E39 Paddle Shifter Conversion

[GFCH]

Has anyone installed/converted their steering wheel to the E46 wheel with the SMG paddle shifters on their E39 lately?

Most of the posts I've found on the subject are years old. Just wondering if it's still a viable option.

Thinking of doing it on mine.


2003 540iA, M-Sport Dinan

Thx

[ChrisMelnyk]

Lol thanks for reminding me to do this on mine.

It's been quite a while since I put my SMG M3 wheel on, but without hooking up the paddles.


Apparently, it's just a matter of wiring the paddles through a heated steering wheel clockspring and splicing into the tiptronic controls on the shiftier.


I'm a weirdo, so my plan is to make a mini-harness out of oem components to enable this feature while being completely removable.


One day.....

[JPR10]

Is there a way to tune the TCU to make it more responsive to the shifts?

[Dustyleek]

Is there a way to tune the TCU to make it more responsive to the shifts?

I believe there is a way to reset the adaptive learning module and that may help.

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[StRaNgEdAyS]

I believe there is a way to reset the adaptive learning module and that may help.

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Becauae of the nature of the tiptronic, you won't ever get near instant shifts though... There is always going to be about a second delay

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[Dustyleek]

Encase of the nature of the tiptronic, you won't ever get near instant shifts though... There is always going to be about a second delay

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No never will. Only thinking outside the box to see if that could help with delays

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[blackknight530i]

I have the paddles, switches, etc. that I retrofitted into a pretty nice e39 steering wheel (it was the one that came with my 03 530iA). I bought a beat up SMG wheel as a core to get the locations that needed modification (foam cutting out to make room for the switches and holes in the back of the wheel) and then did the swap into the good wheel. I still have the wheel as well since I've done a manual swap since. If anyone wants the whole thing minus the airbag (use your own), PM me. Only thing I don't have available is the heated steering wheel clockspring, unless someone wants to trade their good working regular one so I have one to put in my car. When I did the wiring, I used BMW connectors and pins to put in-line with the connector that goes to the shifter so it could be removed easily without cutting the wires. I think there's a guide out there that has part numbers for that.

[GFCH]

Hey Chris

Yup, that's what I've concluded as well. new clock spring and a wire harness and wheel of course.

Reason I asked the original question is, I sent a question to a supplier of conversion kits. I asked what the kit contained. I was curious what he was charging 299$ for and was wanting to compare it with what it would cost me.

The reply I got back was simply it "contains all the parts to make the conversion". I asked for clarification and second response was just as vague. I simply wanted to know did it have a harness? Clock spring etc, what would justify 299$. I would have purchased if it seemed reasonable for what was contained in the kit (I can be lazy)

I said thanks, but not interested. In response he scoffed at me saying his kit has a microprocessor and assorted other items that would make it work like it came out of the factory (yea, i know, e39s didn't come from the factory with SMG ) and "those DIYs don't work".

Being as so many have completed the mod without the "microprocessor" and did work, I was curious if I was missing something in my searches.


I picked up the connectors from my local electronics store, for 20$ and a clock spring from the local BMW wrecker for 40$, well below the 299$ quoted. .

Just hunting for a Steering wheel and as soon as it warms up, I'll get it done.

I'll pass on what I do for ya.

Cheers

Gord

[GFCH]

I have the paddles, switches, etc. that I retrofitted into a pretty nice e39 steering wheel (it was the one that came with my 03 530iA). I bought a beat up SMG wheel as a core to get the locations that needed modification (foam cutting out to make room for the switches and holes in the back of the wheel) and then did the swap into the good wheel. I still have the wheel as well since I've done a manual swap since. If anyone wants the whole thing minus the airbag (use your own), PM me. Only thing I don't have available is the heated steering wheel clockspring, unless someone wants to trade their good working regular one so I have one to put in my car. When I did the wiring, I used BMW connectors and pins to put in-line with the connector that goes to the shifter so it could be removed easily without cutting the wires. I think there's a guide out there that has part numbers for that.

Hi Black knight

sent you a PM, I would be interested in your steering wheel. I sent you a PM

Thanks

G...

[jp5Touring]

I installed the SMG paddle shift couple years back. It's a very simple swap and works pretty well with the e39.
I followed these threads on how to install.

http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthread.php?t=895897

http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=576444

http://www.e46fanatics.com/forum/sho...d.php?t=571539

http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthr...=826971&page=2

I used OEM connectors from ECSTuning and this wiring diagram is correct and pretty simple.

[GFCH]

Thanks Jp

Those are the ones I was planning on following.

Confirmation it works is great.

Many thanks

[ChrisMelnyk]

I said thanks, but not interested. In response he scoffed at me saying his kit has a microprocessor and assorted other items that would make it work like it came out of the factory (yea, i know, e39s didn't come from the factory with SMG ) and "those DIYs don't work".

