Does DCT paddles upgrade really work?

dselek · 10-07-2008, 07:24 PM

I am planning to get M3 steering wheel with the DCT paddle shift cutouts. Obviously I will get the DCT paddles as well but the question is, after installing everything, do they operate the way they do in the M cars, left paddle for down shifts and right paddle for up shifts?

It seems like it is not possible unless they are wired differently to function that way. I asked the same question to people in Tischer BMW(they sell the paddles) and they are even sure if it operates that way. They said they are just selling them because there is a huge demand on them but they are technically inadequate in this case.
So what do you guys thing?

Kev · 10-07-2008, 07:38 PM

I'll tell you more about it on Saturday when I install mine.

dselek · 10-07-2008, 08:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dselek

I am planning to get M3 steering wheel with the DCT paddle shift cutouts. Obviously I will get the DCT paddles as well but the question is, after installing everything, do they operate the way they do in the M cars, left paddle for down shifts and right paddle for up shifts?

It seems like it is not possible unless they are wired differently to function that way. I asked the same question to people in Tischer BMW(they sell the paddles) and they are even sure if it operates that way. They said they are just selling them because there is a huge demand on them but they are technically inadequate in this case.
So what do you guys thing?

Tischer BMW is NOT even sure is what I meant actually. Sorry, fast typing..

asdflkijd · 10-07-2008, 08:49 PM

I think there is some re-wiring that has to be done if you want to use the left paddle as - and right as +.. The origional step paddles are left -,+ and right -,+ lol..

Kev · 10-07-2008, 08:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by asdflkijd

I think there is some re-wiring that has to be done if you want to use the left paddle as - and right as +.. The origional step paddles are left -,+ and right -,+ lol..

We are talking about the DCT paddles here and whether they are plug and play. Based on the wiring diagram that I have seen, the paddles are plug and play and should work out of the box in our cars. I have not been able to confirm it, yet..... but we will know for sure on Saturday when we install the steering wheel with paddles.

MuchMoore · 10-07-2008, 08:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kev

We are talking about the DCT paddles here and whether they are plug and play. Based on the wiring diagram that I have seen, the paddles are plug and play and should work out of the box in our cars. I have not been able to confirm it, yet..... but we will know for sure on Saturday when we install the steering wheel with paddles.

Thanks Kev!

dselek · 10-07-2008, 09:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kev

I'll tell you more about it on Saturday when I install mine.

I can't wait the results, Kev. I hope they just work the way we hoped they would.

Barmats · 10-07-2008, 11:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dselek

I am planning to get M3 steering wheel with the DCT paddle shift cutouts. Obviously I will get the DCT paddles as well but the question is, after installing everything, do they operate the way they do in the M cars, left paddle for down shifts and right paddle for up shifts?

It seems like it is not possible unless they are wired differently to function that way. I asked the same question to people in Tischer BMW(they sell the paddles) and they are even sure if it operates that way. They said they are just selling them because there is a huge demand on them but they are technically inadequate in this case.
So what do you guys thing?

As far as I know, nobody has done this exact mod yet due to the cost of the DCT paddles (plus the wheel). But it should without any problems. The M3 wheel will still use the switch assembly and cover plate from your stock wheel, which is where the paddles plug into. The 335i's step paddles are a 3-conductor connector. The DCT paddles are a 2-conductor connector, which should fit onto the stock connector block. The left connector uses the center pin (ground) and upper pin (downshift). The right connector uses the center pin (ground) and lower pin (upshift). Here's a link to a diagram on the N54tech website: http://www.n54tech.com/forums/showthread.php?t=699

The worst that can happen is that you reverse the function and end up with the opposite shift that you were expecting.

Kev - would love to see pics of your install when done!

Azrielsc · 10-08-2008, 05:01 AM

Actually, there are quite a few cars here in Singapore have done this conversion. Just plug and play.

Cheers!

Micks-e92 · 10-08-2008, 04:19 PM

I have done it and it is plug & play

aut0sh0cker · 10-08-2008, 06:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Micks-e92

I have done it and it is plug & play

But how does it shift? Left: - Right: + ??

dselek · 10-08-2008, 07:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aut0sh0cker

But how does it shift? Left: - Right: + ??

