2014 E89 35i Aftermarket Paddle Shifters?

[Z4Enthusiast]

Hello everyone,
A new member here to an old 2014 Z4 35i, tuned, valencia orange exterior, factory alcantara interior with downpipes and a stage 2 MHD tune

My + paddle shifter is somewhat not functional unless pressed hardly, its not that bad but I hope to get it changed if its possible.
I searched everywhere on the internet but can't seem to find an aftermarket replacement.

On Aliexpress theres a few ones that show that it matches my paddle shifter but none of them list my car as a suitable model which is quite odd. and obviously theres no use in trying to talk to the sellers because they are clueless and the language barrier doesn't help. So im here to ask for your opinion before I order them

I am really sorry for the rotated pictures I do not know how to fix it.

[B21]

The E89 steering wheel / paddles appears unique..people have tried to move other wheels across without success…I understand it’s often to do with the centre pickup which seems to be E89 specific..it’s possible I assume to make a hybrid using multiple parts..but I’ve never heard of a success story..good luck..

[Z4Enthusiast]

I once saw a Z4 E89 steering wheel mounted on a 3 series, apparently it was hard but it worked somehow, just a shame that we can't add aftermarket paddles.

But the price of these are cheap anyway so I think I might go ahead and buy it and see if I can make it happen.

[Marcoose]

I’m keen to know if those aftermarket will fit and work. I’ve looked everywhere, spoke with fabricators, and found nothing. Please keep us posted.

[Jakeinaka]

There was a chap who posted on FB, seems to have disappeared though. F80 M4 paddles

[Z4Enthusiast]

Originally Posted by Jakeinaka

There was a chap who posted on FB, seems to have disappeared though. F80 M4 paddles

Thats a good sign, im just surprised that there are almost no threads on forums regarding aftermarket paddles for the Z4, the originals are horrendous.

The same paddles in the picture above are listed on Aliexpress as well:

https://a.aliexpress.com/_oozTkZo


Ill order a pair and report back to you guys in around a month with the progress

[Marcoose]

Originally Posted by Jakeinaka

There was a chap who posted on FB, seems to have disappeared though. F80 M4 paddles

Originally Posted by Z4Enthusiast

Thats a good sign, im just surprised that there are almost no threads on forums regarding aftermarket paddles for the Z4, the originals are horrendous.

The same paddles in the picture above are listed on Aliexpress as well:

https://a.aliexpress.com/_oozTkZo


Ill order a pair and report back to you guys in around a month with the progress

I've started 2-3 threads about aftermarket paddles on the UK forum. Perhaps one here as well.

The experts' verdict was that the pins for all other BMW steering wheels are incompatible with the E89's. You need an adapter between a set of aftermarket paddles and the OE E89 wheel. There was an ingenious fabricator bloke that was ginning up an adapter. Before he disappeared, he reported that things got very busy and tight behind the wheel, that folk with fat fingers would find it annoying. Alas I was never able to try it myself.

Please do report back if that F80 model fits and works. Thanks.

p.s. The link above goes to a rear spoiler

[Steve Jarvis]

Is is the pin locations or the connector? If it's the pin, can't you just re-pin the current wires in the current connectors? If it's the connector, can't you just re-pin the wire into an E89 connector? I'm not sure when you would need an adapter.

[Marcoose]

Dunno, Steve. When I was looking for a plug-and-play solution, others that had also come empty mentioned the incompatibility between the E89 and other BMW steering wheels, and that you need an adapter because the pins aren't aligned. Or so that's how I remember. I'm old, mate. My CRS is acute.

I took their word at face value. I've never disassembled an E89 wheel.

[Steve Jarvis]

I'm old too and my OLD disease does make things challenging.

[Z4Enthusiast]

Originally Posted by Marcoose

I've started 2-3 threads about aftermarket paddles on the UK forum. Perhaps one here as well.

The experts' verdict was that the pins for all other BMW steering wheels are incompatible with the E89's. You need an adapter between a set of aftermarket paddles and the OE E89 wheel. There was an ingenious fabricator bloke that was ginning up an adapter. Before he disappeared, he reported that things got very busy and tight behind the wheel, that folk with fat fingers would find it annoying. Alas I was never able to try it myself.

Please do report back if that F80 model fits and works. Thanks.

p.s. The link above goes to a rear spoiler

Woops, sorry about that link, I did order that spoiler but I have no idea how the link ended up there
Heres a better link.

https://a.aliexpress.com/_olzz8YW

[Drummer$Dude]

Originally Posted by Marcoose

Dunno, Steve. When I was looking for a plug-and-play solution, others that had also come empty mentioned the incompatibility between the E89 and other BMW steering wheels, and that you need an adapter because the pins aren't aligned. Or so that's how I remember. I'm old, mate. My CRS is acute.

I took their word at face value. I've never disassembled an E89 wheel.

Interesting this showed up as I will be removing my steering wheel to re-finish the paddle shifters and the center spoke as the satin silver finish is coming off and I have cut my index finger on my left hand a few times. I rarely use the paddle shifters but they do need to be repaired.

Pardon the dust in the photos. Once I get my Z out of winter storage I’ll detail it.

[Jakeinaka]

This is what he did, printed some adapters.... teased everyone, then disappeared. If I could find some standard E89 paddles at an affordable price I'd have a go at modifying them.