Paddleshift Retrofit on E38 7 Series and E39

[timbach]

Found some interesting articles on how some fellow BMW owners retrofitted Paddleshifts (from Mercedes) on to their E39 / E38s.
Apparently quite easy. ..... buy the Mercedes paddles off eBay (~100 USD), install the paddles onto the steering wheel (some cutting and drilling required) run 2 wires from the gearbox (Steptronic) to the new slip ring (also ~USD 100) and viola!!

Has anyone done this retrofit here ?

Or can recommend a mechanic to assist ? Particularly on the "install the paddles onto the steering wheel (some cutting and drilling required)" portion.

Thanks!!

 

[wingzee]

Found some interesting articles on how some fellow BMW owners retrofitted Paddleshifts (from Mercedes) on to their E39 / E38s.
Apparently quite easy. ..... buy the Mercedes paddles off eBay (~100 USD), install the paddles onto the steering wheel (some cutting and drilling required) run 2 wires from the gearbox (Steptronic) to the new slip ring (also ~USD 100) and viola!!

Has anyone done this retrofit here ?

Or can recommend a mechanic to assist ? Particularly on the "install the paddles onto the steering wheel (some cutting and drilling required)" portion.

Thanks!!

Why not getting the E46 M3 steering wheel instead? Costs more though. Close to RM3k with new clock spring.

 

[d4ngerz0ne]

Found some interesting articles on how some fellow BMW owners retrofitted Paddleshifts (from Mercedes) on to their E39 / E38s.
Apparently quite easy. ..... buy the Mercedes paddles off eBay (~100 USD), install the paddles onto the steering wheel (some cutting and drilling required) run 2 wires from the gearbox (Steptronic) to the new slip ring (also ~USD 100) and viola!!

Has anyone done this retrofit here ?

Or can recommend a mechanic to assist ? Particularly on the "install the paddles onto the steering wheel (some cutting and drilling required)" portion.

Thanks!!

Initially wanted to do that (i think i saw that thread you mentioned). You could try your luck asking VIXX customs .

Didn't really see the justification of buying tools to do the Merc paddle shifters ,so just went with the e46 m3 steering wheel retrofit. Manage to get it down under 2.5k.

 

[timbach]

Well. For those interested. Here are the links :

http://www.bimmerboard.com/forums/posts/576808/

http://www.bimmerboard.com/forums/posts/610491

http://www.bimmerboard.com/forums/posts/1213224

Don't really need special tools to do the retrofit but you do need to cut the lining of the steering wheel a bit for a good fit and drill 2 holes for the paddles to bolt on.

Was hoping a workshop here has done it before so I can get the experience mechanic to do it.