Sportautomatic (SAT) retrofit
03-22-2010, 09:17 AM
#81
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My Ride: 2008 550i M-sport, retrofitted heated M-sport steering wheel with paddles, Sport-auto transmission
I'm currently half-way through this retrofit, with the new steering wheel with paddles intalled (heated also - which became available in 2009, but can be retrofitted to 2008's like mine). So far, the heated m-sport wheel works great, but we are still waiting for the SAT shift box/button to finish the install. Apparently, the hardest part was a couple of wires that had to be run to accomodate the SAT/paddles.
Once everything is installed and working (hopefully next week sometime) I will post part #'s etc and a better description of what needed to be done to accomodate the retrofit. My local dealer has been fantastic working through this retrofit - working directly with BMW on the technical bits to make this work, all within my restriction of not messing with my warranty!
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2008 550i M-sport
2006 X3 2.5i
03-22-2010, 10:25 AM
#82
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My Ride: E61 535d carbon black m-kit panoramaroof with beige nasca interior and wood trim. 172m rims. DimSport Race, SB, SAT
If you have a current m-sport wheel, your existing buttons will fit the new wheel (with paddles) - at least I didn't need to change mine.
I'm currently half-way through this retrofit, with the new steering wheel with paddles intalled (heated also - which became available in 2009, but can be retrofitted to 2008's like mine). So far, the heated m-sport wheel works great, but we are still waiting for the SAT shift box/button to finish the install. Apparently, the hardest part was a couple of wires that had to be run to accomodate the SAT/paddles.
Once everything is installed and working (hopefully next week sometime) I will post part #'s etc and a better description of what needed to be done to accomodate the retrofit. My local dealer has been fantastic working through this retrofit - working directly with BMW on the technical bits to make this work, all within my restriction of not messing with my warranty!
________________________
2008 550i M-sport
2006 X3 2.5i
I'm currently half-way through this retrofit, with the new steering wheel with paddles intalled (heated also - which became available in 2009, but can be retrofitted to 2008's like mine). So far, the heated m-sport wheel works great, but we are still waiting for the SAT shift box/button to finish the install. Apparently, the hardest part was a couple of wires that had to be run to accomodate the SAT/paddles.
Once everything is installed and working (hopefully next week sometime) I will post part #'s etc and a better description of what needed to be done to accomodate the retrofit. My local dealer has been fantastic working through this retrofit - working directly with BMW on the technical bits to make this work, all within my restriction of not messing with my warranty!
________________________
2008 550i M-sport
2006 X3 2.5i
03-22-2010, 11:51 AM
#83
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My Ride: 2008 550i M-sport, retrofitted heated M-sport steering wheel with paddles, Sport-auto transmission
Sounds great, look forward to hear from you. Called the supposed local wizard at my dealer in Lyngby, Copenhagen and he mentioned priced around 10-15,000 usd but noting that he was 96% sure it was absolutely impossible to make the change; that it had never been done before and even if he could sell me the parts, he wanted no part in this endeavour which would screw up basically everything from windshield wipers to navigation etc etc; guess I'm on my own...
At this point I believe the remaining steps are the installation of the SAT shifter box and programming, then everything should be up and running. If it doesn't end up working, then I guess I just have a very expensive heated steering wheel and a better looking shift lever!
Wish me luck!
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2008 550i M-sport
2006 X3 2.5i
03-22-2010, 12:03 PM
#84
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My Ride: 2006 titanium silver metallic
Like new 41k
Cold Weather Package
Heh... I also got the "never been done" response from BMW Canada, however after a few weeks of technical research they are 95% sure it will work. It required a pile of updated parts (new steering control module - ouch) but nowhere near the cost your dealer indicated -- and we end up paying a premium for parts vs. the US up here, although at least with the parts sourced through BMW Canada I will still have full warranty. I believe my parts were around $3k CAD, but will have to confirm when all is said and done. Anyway, the biggest issue they ran into was a couple of wires that had to be run as the harness for non-SAT (or at least pre Jun 07) 550i's didn't have them.
