Did this mod to my 550i. it took about an hour to do, using Fred's kit + parts from BMW.
SMG s/w, M5 paddles and Fred's kit ran $1280. Our local BMW dealer gives 15% off for BMWCCA members.
Running the harness from the console to the steering wheel was not bad.

M5 paddles on a SMG steering wheel, stock steptronic shifter.

 

So, does this mean you think you can complete this mod without using the other kit being offered on the board? If so, do you plan on sharing your results, or at least offering something a littel more competitive in price?

Not knocking the kit that's already out there in any way, but in many ways capitalism is a great thing...

 

Did you try to ask him if it is retrofittable? Maybe he knows something more than us.

 

Wouldnt it be cheaper/better to just buy a m6 wheel and retro it? $1200 for paddles you will probably use once or twice... pfft looks cool thats for sure

 

You can do this mod without the "other" kit. umm i don't know about offering a kit myself as i'm all for sharing information with fellow entusiasts rather than profiting from it. It's an option I guess if you don't feel comfortable doing it yourself. i'll share the info and pics for sure, which was the whole point of this and once you see it, you just might feel comfortable enough doing it yourself.

Also keep in mind that I modded my existing steering wheel to make this work (Pic attached) and did NOT use a SMG steering wheel. Going to grad school in Jan and just didn't want to spend the 700+ on an SMG wheel but the principle is exactly the same I pretty much hardwired most of my stuff but adding connectors to make it reversable in case you want to take it out is just as easy.

sadly, i don't understand why anybody else wasn't willing to share how to do it but i also see the point that they wanted to protect someone that they had purchased a product from. If there hadn't been such a lack in response from the originator making the kits, I probably would have just bought the kit and dismissed it as i've been tinkering with this for ever now. Last night however, around 4AM and after many many Wild Turkey-Cokes, I tore everything appart again and it was just so simple. Anyway, really doesn't matter anymore.

I guess the lesson learned here is, as much as I hate to say it, listen to your elders. Had I listened to my old man from the beginning, I would have had the solution wihting the first hour of taking the car appart

 

I am definitely a DIY kind of guy, and I am very glad to hear that you are willing to share - I just didn't want to ASSUME as much (even if sharing is what I would do in the same situation). Anyway, I am eagerly awaiting to see your final writeup!!

 

so whats the final out come?

 

I hope all is well with you. You are doing a great job! As soon as you finish the connections to the tranny please post it with pics. My Microsoft F1 paddles are waiting. I will disassemble my personal computer's replica steering wheel and attached its paddles to my beemer...Waiting for your lead

 

looks good

 

MS F1 paddles? I'm intrigued... do you mean taking paddles from a steering wheel for a console and retrofitting them onto the steering wheel? can you explain that a little further?