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Paddle change

S

Sticks

Active member
Kent
Hi,

having recently tried a paddle change on an Audi I was surprised how quickly I got used to having it and how much I used it. Naturally I'd like it on my Z4 now :) I won't be doing it myself, despite the useful thread here thanks, but had a couple of basic questions.

Can it be done on an 04 3.0SE? I presume so. Does it work, like the Audi, in both Sport and Drive, or just Sport, like the manual shifter? On the Audi you pull ht e left one to change down, the right, up, but iirc it's different on the Z4 isn't it? Likely cost?

Thanks

Sticks
 
No idea if you can retrofit them, but on the 06, (and I assume the others) both paddles can be used to change up and down.
 
IIRC paddle is only on the SMG box, but I could be wrong. I actually built my own to operate on the steptronic, in effect replicating the movement of the gearlever, but thta's a one off project.

The Z4 uses either paddle for up of down with push for down and pull for up and only operates when the selector lever is shifted into manual. Sport button itself having no effect

No idea of costs as I simply sourced a wheel then made my own wiring loom and splicing :)
 
cj10jeeper is right, now I've checke back, it wasn't an option in 04 on an auto, just the SMG. Your retro fit looks good, too, but beyond my abilities I think.

I wondered if the paddle change would work in both Drive and Sport mode, but it's a moot point really.

Thanks all

N
 
Only facelift cars got the paddle option on the auto 'box and then they aren't left/right push/pull, but each side can go up and down which to my mind isn't the easiest was of doing things - SMG has/had different paddles.
 
Mike,

thanks, Yes, the TT set up of pulling left for down, right for up seems more intuitive. But then the TT shift change is the wrong way round, being forward for up, imho. The Z4s is like using 3rd and 4th, which is pretty well how you'd be driving it.

Ok, thanks

N
 
Sticks said:
Mike,

thanks, Yes, the TT set up of pulling left for down, right for up seems more intuitive. But then the TT shift change is the wrong way round, being forward for up, imho. The Z4s is like using 3rd and 4th, which is pretty well how you'd be driving it.

Ok, thanks

N
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BMW actually used to be forward for up and back for down. They reversed it around 2002/3. I had 2 autos that worked in opposite directions so I rewired my X5 to work the same way as the Zed as I became way too confused with them doing the exact opposite.
 
cj10jeeper, going completely off subject, did you change the seats on your Z yourself? The reason I ask is about the only think I don't like about mine are the SE seats. I did think about changing them for sports seats but the stealer said they'd be £5k before they started.
 
Sticks said:
cj10jeeper, going completely off subject, did you change the seats on your Z yourself? The reason I ask is about the only think I don't like about mine are the SE seats. I did think about changing them for sports seats but the stealer said they'd be £5k before they started.
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Yes I did . Built ///M sport into my existing electric memory bases.
I'm out of the country for a few days so limited internet, but search and there is a project write up
 
Sticks said:
cj10jeeper, going completely off subject, did you change the seats on your Z yourself? The reason I ask is about the only think I don't like about mine are the SE seats. I did think about changing them for sports seats but the stealer said they'd be £5k before they started.
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Wow, what a rip off.

You can get the BMW Performance buckets for £1800 the pair, has anyone investigated dropping them into a Z4? Admittedly they wouldn't match my beige oregon very well but I think they'd look good in a black interior.
 
Wondermike said:
Only facelift cars got the paddle option on the auto 'box and then they aren't left/right push/pull, but each side can go up and down which to my mind isn't the easiest was of doing things - SMG has/had different paddles.
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The paddles on the post-facelift steptronic are the same as the pre-facelift SMG. They're push/change-down pull/change-up chrome-effect type.

I initially wasn't sure about the dual-function (i.e. push/down pull/up) mode of operation, it seemed a bit inefficient (why bother with two paddles?), but it's actually quite useful. As they're wheel mounted, rather than column, it means you can always easily access the function you want, rather than hunting around the rim for the correct paddle.
 
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