Steptronic - manual shift reversal
 

I have a situation on my X5 and Z4 that confuses the hell out of me when driving in 'manual' mode. Basically the +/- are in the opposite direction on each. So on the X5 pushing the lever changes up a gear on the Z4 down. No suprise I'm prone to wrong direction shifts....

See photos below of X5 and Z4:
http://i200.photobucket.com/albums/a...r/DSCN1909.jpg
http://i200.photobucket.com/albums/a...r/DSCN1911.jpg

My understanding is that somewhere between the build dates of my 2 Bimmers, BMW changed the direction of shift to the more logigal forward for down

So my questions:

1) has anyone reversed the shift change on the X5 to match the later pattern and give me consistency?

2) Can someone look at their X5 of say 2003 and newer and confirm the direction is opposite to my 2001? If so it may be possible to by a illuminated insert trim and perhaps a different switch or some DIY wiring

Zulu95

Exactly what I needed thanks. I'll have that done pretty soon - thanks

I FAR prefer the old shifting direction (i.e., up for upshift, down for downshift). That's the way it is on my Audi as well, and it makes far more logical sense to me (up, up, down, down).

I've heard some people say that it feels more natural to pull down to upshift, because that's in accordance with your body's momentum as you accelerate, but I just don't buy that.

If I ever got a new BMW with Steptronic, I would reverse the shift direction to the way they used to have it!

I guess that would be one of those arguments that is never going to be settled. BMW must have had a lot of pressure or feedback to cause them to change across the entire range. For my part I'm not really that worried which way, but hopping between 2 cars with identical gearboxes same lever and them behaving in the opposite way is a recipe for disaster.

it has to do with the age of the vehicle

cj10jeeper - I changed the shift direction on my '01 following those directions and it is a piece of cake. When you get to the plastic connectors, instead of splicing wire, you can pop the metal tips of the wires out of the connector and just switch the wires.

And it does feel more natural to pull back as you are accelerating - I hated the way it used to shift and therefore never really used it, but I shift all of the time now.

Now if you really want something to get used to, try the side-to-side shifting like MB does. I still haven't figured out that design yet :confused:

Yeah, the MB shifting sucks, although right to upshift / left to downshift does feel natural to me (but maybe not to left-handed people?).

I personally like the MB shifting a lot more than the BMW one

You know, now that I think about it, the MB tranny is similar to a manual, bc with a manual you do have to shift OVER and then up (or down) to change gears.

Not going to complain too much though - I love driving my wife's SLK350!!!

Thanks X5Dawg - this is a soon to do mod. It's been around zero all week here (well it feels like that) and dark at 4.00pm so one for the weekend.

Thanks

was just trying this - got to the wires, but didnt feel like going thru the trouble tonight to switch it around. will wait until after holidays and do it. great mod though.

Oh man, you already did the hard part (getting to them) it takes all of two minutes to switch the wires. Disconnect the plug, use a sharp object to push out the pins on the two middle wires on the plug and then just reinsert the pins opposite of what they were.

Ok- I think this will be my first mod of 08. Then gotta buy the new shift panel info. Or I could just leave it and if anyone steals the car they'll get screwed if they try steptronic LOL

I left mine - I know which way to shift it and my wife never uses the manual. Plus, the replacement was some ridiculous price if it is the same as quoted on the DIY page.

Ya $160!!! That's what I said!! A friend of mine has an 03 530 and he wants to reverse it, I would trade with him if he does.

I've been dragged away on business so not got around to doing it yet. I'm sure the new cover can be sourced more cheaply than that from a damaged car, or with a bit of inginuity the old part modded.

Not tried yet but what's the sequence to remove the console parts? I presume the connector is down by one side of the shift lever?

Open up the ash tray cover, get something with a sharp edge and sturdy (such as a flathead screwdriver) and pry up the black plastic piece around the gear shift - that's it. Wiring is located under that. I can actually pull that piece up using my fingers, but I am not sure if that is because I have removed it once before or not.

That's far too easy - I feel a job coming on today....

(edit) - 5 minutes later - that job was laughably easy... :thumbup: :thumbup:

Not sure if the EU conector is different (the cable colours certainly are), however one part of the connector has a removable cover. Press the release and each pin can slide out.

Looking a tthe underside of the trim with 3 sets of connectors I can see why they price it so high.

i just did mine today. i pulled up the shift boot, then the shifter panel with my hands - never had to go thru the ashtray - couldnt anyway cuz i have dice dock. but it worked fine. I'll see if my friend wants to do his - then maybe we will just switch ours.

cj10jeeper... wonder how many other dual owners X5/Z4 owners we have... I anothe rone... both 2003 with 3.0l engines. One thing is my Z4 has the SMG which I really enjoy, but the X5 has Steptronic but I rarely ever use in manual shift mode.. just when in deep snow and want a little more drive train control.

Actually I think ythere are a lot of dual X5/Z4 owners as I bump into several all the time on different boards. It seems a good combination of a daily drive to move people and domestic 'junk' while having a Z4 more for fun, but still practical enough to use daily

Update - did the mod and decided to make my own plate to replicate the reversed +/-. It was fairly easy once I'd carefully dismantled the entire electronics assembly and got down to what is just a transcluscent sticker.

Uhhh, pic please!!! ;)

ya take a pic.. would be interested to see the fix you did to the sticker..

I know it's an old thread, but I searched, and found this.

Good find on the 'two wires swap' to reverse the shift pattern. I will do it on my X, but contrary to the OP, it will be to have the upshift when pushed forward.

To me it is the direction that is more natural. I had a muscle car, euh, truck long time ago, and I installed a B&M ratchet shifter to complement the shift kit in the tranny, and the shift pattern was, forward to upshift.

I tried to get used to the X5 pattern (pulling=upshift) but can't get used to it.

I like to use the manual mode in traffic driving, it keeps the tranny from changing gears continiously.


http://www.bmracing.com/core/media/m...023096cbc40125