Steering wheel with paddles or just the paddles

I’m looking for a set of steering wheel paddles from a regular auto, not a SMG. I will consider a complete steering wheel with paddles as well.

I have a regular steering wheel (chrome line) and a SMG paddle equipped wheel (non-chrome line) to swap if preferred, or will buy outright.

Bump

Still looking

There’s a few on eBay
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/276066115065?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0&ssspo=WIspWeGrRbC&sssrc=4429486&ssuid=7DC-EautSyW&var=&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/266397951871?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0&ssspo=7lWPYEInSCS&sssrc=4429486&ssuid=7DC-EautSyW&var=&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY

Edit- realised you said not SMG but not sure there is a difference? Seen these ones in normal autos before?

paddy wright said:

There’s a few on eBay
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/276066115065?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0&ssspo=WIspWeGrRbC&sssrc=4429486&ssuid=7DC-EautSyW&var=&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/266397951871?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0&ssspo=7lWPYEInSCS&sssrc=4429486&ssuid=7DC-EautSyW&var=&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY

Edit- realised you said not SMG but not sure there is a difference? Seen these ones in normal autos before?

Click to expand...

SMG paddles are electronically different from normal auto paddles unfortunately

Ah, hadn’t realised- every day is a school day!
Some international options all be it expensive
https://prussianmotors.com/bmw-06-08-e85-e86-z4-multifunction-leather-sport-steering-wheel-auto-w-paddles-37425/

https://www.ebay.com/itm/235073891810?_trkparms=amclksrc%3DITM%26aid%3D1110006%26algo%3DHOMESPLICE.SIM%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D20221018081743%26meid%3D227e2ba1bb4d42c88e4063a280c65118%26pid%3D101429%26rk%3D2%26rkt%3D12%26sd%3D126039462588%26itm%3D235073891810%26pmt%3D1%26noa%3D0%26pg%3D2332490%26algv%3DSimPLMWebV1CPCAuto%26brand%3DBMW&_trksid=p2332490.c101429.m2460&amdata=cksum%3A235073891810227e2ba1bb4d42c88e4063a280c65118%7Cenc%3AAQAIAAAA8Br8uvhLIoMwmcOQTaBUxljZTEc0KKmsRZja%252Bu%252FGCy3Ig0ur%252FR7TvppLmf3G%252F3CkR%252Fh11K7G4e%252BDrfiIFuLclT7ieweqIvprZIyahJ8J935ec3lZtxwxvNW%252FCSb%252Fb65X50lM1Q5tCfsEnZulLGAaoH2PPvROcWYtuB5bIDQ0KcTxBrZVt21ebq4sR0WH46qMV64VDW8dEKlzAoDMSpk4f6FnHwyjAtHLHVOpxEjpaPxRVJsxBIz8qXLMEa0ImQvOJxjsqeLIx8lFzgYWt0mXNyr6fK36M6VE7TXd%252FFqPD317EvtIL0WJ8gtTr7kFkaFzTg%253D%253D%7Campid%3APL_CLK%7Cclp%3A2332490

https://www.ebay.com/itm/325807180317?_trkparms=amclksrc%3DITM%26aid%3D1110006%26algo%3DHOMESPLICE.SIM%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D20221018081743%26meid%3D6ce787f0f1244f58aa63fc7e2bb3ae76%26pid%3D101429%26rk%3D6%26rkt%3D12%26sd%3D235073891810%26itm%3D325807180317%26pmt%3D1%26noa%3D0%26pg%3D2332490%26algv%3DSimPLMWebV1CPCAuto%26brand%3DBMW&_trksid=p2332490.c101429.m2460&amdata=cksum%3A3258071803176ce787f0f1244f58aa63fc7e2bb3ae76%7Cenc%3AAQAIAAAA8Br8uvhLIoMwmcOQTaBUxlgKMne8ZwZfLkQvblF9Eh%252BixgvE8CvCFfu%252BEssaYQUT2%252BLZS05dj5NTCgifpifGfCV4mVwUeoIFnGV3PgFgZBwQUzUJJUuIixwDNBUYY7qC2ODAyhY1gA72meDG54Twdf0QlaJqTEhGD2AV8mLHrmmG5OaKHAbbz2xnCQTDJj9IQgixVUobIUE3dzeYkdrs3pWDjAIgNHElrbaKU9KjekK6PAh7lOPKRwBO4CT2Kwc68WQ9P1yZ%252BbswHjlt53eq2F4vUfXVw1hOvbbW%252B1AZWIxMUISp5Yq8RAjsQNG0wp6%252BTg%253D%253D%7Campid%3APL_CLK%7Cclp%3A2332490&epid=1842022487

