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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Jan 2019
    Location
    Ft. Lauderdale, FL
    Posts
    227

    ZHP Auto w/ paddle shifters or 6MT - thoughts and opinions

    Hey guys,

    Been eyeing the market for one of these cars. I've seen a number of lower mileage (100k or less) autos for sale, but the 6MT cars are mostly higher mileage vehicles. That and the listings are absurdly expensive for the miles. Lower miles is pretty important to me.

    So I got to thinking...I saw some retrofits on here adding SMG wheels to autos. How is it? Considering how often I sit in traffic, this is starting to get me thinking about buying a cheap low miles auto and adding an SMG wheel to have some fun when I want but not have to shift in bumper to bumper traffic. Of course, it's still not a MT.

    Then I was thinking about how hard a swap would be. I googled and didn't find a whole lot, except posts of people saying to just sell and buy a MT car. Those posts are older and not sure they are taking into account the fact that 6MT listings I've seen are adding a good 4-5k on list price over autos.

    Is the swap hard? Cost? (Can't be 4-5k). I see ZHPs for parts listed around, so the parts must be obtainable.

    Just throwing this out there for opinions.

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Nov 2016
    Location
    Charlotte, NC
    Posts
    3,130
    If you want an MT then just be patient and you'll see one for a reasonable price. Yes, they fetch more than an auto, but the difference isn't much when it's priced correctly. Jan/Feb is just a hard time to find a good used car.

    As far as the SMG paddles are concerned, I know that @anandoc did it on his car so it can't be that hard lol

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Jan 1970
    Location
    Branford, CT
    Posts
    16,055
    After having driven an auto with the paddles installed, I can say that the paddles definitely make it easier to shift, and if I had an auto, I would definitely retrofit the paddles. With that said, the auto isn't very fast to respond to your request, so it's really up to your patience level and how fast you need it to respond. You should give it a good second to react and process your shift request from the time you press it to the time it's in gear. Overall, totally fine for street driving, but not precise enough for track work.

    Sent from my Pixel 3 using Tapatalk
    BP
    2005 330i ZHP / 6MT
    Imolarot / Naturbraun
    2003 330iT / 6MT
    Orientblau / Naturbraun




    It's not the car you drive, it's how you drive it.

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Jan 2019
    Location
    Ft. Lauderdale, FL
    Posts
    227
    That's what I was wondering. I've played around with the 540 sport shifting and it's ok. At least I can command a gear. But nothing like a MT in terms of speed.

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Jan 1970
    Location
    Branford, CT
    Posts
    16,055
    Quote Originally Posted by racer2086 View Post
    That's what I was wondering. I've played around with the 540 sport shifting and it's ok. At least I can command a gear. But nothing like a MT in terms of speed.
    Which 540, E39?
    The Steptronic in my E39 525iT is... let's just say, laid back. If I tell it I want a certain gear, you can hear it go "Is that really what you want? Are you sure? Alright, I guess I better start changing gears... where's that danged cog again? Oh yeah, there it is... here we go!" and then finally get into gear. lol
    BP
    2005 330i ZHP / 6MT
    Imolarot / Naturbraun
    2003 330iT / 6MT
    Orientblau / Naturbraun




    It's not the car you drive, it's how you drive it.

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Jan 2019
    Location
    Ft. Lauderdale, FL
    Posts
    227
    Quote Originally Posted by az3579 View Post
    Which 540, E39?
    The Steptronic in my E39 525iT is... let's just say, laid back. If I tell it I want a certain gear, you can hear it go "Is that really what you want? Are you sure? Alright, I guess I better start changing gears... where's that danged cog again? Oh yeah, there it is... here we go!" and then finally get into gear. lol
    Yeah its an E39 540. I wouldn't say it's slow, but not quick either. I'm probably more concerned about the abuse that would put on the auto vs a manual.

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Jan 1970
    Location
    Branford, CT
    Posts
    16,055
    Quote Originally Posted by racer2086 View Post
    Yeah its an E39 540. I wouldn't say it's slow, but not quick either. I'm probably more concerned about the abuse that would put on the auto vs a manual.

    Well... define abuse. Unless you're doing neutral drops, I don't think it would be an issue.
    BP
    2005 330i ZHP / 6MT
    Imolarot / Naturbraun
    2003 330iT / 6MT
    Orientblau / Naturbraun




    It's not the car you drive, it's how you drive it.

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Jan 1970
    Location
    Southern California
    Posts
    18,064
    I put paddles on my steptronic (I think the 2nd one on the Mafia). Not hard at all to do, makes it more fun to drive, but night and day from a manual. The response is not instant, as BP said. I have reasons for an Auto (L.A. traffic, etc.), if you don't have a specific reason I would 100% get a manual. I love my 5-speed Triumph so thank goodness I get my shift kicks in.

    Sent from my SM-G955U using Tapatalk
    Randeaux/Rando/John/jr - '06 Cic ZHP; Southern California
    "ZHP or not, I still like you"


    ZHP Performance Package, Cold Weather Package, Leather, Jet Black/Black/BlackCube, NAV, Anthracite Black "my individual" interior trim
    ESS Stage 1 Twin Screw Supercharger, Sprint Booster, BMW Perf Intake, Magnaflow Exhaust, Dinan TB & STEP S/W, UCC Sway Bars, Apex EC-7 18x8.5 ET38
    Suspension: AST 44100 dampers, Bimmerworld front adjustable end links, Swift springs (8K front, 10K rear), Vorshlag camber plates
    Dynavin D99+, Hardwire V1 (w/V1 Connection), BSW Stage 1 Speakers, Kicker Amp/Subwoofer
    BMW Performance Strut Brace, Orion V2 Angel Eyes, No-holes License Plate, SMG Paddle Shift Mod, Besian VANOS, Gold DISA, Fan Delete, M3 Side Mirrors
    Note: Actual car no longer resembles signature picture

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Apr 2016
    Location
    Southern California
    Posts
    68
    Great topic! My auto trans just failed. I decided to replace with a used auto for a cost of $3K. Converting to manual was a thought that didn't quite get to be an option. I could't find a shop with experience in the conversion. Jason from shoplifetv (youtube) channel has a "DIY - parts needed" video, but couldn't reach him to validate overall costs and timing. Others have mentioned the electrical / programing tasks involved and.. the thought was squashed.

    I can tell you what I would do in your position, but I would need to know WHY you really want a manual. So.. what is your reason(s)?

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