BMW Garage BMW Meets Register Search Today's Posts Mark Forums Read
BIMMERPOST Universal Forums > General BMW News and Cars Discussion > Fitted paddle shifters to my SMG E36 M3

Post Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
      11-30-2017, 09:00 AM   #1
MParallel
Mr. OEM
MParallel's Avatar
Netherlands
542
Rep
796
Posts

Drives: '98 E36 M3 AW/Black 1 of 12
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: The Netherlands

iTrader: (0)

Fitted paddle shifters to my SMG E36 M3

Car now fitted with paddle shifters. IMHO, the best mod I've ever done. Just feels so much better driving it.

Also shaves some time, even how little it is, off the gear change process. No hand-to-stick movement and the throw of the stick is longer than the tiny flick of the shifter.

And as always, everything is 100% reversible Zero cutting or splicing in factory wiring.
Ok it will leave some holes on the back of the wheel, but I have a brand new spare M wheel.

Short vid




__________________

'1998 BMW M3 3.2 Cabrio • Alpinweiß III auf Schwarz • Deutschland-ausführung • 1 von 12 • SMG • SRA • PDC • AUC • GSM • HK • UURS • IHKA • FGR • MFL •

Appreciate 1
BimmerAg425.00
      12-05-2017, 02:16 PM   #2
JMD
MGySgt
JMD's Avatar
United_States
629
Rep
1,246
Posts

Drives: See Garage List! ;-)
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: NORVA

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
2010 M5  [10.00]
2016 BMW 340xi M Sport  [9.00]
2019 X5 50i M Sport  [5.50]
2010 535xi  [0.00]
2013 M5  [0.00]
2012 X5 M  [0.00]
Swueeeet Mod! I want to do this to my '10 E60 535xi Sport!
__________________
JMD
Appreciate 0
      12-05-2017, 04:19 PM   #3
m5james
Colonel
m5james's Avatar
United_States
429
Rep
2,062
Posts

Drives: '10 X5M Alpine White on Sakhir
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: Marysville, WA

iTrader: (0)

It's money I wouldn't really wanna spend on my E36, but I didn't know people did SMG swaps into E36's! I haven't gotten around to doing my M3 to 328ci suspension, subframe and diff swap. Good job!
Appreciate 0
      12-05-2017, 05:28 PM   #4
mkoesel
Moderator
United_States
7506
Rep
19,370
Posts

Drives: No BMW for now
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Canton, MI

iTrader: (1)

^^ SMG was available from the factory for the E36.
Appreciate 0
      12-06-2017, 06:14 AM   #5
Obioban
Emperor
Obioban's Avatar
1611
Rep
2,753
Posts

Drives: M3, M3, M5, M5
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: West Chester, PA

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
2008 BMW M5  [0.00]
2017 BMW i3  [0.00]
2005 BMW M3 Coupe  [0.00]
2001 BMW M5  [0.00]
Quote:
Originally Posted by mkoesel View Post
^^ SMG was available from the factory for the E36.
(in europe)
__________________

2005 M3 Coupe, 2004 M3 Wagon, 2001 M5 Sedan, 2008 M5 6MT Sedan, 2012 128i M sport
Appreciate 0
      12-06-2017, 08:25 AM   #6
W///
Lieutenant General
W///'s Avatar
7436
Rep
12,293
Posts

Drives: F82GTS, E36/E92M3, Z4M
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: SC

iTrader: (13)

Quote:
Originally Posted by m5james View Post
It's money I wouldn't really wanna spend on my E36, but I didn't know people did SMG swaps into E36's! I haven't gotten around to doing my M3 to 328ci suspension, subframe and diff swap. Good job!
No swap, OP is in Europe
__________________
Current:
16 F82 M4 GTS, Black Sapphire/Black, DCT
08 E92 M3, Sparkling Graphite/Bamboo Beige, 6MT
07 E85 Z4M Roadster, Alpine White/Red, 6MT
99 E36 M3, Techno Violet/Dove Grey, 6MT
Appreciate 0
      12-06-2017, 03:48 PM   #7
m5james
Colonel
m5james's Avatar
United_States
429
Rep
2,062
Posts

