Retrofitting Paddle shifters to 2015 E84 automatic x28i

HonkDaddy · 08-27-2021, 04:26 PM

Is retrofitting the shifters possible? Live in a city with plenty of canyons and hills, and the automatic doesn't always perform like I'd like her to. Is retrofitting a flappy paddle steering wheel an option on this model? Will it ruin my car long term?

Low-mileage 2015 X1 was bought back in May, hopefully this will last the next 10-20 years and it will be the first car my (currently imaginary) idiot son lands in a ditch at age 16.

chance91 · 08-27-2021, 07:57 PM

Oh. Well, I think it should work. The issue is I do not know about the 8-speed vs the 6-speed.

This is how its done on the E90/E84 w/6-speed.
https://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=361439

Your shifter is a good bit different. You may see if there are some extra pins on the shifter meant for paddles. I'll see if I can look into it.

As far as steering wheel, paddles, wiring etc, its all the same as an e90. I actually added the e84 steering wheel to my e90 and swapped the e90 paddles onto it. I have an F15 wheel in my e84 with functioning paddles.

chance91 · 08-27-2021, 08:07 PM

This would be if you wanna do an F-series wheel :

Here is how you could add paddles to your current wheel:

This is how the retrofit goes on an F30, however, I can't be certain it would be the same on an E84 8-speed. The odd part is there is a blend of F-series and E-series electronics in the E84, making it kinda quirky.

chance91 · 08-27-2021, 08:29 PM

So looks like there are options. it shows that there are pins at the steering column switch and at the junction box. If present, you may be in luck and pre-wired for it. If not, you'd have to add those pins, and not sure how far. But it looks like there is a solution, pretty similar to how other people wired them up in e90s/f30s to a point.

You will need to be somewhat familiar with ista and coding imo to pull it off easily.

cwickberg · 08-30-2021, 03:04 PM

FWIW, You may want to First try a transmission flash or tune. I did alot of spirited driving and some autocross with my Daughter in a X1 35i... With a flash on the trans, ( mine was a Alpina flash for OEM BMW) and using the manual mode, it was great for driving...

Paddles are a nice option but retrofit to me seems like alot of bother...You still shift the same transmission with the same software.

chance91 · 08-30-2021, 05:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cwickberg

FWIW, You may want to First try a transmission flash or tune. I did alot of spirited driving and some autocross with my Daughter in a X1 35i... With a flash on the trans, ( mine was a Alpina flash for OEM BMW) and using the manual mode, it was great for driving...

Paddles are a nice option but retrofit to me seems like alot of bother...You still shift the same transmission with the same software.

He's running a 4-cyl, so he's got an 8-speed. I think XHP does offer a calibration now. Might work. Sounds like he wants an aggressive kick-down for canyons/hills.

wheela · 08-30-2021, 08:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chance91

He's running a 4-cyl, so he's got an 8-speed. I think XHP does offer a calibration now. Might work. Sounds like he wants an aggressive kick-down for canyons/hills.

I was thinking the same thing about a transmission flash. I drove a manual for 15 years before my X1, and every day I hated my X1's transmission; it would never pick the right gear.
My X1 came with paddle shifters, but between not having a clutch pedal, and never knowing what gear the AT was in (therefore, not knowing how many clicks needed to hit your target gear), I just couldn't get the hang of using the paddles. Since getting a xHp flash problem is completely solved. I actually really enjoy my transmission now, it almost always picks the right gear and seems to anticipate the gear changes really well. I'm currently using stage 2 and keep it in sport mode - pretty much drives how I'd drive a manual. I can't recommend xHp enough, it transformed the car. I pretty much only use my paddle shifters now for doing 3rd gear logging pulls because it won't downshift on me when I go WOT.

Botlfed98 · 09-01-2021, 07:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cwickberg

FWIW, You may want to First try a transmission flash or tune. I did alot of spirited driving and some autocross with my Daughter in a X1 35i... With a flash on the trans, ( mine was a Alpina flash for OEM BMW) and using the manual mode, it was great for driving...

Paddles are a nice option but retrofit to me seems like alot of bother...You still shift the same transmission with the same software.

where do i go about this Alpina flash that you speak of?

chance91 · 09-01-2021, 12:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Botlfed98

where do i go about this Alpina flash that you speak of?

The Alpina flash is done through coding. You can either learn that yourself, or pay someone to do it.

I'm not 100%, but bimmergeeks protool may be able to pull this off.

This is, of course, for the n55/6speed. Here's an example of the process:
https://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=873746

wheela · 09-01-2021, 01:54 PM

Correct me if i'm wrong, but I beleive the benefit of the alpina flash is that it shifts faster in manual mode than the stock flash, so that's not really going to be helpful without paddle shifters? From what I understand, alpina flash is even less down-shift happy than the stock tcu calibration, mainly to take advantage of the additional torque offered by the alpina tuned engine.

If you want a better (sportier, more agressive) experience from your auto transmission without paddle shifters, I think you want the xHp transmission flash. It's better all around than the alpina flash, its only drawback is that alpina flash is free, but you have to pay for the xHp licensing to use that flash.

cwickberg · 09-03-2021, 09:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wheela

Correct me if i'm wrong, but I beleive the benefit of the alpina flash is that it shifts faster in manual mode than the stock flash, so that's not really going to be helpful without paddle shifters? From what I understand, alpina flash is even less down-shift happy than the stock tcu calibration, mainly to take advantage of the additional torque offered by the alpina tuned engine.

