Has anyone replaced their steptronic paddles with M paddles?

BSM 335I · 12-19-2009, 10:41 PM

Just wondering who's done it and what experience did you encounter? Was it a quick and effortless swap of just the parts or did any cutting or rewiring have to be done besides the one to change the paddle function? Thanks again.

macleod135 · 12-19-2009, 11:31 PM

That would be an awesome change. If someone could do a DIY guide for changing the paddles to one up and one down that would be great too.

Also, does anyone know if the M3 DCT Shift Knob fits the 135i?

BSM 335I · 12-19-2009, 11:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by macleod135

That would be an awesome change. If someone could do a DIY guide for changing the paddles to one up and one down that would be great too.

Also, does anyone know if the M3 DCT Shift Knob fits the 135i?

+1 That too. Lol.

135forthewin · 12-20-2009, 08:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BSM 335I

Just wondering who's done it and what experience did you encounter? Was it a quick and effortless swap of just the parts or did any cutting or rewiring have to be done besides the one to change the paddle function? Thanks again.

I believe the rewiring is very simple, however I think the price of M3 DCT paddles put a lot of people off. They are pretty ridiculously priced if I remember correctly.

shawshank772 · 12-23-2009, 08:33 AM

Yeah those paddles are like 400 dollars. Thats just redonkulous!

ridin135 · 01-08-2010, 11:41 AM

You dont have to buy the dct paddels to get the up shift on the right and the down shift on the left. I did this to my car right when I got it because it pissed me off how it was from the factory. Well here is the DIY. This will make the left paddle squeeze downshift, right paddle squeeze upshit, and press both paddles forward wont do anything.

1) Release the airbag module Disconnect the battery first and let the car stand for at least 5 miniutes before attempting.
2) Remove the wheel trim piece held on by 3 Torx T20 screws.
3) Remove the paddle shifter connectors from the radio/phone button modules by pulling firmly on the connector body with pliers.
4) Remove the shifters held on by 1 Torx T20 bolt each.

Diagrams of paddle connector wire functions:

Left Paddle Connector
______
3-------|<--downshift (press)
2-------|<--ground
1-------|<--upshift (squeeze)
==<-tab

Right Paddle Connector

==<-tab
1-------|<--downshift (press)
2-------|<--ground
3-------|<--upshift (squeeze)
_____|

The left and right connector pin numbers have different functions because the connectors are flipped from left to right. The numbers are small but visible, pin 1 is always next to the tab as shown.

5) Remove the #1 and #3 wire/pin from left paddle by unclamping the small connector hinged piece and pressing the exposed pin release tab. Then place wire #3 in the connection #1. Then wrap the end of #1 wire in electrical tape. Do not remove the pin 2 wires.

6) On the right paddle just remove pin #1 and wrap it in electrical tape.

7) Reconnect and reassemble everything, then try it out.

As for the m3/m5 dct knob I will be putting this on within the next week, I will let you guys know the outcome.

Sal@AUTOcouture · 01-26-2010, 03:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ridin135

You dont have to buy the dct paddels to get the up shift on the right and the down shift on the left. I did this to my car right when I got it because it pissed me off how it was from the factory. Well here is the DIY. This will make the left paddle squeeze downshift, right paddle squeeze upshit, and press both paddles forward wont do anything.

1) Release the airbag module Disconnect the battery first and let the car stand for at least 5 miniutes before attempting.
2) Remove the wheel trim piece held on by 3 Torx T20 screws.
3) Remove the paddle shifter connectors from the radio/phone button modules by pulling firmly on the connector body with pliers.
4) Remove the shifters held on by 1 Torx T20 bolt each.

Diagrams of paddle connector wire functions:

Left Paddle Connector
______
3-------|<--downshift (press)
2-------|<--ground
1-------|<--upshift (squeeze)
==<-tab

Right Paddle Connector

==<-tab
1-------|<--downshift (press)
2-------|<--ground
3-------|<--upshift (squeeze)
_____|

The left and right connector pin numbers have different functions because the connectors are flipped from left to right. The numbers are small but visible, pin 1 is always next to the tab as shown.

5) Remove the #1 and #3 wire/pin from left paddle by unclamping the small connector hinged piece and pressing the exposed pin release tab. Then place wire #3 in the connection #1. Then wrap the end of #1 wire in electrical tape. Do not remove the pin 2 wires.

6) On the right paddle just remove pin #1 and wrap it in electrical tape.

7) Reconnect and reassemble everything, then try it out.

As for the m3/m5 dct knob I will be putting this on within the next week, I will let you guys know the outcome.

ur the man

12-19-2009, 10:41 PM	#1
BSM 335I Sir Boost-a-Lot 18 Rep 519 Posts Drives: E82 135i Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: So FLA iTrader: (0) Garage List 2009 135i [0.00] 2007 335i [0.00]	Has anyone replaced their steptronic paddles with M paddles? Just wondering who's done it and what experience did you encounter? Was it a quick and effortless swap of just the parts or did any cutting or rewiring have to be done besides the one to change the paddle function? Thanks again. __________________ Click here to compare stock vs tuned cars
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12-19-2009, 11:31 PM	#2
macleod135 Private First Class 4 Rep 102 Posts Drives: 2009 135i Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: USA iTrader: (1)	That would be an awesome change. If someone could do a DIY guide for changing the paddles to one up and one down that would be great too. Also, does anyone know if the M3 DCT Shift Knob fits the 135i?
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12-23-2009, 08:33 AM	#5
shawshank772 Major 120 Rep 1,159 Posts Drives: 08 135i and 16 M3 Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Chicago iTrader: (1)	Yeah those paddles are like 400 dollars. Thats just redonkulous!
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01-08-2010, 11:41 AM	#6
ridin135 Colonel 131 Rep 2,408 Posts Drives: Depends on the day Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Greenville iTrader: (7)	You dont have to buy the dct paddels to get the up shift on the right and the down shift on the left. I did this to my car right when I got it because it pissed me off how it was from the factory. Well here is the DIY. This will make the left paddle squeeze downshift, right paddle squeeze upshit, and press both paddles forward wont do anything. 1) Release the airbag module Disconnect the battery first and let the car stand for at least 5 miniutes before attempting. 2) Remove the wheel trim piece held on by 3 Torx T20 screws. 3) Remove the paddle shifter connectors from the radio/phone button modules by pulling firmly on the connector body with pliers. 4) Remove the shifters held on by 1 Torx T20 bolt each. Diagrams of paddle connector wire functions: Left Paddle Connector ______ 3-------\|<--downshift (press) 2-------\|<--ground 1-------\|<--upshift (squeeze) ==<-tab Right Paddle Connector ==<-tab 1-------\|<--downshift (press) 2-------\|<--ground 3-------\|<--upshift (squeeze) _____\| The left and right connector pin numbers have different functions because the connectors are flipped from left to right. The numbers are small but visible, pin 1 is always next to the tab as shown. 5) Remove the #1 and #3 wire/pin from left paddle by unclamping the small connector hinged piece and pressing the exposed pin release tab. Then place wire #3 in the connection #1. Then wrap the end of #1 wire in electrical tape. Do not remove the pin 2 wires. 6) On the right paddle just remove pin #1 and wrap it in electrical tape. 7) Reconnect and reassemble everything, then try it out. As for the m3/m5 dct knob I will be putting this on within the next week, I will let you guys know the outcome.
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