MEAD magnetic shifter paddles fitted

[omegabri]

Car finally out of warranty, so today I ripped the steering wheel apart and fitted some Mead solid billet magnetic shifter paddles.
I bought them from AutoID, but you can get exactly the same from Evolve.
I went for the titanium finish

Went in great and easy job !!
Feel awesome to use !!!!

 

[enuff_zed]

Apologies for my ignorance, but why magnetic?

 

[omegabri]

It's just the pull and return, rather than the somewhat soft and dampened BMW oem paddle. Although my 5 series feels nice as oem. The Z4 was a bit lifeless in 'feel'.
Just a lot more feel and interaction given with a more positive 'snap' of the paddle. Nice to flick down etc..
Plus, you get full range of use (lenght wise, compared to the small oem paddle), so a bit more paddle to use while turning the steering wheel etc.

Overall I'm more than happy with them
Probably not everybody's cup of tea, but I consider the Z4 as a fun car for a blast through the country etc., and these give another level of tactile feel to the experience of the car

 

[enuff_zed]

So does it operate switches magnetically, or use magnets to 'self-centre' and make it more 'clicky'.

 

[omegabri]

So does it operate switches magnetically, or use magnets to 'self-centre' and make it more 'clicky'.

"use magnets to 'self-centre' and make it more 'clicky'" basically, but there's a beautiful little click from the microswitch. The entire unit (paddle and complete housing) is made from a solid billet of aluminium so there's no plastic parts to take away the switching sound. Has a beautifully engineered feel to every aspect of them.

 

[enuff_zed]

So does it operate switches magnetically, or use magnets to 'self-centre' and make it more 'clicky'.

"use magnets to 'self-centre' and make it more 'clicky'" basically, but there's a beautiful little click from the microswitch. The entire unit (paddle and complete housing) is made from a solid billet of aluminium so there's no plastic parts to take away the switching sound. Has a beautifully engineered feel to every aspect of them.

Thanks for explaining.

 

[omegabri]

So does it operate switches magnetically, or use magnets to 'self-centre' and make it more 'clicky'.

"use magnets to 'self-centre' and make it more 'clicky'" basically, but there's a beautiful little click from the microswitch. The entire unit (paddle and complete housing) is made from a solid billet of aluminium so there's no plastic parts to take away the switching sound. Has a beautifully engineered feel to every aspect of them.

Thanks for explaining.

 

[omegabri]

So does it operate switches magnetically, or use magnets to 'self-centre' and make it more 'clicky'.

"use magnets to 'self-centre' and make it more 'clicky'" basically, but there's a beautiful little click from the microswitch. The entire unit (paddle and complete housing) is made from a solid billet of aluminium so there's no plastic parts to take away the switching sound. Has a beautifully engineered feel to every aspect of them.

Thanks for explaining.

 

[Nanu]

I think you made a good decision. The paddles are too short when your holding the wheel in the 10 to 2 position its difficult to use the paddles without moving your hands down an couple of inches

 

[omegabri]

I think you made a good decision. The paddles are too short when your holding the wheel in the 10 to 2 position its difficult to use the paddles without moving your hands down an couple of inches