If you want a better (sportier, more agressive) experience from your auto transmission without paddle shifters, I think you want the xHp transmission flash. It's better all around than the alpina flash, its only drawback is that alpina flash is free, but you have to pay for the xHp licensing to use that flash.

I would agree with the... The Alpina Flash is what was available at the time for the older 6 speed/N55 combo. I had the JB4 also and it was a nice package. I did not have paddle shifters but even in Sport mode the car was a blast to drive. You could also use manual mode if you wanted.

xHp seems to be a more up to date and easier flash these days.

I had the Alpina flashed, along with some other codes by a guy on the board years ago and kept all the files on an old laptop.

08-27-2021, 04:26 PM	#1
HonkDaddy Registered 0 Rep 1 Posts Drives: 2015 BMW X1 Join Date: Aug 2021 Location: San Diego iTrader: (0)	Retrofitting Paddle shifters to 2015 E84 automatic x28i Is retrofitting the shifters possible? Live in a city with plenty of canyons and hills, and the automatic doesn't always perform like I'd like her to. Is retrofitting a flappy paddle steering wheel an option on this model? Will it ruin my car long term? Low-mileage 2015 X1 was bought back in May, hopefully this will last the next 10-20 years and it will be the first car my (currently imaginary) idiot son lands in a ditch at age 16.
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08-27-2021, 07:57 PM	#2
chance91 Private First Class 23 Rep 112 Posts Drives: 2011 Bmw 335d Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: Minnesota iTrader: (1)	Oh. Well, I think it should work. The issue is I do not know about the 8-speed vs the 6-speed. This is how its done on the E90/E84 w/6-speed. https://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=361439 Your shifter is a good bit different. You may see if there are some extra pins on the shifter meant for paddles. I'll see if I can look into it. As far as steering wheel, paddles, wiring etc, its all the same as an e90. I actually added the e84 steering wheel to my e90 and swapped the e90 paddles onto it. I have an F15 wheel in my e84 with functioning paddles. __________________ =\|\|=2011 BMW 335D MSport =\|\|= - gone but not forgotten 2008 BMW 335i FBO 2015 BMW x1 35i DD, mhd stg1 2005 MX-5 LS swap
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08-27-2021, 08:07 PM	#3
chance91 Private First Class 23 Rep 112 Posts Drives: 2011 Bmw 335d Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: Minnesota iTrader: (1)	This would be if you wanna do an F-series wheel : Here is how you could add paddles to your current wheel: This is how the retrofit goes on an F30, however, I can't be certain it would be the same on an E84 8-speed. The odd part is there is a blend of F-series and E-series electronics in the E84, making it kinda quirky. __________________ =\|\|=2011 BMW 335D MSport =\|\|= - gone but not forgotten 2008 BMW 335i FBO 2015 BMW x1 35i DD, mhd stg1 2005 MX-5 LS swap
	Appreciate 0 Quote

08-27-2021, 08:29 PM	#4
chance91 Private First Class 23 Rep 112 Posts Drives: 2011 Bmw 335d Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: Minnesota iTrader: (1)	So looks like there are options. it shows that there are pins at the steering column switch and at the junction box. If present, you may be in luck and pre-wired for it. If not, you'd have to add those pins, and not sure how far. But it looks like there is a solution, pretty similar to how other people wired them up in e90s/f30s to a point. You will need to be somewhat familiar with ista and coding imo to pull it off easily. Attached Images __________________ =\|\|=2011 BMW 335D MSport =\|\|= - gone but not forgotten 2008 BMW 335i FBO 2015 BMW x1 35i DD, mhd stg1 2005 MX-5 LS swap
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08-30-2021, 03:04 PM	#5
cwickberg Second Lieutenant 32 Rep 279 Posts Drives: X1 35i MSport Ultimate, Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: United States iTrader: (0)	FWIW, You may want to First try a transmission flash or tune. I did alot of spirited driving and some autocross with my Daughter in a X1 35i... With a flash on the trans, ( mine was a Alpina flash for OEM BMW) and using the manual mode, it was great for driving... Paddles are a nice option but retrofit to me seems like alot of bother...You still shift the same transmission with the same software.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

09-01-2021, 01:54 PM	#10
wheela Captain 277 Rep 694 Posts Drives: 2015 BMW X1 35i M-sport Join Date: Mar 2021 Location: Twin Cities MN iTrader: (0)	Correct me if i'm wrong, but I beleive the benefit of the alpina flash is that it shifts faster in manual mode than the stock flash, so that's not really going to be helpful without paddle shifters? From what I understand, alpina flash is even less down-shift happy than the stock tcu calibration, mainly to take advantage of the additional torque offered by the alpina tuned engine. If you want a better (sportier, more agressive) experience from your auto transmission without paddle shifters, I think you want the xHp transmission flash. It's better all around than the alpina flash, its only drawback is that alpina flash is free, but you have to pay for the xHp licensing to use that flash.
	Appreciate 0 Quote