off I have no spare connectors I plan on using the two contacts which link the telephone buttons on my wheel. As I see it, I don't have a bluetooth phone kit so I have no use for the buttons. Hopefully it won't come to this and there will be spare capacity fitted.

[AlanIOW]

Here is a pic of my slip ring, the connector top right is where the multi function switch plugs in. The left hand connector is for the airbag.

[AlanIOW]

Here is a pic of the multi function connector, you will see 2 unused connections [ There are no contacts inside, you will have to buy or make them up from computer connectors]


Craig - The multi function switch does not use normal switchgear I think they have a circuit that changes resistance so the 8 switches only need 4 wires - I am sure it could be done, but I did not want to alter anything permanently.