Let's swap our steptronic (not DCT) paddle shifters for E9x M3 paddle shifters (PnP)!

[EndOfAnEra]

After doing some research I learned that the E9x M3 paddle shifters are completely plug and play for the 135i/335i steptronic transmission. I never liked how the OEM paddles functioned, so once I found a pair of M3 paddles I had to jump on them!



This is a great link to help with removing the airbag and steering wheel trim, but I will include my own set of instructions as well!

http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showthread.php?t=221880

**I removed the negative cable from the battery before starting this DIY. I would suggest you do the same**

The first thing you're going to want to do is look at the back of the wheel and you'll see a hole where a T20 Torx bit goes. This will loosen the steering wheel trim. You'll also have to feel around for a small indentation on the wheel, this is where you will remove the airbag. You'll want to use a flat head screwdriver and insert it into the indentation until you feel a spring-like resistance. Push against the resistance while also pulling the airbag away from the steering wheel.

Left side:



Right side:



There will also be a third T20 Torx you'll want to loosen to remove the steering wheel trim.



Once I removed airbag I placed it on top of the steering wheel like this:



You'll want to grab the T20 again and remove one bolt holding the paddle shift assembly to the back of the steering wheel. One for each paddle shifter assembly.





The next step would be to pull the steering wheel trim away from the steering wheel, it's snugly in the wheel so you'll have to use a little bit of force to get it out. You can then unplug the paddle shifter wires from the back of the steering wheel trim/multi function buttons.



This is where the paddle shifter wire plugs into the back of the steering wheel trim/multi function buttons. Once unplugged, you can remove the not-so-exciting paddle shifters from the wheel.





Now you can install the M3 paddles onto the wheel!



Plug the M3 paddle wires into the back of the steering wheel trim/multi function buttons.



Now you can re-install the steering wheel trim and tighten the (3) T20 Torx screws securing the trim to the wheel.



Snap the airbag into the steering wheel and you are done!



Total time was about 20 minutes for this project

Please feel free to comment with any questions or comments!

- Chris

[MaC-N54-E82]

Originally Posted by EndOfAnEra

After doing some research I learned that the E9x M3 paddle shifters are completely plug and play for the 135i/335i steptronic transmission. I never liked how the OEM paddles functioned, so once I found a pair of M3 paddles I had to jump on them!



This is a great link to help with removing the airbag and steering wheel trim, but I will include my own set of instructions as well!

http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showthread.php?t=221880

**I removed the negative cable from the battery before starting this DIY. I would suggest you do the same**

The first thing you're going to want to do is look at the back of the wheel and you'll see a hole where a T20 Torx bit goes. This will loosen the steering wheel trim. You'll also have to feel around for a small indentation on the wheel, this is where you will remove the airbag. You'll want to use a flat head screwdriver and insert it into the indentation until you feel a spring-like resistance. Push against the resistance while also pulling the airbag away from the steering wheel.

Left side:



Right side:



There will also be a third T20 Torx you'll want to loosen to remove the steering wheel trim.



Once I removed airbag I placed it on top of the steering wheel like this:



You'll want to grab the T20 again and remove one bolt holding the paddle shift assembly to the back of the steering wheel. One for each paddle shifter assembly.





The next step would be to pull the steering wheel trim away from the steering wheel, it's snugly in the wheel so you'll have to use a little bit of force to get it out. You can then unplug the paddle shifter wires from the back of the steering wheel trim/multi function buttons.



This is where the paddle shifter wire plugs into the back of the steering wheel trim/multi function buttons. Once unplugged, you can remove the not-so-exciting paddle shifters from the wheel.





Now you can install the M3 paddles onto the wheel!



Plug the M3 paddle wires into the back of the steering wheel trim/multi function buttons.



Now you can re-install the steering wheel trim and tighten the (3) T20 Torx screws securing the trim to the wheel.



Snap the airbag into the steering wheel and you are done!



Total time was about 20 minutes for this project

Please feel free to comment with any questions or comments!

- Chris

Can you post the part #s for the M3 paddles?

[EndOfAnEra]

Originally Posted by MaC-N54-E82

Can you post the part #s for the M3 paddles?

Sure!

61317840477 and 61317840476

[Mach1er]

Great write-up!

[MaC-N54-E82]

Originally Posted by Mach1er

Great write-up!

x2

Appreciated!

[hhamd525]

To be clear that means that they still shift the same with push in on either side for upshift, and push out for downshift correct?

[EndOfAnEra]

Originally Posted by hhamd525

To be clear that means that they still shift the same with push in on either side for upshift, and push out for downshift correct?

For the M3 paddles you will push them both toward you. The left paddle will push towards you to downshift and the right paddle will push towards you to upshift.

They do not have the function to be pushed away from you.

- Chris

[hhamd525]

Oh so it actually changes the response! becuase i am really hating the paddle shifters where it doesnt matter what side you use, one direction goes up the other goes down, if the M3 shifters work where you downshift on one alone and upshift alone on the other then this is briliant!

[rpsco]

I've done this, and if you can find a set of paddles for a decent price, you should too.

[omgshinoda]

late to the party, but does this mod require any re-wiring the paddles?
(for steptronic non DCT)

[gjm120]

My paddle shifters work the way the M3 ones do w/ no mod. It must be the later Steptronic's were changed. The negative is that when turning sharply and trying to shift it's easy to get mixed up as to which one is the up or down shift.

[dlin708]

Sorry for reviving this thread but does this also work on a 2008 pre lci 328i with sports wheel and push pull paddles?

[EndOfAnEra]

Originally Posted by dlin708

Sorry for reviving this thread but does this also work on a 2008 pre lci 328i with sports wheel and push pull paddles?

yes

[dlin708]

I have an issue after installing an m3 dct wheel. The paddles don't work but the multi-function buttons do. Any ideas on how to get my paddles to work? I was thinking about just using my original multifunction buttons and switching them out with the m3 ones but I realized they were literally the same buttons (My m3 wheel doesn't have the m button).

[dlin708]

Originally Posted by EndOfAnEra

yes

Is there any way to fix my paddles from not working?

[dlin708]

My original wheel and new m3 wheel are attached

[Alloutofdonuts]

Originally Posted by dlin708

My original wheel and new m3 wheel are attached

Hey did you ever figure this out? I’m guessing it’s the wiring in the wheel w/extra wire?

[terced]

do you think if I use the motivemods retrofit harness which bypasses the need for the multifunction buttons that I can do this?

[MParallel]

Originally Posted by dlin708

Is there any way to fix my paddles from not working?

Not sure if you ever fixed it, but in case someone else finds this topic.

Some (older) paddles are simply on/off switches that close two contacts.

Whereas laster style ones use variable resistance. So when the new paddles don't work, this is probably it.

When I put the later style paddle shifters on my SMG(1) E36 M3. I had a buddy who is good with micro electronics, mod the PCB's to go from variable resistance, to simple on/off switches.