[vantage_coupe]

So I have been searching for an e92 328xi for a while now and decided against manual since a)not a fan of the shift feel b)this will be my 'city' daily driver ( lot of traffic )so it just does not make sense for me right now.

With that in mind I really want to at least have paddles.

My issue is that I am finding it difficult to find a paddle shift equipped xi. I am almost willing to pick up one without paddles and have it added afterwards through the aftermarket(sponsors?) (apparently this is possible through the threads i've read on it)

What are your expert takes on this? Worth converting afterwards or should I just hold off until I can find one equipped with it?

[aut0sh0cker]

they can be retrofitted using OEM parts (steering wheel + paddles) and a simple aftermarket wiring kit

[vantage_coupe]

I'll be buying the car with full CPO until 2013 on this car without paddles...can the dealer perform the work to retain full warranty?

[khaye1]

you're most likely not gonna use em...i don't. hard to get to specially when turning

[klipseracer]

I retrofitted my paddle shifters. If my current deal falls through, I'm selling the entire setup for $500 including the retrofit harness, multi-function buttons and paddleshifters all of it only a few weeks old... Then tell me how much the dealer option costs. I seriously doubt its cheaper than that. Plus, the install is really simple if you have a screw driver and a brain.

[Bellevue]

Originally Posted by khaye1

you're most likely not gonna use em...i don't. hard to get to specially when turning

I don't use mine either. They are almost always out of position when you're in a turn. Test drive another car on the lot with paddles to see what we mean.

Also, it's definitely not worth the money to do a retrofit. They're about $100 if you option them on a new car, right? Even at $100 I don't know if I would order them knowing what I know now.

It looks cool on TV watching the F1 cars with the push button shifting, but those guys rarely turn the "wheel" more than 90 degrees.

[pc4400]

Originally Posted by Bellevue

I don't use mine either. They are almost always out of position when you're in a turn. Test drive another car on the lot with paddles to see what we mean.

+1

Vantage_coupe; you do know that you can still go through the gears on the AT's "stick" right? I use that WAY more

[sole cal]

I was pretty excited that my CPO came with paddles, but honestly after 5 months I might have used it a couple times.

[Kevin Harney]

Rarely use mine unless I am out for a twisty drive in the country. Plus if you get them be aware that they are wired incorrectly so you will probably want to go in a rewire them anyway !! I did.

[rhodesman]

I got my 335 with paddles and I love them! I rather have a manual but with the baby and my wife not knowing how to drive stick, it seemed more logical to get a car she can drive if needed. With that I made sure to get the paddles so I can still have fun and I use them all the time, maybe like 80-90% of the time? I don't use them much for going to work (since I work 5 minutes from our house) but on the weekends and long trips, I'll go back and forth between "D" and "M" depending on the driving situation. But I'm probably among the 1% of users who use the auto in this way, but it's the best compromise to getting a manual IMO (unless DCT was available in the states, then thats the best compromise!)

[PsychoSlug]

Originally Posted by rhodesman

I got my 335 with paddles and I love them! I rather have a manual but with the baby and my wife not knowing how to drive stick, it seemed more logical to get a car she can drive if needed. With that I made sure to get the paddles so I can still have fun and I use them all the time, maybe like 80-90% of the time? I don't use them much for going to work (since I work 5 minutes from our house) but on the weekends and long trips, I'll go back and forth between "D" and "M" depending on the driving situation. But I'm probably among the 1% of users who use the auto in this way, but it's the best compromise to getting a manual IMO (unless DCT was available in the states, then thats the best compromise!)

+1 (minus the baby part)

I alternate between using the paddles and console-mounted shift lever. In a straight line, I tend to just use the shift lever. In the twists, I use the paddles. Hard turns that require the wheel to be really cranked, as mentioned in previous posts, require the use of shift level.

OP, have you considered ordering the car so that you get everything you want?

[zzzbullseye]

Have them but rarely use them. As stated by others, they work best in conjunction with moderate wheel turn. I wouldn't consider not having them a deal breaker, especially if the vehicle is otherwise optioned out the way you want it.

[Christos]

Originally Posted by rhodesman

I got my 335 with paddles and I love them! I rather have a manual but with the baby and my wife not knowing how to drive stick, it seemed more logical to get a car she can drive if needed. With that I made sure to get the paddles so I can still have fun and I use them all the time, maybe like 80-90% of the time? I don't use them much for going to work (since I work 5 minutes from our house) but on the weekends and long trips, I'll go back and forth between "D" and "M" depending on the driving situation. But I'm probably among the 1% of users who use the auto in this way, but it's the best compromise to getting a manual IMO (unless DCT was available in the states, then thats the best compromise!)

I have them too and really like them. I use them
1.) when I'm turning into a corner and downshift just before the turn
2.) Coming out of a turn and want to downshift for extra power
3.) Just before I pass a car, I hit it twice to downshift and then take off

[mechanixhorseman]

The paddles are alright, but more often then not I find myself shifting using the stick. It's just not convenient if you're in the middle of a turn to try and find a paddle on the wheel, but I do use them on straights.

[Brey335i]

Originally Posted by dpratt34

+1 (minus the baby part)

In a straight line, I tend to just use the shift lever. In the twists, I use the paddles.

wow, that's exactly the opposite of what I do. I find it amazing to use the paddles on the straights but because of turning the wheel I use the stick in corners

[Topless 335i]

You can easily retrofit them. I use mine all the time. Like others said, it can be awkward when turning but they're perfect for casual downshifting/upshifting.

[cb1111]

Originally Posted by klipseracer

I retrofitted my paddle shifters. If my current deal falls through, I'm selling the entire setup for $500 including the retrofit harness, multi-function buttons and paddleshifters all of it only a few weeks old... Then tell me how much the dealer option costs. I seriously doubt its cheaper than that. Plus, the install is really simple if you have a screw driver and a brain.

The paddles (as an option on a new 3 series) cost $100

[vantage_coupe]

Thanks for the comments guys! In an interesting turn of events I've found a
07 with 52k without paddles
08 with 20k with paddles for an extra 2 grand with less warranty and some minor scuffs

I'm swaying towards to the 07 since it's got extended warranty already purchased to 2013 (08 just has regular warranty to 2012)

thoughts?

[pc4400]

Originally Posted by vantage_coupe

Thanks for the comments guys! In an interesting turn of events I've found a
07 with 52k without paddles
08 with 20k with paddles for an extra 2 grand with less warranty and some minor scuffs

I'm swaying towards to the 07 since it's got extended warranty already purchased to 2013 (08 just has regular warranty to 2012)

thoughts?

Hmmm
2008 has less milesf for 2000 more sounds good.
The 08 may have scuffs but where? Bumper? you may want to change it anyways down the line.


2007 may have extended warranty, but have more than double the miles.
Check the 07 to see if it has the oil cooler.

[vantage_coupe]

Originally Posted by pc4400

Hmmm
2008 has less milesf for 2000 more sounds good.
The 08 may have scuffs but where? Bumper? you may want to change it anyways down the line.


2007 may have extended warranty, but have more than double the miles.
Check the 07 to see if it has the oil cooler.

I will have to drive about 5hours to get the 07...the 08 will be available at my local dealer next week.

I was under the assumption that it was only the 335s that had the oil cooler?

Does the 328xi also have/need one?

[Kroy]

I think I used my paddles the first few months, then the novelty wore off.

[Noc57]

Never even bothered with the paddles. I hate how they're set up. Much more fun just leaving the car in "DS" or if anything just shift using the shift lever in M mode. The M3 with the DCT paddles are set up perfectly, not so much on Step 335's.