Paddle Shifters retrofit F15 xline lux package

[vympel777]

Hi all,

So i just ordered a new m-sport steering wheel with paddle shifters. It looks like some of the F series already come prewired for paddle shifters. I got f15 2015 xline with vibro and heating option was wondering if its prewired or not. Dont rly feel like putting apart the entire steering console. I was told that almost all x5 models come prewired want to know how true is that.

[spike5150]

IIRC, there was discussion on this in the coding thread, and it was discovered that his particular non-Msport was NOT prewired for paddles.

[vympel777]

Oh no that's no good.

[RED_Y_]

Many topics about it, long story short-not pre-wired for paddle shifters if not M-sport ,everything else should work fine.
For example check this tread out
http://f15.bimmerpost.com/forums/sho...php?p=21106896
or this one
http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=978575

[vympel777]

Originally Posted by RED_Y_

Many topics about it, long story short-not pre-wired for paddle shifters if not M-sport ,everything else should work fine.
For example check this tread out
http://f15.bimmerpost.com/forums/sho...php?p=21106896
or this one
http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=978575

I guess I would have to rewire it myself. Any idea where I can get the actual wire with appropriate pins? Or dealer would be the only option?

[Koer]

Okay lets start:

Since ive been trying to do this for a friggin while i've come up with the solution:

Download this guide
http://www.mediafire.com/file/m33a3n...30+Rev.+3L.pdf


look at the BMW F15 BDC (also known as FEM for f3x users) the pin order on the A258*7B conector is the same. you can verify this here:

https://www.newtis.info/tisv2/a/en/f...ler/1VnXK4XxfO

So if you already have the steering wheel harness with paddles then you just need that one cable going from pin3 in the steering harness to the pin in the BDC, which is located here:

https://www.newtis.info/tisv2/a/en/f...ler/1VnXNjQe9Z

Let me know if you are feeling adventurous to try this out, im doing mine next week.

Look at this thread which has very good info: (Both cars share the same Pin orders)
http://f30.bimmerpost.com/forums/sho...hifters&page=3

[sj22]

I did this with my old X3 a few years ago. Its not that hard. Subscribing to this thread as I may do this too. Thank you Koer for getting all this info together.

[vympel777]

Thank you Koer that's a great write up mate. Now I feel even more confident about doing this

[vympel777]

Would F15 have the same FEM location on the passenger side? Crap I always thought it supposed to be under the steering. I would have to remove the front vents and probably pop the head unit in order to run the wire that far. The fem cover pannel is indentical as on f30?

[Koer]

Originally Posted by vympel777

Would F15 have the same FEM location on the passenger side? Crap I always thought it supposed to be under the steering. I would have to remove the front vents and probably pop the head unit in order to run the wire that far. The fem cover pannel is indentical as on f30?

Dont really know how trustworthy this source is, but it shows the relative location of the BDC unit in the f15.
http://bmwfans.info/parts-catalog/F1...in_controller/

The one in the driver's footwell is a fusebox for interior aplications, not the BDC unit.

Only way to know for certain is to remove the passenger side cover and see, its quite obvious since its a huge unit with 7 harnesses coming from it. Would be hard to miss i think.

[RED_Y_]

This is very helpful info! Can you please keep us posted and let us know if it works?

[gt0279a]

Single wire with $5 worth of BMW connectors routed behind steering column to passenger footwell does not seem too bad.

Honestly, I installed my new steering wheel about a year ago and haven't thought much about the paddle shifters. But atleast it is good to know why the coding did not work.

Might do this more so because the dealer can not fix the 'squeak' when the steering wheel returns to drivers position when entering car and this appears to get to the steering column where the gears / motors is for that in addition to the paddle wire.

[vympel777]

Originally Posted by gt0279a

Single wire with $5 worth of BMW connectors routed behind steering column to passenger footwell does not seem too bad.

Honestly, I installed my new steering wheel about a year ago and haven't thought much about the paddle shifters. But atleast it is good to know why the coding did not work.

Might do this more so because the dealer can not fix the 'squeak' when the steering wheel returns to drivers position when entering car and this appears to get to the steering column where the gears / motors is for that in addition to the paddle wire.

Friend of mine had the same 'squeak' issue with the steering on his x6. Dealer fixed it in freehold nj. That should be covered under warranty.

[gt0279a]

Originally Posted by vympel777

Friend of mine had the same 'squeak' issue with the steering on his x6. Dealer fixed it in freehold nj. That should be covered under warranty.

Yep. Been to dealer 3 times and it keeps coming back

[vympel777]

Originally Posted by gt0279a

Yep. Been to dealer 3 times and it keeps coming back

This is ridiculous. I would go back and mention lemon law. Also, doesnt hurt to call the central office and b#$tch about this.

[Koer]

Originally Posted by RED_Y_

This is very helpful info! Can you please keep us posted and let us know if it works?

Okay im back with some results:


My process goes as follows:

- Center the wheel
- Pull the column outward and downward as much as you can
- With ignition on disconnect negative battery terminal (f15 battery is below the plastic casing next to the spare tire)
-Remove airbag
-Remove Wheel
-Remove top cover of steering column
-Loosen 4 screws that hold the position sensorin place
-Remove lower cover of steering column
-Find both connectors going into the position sensor (Below the steering column to the right hand side.)

-Remove connectors
-Remove connector casing

-Find out that the paddle shifter cable had been there all along
(the green one on pin#3)


So up to this point its either that my paddles are not compatible with my f15s Shift parameters, OR! the cable that is actually missing is the one from the BDC Body module to the tranny.

Here is my paddle part number if anyone can help me cross check that this is indeed compatible with the x5

[Kzang]

Just an honest question for me is... why all the trouble?

I've got paddle shifters on my current X5, had it in my previous X5, and previous 5 series. I also have it in my Subaru Crosstrek... I've maybe used it 5 times max just to see if it makes the driving experience any different and it doesn't.

I've also driven exclusively manual cars my entire teen and early adult life, so I am familiar with shifting gears and using the clutch, its not the same with the paddles... if anything its just a novelty for me.. or... Maybe I'm missing something.

[RED_Y_]

Well it depends, i live in Tahoe and when I am going down steep icy hill i would like to keep both hands on the wheel and brake with my engine, but to be honest I would pass so far on trying to swapping the steering wheels since it's too much trouble. If it would be connect/code/add extra 10 inches of cable is one thing,digging too deep and looking for the cable to the tranny is too much for me.