M tech wheel + SMG paddles retrofit
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Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 1,934
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From: Prague, Czech Rep. - Europe
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]
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.
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.
Thread Starter
Contributors
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 1,934
Likes: 0
From: Prague, Czech Rep. - Europe
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]
Originally Posted by remus' date='Sep 13 2005, 04:55 AM
very nice indeed... good idea... 
OT
sna?il jsem se ti poslat PM u? několikr?t, ale nějak to nefunguje)
OT
sna?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
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Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 36
Likes: 0
From: CZ- Brno
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)
OT
sna?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 
:'(
Contributors
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 572
Likes: 0
From: UK & Europe
My Ride: 2005 MY 545i Sport Saloon. 2006 MY Alpina B3S Convertible. 2006 MY Brabus Smart 42 Cabrio. 2006 MY AM DB9 Coupe.
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
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
ssswwweeettt 
Contributors
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 114
Likes: 0
From: Cleveland , OH. USA
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
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
Contributors
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 2,460
Likes: 0
From: NYC & LI
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?
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
