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Possible to reprogram SAT paddle shifting??

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Old 02-12-2008, 12:06 PM
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Guys, I've been trying to search the archives and it seems that I'm only coming up with retrofit threads.... So does anyone know if it is possible to reprogram an 08 550 SAT so that pulling the left paddle towards you actually down shifts and only pulling the right paddle up shifts? If any of you can lead me to the appropriate thread, that would be much appreciated.

Also, I'm happy to announce that my 550 is close to the panama canal and will be at the cali vdc by 02/25!!! So hopefully I'll be able to post pics by 1st of march.

Thanks in advance for the help!!!

Trevor
Old 02-12-2008, 12:48 PM
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My sales rep says you can't do it. I would have thought it was done in iDrive or something.
Old 02-12-2008, 01:32 PM
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I'm sure you could probably do some creative re-wiring where the paddles are to make this work but, as I've said a million times before, the way the paddles are setup now is much more logical/sensible -- I don't know why everyone is always wishing they were arranged the other way...
Old 02-12-2008, 01:50 PM
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Somethin' similar like :

http://forums.e60.net/index.php?showtopic=31682&hl=

and/or

http://forums.e60.net/index.php?showtopic=33058&hl=

maybe?
Old 02-12-2008, 01:58 PM
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Originally Posted by Rudy' post='530577' date='Feb 12 2008, 02:32 PM
I'm sure you could probably do some creative re-wiring where the paddles are to make this work but, as I've said a million times before, the way the paddles are setup now is much more logical/sensible -- I don't know why everyone is always wishing they were arranged the other way...
I definately understand the confusion. In classic automatic cars, downshifting to lower gears involved pulling the selector toward you, in standard P-R-N-D-3-2-1 configs. I had a 72 Pontiac Firebird SD455 with a racheting B&M racing shifter. I would slam it toward me for downshifts, and away from me for upshifts. With the Steptronic, the reverse is true and I sometimes find myself upshifting when I should be downshifting lol. Ah well - gotta luv the human brain!
Old 02-12-2008, 01:59 PM
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Originally Posted by BlaSTiWi' post='530586' date='Feb 12 2008, 05:50 PM
Thanks for the threads BlaSTiWi. Once the 550 comes in I'll have the dealer swap the pins. I'll let everyone know how it goes.
Old 02-12-2008, 02:06 PM
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Originally Posted by Rudy' post='530577' date='Feb 12 2008, 05:32 PM
I'm sure you could probably do some creative re-wiring where the paddles are to make this work but, as I've said a million times before, the way the paddles are setup now is much more logical/sensible -- I don't know why everyone is always wishing they were arranged the other way...

The current setup may be logical/sensible to some, but downshifting by pushing the paddle forward won't do me any good since is don't have any thumbs!! j/k

After driving an M5 SMG for a whole weekend then driving a SAT for a week, it just felt more natural for me to use the left paddle to downshift.
Old 02-12-2008, 02:49 PM
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Originally Posted by TrevX' post='530596' date='Feb 12 2008, 06:06 PM
The current setup may be logical/sensible to some, but downshifting by pushing the paddle forward won't do me any good since is don't have any thumbs!! j/k

After driving an M5 SMG for a whole weekend then driving a SAT for a week, it just felt more natural for me to use the left paddle to downshift.
Sorry for always being Mr. Wizard , but the lefty righty thing works well for cars that have quick ratio steering. My friend has an M6 and its quicker than my SA. What this means is that when you are going through turns you generally never have to move your hands off the steering wheel because you seldom need a hand-over-hand to make a turn so the access to the paddle shifters are always the same.
In more normal ratio steering you are removing and repositioning your hands on the steering wheel which means you then need to hunt for the paddles for a shift, tough enough to find either one of two of the paddles, very tough if you need a specific one.
Old 02-12-2008, 03:33 PM
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Originally Posted by pennetta' post='530607' date='Feb 12 2008, 06:49 PM
Sorry for always being Mr. Wizard , but the lefty righty thing works well for cars that have quick ratio steering. My friend has an M6 and its quicker than my SA. What this means is that when you are going through turns you generally never have to move your hands off the steering wheel because you seldom need a hand-over-hand to make a turn so the access to the paddle shifters are always the same.
In more normal ratio steering you are removing and repositioning your hands on the steering wheel which means you then need to hunt for the paddles for a shift, tough enough to find either one of two of the paddles, very tough if you need a specific one.
That makes sense. I also know that the ///M division does things that work best on track whereas standard BMWs follow the norms. I believe if you look at most autos with paddles or shift buttons they always have been the same as the SAT. The SMG has been the different one.

FYI, the reason BMW changed the steptronic is due to "racing" logic. My '99 540iA pushed to go up, pulled to drop down but BMW changed it because while racing, during acceleration its easier to pull to upshift and during braking its easier to push to downshift. I read to switch between the two modes is an easy pin swap on a connector. Plus you can purchase the different face plates in the aftermarket.
Old 02-12-2008, 04:18 PM
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Originally Posted by pennetta' post='530607' date='Feb 12 2008, 06:49 PM
Sorry for always being Mr. Wizard , but the lefty righty thing works well for cars that have quick ratio steering. My friend has an M6 and its quicker than my SA. What this means is that when you are going through turns you generally never have to move your hands off the steering wheel because you seldom need a hand-over-hand to make a turn so the access to the paddle shifters are always the same.
In more normal ratio steering you are removing and repositioning your hands on the steering wheel which means you then need to hunt for the paddles for a shift, tough enough to find either one of two of the paddles, very tough if you need a specific one.
The other key to why I like the push/pull setup is you can shift either way with one hand. On an E60 with iDrive, there are many times when one hand is on the controller and the other is on the wheel. It's very easy to shift up or down using only one hand and you never need to worry about what paddle you're touching.

I agree with Richard in NC as to why the shifter uses the forward to downshift, rearward to upshift logic. As far as why race cars don't use this paddle arrangement, I'm not sure -- I can only guess that it was simpler and possibly more robust to design/build -- using a single microswitch and a simpler one-way paddle -- so now, it's become a standard.
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