https://www.ebay.com/itm/126039462588?_trkparms=amclksrc%3DITM%26aid%3D1110006%26algo%3DHOMESPLICE.SIM%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D20221018081743%26meid%3Dc24d9a2b3be84b0cb4cd6da5689ea2d0%26pid%3D101429%26rk%3D1%26rkt%3D12%26sd%3D325807180317%26itm%3D126039462588%26pmt%3D1%26noa%3D0%26pg%3D2332490%26algv%3DSimPLMWebV1CPCAuto%26brand%3DBMW&_trksid=p2332490.c101429.m2460&amdata=cksum%3A126039462588c24d9a2b3be84b0cb4cd6da5689ea2d0%7Cenc%3AAQAIAAAA8Br8uvhLIoMwmcOQTaBUxlhiSgFgA5bJbPIjeaml6vm%252FBL2ReXRhHUhjt9zeRUJcZJeHYDR%252FGpneurQxGO6dXDpujMdh3lQNGAuX4GBLK6gGZAOZ7iSzWt4e9m2ZUPyQXkNktHRED%252FHVCxjQgmyQvg0HtYKOOksGaRpTQXRgep1CYLNYkN75fEFkSsyNtMkK5rWv5y3xrkgOj6SGS%252FtZcJoNiGCOz52R3bxaZVP7O%252BJmjPQBkwHvVY1mdIjCdxNf2iOitrZV0xLLpdtadYOVe5PzcbHAt6ZZx8WKtjkRGHEWrc2n75PozG5U6bp8p5%252BI8Q%253D%253D%7Campid%3APL_CLK%7Cclp%3A2332490&epid=1142048129
https://www.ebay.com/itm/204479514880?_trkparms=amclksrc%3DITM%26aid%3D1110006%26algo%3DHOMESPLICE.SIM%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D20221018081743%26meid%3Decceb60f4b884d67b1e4e53827aa0833%26pid%3D101429%26rk%3D4%26rkt%3D12%26sd%3D126039462588%26itm%3D204479514880%26pmt%3D1%26noa%3D0%26pg%3D2332490%26algv%3DSimPLMWebV1CPCAuto%26brand%3DBMW&_trksid=p2332490.c101429.m2460&amdata=cksum%3A204479514880ecceb60f4b884d67b1e4e53827aa0833%7Cenc%3AAQAIAAAA8Br8uvhLIoMwmcOQTaBUxljVPZM3VPMrab0UdgRwf%252Fnb9IGDzhKciHYnJ0l%252Bo61kGvL8pTw9Ase0S7x%252FGXsVJviCitgqIhBUndX1kO8s9bwXIEKU%252BablKP2MyGWCJvID03wvq0oxAWWoGFRjAV1JndcVcFQvFv5oS8fvIeoGqXaGw%252BnnHPSEI%252Bd1ASPCEktbfbdvR1ee2kdUeLTWkBkG1KaEEnE%252FEs4jUUANNuYs7ULnzITZ4d%252BvjOkDQljihmFaGWNmNxfYIOYDt2X%252Bf3Hcm6nrFg7%252FIxopYFJHgl97dH0h0C3Lj6FEzWHNLh%252BKg0r%252F5Q%253D%253D%7Campid%3APL_CLK%7Cclp%3A2332490&epid=1142048129

Zedebee said:

Still looking

Click to expand...

Is it not possible to modify the SMG switches?

https://www.1addicts.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1086034

The wiring diagram at "Step 1: The Concept" makes it look like it could be a simple modification but I have no idea what the inside of the smg switches look like.

From what I understand the auto paddles are a simpler design where shifting up or down completes a circuit to communicate that to the car. The SMG ones send a certain voltage each time you shift instead.

Might be able to modify, but that's beyond my knowledge

Thanks for your inputs, everyone.
Yes, there are SMGs for sale on eBay in the UK. One unscrupulous dealer sold me a regular auto (yes, I asked explicitly) and it turned out to be an SMG.
The SMGs are externally identical, but the chip inside is different. I have stared hard at a SMG chip for hours, but I cannot work out how to modify the circuit to deliver Auto functionality.
Another forum member has actually made me an auto chip, but it’s been made too “chunky” to fit in the housing.
Hence I am looking for OEM chips/paddles/wheel. Not sure whether I’m ready to invest £250 in a shipment from the US, where they seem to be plentiful

Spent too much time reading up on this tonight and got a little over invested in it so I have bought some automatic Mini paddles, they look very similar but have 5 wires on each paddle instead of 4. They cost £28 delivered which is worth it just to satisfy my curiosity :rofl:

Will let you know how I get on, I don't have a slip ring with the 2 pin connector so will have to connect them straight to the gearbox. Will mount them on another steering wheel I have and will get the girlfriend to hold it in the passenger seat and she can (try) change gear :driving:

P.S note for me: don't forget to ground the steering wheel.

