Working SMG paddle shift steering wheel in steptronic DIY

You just need to see if you have the pins on the slip ring for the paddle shifters.

Originally Posted by thompels

nice DIY,

i want to try in my n46,
i just asking the BMW service, they said i have to change my slip ring, but i check in web, my slip ring part number code is same with 330CI.

Your slip ring most likely doesn't have two pins for paddle shift (neither 330ci has them, at least my 2001 didn't). You need a slip ring from e46 M3 SMG, p/n 61318379091. However, as far as I remember some 61318379091 may have those pins and some may not, so you need to clarify this before purchasing.

BTW, DIY for harness is here: http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthread.php?t=895897

http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthread.php?t=895762

I also have the Paddles and Switches with the Screws...

Originally Posted by Nervous

Your slip ring most likely doesn't have two pins for paddle shift (neither 330ci has them, at least my 2001 didn't). You need a slip ring from e46 M3 SMG, p/n 61318379091. However, as far as I remember some 61318379091 may have those pins and some may not, so you need to clarify this before purchasing.

Actually, all brand new ones have them. Bmw quit making the ones that dont have them, they all superceded to a new part number that all have them (the 61318379091).

But none of the non smg cars came with the ones with the pins.

Originally Posted by Nervous

Your slip ring most likely doesn't have two pins for paddle shift (neither 330ci has them, at least my 2001 didn't). You need a slip ring from e46 M3 SMG, p/n 61318379091. However, as far as I remember some 61318379091 may have those pins and some may not, so you need to clarify this before purchasing.

i just check it and mine already have 2-pin in slip ring.
and i also make the tutorial modification of SSG paddle shift to make it works.

just visit : www.modifikasimotors.com


thx

Subbed because I'm bouts to buy an SMG wheel with paddles for $200!

It's fun!

The only negative side of this retrofit is a desire to have of real manual car that comes after some time.... That is why I am doing 6spd MT conversion right now.....

Originally Posted by Nervous

The only negative side of this retrofit is a desire to have of real manual car that comes after some time.... That is why I am doing 6spd MT conversion right now.....

Not having a manual didn't bother me at all. I prefer to keep both hands on the wheel at driving events anyway.

Originally Posted by 330ciandr6

Actually, all brand new ones have them. Bmw quit making the ones that dont have them, they all superceded to a new part number that all have them (the 61318379091).

But none of the non smg cars came with the ones with the pins.

i have a 2003 330i m sports wheel with a round air bag do you know if mine have the pins thanks

hi there i have a 2003 330i m sports with round air bag will mine have the pins in thanks

Nice diy!

Originally Posted by 330ciandr6

Now I tapped the 2 wires from the paddle shifters into the upshift and downshift wires into the shifter. This is when I was testing which wire from the paddle shifters was upshift and which was down shift.



Now you can reconnect the battery. Turn the key on (don't start the car) and put the shifter in drive, then sport, and use the paddle shifters and make sure you have the plus on the upshift wire and minus on the downshift wire. If you have it correct, clean up tapping the wires and reinstall storage console and all shifter trim and you are done. I did this all for the fun factor and I love using it. I am not responsible for damage you do to your vehicle attempting this DIY.

In the future I may try and figure out a way to put the shifter in sport mode from the paddles without having to push the shifter over manually. If you have any questions feel free to ask or pm me. Oh and sorry, I suck at write ups.

Hey I have a ssg wheel with and m3 slip ring I bought all the wiring but idk what diagram I should go by if its ssg not smg I'm stuck I tried a couple diagrams and they didn't work when I would plug in the wiring sport mode would not show up. Please help

so I would only need the smg wheel and make up the wiring is that correct

im about to buy the smg wheel do i ned the slip ring too as i have a 2003 sport with round airbag and my wheel has the one thick bar going down the middle plz help

Originally Posted by studmuffin562

Hey I have a ssg wheel with and m3 slip ring I bought all the wiring but idk what diagram I should go by if its ssg not smg I'm stuck I tried a couple diagrams and they didn't work when I would plug in the wiring sport mode would not show up. Please help

Seems to me like the wiring behind the clock spring would be the same between ssg and smg. Is your wiring at your shifter different? It shouldn't be.

Originally Posted by c4lho888

im about to buy the smg wheel do i ned the slip ring too as i have a 2003 sport with round airbag and my wheel has the one thick bar going down the middle plz help

Yes, you will probably need the clockspring as well.

If your sport mode doesn't work when you have everything connected, you probably tapped into the wrong wire.

so you didnt even need to make a wireing harness you just use the 2pins from the new clock spring and taped into the tipronic harness right ,coz in another write up somone has made a wire harness thats where i was confused after reading your write up this looks easy,that is if you only used the 2 wires from the clock spring and tapeds into the steptronic..... very clever

Don't need to make a harness.