Yes, that exactly how they should work. Just like in M cars, left squeeze for down shifts and right squeeze for up shifts only. No bidirectional operation.

dselek · 10-08-2008, 07:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Micks-e92

I have done it and it is plug & play

Micks, could you shed some light on how you did this? Was it easy? did you install it yourself? how long did it take to install? Do you have pics?

dselek · 10-10-2008, 08:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kev

I'll tell you more about it on Saturday when I install mine.

Good luck tomorrow with the installations Kev. Please keep us posted and put some pics if you can also.

Kev · 10-10-2008, 08:46 PM

Sure, will post DIY pics

Kev · 10-10-2008, 09:56 PM

Ready for surgery tomorrow:

BES335xi · 10-10-2008, 09:58 PM

lo0ks good, let us know how it comes out.

kuvesh · 10-10-2008, 10:13 PM

long story short, i had cars with both setups, and IMO the bi-directional paddle setup is more practical

no doubt the dct paddles look good but the bi-directional step paddles do have advantages.

for example, if your steering wheel is turned full and then you decide to change gear, you lose track which paddle is for up shift / down shift - you dont have time to look at which paddle has "+" or "-" so you end up using the gear shifter (this is what used to happen to me on my e46 m3 smg)

you dont have the same problem with the step paddles because is it doesnt matter which paddle you flick to change gear, just the direction.

Kev · 10-10-2008, 10:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kuvesh

long story short, i had cars with both setups, and IMO the bi-directional paddle setup is more practical

no doubt the dct paddles look good but the bi-directional step paddles do have advantages.

for example, if your steering wheel is turned full and then you decide to change gear, you lose track which paddle is for up shift / down shift - you dont have time to look at which paddle has "+" or "-" so you end up using the gear shifter (this is what used to happen to me on my e46 m3 smg)

you dont have the same problem with the step paddles because is it doesnt matter which paddle you flick to change gear, just the direction.

That feature I find convenient as well, but I'm too used to the L downshift, R upshift in my E55. Also, in a turn, I find myself using the actual shifter more than the paddles anyways.

Micks-e92 · 10-10-2008, 10:37 PM

Hi,

It is pretty easy. Just connect the dct paddles to the oem female connectors in the wheel's cover where the "old paddles" where connected.

The paddles work just like in the M3, left paddle -, right paddle +.

Sorry for the crappy pics!

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Barmats · 10-10-2008, 11:13 PM

Nice pics, guys. I have the same wheel with step paddles, and I'm thinking of switching to the DCT paddles, but it's an expensive mod. The cheapest I've seen these selling for is around $600/pair. Has anyone seen these selling for less?

lilblaze27 · 10-10-2008, 11:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kev

Ready for surgery tomorrow:

