Help with paddle shifters

SgtGoldy · 11-12-2013, 03:01 PM

So I purchased a used BMW 335i with the sports package.

Now every time I use the paddle shifter be it the left or right it shifts up for me. I cant make it downshift, the car does that automatically. Is something wrong or is there a way to allow me to downshift on my own?

Rayden · 11-12-2013, 03:05 PM

You should push down on either paddle to downshift.

SgtGoldy · 11-12-2013, 03:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rayden

You should push down on either paddle to downshift.

Sorry if this sounds newb: I don't understand what your saying lol. I'm coming from an Infiniti G37s where left paddle=down, right paddle=up.

4EST · 11-12-2013, 03:12 PM

you can either push down, or pull up (towards you) on the paddle

I can't spell it any clearer :P

raceyBMW · 11-12-2013, 03:15 PM

Push with thumb on either paddle, downshift, pull from behind on either, upshift

Each paddle does dual duty.

SgtGoldy · 11-12-2013, 03:20 PM

Oh okay! That makes so much more sense. Thanks guys, that's completely different from the G.

pj.rodriguez · 11-14-2013, 04:30 PM

Yes. Very different. Which is why i bought the M3 paddles and had it left down, right up. Plug and play!

jafza412 · 01-02-2014, 07:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SgtGoldy

Oh okay! That makes so much more sense. Thanks guys, that's completely different from the G.

This is old but thought I'd chime in anyway.

You can reverse the paddle functions pretty easily if you are a little technically capable. This sounds intimidating but is really easy.

1. Remove airbag (look up the DIY, required disconnecting battery)
2. remove steering wheel trim
3. unplug cable connected to left paddle
4. open up the connector, the connector is just a flimsy piece of plastic that is clipped together that contains 3 pins
5. swap the two outer pins (pin 1 goes to pin 3 position, pin 3 goes to pin 1 position)
6. close everything back up

This basically reverses the function of the left paddle where pushing will upshift and pulling will downshift. Just like every other vehicle mfg does...haha.

I did this about 5 months ago and have loved using the paddles, never really did prior to this.

3002 tii · 01-02-2014, 08:28 PM

Is this for steptronics only? DCT is right/upshift, left/downshift

raceyBMW · 01-03-2014, 01:04 PM

Yes, steptronics only.

BabyrayS2k · 01-30-2014, 09:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jafza412

This is old but thought I'd chime in anyway.

You can reverse the paddle functions pretty easily if you are a little technically capable. This sounds intimidating but is really easy.

1. Remove airbag (look up the DIY, required disconnecting battery)
2. remove steering wheel trim
3. unplug cable connected to left paddle
4. open up the connector, the connector is just a flimsy piece of plastic that is clipped together that contains 3 pins
5. swap the two outer pins (pin 1 goes to pin 3 position, pin 3 goes to pin 1 position)
6. close everything back up

This basically reverses the function of the left paddle where pushing will upshift and pulling will downshift. Just like every other vehicle mfg does...haha.

I did this about 5 months ago and have loved using the paddles, never really did prior to this.

Wouldn't you want to do this with the right paddle instead?

TGTIW · 01-30-2014, 05:00 PM

Confused as to why you would want to reverse the functions of the paddles at all? The correct orientation is always pull back for up-shift and push away for down.

BabyrayS2k · 01-31-2014, 08:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TGTIW

Confused as to why you would want to reverse the functions of the paddles at all? The correct orientation is always pull back for up-shift and push away for down.

Because every other car is press left for downshift and press right for upshift.

jafza412 · 01-31-2014, 09:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BabyrayS2k

Wouldn't you want to do this with the right paddle instead?

Quote:

Originally Posted by BabyrayS2k

Because every other car is press left for downshift and press right for upshift.

Every other car you pull the paddle towards you to shift, which is why I swapped the pins on the left paddle.

I personally have never seen another vehicle where you press anything at all (paddle wise) to shift.

jafza412 · 01-31-2014, 09:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TGTIW

Confused as to why you would want to reverse the functions of the paddles at all? The correct orientation is always pull back for up-shift and push away for down.

Correct orientation defined by what?

F1 cars, Ferrari, DCT BMW (and I think even LCI 3ers), Chevy Malibus, etc. require pull only. Left downshift, right upshift.

BabyrayS2k · 01-31-2014, 04:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jafza412

Every other car you pull the paddle towards you to shift, which is why I swapped the pins on the left paddle.

I personally have never seen another vehicle where you press anything at all (paddle wise) to shift.

It has been my experience you press to upshift. Had an is350. This is what I am basing my opinion on. Press right to upshift. Press left to downshift.

TGTIW · 02-01-2014, 10:45 AM

If you are dealing with dedicated left and right paddles, pulling right for upshift and pulling left for downshift is correct. If you have a car with a very quick steering rack that doesn't require you to physically remove your hands from the wheel to go from lock to lock, then this works great. However, for cars that require a shift while lock is applied (WRC and ultimately street cars) then pulling back for an upshift and pushing forward for a down precludes confusion. Before going to a single shift paddle sprouting from the steering column, Peugeot had a great system that was essentially a CF paddle that covered the interior circumference of the steering wheel, so no matter where you hand were on the wheel and push forward would downshift and a pull back would up.

TokyoCarGuy · 02-28-2014, 04:07 AM

Sorry to change the subject a bit, but I've done plenty of search, but couldn't find a definite answer.

Is it possible to to install DCT, Post 2011 LCI (N55), or any other after market paddles as replacement for older type "dual duty" type? Or do I need to replace the whole wheel?

