Originally Posted by Wpg550

Ok gang... as promised, parts and steps to retrofit sport-auto transmission to my 08 550 M-sport:

Parts: (note: RHD vehicles will have slightly different parts - confirm everything with your dealer/indy shop)

• 32-34-2-283-949 M Steering Wheel (NOTE: This one is heated, as I also retrofitted the heated wheel option)
• 61-31-9-115-638 Paddle shift lever L
• 61-31-9-116-317 Paddle shift lever R
• 61-31-6-976-397 Wiring set (for paddles to SZL)
• 61-31-9-204-093 Shiftbox Gear-selector
• 61-31-9-208-271 Handle (lever for gear selector)
• 61-31-9-142-869 Sport button
• 51-16-6-960-879 Cover - gear selector (trim piece to accomodate shifter/sport button)

If, after pricing out all of the above you aren't running as fast as possible away from this retrofit, the following general procedure for putting it all together:

1. Program car to latest level
2. Install steering wheel, paddle shifters and wiring to SZL
3. Install GWS shifter with sport button
4. Install single wire into pin 12 on SZL connector and run to ground
5. Install single wire into pin 13 on SZL and run to connector x6031 in ebox to pin 11 (red/white wire)
6. Adapt correct vehicle order with programming (ie. you need to have obtained an updated vehicle order that indicates your vehicle has the SAT and paddle shifter options, and removes the standard auto trans)
7. Clear faults and test

Wow... for all the challenges it took to get through this the first time, that all looks pretty simple - right? As previously mentioned, this is not a DIY -- you need to get a revised vehicle order and programming to get the paddles up and working properly, which probably means a dealer or a well-connected indy shop.

Finally, a cover-my-butt statement: It goes without mention that if you do attempt this retrofit, confirm everything with your dealer/shop - don't rely on me as the authoritative source. You take sole responsibility for any damage caused mucking about with your own vehicle.
_________________________________
2008 550i M-sport
2006 X3 2.5i

Originally Posted by NavarroOne

Great job, thanks for sharing. A little question; you list the buttons and wire seperately; is it possibly to just add the below without changing steering wheel? I already have a sports wheel but obviously no paddles

61-31-9-115-638 Paddle shift lever L
<LI>61-31-9-116-317 Paddle shift lever R
<LI>61-31-6-976-397 Wiring set (for paddles to SZL)

Originally Posted by Mbmw540i

Awesome job Wpg550!!! I have the same production date 550, only difference is I have the Htd wheel with lane departure. But thanks for posting your part #'s, looks like the Steering wheel I need is available in Canada, though not in the US. Part # 32-34-2-228-39-52. Any idea how much work it was to run the necessary wires for the pre June productiion models?

Matt

Originally Posted by nonford

I am think of doing this. US based car with the following part numbers:
51166960979 - Cover for gear selector.
61319204093 - gear switch
6131919126 - lever
61319142869 - sport button.

The paddles, i will deal with later. The last piece, I dont need to go to the dealer if I could live w/o SPORT lit up in my dash and see the GEAR i am in. Otherwise, the SAT should work as advertised. Do i have this correct?

Thanks

Originally Posted by Wpg550

I can't find those part numbers for the cover or lever anywhere, so you'd need to confirm their appropriateness. For just the shifter DIY as performed by others in this thread, you've got the right part descriptions and apparently it's just plug-and-play. Good luck and report back when you're all done! Also, if you can let us know the model and build date it will help add to the knowledge base for this mod.

Originally Posted by Wpg550

You should be able to get that wheel in the US (I checked getbmwparts.com p/n 32342283952 and it's listed) and it will be cheaper for you as a result! I don't have the specific time required for the wires, however it should be less than a couple of hours as my initial estimate was 5 hours to remove and replace the wheel, install the heater switch, run the wires and code the vehicle... and it should probably be even faster knowing the correct wire positions (which don't have to be run all the way down to the transmission control unit).

One note though, if you go the SAT route my understanding is that you will lose either heated steering or LDW (the wheel above is not heated, the -949 wheel has no LDW). Just wanted to make sure you were aware of that possibility. The only way I know of to get all three is to downgrade to the sport (not m-sport) wheel p/n 32346774125.

Originally Posted by Mbmw540i

I've searched RealOEM.com several times, even checking the European build cars and M versions. Looks like I can't get all 3 options with the M-sport wheel. I have to drop down to the standard sport wheel. However, I'm wondering what controls the Lane Departure system. Maybe I can just take that part out of my current steering wheel and put it in the new one. Not that I really ever use this feature, I just don't want to get an error if its not connected.
Has anyone gotten a dealer in the Tri-state area to re-code their car?