X5 4.8is with AMG Paddle Shifters

[relentlessone]

I just wanted to let everyone know that the wire you want to tap is the grey one, or at least it was on my US-spec 2006 4.8is. Also, make sure to tap it between the two sets of buttons where the wires run underneath the bottom of the steering wheel trim. The LEDs will come on whenever the rest of the dash is illuminated.

Hope that's helpful!

[Nik]

very nice. Leds are also hot

[SlickGT1]

Very nice. All looks straight forward, other than the wiring. A cool mod for when I have some time. Thanks for posting.

[relentlessone]

Originally Posted by SlickGT1

Very nice. All looks straight forward, other than the wiring. A cool mod for when I have some time. Thanks for posting.

No problem. Yeah it wasn't bad at all. The wiring wasn't hard either, essentially you are just tapping into the two wires in the center console. The harness just lets you do that without cutting the wires or using taps, so it's 100% removable. For the paddles, you take the black wire from each and ground it to the ground screw in the steering wheel, and the yellow and blue wires plug into the slip ring.

[relentlessone]

Originally Posted by KawaBmw7

If I remember right it was the red wire, not 100% sure. It is very easy to check because it is the one that powers the lights of the buttons.

Maybe in the future I do it also in the X5. First other mods to go.

Thank you, I'll have to take a look. I'm so used to disconnecting the battery when removing the airbag, but I guess I could just pull the fuse so I can still have power to other areas. Is it safe to just remove one pin at a time until the steering wheel button lights go out?

[KawaBmw7]

Originally Posted by relentlessone

Thank you, I'll have to take a look. I'm so used to disconnecting the battery when removing the airbag, but I guess I could just pull the fuse so I can still have power to other areas. Is it safe to just remove one pin at a time until the steering wheel button lights go out?

Removing the airbag is no problem. Just don't put the ingnition in position 2.

[Hammer]

Great work!

[Papa13]

Would any paddles work? Or are there only a certain few that will work?

[relentlessone]

Originally Posted by Papa13

Would any paddles work? Or are there only a certain few that will work?

I can't speak for all paddles, but the all paddles I have seen are essentially just switches, so electronically any should work. These AMG Paddles seem to be popular for retrofitting because you only have to cut out a shallow oval of foam from the steering wheel, and drill a hole in the metal support for the screw. Some have drilled another hole for the wire, but with my steering wheel the oval overlapped where the metal ends, so I just drilled another passage through the foam within the oval.

[BMW-x5-48is]

Originally Posted by relentlessone

I can't speak for all paddles, but the all paddles I have seen are essentially just switches, so electronically any should work. These AMG Paddles seem to be popular for retrofitting because you only have to cut out a shallow oval of foam from the steering wheel, and drill a hole in the metal support for the screw. Some have drilled another hole for the wire, but with my steering wheel the oval overlapped where the metal ends, so I just drilled another passage through the foam within the oval.

relentlessone -- would you be interested installing this kit in my car (2006 bmw x5 4.8is) since you already did this & worked out the proper way to install?? I can def reimburse you for your time - and being your in NJ - its only a little drive from me (NYC). Let me know if your up for it The pictures seem easier then it really is - but if you did this I know you know what to do and what not to do.. Let me know if you interested.. I can buy the parts - but need someone to execute the work & make this work.. Let me know