Usel said:

Spent too much time reading up on this tonight and got a little over invested in it so I have bought some automatic Mini paddles, they look very similar but have 5 wires on each paddle instead of 4. They cost £28 delivered which is worth it just to satisfy my curiosity :rofl:

Will let you know how I get on, I don't have a slip ring with the 2 pin connector so will have to connect them straight to the gearbox. Will mount them on another steering wheel I have and will get the girlfriend to hold it in the passenger seat and she can (try) change gear :driving:

P.S note for me: don't forget to ground the steering wheel.

Click to expand...

Oh wow. No idea how that will turn out, as I can’t find any electrical diagrams for the Mini paddles on NewTIS. The diagrams for the SMG and auto (far left of pic 2) paddles are attached. You can see they are quite different.

The Mini paddles I have bought are Steptronic.

Here is a picture of them:



In hindsight I should have bought this whole steering wheel for £20 delivered but my 'buy now' finger was too impatient :rofl:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/16579282...-b0f9-0630075a1ab7|iid:1|vlpname:vlp_homepage

From the picture I posted above the wiring is different to Z4 auto paddles but I think the end result is the same. Until I have them in person and use a multimeter on them I won't really know.

A connects to F
B connects to E
C connects to slip ring
D connects to G

So once all connected the final connector C has 3 wires in it, which is too many for the Z4. I believe the brown wire in connector C will be ground, which on the Z4 wheel can be connected to the ground screw. This then leaves us with the red and white (looks yellow beige) wire we need that then connects to the slip ring.

The paddles themselves, I assume that the black part with all the wires can be detached from the silver paddle tabs?

If so then you would be able to use your SMG paddles with the black Mini electric parts.

Connectors D & G have 3 wires, the Z4 paddles only have 2. Again I believe the 3rd wire, which is brown, is a ground wire. The Z4 just has Red and Green here. What makes me believe this is that connector F has two wires (yellow and white) but when connects to A only one wire is used. Therefore the right paddle wouldn't have a ground so is included in the G connector.

Usel said:

The paddles themselves, I assume that the black part with all the wires can be detached from the silver paddle tabs?

Click to expand...

Don’t think the black part separates easily from the silver part, but the end cap of the black pack detaches to reveal the electronic chip (and carrier) which I am hoping can just be swapped over with whatever change to the wiring/earthing is required. Great info by the way and thanks for helping out.

Received the paddles today. These are the chips inside:







The big brass pin slides out easily, so if you did want to keep the black bit as is and just swap out the paddle then this would be possible. However it would be easier for you to just swap the chips like you wanted to do if they fit.

[ref]Usel[/ref], it won’t surprise you to hear that I snaffled the £20 steering wheel. The left hand chip is indeed the same as the Z4 auto, as it corresponds to the picture posted by [ref]1236Z4[/ref]. I have no reference for the right hand paddle, but the serial number is consecutive so I am hoping it is also identical to the Z4 auto (the left and right are not the same). The wiring loom is very different to the SMG. I have connected F to A, cut the white wire and attached it to the steering wheel earth. I have replaced connector E with the right sized slip connector from my SMG paddles and discarded the rest of the loom B-C. Hopefully you agree. Unfortunately I can’t test it yet as my front end is on axle stands , but I’m hopeful.

These are the paddles connected up with the extra wire loom for the mini:



The extra wire loom has this connector at the end which would connect to the slip ring:



Red is Push
Brown is Pull
White is ground

We don't really need the extra loom. Both paddles have a yellow and white wire coming from them.

Left paddle white is push
Left paddle yellow is pull
Right paddle yellow is ground
Right paddle white is not used

I am going to have a fiddle with the wires because I want the left pull to be gear down and right pull gear up. The current setup is for pull on both side is up and push on both sides is down.

I took ages to post my above message and you have managed to sneak a post in before me. I will now work out if you have done it right

Zedebee said:

[ref]Usel[/ref], it won’t surprise you to hear that I snaffled the £20 steering wheel. The left hand chip is indeed the same as the Z4 auto, as it corresponds to the picture posted by [ref]1236Z4[/ref]. I have no reference for the right hand paddle, but the serial number is consecutive so I am hoping it is also identical to the Z4 auto (the left and right are not the same). The wiring loom is very different to the SMG. I have connected F to A, cut the white wire and attached it to the steering wheel earth. I have replaced connector E with the right sized slip connector from my SMG paddles and discarded the rest of the loom B-C. Hopefully you agree. Unfortunately I can’t test it yet as my front end is on axle stands , but I’m hopeful.

Click to expand...

Top marks! Well done

Maybe you can help me now :lol:

Are the rear trim pieces on the back of a paddle shift steering wheel the same as a normal steering wheel?

I have drilled the holes and bolted on the paddle on the left hand side, it all fits like it's oem tbh:



However there is not enough room for the trim behind.

Do yours look like this: