E60, E61 Parts, Accessories and Mods Discussion about both stock and aftermarket parts for the E60. Accessories and modifications too!

M tech wheel + SMG paddles retrofit

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Old 09-13-2005, 01:46 AM
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My Ride: 2004 BMW 530I steptronic, Orient Blue, Dakota Black Leather, Finishers Aluminium with Wave Cutting interior, NAVIgation, Radio PROFESSIONAL, CD in-dash, Hi-Fi extended sound system, PDC system, Bi-Xenons lights with washers, cruise-control, heated seats, Extended AC, auto"shade" mirrors, auto lights sensors, rain/wiper sensor, M-tech leather multifunction steering wheel, side airbags rearseats, sliding armrest, smoker's package (I don't smoke!), velour floor mats, spare wheel and jack, 122 style rims winter setup, M135 style rims summer setup [color=red]Mods:[/color] [color=blue]M tech sport steering wheel with M5 SMG paddles working retrofit done ! Trunk lid opening button retrofit done.[/color] [color=blue]3M window 35% tint done Chrome grilles E60.net Clings [/color]
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So here it is.... 530i steptronic with SMG paddles on the steering wheel working.
It is so great. Driving the car now feels like having 50HPS more

NOTE: Many many thanks to HOBI, it is his idea and invention. Can't thank him enough.

Standart thin and big leather steering wheel was finally replaced with M-tech wheel with paddles and thanks to Hobi's retrofit kit the paddles are now working with the steptronic and change gears.

1. I had to replace the wheel. I got an original M5 wheel including the paddles.
If you guys already have the M-tech sports wheel you just have to get the paddles and retrofit kit from Hobi.

2. Since changing the wheel I had to get an new airbag.

3. Since the M wheel I got was from M5 I had to get also the multifunction module buttons for standart E60.

Costs:
The new M wheel = 300 USD from Ebay
Brand new airbag from dealer = 680 USD
Multifunction switches = 50 USD
Retrofit kit from HOBI = you ask him

Total work hours spend = 2 hrs

Conclusion. GREATTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTT !!!! The car feels much more sporty now and the full potential of the engine can be now used much better. Even driving in DS mode before cannot substitute the speed in gear change now done manualy over the paddles. Simply great. If you go on country side roads with many turns it is awesome.

Here are some pics:

Before and after the mod.
Attached Thumbnails M tech wheel + SMG paddles retrofit-1.jpg   M tech wheel + SMG paddles retrofit-2.jpg   M tech wheel + SMG paddles retrofit-3.jpg  
Old 09-13-2005, 01:55 AM
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very nice indeed... good idea...

OTsna?il jsem se ti poslat PM u? několikr?t, ale nějak to nefunguje)
Old 09-13-2005, 01:56 AM
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My Ride: 2004 BMW 530I steptronic, Orient Blue, Dakota Black Leather, Finishers Aluminium with Wave Cutting interior, NAVIgation, Radio PROFESSIONAL, CD in-dash, Hi-Fi extended sound system, PDC system, Bi-Xenons lights with washers, cruise-control, heated seats, Extended AC, auto"shade" mirrors, auto lights sensors, rain/wiper sensor, M-tech leather multifunction steering wheel, side airbags rearseats, sliding armrest, smoker's package (I don't smoke!), velour floor mats, spare wheel and jack, 122 style rims winter setup, M135 style rims summer setup [color=red]Mods:[/color] [color=blue]M tech sport steering wheel with M5 SMG paddles working retrofit done ! Trunk lid opening button retrofit done.[/color] [color=blue]3M window 35% tint done Chrome grilles E60.net Clings [/color]
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Originally Posted by remus' date='Sep 13 2005, 04:55 AM
very nice indeed... good idea...

OTsna?il jsem se ti poslat PM u? několikr?t, ale nějak to nefunguje)
[snapback]169923[/snapback]

diky, tak mi posli mail jestli chces. prohodime par BMW slov
Old 09-13-2005, 01:58 AM
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Originally Posted by Peter530i' date='Sep 13 2005, 10:56 AM
[quote name='remus' date='Sep 13 2005, 04:55 AM']very nice indeed... good idea...

OTsna?il jsem se ti poslat PM u? několikr?t, ale nějak to nefunguje)
[snapback]169923[/snapback]

diky, tak mi posli mail jestli chces. prohodime par BMW slov
[snapback]169927[/snapback]
[/quote]
oukej, ale mus? mi ho d?t p?č přes forum ti to nemů?u poslat :'(
Old 09-13-2005, 03:00 AM
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Glad you are enjoying your drive more now! Worth mentioning that on Peter's car, replacing the standard hexagonal airbag with the round airbag did NOT require re-coding. There were no faults recorded and the airbag warning light was fine. I had checked this out with BMW prior to doing the conversion, but it was nice to have confirmed this in reality. This may not be the case with other cars though...

All the Best

Hobi
Old 09-13-2005, 03:05 AM
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ssswwweeettt !
Old 09-13-2005, 03:18 AM
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My tech Joe Alia @ Ganley BMW installed the same on my 2003 330Ci.
What a nice upgrade.
It sure made driving the twisties more involving for a step.

Also I believe it helped me sell the 330Ci in less then a week as the buyer really liked the feature.

Next year I may install in my 545i , it was that cool.

DR.Z
Old 09-13-2005, 11:18 AM
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Awesome!!!

I can't wait to do mine.
Where can I start?
Old 09-13-2005, 11:21 AM
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Originally Posted by BMW 545i Titanium Silver' date='Sep 13 2005, 02:18 PM
Awesome!!!

I can't wait to do mine.
Where can I start?
[snapback]170094[/snapback]

...contact member Hobi, and here is his web-site URL: bmw-ci.com
Old 09-13-2005, 03:22 PM
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looks good, i was thinking about doing this also


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