DCT Paddle Feel

[clar]

Am i the only DCT owner who hates the paddle feel of the M3? I find it very stiff and curt without any tactile feel when you pull it unlike the F10 M5's paddles. My SA has told me that the full paddle assembly between the 2 cars are not compatible. That leaves me with the only option of opening up the paddle assembly and transplanting the inner mechanism over if they are compatible. Has anyone undertaken anything similar?

p/s: pls don't tell me to just row my own gear

[klammer]

Yes, you're the only one. JK, but I do love the feel. That being said, check out this thread, it may be of use to you.
http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=637836

[clar]

Originally Posted by klammer

Yes, you're the only one. JK, but I do love the feel. That being said, check out this thread, it may be of use to you.
http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=637836

Thanks. I saw that thread, but they are merely replacing the paddles while re-using the inner mechanism. The inner mechanism is what determines the feel of the paddles. I don't really have issues with how the paddles look. They look just fine to me.

[Mike van D]

I've got no issue with them. Response is good and I like that they don't shift like butter as I usually have my left hand resting on the paddle. If they did, I'm sure I'd be accidentally downshifting all the time.

[nickdrivesm3]

lol

[FVM3]

i like the "stiff" feeling of it. Most of the cars with paddles are not as stiff as the m3 but i dont like them.

[aajami]

Originally Posted by christopherchenm

i like the "stiff" feeling of it. Most of the cars with paddles are not as stiff as the m3 but i dont like them.

Yeah, I like the firm click that they emit. Much nicer and more satisfying than the mushy paddles of some other cars.

[mshab356]

I prefer 6mt. Always feels nice

[PNWM3]

Originally Posted by clar

Am i the only DCT owner who hates the paddle feel of the M3? I find it very stiff and curt without any tactile feel when you pull it unlike the F10 M5's paddles. My SA has told me that the full paddle assembly between the 2 cars are not compatible. That leaves me with the only option of opening up the paddle assembly and transplanting the inner mechanism over if they are compatible. Has anyone undertaken anything similar?

p/s: pls don't tell me to just row my own gear

I don't think many of us have or have yet to drive the new M5 to be able to compare. Thanks for rubbing it in though!

[Giccy]

I'm in the opposite book. I like how they feel but not a fan of how they look.

Though, like ^^ said, haven't tried the F10 so maybe I don't know what I'm missing.

[SchnellM3]

Originally Posted by christopherchenm

i like the "stiff" feeling of it. Most of the cars with paddles are not as stiff as the m3 but i dont like them.

Originally Posted by aajami

Yeah, I like the firm click that they emit. Much nicer and more satisfying than the mushy paddles of some other cars.

+1

I think they have a much nicer feel than most other cars including the ones on the E46. In the E46 I find I like using the shifter over the paddles, which is opposite of the E92 where I enjoy both and just depends on the driving I'm doing.

A lot of other cars including the regular BMWs have some that just flop all over the place and no "feel" to them

[ksflatlander]

I like 'em as is. Both by feel and visually. No complaints here.

But to each his own and it doesn't help the OP that others like them. Surely there is some sort of spring or spring steel inside there that could be modified. If a spring, all you'd have to do is trim some length off and that would make it softer. If it's a piece of spring steel that might be tougher unless you could figure a way to adjust the fulcrum. Have you tried opening it up and seeing what you're up against? Maybe take some pics and post them and we could throw out some ideas?

[clar]

Originally Posted by ksflatlander

I like 'em as is. Both by feel and visually. No complaints here.

But to each his own and it doesn't help the OP that others like them. Surely there is some sort of spring or spring steel inside there that could be modified. If a spring, all you'd have to do is trim some length off and that would make it softer. If it's a piece of spring steel that might be tougher unless you could figure a way to adjust the fulcrum. Have you tried opening it up and seeing what you're up against? Maybe take some pics and post them and we could throw out some ideas?

Can't do that now. Gotta wait till M6 arrives on our shores sometime around Jun/Jul so that i could order its steering wheel to replace that truck wheel on my M5. With that, i can take apart the paddle assembly of the M5 to study the feasibility of a transplant.

[clar]

Originally Posted by Giccy Gic

I'm in the opposite book. I like how they feel but not a fan of how they look.

