Paddle shift swap

JuniorJet

Active member
 Surrey
I'm sure someone will have asked this...

Anyone know if there is a way to swap the old style paddles for new ones (like all 2.0i models) or similar? If so, any idea of cost?
 
I did this a while ago - the original paddles fitted to mine had the silver colour & could be pushed / pulled to do up & down shifts the same on each side.

I hated them - never really knew whether to pull or push to get the gear I wanted.

I changed them over for the newer style paddles which just have pull, left side changes down / right side changes up.

Straight forward swap, no coding or dealer visit required. Just swap the paddles & they work straight away.

Get the part number for the paddles from somewhere like realoem, just paddles are needed. You don't do anything else, really simple job that took about 20 minutes to do.

If I remember correctly, the paddles were approx. £250 delivered from a BMW dealer.

Matt
 
Perfect! This could just swing it for me... Minor detail but big difference!

Is this for ALL z4's with auto boxes or just the DCT ones/35is?
 
AFAIK all Z4s got the new paddle design from 2011 onwards (auto & DCT), so it applies to all models with the paddles.

It's a simple swap, I've heard rumours & internet gossip of needing to mess with wiring & chop things up - you don't. Plug & play, the hardest part is removing the airbag & that takes about 5 minutes with a little care.

There are full instructions online if you search around, very simple to do.

It is a small thing, but completely transformed my experience with the car. With the old paddles I never used 'paddle mode' as it was a pain in the ass - but now when I fancy being a loon it is a real pleasure :D

Matt
 
RoyS said:
Sorry to hijack but are the paddles easy to remove/replace?

Yes (for me anyway).

If you cannot change a fuse in a plug, or don't know which end of a screwdriver to use, then 'no'.

It's a half hour job if you really take your time. Instructions available online if you google (don't ask me for them, I googled & didn't save them after use).

If you don't have a selection of screwdrivers & some torx bits in a range of sizes then don't bother starting (you need to unfasten a few bits of trim).

Matt
 
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