Paddle shifter Retrofit

[Ahvaio]

I was writing this to find out if a retrofit kit exhists and is possible to install paddle shifters on a z4 automatic.. I have a 2003 3.0i z4 automatic and would love to have paddle shifters installed. :driving: :driving: I searched this fourm and couldnt find anything on this topic.

Unfortunatly since I live in the United States according to BMWUSA no retrofit kits are available to the U.S. market :headbang: :headbang: . I know this becasue I retrofitted the OE navigation and steering wheel control buttons, according to my local shop (PacificBMW :thumbsdown: ) (whom I told money was no object)it couldn't be done. :thumbsdown: :thumbsdown: Well It could and I did with a tool called the internet.

I have heard about a retrofit kit from a fourm in singapor, I have included a link to that spacific page:
http://www.bmw-sg.com/forums/interior-s ... alled.html

Can someone please let me know if this can be done?

 

[gadgetJunky72]

Hi,

For those of us in the UK, CA-automotive supply and fit for an E46. From the website it seems the kit is also compatible with the Z4.

http://www.ca-automotive.co.uk/single_p ... od_id=1915

 

[Ahvaio]

The kit from CA automotive seems to change the entire steering wheel. It replaces the wheel with a 3 series type wheel. I am looking for a kit that keeps the z4 steering wheel and has the z4 paddle shifters. Thank you for the quick responce.

 

[gadgetJunky72]

hi,

i was looking into this a while ago for my e46 and I thought i saw something for the z4 whilst searching the web. I think these guys were the original suppliers of the retro-fit when it first started taking off and they are continually expanding their range for new models.

http://www.mrpaddleshift.com/main2.htm

Go to Products and scroll down to SSG Paddle-Shift Retrofit --> E85 Z4

I'm not totally sure on the difference between SMG ans SSG. I think the SSG works with an auto-matic gearbox rather than a clutch based system.

They have this faq page for the z4:

http://www.mrpaddleshift.com/products/z4faq.htm

Hope this helps.

Cheers

 

[GP20]

hi,
I think the SSG works with an auto-matic gearbox rather than a clutch based system.

SSG is what came on '03~'05 Z4's; there is a clutch and it's controlled by the computer. The automatic gearbox with paddle shifting is, well, simply automatic with paddle shifting - nothing more than a gimmick, really.

Here's a simple break-down:

SMG 1 came on Euro spec E36 M3's.
SMG 2 came on E46 M3's.
SSG came on the Z4 & E46 regular 3 series.
SMG 3 comes on the current M5/M6.

 

[561design]

I have the paddle shifters on my auto and it's really not worth it to be honest. The delay from activation to it actually shifting is waaaay too long to be effective. There are days I miss driving a stick. But then eventually I hit alot of traffic and my left leg thanks me.

 

[zednik]

I must respectfully disagree with 561design on the paddle shifters. My '06 Steptronic/sport package works great with the paddle shifters. The shifts are quicker than I can work any manual tranny. My objection is that the paddles are way too small. After a year with this car/transmision combo I'll NEVER go back to a manual shift......at least until I buy a old Ferrari. :driving:

 

[561design]

Zed, what conditions are you refering to? Under light and heavy conditions I can never get the actuation of the paddle shifters to engage the tranny very quickly. There's always a second or two from when I hit the paddle til when the tranny actually engages. I don't miss my manual tranny, but I also think the paddle shifters are not really worth it.

 

[Ahvaio]

I think it does not matter if it works well or not. I want them.

I base this reasoning on the fact that my car has automatic rain sensing wipers however it rarely rains in California. :tumbleweed: :tumbleweed: I never use them but it is nice to have. I also have automatic climate control which is silly in a convertible because I rarely drive with the top up. So for me at least, its not the usability of the item, its just nice to have it. I want all the bells and whistles. :driving:

 

[gadgetJunky72]

561 design - is the delay you mention the same when you use the gear lever in manual (steptronic) mode. I doubt the shifters add any more delay because all they are doing is sending the same signal to the auto box as the lever would when you press it up or down.