Drives: '10 X5M Alpine White on Sakhir
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: Marysville, WA

iTrader: (0)

I saw that after I found some YouTube videos of the SMG doing SMG things lol.
__________________
'10 BMW X5///M - Alpine White on Sakhir Orange - JB4 w/ HCP Stage 2 BEF, NGK 97506 @ .20, SS tubing & BMC filters, gutted cats, AC Forged 312 22's, H&R 2"
'98 BMW 740iL - ///E39 M5 6spd swap, fully built engine (sleeved, P&P, cams), 3.46 LSD, H&R Stage 2/Bilstein HD, Magnaflow 14816's
'97 BMW 328ci - ///E36 M3 clutch & L/W flywheel, Z4///M 18's
Appreciate 0
      12-12-2017, 06:21 AM   #8
MParallel
Mr. OEM
MParallel's Avatar
Netherlands
542
Rep
796
Posts

Drives: '98 E36 M3 AW/Black 1 of 12
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: The Netherlands

iTrader: (0)

Some familiar faces here...

As said, this is the SMG1 gearbox offered on EU spec M3 3.2 models. Since it's the oldest system, it's over 20 years old now, don't expect DCT like shifts.

But it has its charm and while I didn't specifically plan on buying an SMG1 M3, this one happened to cross my path and ticked all the boxes.

In the 4+ year of ownership, I've connected with the system and having 2 friends who also own SMG1 cabrio's and together have deducted its workings and how to troubleshoot, it's a nifty system if you consider the age and context.

I'm a manual guy myself, but I've never missed not having a clutch pedal.
__________________

'1998 BMW M3 3.2 Cabrio • Alpinweiß III auf Schwarz • Deutschland-ausführung • 1 von 12 • SMG • SRA • PDC • AUC • GSM • HK • UURS • IHKA • FGR • MFL •

Appreciate 0
      12-13-2017, 01:36 PM   #9
frankenm
First Lieutenant
frankenm's Avatar
96
Rep
397
Posts

Drives: 12' X5M, 99 M3
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: San Diego

iTrader: (0)

__________________
2012 X5M - M5 S63TU Turbos/Manifolds, Custom Exhaust, Intake, JB4/BCM, OEM race stripes
1999 323
- M3 Clone - Hardtop - S50 Cams, S52, 3.23 LSD, Koni Sport, 18' E46 M3 Wheels

Appreciate 0
      12-14-2017, 09:58 AM   #10
MParallel
Mr. OEM
MParallel's Avatar
Netherlands
542
Rep
796
Posts

Drives: '98 E36 M3 AW/Black 1 of 12
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: The Netherlands

iTrader: (0)

And for those not familiar with the EU SMG1 stock shifter, this is how it looks:



So these 20+ year newer paddles match the alu-silver/black perfectly. Doesn't even look out of place.

And some other angles of the shiftpaddles





SMG1 hydro unit at bottem left

__________________

'1998 BMW M3 3.2 Cabrio • Alpinweiß III auf Schwarz • Deutschland-ausführung • 1 von 12 • SMG • SRA • PDC • AUC • GSM • HK • UURS • IHKA • FGR • MFL •

Appreciate 0
      12-16-2017, 01:40 AM   #11
kyrix1st
Colonel
kyrix1st's Avatar
2351
Rep
2,359
Posts

Drives: G87 M2; E92M3 MT&DCT; M3 euro
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: nyc

