LilEccentricJ, Alee, Ausgang: Reversed shifting might be SOLVED!

[Mr Paddle.Shift]

Been reading the electrical diagrams on the Bentley and this is what I came up.

If you got the Bentley, turn to ELE-158 Steptronic Switch (S224). Ok, from here, count the number of switches. Yup, we have 6 switches: 4 on S227 and 3 on S224. Note also the numbers on the wires connected to E82 Gear Indicator Light.

Recall the positions on our Steptronic tranny. We have P, R, N, D (4 switches) and Sport, M+, M- (3 switches)

Note that the Steptronic Switch (S224) is connected to A7000 Transmission Control Unit. A7000 apparently controls or allows more freedom in reving of the engine either in Sport, M+, M-. Then how come A7000 doesn''t control "D"? Well, "D" is controlled by A1 General Module Control Unit. This can be confirmed by the number "2" from A1 to E82 and from S227 to E82.

So far so good...here are the questions.

What happens when we push the knob left to Sport mode?
This closes the swtich between 4 and 1 in S224.

What happens when we push the knob + or -?
This closes the switches 3 or 2 in S224.

Perhaps someone can verify this understanding of the diagram with me soon. But I have a gut feeling that all we need is to switch from 3 -> 2 and 2 -> 3 in S224. This operation was confirmed by a board member a while back at E46fanatics. Here's the posting: http://www.e46fanatics.com/phorum/read.php?f=1&i=97714&t=97714

And am I brave enough to do this? Hmm...:cool:

[TD]

I don't have the E46 Bentley (or an E46 anymore for that matter) but I followed your logic and it sounds correct. But wouldn't this little change isntantly void your transmission warranty?

[LilEccentricJ]

Now that you wrote it all up.. I'll get my wife to read it and look at the schematics and see if she agrees with the progression there. But still, you go first.. i'm right behind you! (just don't look back ;) )

[Mr Paddle.Shift]

Hmm...

I did speak with a BMW master mechanic here about this issue. Tranny warranty won't be viod. Only issue is "liability". Reason? He strongly advised to get the matching gear shift bezel with the reversed +/- signs if the switching was to be performed by him. So that whoever drive the car will know how to shift. Now, what bothers me is "whoever". Valet? Siblings or mom/pa who secretly has your key? ;) Most importantly to remind us that the pattern is reversed too.

I believe the liability issue has extended to getting a M steering wheel too. Someone posted that Pacific BMW don't sell it by mail order anymore, unless they install the wheel.




Originally posted by TD
I don't have the E46 Bentley (or an E46 anymore for that matter) but I followed your logic and it sounds correct. But wouldn't this little change isntantly void your transmission warranty?

[LilEccentricJ]

Originally posted by VinceTopasBlau3
So that whoever drive the car will know how to shift. Now, what bothers me is "whoever". Valet? Siblings or mom/pa who secretly has your key? ;) Most importantly to remind us that the pattern is reversed too.


Too bad that when the valet key is used the car would only work in the "D" mode... just a thought :)

[Mr Paddle.Shift]

If you got any amendments or additional info, let me know. I think I will perform the mod tonight after reading the diagrams repeatedly.

Originally posted by LilEccentricJ
Now that you wrote it all up.. I'll get my wife to read it and look at the schematics and see if she agrees with the progression there. But still, you go first.. i'm right behind you! (just don't look back ;) )

[jw]

Originally posted by LilEccentricJ


Too bad that when the valet key is used the car would only work in the "D" mode... just a thought :)

Hmm.. I didn't know that. Time to RTFM again.

[Ausgang]

It's hard to imagine there being any warranty or liability issues, as shifting in the wrong direction is what most of us did in the early days of getting used to the backwards OEM set-up. It will retain the lock-out that keeps you from dropping to 2nd when you're trying to grab 4th anyway

I do plan on changing the console diagram though, and will order it as soon as I get the part number.

