well, actually it's vincent seah's (VS) paddle shift retrofit kit. i got into a small car accident 3 weeks ago and had to get a new airbag for my car. i didn't like my stock wheel so i opted to buy vince's smg wheel from his website. http://www.bmw-paddleshift-retro.com Sure it costs quite a bit, but is it worth it..... HELL YEAH!!! i've never had so much fun driving an automatic in my life!! my buddies have been asking to drive my car everyday since i installed it a couple days ago. the kit is flat out the best upgrade i've ever done to any of the cars i've owned in the past. i highly recommend it... Hell i even think it shifts quicker at the wheel rather than the knob. i can't wait to get the dinan transmission software. it claims to cut the shift time in half. anyway, here are some pics of the wheel in my car. just thought i should share and give you guys the first impressions of the kit.
my new smg retrofit 330i!!!
- Thread starter ra328i
- Start date
Vincent's upgrade is worth every penny to me too. He was even willing to install it (in the LA area) and did so super quickly and professionally.
I had beverly hills bmw add the dinan auto software and they couldn't believe the paddles really worked, they've never heard of anyone else doing this. The software makes the shifts seem a hair quicker -- not SMGII quick, but I notice the improvement. Most of all in the "SD" mode where it makes the car flat angry!
If you're a fellow F1 wannabe with steptronic, I can't recommend it enough. The factory wheel does feel like junk compared to the ///M3 one (and the tri-color stiches look cool to boot.)
[bmwdance]
I had beverly hills bmw add the dinan auto software and they couldn't believe the paddles really worked, they've never heard of anyone else doing this. The software makes the shifts seem a hair quicker -- not SMGII quick, but I notice the improvement. Most of all in the "SD" mode where it makes the car flat angry!
If you're a fellow F1 wannabe with steptronic, I can't recommend it enough. The factory wheel does feel like junk compared to the ///M3 one (and the tri-color stiches look cool to boot.)
[bmwdance]
I would describe the gear changes in M1-M5 mode as noticably quicker, more so on downshifts. Radically quicker -- NO. I've driven an m3 with smgII and its not that sharp, but better than stock steptronic.
So is is worth it? For the ~$1400 in the wheel/dinan software all done, I can't think of any way to put that money in the car and up the fun factor as much.
I've always had manual cars but really love the D and SD options for the insane LA traffic. Plus when you learn to left foot brake, you can control the rear of the car a lot more a la F1ers.
Someday I'll get an smg m3, but until then this is the next best thing.
So is is worth it? For the ~$1400 in the wheel/dinan software all done, I can't think of any way to put that money in the car and up the fun factor as much.
I've always had manual cars but really love the D and SD options for the insane LA traffic. Plus when you learn to left foot brake, you can control the rear of the car a lot more a la F1ers.
Someday I'll get an smg m3, but until then this is the next best thing.
![[:(]](/images/smilies/frown.png "Frown [:(]")