DIY Paddle shift? No retrokit

Hi,

I am looking at these padde shift retrofit kits on the web and I can't believe how much money they're asking for it. ~ $1300 for some flappy paddles (+wheel and harness) seems like a steal!

What I'm thinking is that it should be fairly simple to skip the kit and build it myself.
My thoughts:

I buy the paddle shift separately.
I wire up the paddles to the gearbox stick with some home made wiring harness (shouldn't be too difficult once you find where to put the cables in the gearbox console)
I remove the steering wheel and cut out holes for the paddles and install the paddles.

Am I missing something here or should this work?
This way it should not cost more than a couple of hundred bucks + a couple of hours of DIY-labor

Anyone?

I have an SMG e63 but for my e39 I did exactly what you are thinking of doing.

My e39 Paddleshift retrofit:
I bought an e46 SMG steering wheel with paddles, I also got an e46 SMG Switch unit steering column. The only difference between the SMG "Switch unit steering column" slip ring & the regular one is the additonal 2 connectors on it for the paddles.
From here you just need to run wiires to near the gear shifter & connect up the + & - wires as appropriate.

It is a bit disappointing in the auto having the paddles, especially when you drive a real SMG, the shifts are just not quick enough.

If you need a VIN number of a car with SMG fitted to determine what slip ring you need just PM me for mine.

Originally Posted by rebel.ranter

I have an SMG e63 but for my e39 I did exactly what you are thinking of doing.

My e39 Paddleshift retrofit:
I bought an e46 SMG steering wheel with paddles, I also got an e46 SMG Switch unit steering column. The only difference between the SMG "Switch unit steering column" slip ring & the regular one is the additonal 2 connectors on it for the paddles.
From here you just need to run wiires to near the gear shifter & connect up the + & - wires as appropriate.

It is a bit disappointing in the auto having the paddles, especially when you drive a real SMG, the shifts are just not quick enough.

If you need a VIN number of a car with SMG fitted to determine what slip ring you need just PM me for mine.

Thank you for your reply!
Yes I understand that the shifting will not be as quick as the SMG box but I think it works (If it works as "quick" as using the manual mode on the gearstick I'm happy)

I will be pleased if you can send me your VIN, I'll send you a PM.