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
2004 BMW Z4  [0.00]
Quote:
Originally Posted by m5james View Post
It's money I wouldn't really wanna spend on my E36, but I didn't know people did SMG swaps into E36's! I haven't gotten around to doing my M3 to 328ci suspension, subframe and diff swap. Good job!
I assume you've never seen an ITB on E36 M3 either.
__________________
Pass me if you can.
Appreciate 0
      12-16-2017, 02:18 PM   #12
m5james
Colonel
m5james's Avatar
United_States
429
Rep
2,062
Posts

Drives: '10 X5M Alpine White on Sakhir
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: Marysville, WA

iTrader: (0)

I have seen ITB's as my first BMW in the 90's was an M5, but no, I didn't know the SMG was ever in the E36.
Attached Images
 
__________________
'10 BMW X5///M - Alpine White on Sakhir Orange - JB4 w/ HCP Stage 2 BEF, NGK 97506 @ .20, SS tubing & BMC filters, gutted cats, AC Forged 312 22's, H&R 2"
'98 BMW 740iL - ///E39 M5 6spd swap, fully built engine (sleeved, P&P, cams), 3.46 LSD, H&R Stage 2/Bilstein HD, Magnaflow 14816's
'97 BMW 328ci - ///E36 M3 clutch & L/W flywheel, Z4///M 18's

Last edited by m5james; 12-16-2017 at 02:27 PM..
Appreciate 0
      12-16-2017, 02:42 PM   #13
RABAUKE
Banned
Canada
4653
Rep
1,395
Posts

Drives: Porsche 993, 2014 MB GLK
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: The Golden Horseshoe, Ontario

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by randi41 View Post
Cool. Paddle shifters make driving more fun.
Almost as much fun as stick.
Appreciate 0
      12-16-2017, 04:28 PM   #14
kyrix1st
Colonel
kyrix1st's Avatar
2351
Rep
2,359
Posts

Drives: G87 M2; E92M3 MT&DCT; M3 euro
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: nyc

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
2004 BMW Z4  [0.00]
Quote:
Originally Posted by m5james View Post
I have seen ITB's as my first BMW in the 90's was an M5, but no, I didn't know the SMG was ever in the E36.
__________________
Pass me if you can.
Appreciate 0
      10-22-2018, 02:51 AM   #15
Supra^
Registered
0
Rep
1
Posts

Drives: E91 Daily + E36 Turbo
Join Date: Oct 2018
Location: FI

iTrader: (0)

Sorry for upping and old thread, but i just stumbled upon this, and my hats off to you sir, looks really nice! What kind of paddles did you use? Looks like the F-generation but it seems there are a lot of differences F10 vs F30 etc.
Appreciate 0
      10-22-2018, 05:51 PM   #16
MParallel
Mr. OEM
MParallel's Avatar
Netherlands
542
Rep
796
Posts

Drives: '98 E36 M3 AW/Black 1 of 12
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: The Netherlands

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Supra^ View Post
Sorry for upping and old thread, but i just stumbled upon this, and my hats off to you sir, looks really nice! What kind of paddles did you use? Looks like the F-generation but it seems there are a lot of differences F10 vs F30 etc.
It's not an old thread.

Thanks. Still loving this mod.

Not sure how I would describe these paddles. BMW used them on many different models the last, what, 7+ years, if not longer.

Though I did notice there are two versions of this style paddle, which looks identical viewed from the front, but the back side is very different.

The 'base' plate is the same as the latest M5 paddle shifters, so I could easily swap over to a different style, but the black/silver looks better to me and a pefect match with the stock shifter.