As for the electrical diagram, er ah . . . I still don't get why electons are negative and flow towards a positive, but the current supposedly goes from the positive side of a battery through circuits. And, what's up with these electons thinking they can zip around every where so fast? It's black magic I tell ya.

[Tim330Cic]

some photos for those of us that do not have the Bentley manual (If you can). Let us know how you make out with the mod.

[alee]

I'm waiting patiently for everyone else to try it first. :D

-Al

[JPinTO]

Is there anything in the Bentley manual about doing the same reversing on a manual transmission?

[Kaz]

Originally posted by JPinTO
Is there anything in the Bentley manual about doing the same reversing on a manual transmission?

[fuselier]

I like the way mine shifts.

Not to be a contrarian, or anything....

[exBMWannabe]

Anyone want to explain why you would want to reverse the step shift pattern other than to prepare yourself for SMG II? Humor me....I'm curious.

[alee]

Originally posted by exBMWannabe
Anyone want to explain why you would want to reverse the step shift pattern other than to prepare yourself for SMG II? Humor me....I'm curious.

In totally non-scientific terms, it just feels more intuitive. As your car is accelerating, you tend to be pushed into your seat. It feels more natural to command your upshift, by pulling back than to fight the forces pushing you against the seat.

It's pretty much personal preference though... I've adapted to the pull for down, push for up motions so it would be a step backwards to un-learn that, but when I first got the car, my inclinations were pull for up, push for down.

-Al

[exBMWannabe]

Ah, make sense. I guess how I thought about it as "up" for upshift and "down" for downshift so it made sense to me as it is.

From a physical standpoint, I see where you guys are coming from.

Thanks.

[alee]

I guess it's safe to say we step folks also want to pretend like we're SMG drivers. :)

-Al

[The HACK]

Bump.

I think it's time we recognize Alpina-nut as the man who started the DIY forum on it's way to glory.:thumbup:

Way to go Vince. This is the very first THREAD on the DIY forum.

[LilEccentricJ]

I love nostalgia :p I use this mod every day I drive my car and love it! Yup the swelling finally went down and I can see again… and no, I never did replace the bezel.. OCD can’t win over $$ I guess. I just look at it like this, + = more RPM and - = less :thumbup:

[Dr. Phil]

Originally posted by LilEccentricJ
I love nostalgia :p I use this mod every day I drive my car and love it! Yup the swelling finally went down and I can see again… and no, I never did replace the bezel.. OCD can’t win over $$ I guess. I just look at it like this, + = more RPM and - = less :thumbup:
I bet that drives the techs nuts :eeps:

[Mr Paddle.Shift]

heh heh!

Thanks for the bump, Hack! :thumbup:

[johnlew]

If I recall, *I* was the first to try the Vince Reverso.

[Mr Paddle.Shift]

:)

Originally posted by johnlew
If I recall, *I* was the first to try the Vince Reverso.

[LilEccentricJ]

Originally posted by johnlew
If I recall, *I* was the first to try the Vince Reverso.

I was skerd... :eek:

[johnlew]

Originally posted by LilEccentricJ


I was skerd... :eek:

You never did it?

[LilEccentricJ]

Originally posted by johnlew


You never did it?

Oh i did it aiight... member? I smashed my face with the knob when it came off and I had a nice black and blue! It hurt for days :banghead: < like that ;)

[Mr Paddle.Shift]

:lmao: :lmao:

I wonder if Alee did that too.... ;)

Originally posted by LilEccentricJ


Oh i did it aiight... member? I smashed my face with the knob when it came off and I had a nice black and blue! It hurt for days :banghead: < like that ;)

[Dr. Phil]

Originally posted by VinceTopasBlau3
:lmao: :lmao:

I wonder if Alee did that too.... ;)


According to his insurance records (i.e., visit to ER and stitches), yes he did :tsk: :lmao: :lmao:

[vinniely]

i have 2005 bmw 525i, my car have no nav system, any1 knows can i add on the nav system like OEM nav system? thanks