SMG M3 Paddleshift steering wheel install

[bcredliner]

Recently purchased a used SMG M3 steering wheel on eBay. I Dyed and fixed some worn areas with kit from LeatherWorld. It came with 8 button upper trim that I sent off to have redone in CF. I purchased a CF lower trim. I added longer paddles in CF to match and to make it much easier to shift, especially when turning. There were several sets of instructions available but they either had no pictures or were for an E46, Rover or Mercedes that are somewhat to much different. I did pick up several tips which prompted me to use BMW connectors and pins. The install is plug and play cutting into no existing wires. I was pleasantly surprised that my X5 had the steering wheel control unit that includes the 2 prong connector for paddle shift. The install took about 3 hours with several detours to deal with mystic gremlins. Total all inclusive cost was $558. It is a WOW mod! Lots of fun and Soooo much better that using the shifter in manual mode. I should have done this years ago.