I'm thinking of adding those large, red paddle shifters to my JCW automatic. I like the way they look, but I'm not sure they really add functionality.

I do enjoy using the paddles, even though they aren't all that great with the 8 speed auto.
I mainly steer (on the street) like a formula 1 driver, never shifting hand position, so I haven't had an issue not "finding" the paddles while turning. Still, I wonder if the extra paddle length would add a little confidence. Or do they actually get in the way?

I may add them just for the look, since they match my JCW's color theme, but I'd love to get some opinions first.

thx.

 

Get them!

 

Can you post a pic of the ones you’re considering?

There are a couple of different types of extensions made of different materials. I’ve been playing with a set of BMW/F56 paddle assemblies and the extensions bind when using the paddles from the top. They work fine when your hands are at 9 and 3 or 8 and 4, but if you’re holding the wheel higher, around 10 and 2 and shift with the upper part of the paddles where the - and + are, the torque from the extra length causes them to flex and bind.

This is with a carbon set which have plastic mounts/brackets. Some of the aluminum paddles look like they’re all metal, but the actual switch bodies and pivot points are still plastic so I’m not sure if they’ll eliminate the issue.

Here’s a link to some carbon ones with the plastic tabs:


I would go with an all metal version and make sure they’re returnable in case they don’t work or feel the way you want them to. It’s hard to explain, but you would definitely see what I’m talking about once you use them.

 

I have them on my 24 JCW. Love the look. When people see them they think they are factory installed.

Here are the ones I bought.

 

Those are the ones I'm thinking about. I like that you see some of the original black paddles through them, so the red isn't too overwhelming. (As opposed to the full-replacement type that's solid red.)

Definitely solid aluminum, but they stick on. I figure they will work better if glued on, which is why I'm hesitation.

 

Those look great, but yeah I'd read before how some paddles flex, exactly as you point out That's why I mentioned using those all-metal ones that go over the existing paddles, and I would glue them on for more strength.

Plus, the black + red look should match my JCW theme pretty well. I think I'll go for it.

Thanks, guys.

 

If you want a real upgrade get these bad boys.

https://mashimarho.com/products/jqwe...fters-for-bmws

 

OK so I got them this morning, and just went out for a test drive. (As I mentioned, I read that the stickum can let loose, so I glued mine on with "Goop." Gave it 8 hours to dry, with the heat running.)

Hmm. Pros and cons, for sure.

Pros: They look great ! I definitely like the larger paddle, visually, and LOVE the red-on-black.
Well, that's it for the pros.

Cons:

1: The extra extension is mechanically useless. On those rare occasions when I need to shift and my hands are not at 9 and 3, it WOULD be nice to be able to push on the pointy ends. However, doing so doesn't change gears, as the angle isn't right and the paddles don't move.
So, useless. And more than useless, since in that same position with the stock paddles I could just extend my fingers a bit more, and actually change gear.

I'm going to heat these up and see if they'll come off, in which case I'll cut the ends off (starting where the open area is) then re-apply them.

2: When the wheel is turned, these paddles slightly obscure the digital display. Cutting off the ends will solve this issue as well.

3: They're really cold! Because I have a heated wheel, I normally don't wear heavy gloves when driving in the winter. It was about 30º F today, and even with thin driving gloves and the haeted wheel on, these aluminum paddles were annoyingly cold.
If I can get them off cleanly, I'm going to add thin closed-cell foam to the backs.