At this point I believe the remaining steps are the installation of the SAT shifter box and programming, then everything should be up and running. If it doesn't end up working, then I guess I just have a very expensive heated steering wheel and a better looking shift lever!
Wish me luck!
__________________________________
2008 550i M-sport
2006 X3 2.5i
At this point I believe the remaining steps are the installation of the SAT shifter box and programming, then everything should be up and running. If it doesn't end up working, then I guess I just have a very expensive heated steering wheel and a better looking shift lever!
Wish me luck!
__________________________________
2008 550i M-sport
2006 X3 2.5i
03-23-2010, 04:30 AM
#85
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My Ride: E61 535d carbon black m-kit panoramaroof with beige nasca interior and wood trim. 172m rims. DimSport Race, SB, SAT
Without going to the dealer, you get:
- Faster shift times
- Direct steering
- downshifting with intermediate throttle application
By going to the dealer, you get the following addional features:
- when sports button pressed, "SPORT" being displayed on your speedometer
-in DS mode, with sports button pressed, you actually see which gear the car is in
that is all i can think of at the moment..
But guys beware - the dealer will not readily program this for you... You need a "open minded" dealer to this for you. Mine was not willing to do it, though like i said, i found one in germany, but it is a 3000km drive for me
greetings
- Faster shift times
- Direct steering
- downshifting with intermediate throttle application
By going to the dealer, you get the following addional features:
- when sports button pressed, "SPORT" being displayed on your speedometer
-in DS mode, with sports button pressed, you actually see which gear the car is in
that is all i can think of at the moment..
But guys beware - the dealer will not readily program this for you... You need a "open minded" dealer to this for you. Mine was not willing to do it, though like i said, i found one in germany, but it is a 3000km drive for me
greetings
03-23-2010, 07:57 AM
#86
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My Ride: 2008 550i M-sport, retrofitted heated M-sport steering wheel with paddles, Sport-auto transmission
I'm surprised they are doing this for you, Birchwood has been less then accommodating for me. They wanted $1000 for an Aux input before I bitched and whined. They also refused to enable MP3 on my car saying it cant be done when I know that it can. is the 3k in cost just for the programming
03-23-2010, 04:17 PM
#87
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My Ride: 09' 525i M Sport
Alpine White
19" 172 Alloys
Logic 7
USB
Sun Protection Glass
Lumbar Support
SAT (Sports Auto Transmission)
I highly recommend the SAT mod, i did it a couple of months ago and managed to get all parts from ebay for £110, BMW would of charged over £500 !! I never got it coded, purely a hardware swap, very easy to fit, 20 mins max.
03-24-2010, 06:51 AM
#88
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My Ride: E61 535d carbon black m-kit panoramaroof with beige nasca interior and wood trim. 172m rims. DimSport Race, SB, SAT
How did you manage to get the parts from Ebay? searched today and there isn't a single part remotely relating to transmission for bmw lci's?
03-24-2010, 07:20 AM
#89
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My Ride: 09' 525i M Sport
Alpine White
19" 172 Alloys
Logic 7
USB
Sun Protection Glass
Lumbar Support
SAT (Sports Auto Transmission)
Someone was breaking up a 6 series and was selling the gear shifter, leather trim with button and ECU, he was selling it all as one item for £100 + £10 delivery. The 6 series has all the same parts as the 5.
I was just lucky in getting it on ebay, as I was planning on buying all the parts from BMW.
I was just lucky in getting it on ebay, as I was planning on buying all the parts from BMW.
03-30-2010, 04:53 AM
#90
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Someone was breaking up a 6 series and was selling the gear shifter, leather trim with button and ECU, he was selling it all as one item for £100 + £10 delivery. The 6 series has all the same parts as the 5.
I was just lucky in getting it on ebay, as I was planning on buying all the parts from BMW.
I was just lucky in getting it on ebay, as I was planning on buying all the parts from BMW.
Mine proving to be a worthy investment in terms of performance and looks.
Regards.