-
Read the WELCOME ALL BMWFANATICS post.
E46 325i Paddleshift retrofit
- Thread starter JohanPJC
- Start date
Blue Shirt
Well-known member
I have done such a retrofit on my 330i.
There are two types of paddle shift steering wheels for the E46, and you have to make sure that you understand the differences between them.
One type is the so-called SSG paddles which were fitted on non-M3 cars with SMG gearboxes. These paddle shifters cannot be used on automatic cars without modification of the electronic switches on the steering. The SSG paddles shifters switch between resistor settings, whereas the "manual" shifting of the auto gearbox requires a simple on/off switch. The internals of the SSG switches must therefore be modified by removing the resistors and changing the wiring to allow the on/off functionality. Clearly, this is a more complicated job to do.
This is an SSG wheel:
The other type of SMG paddle shifters are found on E46 M3 cars with SMG gearboxes, these can be used without modifications on auto gearbox E46 cars.
This is an SMG wheel:
In both cases, you will need an SMG slipring which has the two additional contacts for the SMG switches. I have such a slipring but it is not for sale as I hope to also retrofit an SMG steering wheel to my own Touring as soon as I find another M3 SMG steering wheel.
You will also need to make up a simple wiring harnass to connect the slipring with the gear shifter in the center console. There are many DIY instructions on the ol' interwebs.
http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthread.php?t=826971
http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthread.php?t=895897
http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthread.php?t=1027535
There are two types of paddle shift steering wheels for the E46, and you have to make sure that you understand the differences between them.
One type is the so-called SSG paddles which were fitted on non-M3 cars with SMG gearboxes. These paddle shifters cannot be used on automatic cars without modification of the electronic switches on the steering. The SSG paddles shifters switch between resistor settings, whereas the "manual" shifting of the auto gearbox requires a simple on/off switch. The internals of the SSG switches must therefore be modified by removing the resistors and changing the wiring to allow the on/off functionality. Clearly, this is a more complicated job to do.
This is an SSG wheel:
The other type of SMG paddle shifters are found on E46 M3 cars with SMG gearboxes, these can be used without modifications on auto gearbox E46 cars.
This is an SMG wheel:
In both cases, you will need an SMG slipring which has the two additional contacts for the SMG switches. I have such a slipring but it is not for sale as I hope to also retrofit an SMG steering wheel to my own Touring as soon as I find another M3 SMG steering wheel.
You will also need to make up a simple wiring harnass to connect the slipring with the gear shifter in the center console. There are many DIY instructions on the ol' interwebs.
http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthread.php?t=826971
http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthread.php?t=895897
http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthread.php?t=1027535
JohanPJC
New member
Blue Shirt said:I have done such a retrofit on my 330i.
There are two types of paddle shift steering wheels for the E46, and you have to make sure that you understand the differences between them.
One type is the so-called SSG paddles which were fitted on non-M3 cars with SMG gearboxes. These paddle shifters cannot be used on automatic cars without modification of the electronic switches on the steering. The SSG paddles shifters switch between resistor settings, whereas the "manual" shifting of the auto gearbox requires a simple on/off switch. The internals of the SSG switches must therefore be modified by removing the resistors and changing the wiring to allow the on/off functionality. Clearly, this is a more complicated job to do.
This is an SSG wheel:
The other type of SMG paddle shifters are found on E46 M3 cars with SMG gearboxes, these can be used without modifications on auto gearbox E46 cars.
This is an SMG wheel:
In both cases, you will need an SMG slipring which has the two additional contacts for the SMG switches. I have such a slipring but it is not for sale as I hope to also retrofit an SMG steering wheel to my own Touring as soon as I find another M3 SMG steering wheel.
You will also need to make up a simple wiring harnass to connect the slipring with the gear shifter in the center console. There are many DIY instructions on the ol' interwebs.
http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthread.php?t=826971
http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthread.php?t=895897
http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthread.php?t=1027535
Seems we're in a dillema here. I have an smg wheel, but no slipring to go with it. And you have a slipring, but no wheel to go with it.haha.
Anyways.
Thanks for the advice man.
Blue Shirt
Well-known member
That's called a Mexican standoff :roflol:
JohanPJC
New member
Realoem (My go to for parts checking) is under the impression that my car is fitted with the updated slipring already?
As illustrated here http://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/partxref?q=61318379091&series=E46
and here
http://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/showparts?id=EN32-EUR-03-2005-E46-BMW-325i&diagId=61_1061
Supposedly after 2002, this supersedes the old one on all 3 series.
Any confirmation?
I have some severe doubts.
As illustrated here http://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/partxref?q=61318379091&series=E46
and here
http://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/showparts?id=EN32-EUR-03-2005-E46-BMW-325i&diagId=61_1061
Supposedly after 2002, this supersedes the old one on all 3 series.
Any confirmation?
I have some severe doubts.
Blue Shirt
Well-known member
Neither of my 2004 cars had the smg slipring.
Just remove the airbag from your steering and look to see if your slipring has the extra two pins. Look carefully, since the 2-pin socket will be there, but the two contact pins might not be installed.
Just remove the airbag from your steering and look to see if your slipring has the extra two pins. Look carefully, since the 2-pin socket will be there, but the two contact pins might not be installed.