Though, like ^^ said, haven't tried the F10 so maybe I don't know what I'm missing.

I don't think u guys are gonna prefer the F10 M5's paddle feel over the M3's since u guys like what u have now. For me, i din like the M3's paddle feel since day 1. It's prob down to individual preference. Increasing waistline and receding hairline might have something to do with my preference

[crabman]

Originally Posted by Giccy Gic

I'm in the opposite book. I like how they feel but not a fan of how they look.

Though, like ^^ said, haven't tried the F10 so maybe I don't know what I'm missing.

Perhaps take a gander at these ------> http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=652454 as they might be of interest. I ordered the dark gunmetal which will soon join my collection of stuff that is just sitting there doing nothing. Until my car gets here.... Not that it is taking forever, it is, but I'm not gonna whine about it. Even though I'm starting to get a little antsy. Well ok a lot of antsy. But don't worry, I'm not going to start crying over it or anything. er maybe a few tears....

[SchnellM3]

Originally Posted by ksflatlander

I like 'em as is. Both by feel and visually. No complaints here.

But to each his own and it doesn't help the OP that others like them. Surely there is some sort of spring or spring steel inside there that could be modified. If a spring, all you'd have to do is trim some length off and that would make it softer. If it's a piece of spring steel that might be tougher unless you could figure a way to adjust the fulcrum. Have you tried opening it up and seeing what you're up against? Maybe take some pics and post them and we could throw out some ideas?

The click that the paddles make is caused by a ball bearing, I didn't think there were any springs.

[ksflatlander]

Originally Posted by SchnellM3

The click that the paddles make is caused by a ball bearing, I didn't think there were any springs.

Does that mean you've had it "opened up"? I guess if you did and had any advice for a mod to soften it, you would have offered it up. Oh well.

Glad I like it stock...

[Doctor J]

Originally Posted by clar

Am i the only DCT owner who hates the paddle feel of the M3? I find it very stiff and curt without any tactile feel when you pull it unlike the F10 M5's paddles. My SA has told me that the full paddle assembly between the 2 cars are not compatible. That leaves me with the only option of opening up the paddle assembly and transplanting the inner mechanism over if they are compatible. Has anyone undertaken anything similar?

p/s: pls don't tell me to just row my own gear

I suggest you get some of this:



Should fix the problem in a few hours. lol

[Giccy]

Originally Posted by crabman

Perhaps take a gander at these ------> http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=652454 as they might be of interest. I ordered the dark gunmetal which will soon join my collection of stuff that is just sitting there doing nothing. Until my car gets here.... Not that it is taking forever, it is, but I'm not gonna whine about it. Even though I'm starting to get a little antsy. Well ok a lot of antsy. But don't worry, I'm not going to start crying over it or anything. er maybe a few tears....

Saw these though thought the price was a bit steep. Am still definitely considering them. Since you have a set, what are your thoughts on the cut-out gap? Looks a little big / gaping in the pics.

Originally Posted by ksflatlander

Does that mean you've had it "opened up"?

If you refer to the thread linked above, you'll see the install instructions on a non-oem set of paddles. You can clearly see the inner workings of the paddles.

[crabman]

In the same link I posted above http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=652454 there are DIY installation photos that show the inner mechanism of the DCT paddles including the ball bearing that ShnellM3 mentioned.

[SchnellM3]

Originally Posted by ksflatlander

Does that mean you've had it "opened up"? I guess if you did and had any advice for a mod to soften it, you would have offered it up. Oh well.

Glad I like it stock...

No, just from seeing diagrams that were posted. I like the way the feel stock as well, feels authoritative and substantial. Especially when your gripping the wheel, it just all flows really well IMO

[crabman]

Originally Posted by Giccy Gic

Saw these though thought the price was a bit steep. Am still definitely considering them. Since you have a set, what are your thoughts on the cut-out gap? Looks a little big / gaping in the pics.

My car is crossing the pond and arrives in San Diego on the 7th. I am on the Bering Sea and wont be seeing these in person till I finish the season and head home which should be around the 3rd week of March. I only touch the outer back edge of the paddles as I shift as my hands are too big to get behind them. Cant say if someone who was used to tapping them from behind would find it an issue or not. Sorry.