5Series.net - Forums - Why no SMG with new M steering wheel? (long)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Emm' date='Jan 17 2005, 06:02 AM

Rudy: I believe the steering wheel is exactly the same in the 5er M Sport package as in the M5 with the exception of the paddles, and even though the SMG system is different between the two (6-sp. SMG vs. 7-sp. "M" SMG3), shouldn't the paddles on the wheel work the same though (shift up and down)? Maybe you're right, it just seemed odd to me. But the sensory input from how the wheel feels in your hands is not to be underestimated -- I just hated going from the fat E46 M3 wheel back to the old thin E36 M3 wheel in the M Coup?. Still, I agree the choice of gearbox is more important.

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As far as the paddles, the 5er has a different setup than the M-cars. On the 5, there is no difference between the left and right paddle. You pull them toward you to upshift and you push them away from you to downshift. It doesn't matter what paddle you use. On the M-cars with SMG-II and SMG-III, pushing on the right paddle upshifts and pushing on the left paddle downshifts. I don't think either paddle can be pulled toward the driver.

I'm still a bit confused about the different wheels you are referring to. All I can say is that the wheel in my SMG car is about as fat as I'd want it to be -- it's huge!