Gord

That's pretty funny - I guess he has to justify his prices somehow....

Although I have heard of a guy who somehow used a microprocessor or circuit board so that you didn't have to put the shifter in Tiptronic mode (move shifter to left) to make the paddles work. He set it up in such a way that if you pulled back on both paddles at the same time, that would over-ride the shifter location and put it into Tiptronic mode.

I remember that he had many issued with it, so I decided not to do that

Hey Chris

I'll pass on what I do for ya.

Gord

Thanks

[DennisCooper]

Hi,

I put the E46 M3 CSL steering wheel in my car back in 2008/9 and loved it! I went out for a spirited drive for about 3 hours right after it was done

The links above will show it's an easy conversion - you'll need the SMG slip ring, SMG steering wheel and the 'loom' to connect it up. For a few years, there was a 'kit' available from sellers on Ebay for around £60 for just the loom, around £180 for the loom and slip ring that you'd simply purchase ready made as it were. Pricing may have changed as well as those listings, but were around for quite a long time and might still be.

There's no change to the responsiveness/timing of shift changes as all you are doing is 'relocating' the steptronic up/down to the steering wheel area. Once you get used to it, you can make some good shifts. I think there is ways to re-map the gearbox settings and I thought of doing it for a while. Never did around to actioning it though!

The listing where a seller had a kit to pull both paddles back and thus put the car into steptronic mode seemed pointless to me. It's just so easy to use your hand to knock the gearlever into steptronic mode ! Might as well save yourself the £150 or so it cost I seem to remember?!

I've now converted to a 5 speed manual, so my CSL steering wheel will soon be coming off along with the slip ring and wiring loom. There's two other SMG steering wheels in my storage too, so I'll have to list them up soon



Cheers, Dennis!

[sealbeach740]

I made this DIY when I added an E46 paddle shifter steering wheel to my E38.
Since then, I also added one to my E39 (same steps).
I also created an insert (thanks to my buddy LA-Sean) that sits in between the connectors of the steptronic shifter so that it can be removed (if needed).
And yes, while it doesn't make the shifts any quicker, mentally it feels quicker because you're using paddles vs. the shift lever.
Here's my write up from a few years ago:
http://www.bimmerboard.com/forums/posts/462216/

And, FWIW, both cars still have the paddles & they continue to work fine.

[GFCH]

Thanks Dennis

if you put those wheels up in the near future let me know!

- - - Updated - - -

Thanks Sealbeach..

[f355spider]

This would be a fun conversion, but the most annoying thing about Steptronic is the damn computer overriding and constantly upshifting too soon. I could live with the super long shift times if it would stay locked in manual mode without the computer overriding constantly.

[GFCH]

This would be a fun conversion, but the most annoying thing about Steptronic is the damn computer overriding and constantly upshifting too soon. I could live with the super long shift times if it would stay locked in manual mode without the computer overriding constantly.

I agree but the Dinan Stage 2 Software takes care of that issue.

My shift times are faster than I can blink and happen when needed..

[computiNATEor]

Yeah, the Dinan software is your best bet. From the factory these really are autotragics.

[MParallel]

...I'm a weirdo, so my plan is to make a mini-harness out of oem components to enable this feature while being completely removable...

Not a weirdo. I would call that a proper, non-bodge job.

I've done more retrofits and installs than I want to remember, but my nr1 rule is to never, ever cut and splice into existing wiring.

I did a paddle shifter install on my Euro M3 SMG1 and did exactly that. A small custom made 'contra' wiring loom from OEM BMW wiring and connectors.

Remove the 2 shift signal wires from OEM connector. Stick the 2 pins of the new loom into the connector you just pulled the two pins from. The 2 pulled pins go into the connector on the left. Connector on the right connects to the yellow wire connector, that goes to the steering wheel slipring. It's simple ground switched signals. The steering wheel's internal ground point is shared with horn and the shift signals.

[jicaino]

Somebody has the P/Ns for the slip rings and connectors? I thought I'd be manualswapped by now but I'm feeling the need of doing this.

[StRaNgEdAyS]

I'd love a link to the DINAN EGS software...

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[computiNATEor]

I'd love a link to the DINAN EGS software...

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DinanCars.com.

https://www.dinancars.com/product/d9...ies=&mid=540i/

[Gingerman22]

Hello, May I ask where to plug in the 2 pin connector? Behind the steeling wheel? I saw a post which he removed the lower panel and connected the pin at the back side the the steeling wheel.

[sealbeach740]

The 2 pin connector (for the paddle info wires to the tranny) goes into the backside of the slip ring.

[f355spider]

I agree but the Dinan Stage 2 Software takes care of that issue.

My shift times are faster than I can blink and happen when needed..

Wait, so the Dinan software prevents the upshifts as long as you are below redline? Faster than you can blink?