Let us know kev!!!!
Thanks~

10-07-2008, 07:24 PM	#1
dselek 2008 BMW 335i Coupe Black Sapphire Metallic 9 Rep 85 Posts Drives: 2008 BMW 335i Coupe Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Long Island City, NY iTrader: (0)	Does DCT paddles upgrade really work? I am planning to get M3 steering wheel with the DCT paddle shift cutouts. Obviously I will get the DCT paddles as well but the question is, after installing everything, do they operate the way they do in the M cars, left paddle for down shifts and right paddle for up shifts? It seems like it is not possible unless they are wired differently to function that way. I asked the same question to people in Tischer BMW(they sell the paddles) and they are even sure if it operates that way. They said they are just selling them because there is a huge demand on them but they are technically inadequate in this case. So what do you guys thing?
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10-07-2008, 07:38 PM	#2
Kev Critical Care Anesthesiologist 491 Rep 8,824 Posts Drives: SMB F83 Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Seattle, WA iTrader: (24) Garage List 2009 Porsche 911 Ca ... [9.50]	I'll tell you more about it on Saturday when I install mine. __________________ kev { divinum est sedate dolorem } "your friendly neighborhood critical care anesthesiologist"
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10-07-2008, 08:49 PM	#4
asdflkijd Aberry is a scammer 584 Rep 5,507 Posts Drives: SGM E92 335i, AM E90 335i Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Seattle, WA iTrader: (14) Garage List 2008 E92 335i [10.00] 2007 E90 335i (Reti ... [9.00]	I think there is some re-wiring that has to be done if you want to use the left paddle as - and right as +.. The origional step paddles are left -,+ and right -,+ lol..
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10-08-2008, 05:01 AM	#9
Azrielsc Lieutenant 17 Rep 443 Posts Drives: E92 335i Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Singapore iTrader: (2)	Actually, there are quite a few cars here in Singapore have done this conversion. Just plug and play. Cheers!
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10-08-2008, 04:19 PM	#10
Micks-e92 Private First Class 13 Rep 172 Posts Drives: 335i e92 - sl500 r230 Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Madrid, Spain iTrader: (1)	I have done it and it is plug & play
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10-10-2008, 08:46 PM	#15
Kev Critical Care Anesthesiologist 491 Rep 8,824 Posts Drives: SMB F83 Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Seattle, WA iTrader: (24) Garage List 2009 Porsche 911 Ca ... [9.50]	Sure, will post DIY pics __________________ kev { divinum est sedate dolorem } "your friendly neighborhood critical care anesthesiologist"
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10-10-2008, 09:56 PM	#16
Kev Critical Care Anesthesiologist 491 Rep 8,824 Posts Drives: SMB F83 Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Seattle, WA iTrader: (24) Garage List 2009 Porsche 911 Ca ... [9.50]	Ready for surgery tomorrow: __________________ kev { divinum est sedate dolorem } "your friendly neighborhood critical care anesthesiologist" Last edited by Kev; 12-13-2008 at 10:04 PM..
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10-10-2008, 09:58 PM	#17
BES335xi Colonel 92 Rep 2,132 Posts Drives: FBO+ N54xi Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Queens, NYC iTrader: (4) Garage List 03/07 E90 335xi [1.00]	lo0ks good, let us know how it comes out. __________________ JB4+usb \| P3 Vent Boost Gauge v2 \| BMS OCC \| BMS DCI \| AMS FMIC \| AR xi CL DP's \| BT Tool \| Edibias/NCSExpert/INPA BMW Coding \| Cyba Quad Exhaust tips \| M-Tech Rear & M3 Front Bumper \| Red Cyba Air Scoops \| Blacklines \| Vinyl Overlays \| ACS Roof Spoiler \| Matte Black Grilles \| LED Side Mirrors \| Rear Euro Fogs \| etc.. .
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10-10-2008, 10:13 PM	#18
kuvesh Lieutenant 26 Rep 513 Posts Drives: e92 335i juiced Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: singapore iTrader: (1)	long story short, i had cars with both setups, and IMO the bi-directional paddle setup is more practical no doubt the dct paddles look good but the bi-directional step paddles do have advantages. for example, if your steering wheel is turned full and then you decide to change gear, you lose track which paddle is for up shift / down shift - you dont have time to look at which paddle has "+" or "-" so you end up using the gear shifter (this is what used to happen to me on my e46 m3 smg) you dont have the same problem with the step paddles because is it doesnt matter which paddle you flick to change gear, just the direction. __________________ HAMANN FRONT APRON, SIDES, ROOF SPOILER & QUAD DIFFUSER \| VORSTEINER VRS TRUNK \| CSC3 ON 19” ADVAN RS \| BREMBO GT BBK \| BASTUCK QUAD \| KW V2 \| JB3 v1.3s beta \| BMW PERFORMANCE STEERING WHEEL \| M3 SIDE MIRRORS \| M5 SMG SHIFT KNOB \| BLACKOUT GRILLS \| PARTIALLY SMOKED LIGHTS \| WINDOW TINT
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10-10-2008, 10:37 PM	#20
Micks-e92 Private First Class 13 Rep 172 Posts Drives: 335i e92 - sl500 r230 Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Madrid, Spain iTrader: (1)	Hi, It is pretty easy. Just connect the dct paddles to the oem female connectors in the wheel's cover where the "old paddles" where connected. The paddles work just like in the M3, left paddle -, right paddle +. Sorry for the crappy pics!
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10-10-2008, 11:13 PM	#21
Barmats Lieutenant 17 Rep 503 Posts Drives: 2019 BMW X5 Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: CA iTrader: (4)	Nice pics, guys. I have the same wheel with step paddles, and I'm thinking of switching to the DCT paddles, but it's an expensive mod. The cheapest I've seen these selling for is around $600/pair. Has anyone seen these selling for less?
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