 

[561design]

561 design - is the delay you mention the same when you use the gear lever in manual (steptronic) mode. I doubt the shifters add any more delay because all they are doing is sending the same signal to the auto box as the lever would when you press it up or down.

Yes, you're correct. It's the same amount of delay you get if you use the shifter in steptronic mode. I currently switch back and forth from this car to a manual.

 

[Ale_72]

No other useful info to add but I wanted to be updated with any news on this topic and I wasn't able to "subscribe" without writing a post...

 

[gadgetJunky72]

by the way, ca-automotive have a 330 saloon with the paddle-shift fitted which they offered me a go on.

 

[The HACK]

I actually know Mr. Paddle.Shift. He spent a lot of his own $$$ figuring out how BMW's paddle shift system on the E46 M3 worked, and actually bought an Alpina Shiftronic wheel in the U.S. out-of-pocket to make it work for EVERYONE. Most of the other kits on the market are guys who bought his kits and reverse-engineered it. If you want to support the enthusiast community, support guys like him.

Now, if you have an automatic I think Mr. Paddle.Shift can actually build a kit for you that either uses the Z4's SSG style paddles or the E46 M3 SMG style paddle. The main difference is the SSG style paddle, each paddle can shift up or down depending on the direction you press (away from you down, toward you up), while the M3 style SMG paddles shift up with the right paddle, and down with the left paddle (I think). Personally I prefer the M3 style SMG paddles.

 

[Ahvaio]

Well I checked and found out the shifters will work on my 2003 automatic. I ordered the paddle shifters and wires on ebay for $74. I can't wait to get them and install them. I don't know who difficult the installation will be since I dont have any written instructions. well wish me luck everyone, I will let you guys know how it went after the instalation. It cant be as tough as installing the o.e. navigation system, I hope. :lol:

 

[cj10jeeper]

Well I checked and found out the shifters will work on my 2003 automatic. I ordered the paddle shifters and wires on ebay for $74. I can't wait to get them and install them. I don't know who difficult the installation will be since I dont have any written instructions. well wish me luck everyone, I will let you guys know how it went after the instalation. It cant be as tough as installing the o.e. navigation system, I hope. :lol:

Hi Ahvaio

I'm fascinated with a $74 paddle shifters and wires kit. Can you post a lnk to the ebay item so I can see what you get. As a 2003 auto owner for that sort of money it might be a fun project.

 

[Ahvaio]

sure here is a link :
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayI ... =p3907.m32

I checked with the mrpaddleshift site and they want $1025 for the kit. :headbang: it includes directions and a steering wheel with shifters.

Well I was able to get the shifters for $76 (correction), and for some odd reason my car already came with a steering wheel so I guess I dont have to worry about that.

 

[Ahvaio]

Its not that I mind paying $1025 for the kit form mrpaddleshift, but I think its a litte to pricy for what you get, besides you might as well get it from the BMW dealer.

 

[The HACK]

sure here is a link :
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayI ... =p3907.m32

I checked with the mrpaddleshift site and they want $1025 for the kit. :headbang: it includes directions and a steering wheel with shifters.

Well I was able to get the shifters for $76 (correction), and for some odd reason my car already came with a steering wheel so I guess I dont have to worry about that.

You'd be VERY surprised. Maybe you can email him and see if you can trade in your steering wheel for a core cost or something.

Good luck with your $76 paddle-shifter, I have a hunch you'll not be able to make it work. If I know these things like I think I know these things, there's a couple of parts you're missing besides the paddle to make the paddle-shifter work like BMW intended.

 

[Ahvaio]

Sorry to say but you sound like my local dealer who said a O.E. navigation retrofit could not be done on a z4. they surely didnt think I could do it. Well I am proud to say I installed that myself without any help or problem. Then I reporgrammed it with v27.1. now it has v.29.1. I made sure I went back to my local dealer and showed them. They had to check my vin number to make sure I was not pulling there chain. I am sure the navigation system was much harder and more complex to install then two paddles that connect to a wheel. When I install the kit I will make sure to update this post.