[XC3LLR8]

Car was already dirty so I drove it to work today in the fog and rain and when I got home I left it in the driveway to drip-dry before putting it in the garage. My MadTrace magnetic paddle shifters had arrived and the website said it takes about 20 minutes to install w/o any prior experience, so thought I'd just do it in the driveway before it got dark. That was a mistake as I ended up doing most of the work in the dark with the iPhone flashlight, a Milwaukee flashlight, and the car's interior lights.

I ordered the aluminum paddles instead of carbon fiber as the aluminum complimented the rest of the faux aluminum around the steering wheel. They cost $25 more than the carbon and I was pleasantly surprised to learn the extra $25 also included the carbon paddles (tall and short) for a total of $475. While this mod is first class and feels nothing shy of Formula 1, I was a little disappointed it came with zero instructions, especially considering I had to remove the airbag.

The fun started with using a screwdriver to poke a hole in the sides of the steering wheel and blindly trying to find the release springs to pop off the airbag. Fortunately when I called Mashimaro they quickly answered and was able to provide some advice, and that combined with the best tool of all - YouTube videos - I had the airbag off after a few minutes. The hardest part was disconnecting the blue wiring harness for the right OEM paddle, but once I figured it out the left paddle only took a second (jam a small flathead into the coupler and pry the male/female sides apart).

My son has a new Supra on order and said this would be his first mod. He wouldn't shut-up about how awesome they are so that made me give it a try. I was happy with the OEM paddles, even with them being very numb and digital in feel. If you're a tactile type of person and appreciates an analog feel then your fingertips will thank you!

Oh, and if you ever want to know what it feels like to be a bomb disposal guy, unplug the airbag w/o disconnecting the battery.

https://mashimarho.com/collections/b...40015128952931


















Short YouTube video to get an idea of OEM vs. MadTrace

https://youtube.com/shorts/fKKaHXtov6M?feature=share

[Ricochet48]

Hold up these cost $475? I would have assumed $47.50 for such a small item.

You can get a full aliexpress lip kit for $500, damn.

[Coconut]

Awesome write up, exactly what I was looking for since I’m interested in picking up a set myself! A few questions from my side if you could kindly answer:

1. Did you purchase these from jqwerks.com or mashimarho.com?

2. If you hold down the left paddle for a few seconds, the car will automatically drop down into the lowest possible gear. Does this function still work with these paddles?

[XC3LLR8]

Originally Posted by Coconut

Awesome write up, exactly what I was looking for since I'm interested in picking up a set myself! A few questions from my side if you could kindly answer:

1. Did you purchase these from jqwerks.com or mashimarho.com?

2. If you hold down the left paddle for a few seconds, the car will automatically drop down into the lowest possible gear. Does this function still work with these paddles?

Mashimarho

Yes, I tested that about an hour ago.

Let me know if you have any other questions.

[Coconut]

Thanks you good sir!! I will be ordering a set now. Real nice they included the carbon shifters too.

You can reduce the loud click noise by putting a thin piece of felt take between the magnets.

[XC3LLR8]

Originally Posted by Coconut

Thanks you good sir!! I will be ordering a set now. Real nice they included the carbon shifters too.

You can reduce the loud click noise by putting a thin piece of felt take between the magnets.

If you order the aluminum paddles they will arrive separately.

Good to know on the felt.

[KJ10]

The aluminum does look great in the car. Nice touch!

[XC3LLR8]

Originally Posted by KJ10

The aluminum does look great in the car. Nice touch!

A couple more pics in the daylight…

[ryo-]

oh wow there's a big sound difference lol

[Coconut]

Did the aluminum paddles arrive together with the carbon paddles or in a seperate shipment?

[XC3LLR8]

Originally Posted by Coconut

Did the aluminum paddles arrive trigger with the carbon paddles or in a seperate shipment?

Aluminum paddles came in a separate shipment and arrived a few days earlier than the magnetic shift kit with the carbon fiber paddles.

[Coconut]

JQWerks/Madtrace updated the design of the aluminum paddles to follow the shape of the OEM BMW M3/M4 Competition paddles.

[XC3LLR8]

Originally Posted by Coconut

JQWerks/Madtrace updated the design of the aluminum paddles to follow the shape of the OEM BMW M3/M4 Competition paddles.

Looks like they copied the shape of their carbon paddles. I do like how the wires are covered, but it's nothing you'll ever see again once installed.