Old model back

https://www.ebay.de/itm/BMW-F11-F12-...IAAOSwPCtbWu-U

Later model

https://www.ebay.de/itm/BMW-F20-F21-...YAAOSwFetamEcw

Older model paddles in general seem of a better construction, with metal pivot bar and metal thread (insert) to bold it on, all later models it's all plastic.
__________________

'1998 BMW M3 3.2 Cabrio • Alpinweiß III auf Schwarz • Deutschland-ausführung • 1 von 12 • SMG • SRA • PDC • AUC • GSM • HK • UURS • IHKA • FGR • MFL •

Appreciate 0
      10-22-2018, 06:01 PM   #17
BayE30
Lieutenant Colonel
United_States
1341
Rep
1,881
Posts

Drives: 2011.75 E90 M3 ZCP
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: San Francisco

iTrader: (5)

can you upgrade to the e46 SMG shifter as well? That shifter looks huge for something that does almost nothing...
__________________
I am never able to post pictures on forums, all my pics are on IG @baye30 https://www.instagram.com/baye30/
Current Garage - [2011 E90 M3 ZCP] [2005 E53 X5 3.0 Sport] [1988 E30 325IS 24V]
Appreciate 0
      10-22-2018, 06:16 PM   #18
zx10guy
Brigadier General
5139
Rep
3,235
Posts

Drives: 2013 135i
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: DC

iTrader: (0)

Those paddles are the same ones used in the E82 DCT equipped cars. I had the same paddles for my car. Didn't like them. Found the paddles to be too short requiring too long of a finger tip reach. And there is no extension of the paddles downward. So what you see in the pictures is all you get. I swapped out those stock paddles for a Nelson Racing Wheel paddle kit.
__________________
Quote:
Originally Posted by Lups View Post
We might not be in an agreement on Trump, but I'll be the first penis chaser here to say I'll rather take it up in the ass than to argue with you on this.
Appreciate 0
      10-23-2018, 03:57 AM   #19
MParallel
Mr. OEM
MParallel's Avatar
Netherlands
542
Rep
796
Posts

Drives: '98 E36 M3 AW/Black 1 of 12
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: The Netherlands

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by SFCM3 View Post
can you upgrade to the e46 SMG shifter as well? That shifter looks huge for something that does almost nothing...
The E46 one does fit, but I don't like its design, nor ergonmics.

While the stock one looks huge, it's not too big and has a nice feel to it.

Since the whole assembly is based on an automatic gearbox mechanism with a heavy throw, the smaller E46 shifter would make it uncomfortably hard to use it.

The shifter still comes in handy navigating roundabouts and sharp corners.
__________________

'1998 BMW M3 3.2 Cabrio • Alpinweiß III auf Schwarz • Deutschland-ausführung • 1 von 12 • SMG • SRA • PDC • AUC • GSM • HK • UURS • IHKA • FGR • MFL •

Appreciate 0
      10-23-2018, 04:01 AM   #20
MParallel
Mr. OEM
MParallel's Avatar
Netherlands
542
Rep
796
Posts

Drives: '98 E36 M3 AW/Black 1 of 12
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: The Netherlands

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by zx10guy View Post
Those paddles are the same ones used in the E82 DCT equipped cars. I had the same paddles for my car. Didn't like them. Found the paddles to be too short requiring too long of a finger tip reach. And there is no extension of the paddles downward. So what you see in the pictures is all you get. I swapped out those stock paddles for a Nelson Racing Wheel paddle kit.
And that is why I like them. I don't like these paddles that circumvent half the steering wheel. You can get extensions for them, but not for me.

It was already nice there is just enough room between wheel and stalks to fit these. With longer downward extension, it would interfear with the cruise control stalk, since this one is closer towards the steering wheel.

Although I could remove it, since the steering wheel buttons now control all cruise functions.

Maybe I should do a journal topic, since the option list on this E36 is arguably the most extensive one.
__________________

'1998 BMW M3 3.2 Cabrio • Alpinweiß III auf Schwarz • Deutschland-ausführung • 1 von 12 • SMG • SRA • PDC • AUC • GSM • HK • UURS • IHKA • FGR • MFL •

Appreciate 0
Post Reply

Bookmarks

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 01:03 PM.




m2
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
1Addicts.com, BIMMERPOST.com, E90Post.com, F30Post.com, M3Post.com, ZPost.com, 5Post.com, 6Post.com, 7Post.com, XBimmers.com logo and trademark are properties of BIMMERPOST