If the answer is yes and paddles can be swapped, what's the part number or some cool after market paddles?

I figured, if I replace the wiring for "proper" paddle use, I'd rather have proper paddles installed too.

11-12-2013, 03:01 PM	#1
SgtGoldy SuperFastYo 51 Rep 790 Posts Drives: N54 335i TiAg Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: Orange County, CA iTrader: (3)	Help with paddle shifters So I purchased a used BMW 335i with the sports package. Now every time I use the paddle shifter be it the left or right it shifts up for me. I cant make it downshift, the car does that automatically. Is something wrong or is there a way to allow me to downshift on my own?
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11-12-2013, 03:05 PM	#2
Rayden New Member 0 Rep 25 Posts Drives: 2008 335i E90; 2007 X5 4.8i Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: Houston, TX iTrader: (0)	You should push down on either paddle to downshift.
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11-12-2013, 03:12 PM	#4
4EST Private 6 Rep 97 Posts Drives: E90 320d LCI Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Brasov, RO iTrader: (0)	you can either push down, or pull up (towards you) on the paddle I can't spell it any clearer :P __________________ GPS Navigation: www.g-p-s.ro
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11-12-2013, 03:15 PM	#5
raceyBMW king of the hills 112 Rep 2,923 Posts Drives: 2011 M3 w/ESS55, 2001 540i/6 Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Arvada, CO iTrader: (1) Garage List 2001 BMW 540i/6 [8.17] 1994 530i [9.00] 2007 335i Coupe [8.37]	Push with thumb on either paddle, downshift, pull from behind on either, upshift Each paddle does dual duty.
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11-12-2013, 03:20 PM	#6
SgtGoldy SuperFastYo 51 Rep 790 Posts Drives: N54 335i TiAg Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: Orange County, CA iTrader: (3)	Oh okay! That makes so much more sense. Thanks guys, that's completely different from the G.
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11-14-2013, 04:30 PM	#7
pj.rodriguez Lieutenant Colonel 84 Rep 1,623 Posts Drives: Alpine White 128i Cabrio Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada iTrader: (9) Garage List 2008 BMW 128i E88 [9.00]	Yes. Very different. Which is why i bought the M3 paddles and had it left down, right up. Plug and play! __________________ 2008 128i E88 / Alpine White / Boston Leather Sport / 6AT / M3 Paddle Shifters / Bilstein B8 / H&R Springs / Dinan Fixed Camber Plates / BMW 335i Front Brakes / PIAA Xtreme White 4150K Angel Eyes / Rear Fogs Enabled / Cyba Air Scoops / Euro Airbox / BMW Performance Exhaust / Stubby BMW Antenna
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01-02-2014, 08:28 PM	#9
3002 tii Lieutenant General 2469 Rep 12,685 Posts Drives: Z4 M, X5, GX460 Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: CT iTrader: (100) Garage List E86 Z4 M [10.00] F15 X5 xDrive35i [9.17] F10 550i (Retired) [9.17] E85 Z4 M (Retired) [9.41] F25 X3 xDrive35i (R ... [9.43] E82 135is (Retired) [9.56] E90 328i xDrive (Re ... [9.25] E86 Z4 3.0si (Retired) [8.93]	Is this for steptronics only? DCT is right/upshift, left/downshift __________________ Follow for latest mods
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01-03-2014, 01:04 PM	#10
raceyBMW king of the hills 112 Rep 2,923 Posts Drives: 2011 M3 w/ESS55, 2001 540i/6 Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Arvada, CO iTrader: (1) Garage List 2001 BMW 540i/6 [8.17] 1994 530i [9.00] 2007 335i Coupe [8.37]	Yes, steptronics only.
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01-30-2014, 05:00 PM	#12
TGTIW Second Lieutenant 143 Rep 258 Posts Drives: 2010 328i Join Date: May 2013 Location: Knoxville iTrader: (2)	Confused as to why you would want to reverse the functions of the paddles at all? The correct orientation is always pull back for up-shift and push away for down.
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02-01-2014, 10:45 AM	#17
TGTIW Second Lieutenant 143 Rep 258 Posts Drives: 2010 328i Join Date: May 2013 Location: Knoxville iTrader: (2)	If you are dealing with dedicated left and right paddles, pulling right for upshift and pulling left for downshift is correct. If you have a car with a very quick steering rack that doesn't require you to physically remove your hands from the wheel to go from lock to lock, then this works great. However, for cars that require a shift while lock is applied (WRC and ultimately street cars) then pulling back for an upshift and pushing forward for a down precludes confusion. Before going to a single shift paddle sprouting from the steering column, Peugeot had a great system that was essentially a CF paddle that covered the interior circumference of the steering wheel, so no matter where you hand were on the wheel and push forward would downshift and a pull back would up.
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02-28-2014, 04:07 AM	#18
TokyoCarGuy Captain 454 Rep 668 Posts Drives: 2011 AW E90 M3 Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Tokyo, Japan iTrader: (0) Garage List 2011 BMW M3 Sedan [1.00]	Sorry to change the subject a bit, but I've done plenty of search, but couldn't find a definite answer. Is it possible to to install DCT, Post 2011 LCI (N55), or any other after market paddles as replacement for older type "dual duty" type? Or do I need to replace the whole wheel? If the answer is yes and paddles can be swapped, what's the part number or some cool after market paddles? I figured, if I replace the wiring for "proper" paddle use, I'd rather have proper paddles installed too. __________________ Please visit my automotive website based in Japan:
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