Originally Posted By Aeroman
Originally Posted By mr_tony
Rumour is that there will be a paddle shift conversion available from an aftermarket supplier (after all BMW's have offered SMG on several models e.g. M3 CSL) but not sure when this will be available or who it is (so not much help then!)...


Merz & Pabst are developing a paddle conversion, there may be others developing one as well, with a known German BMW tuning company. This is for the ZF-automatic box in the S4 (et al), the SMG (sequential manual box) box in the M3 is an electronically controlled manual, a normal 6-speed manual with electronics organising the changing - despite the sequential moniker, if I remember correctly - perhaps Simon or someone else can confirm. Not quite the same thing as the ZF-automatic Morgan use, which has more similarities to the box in the Maserati and the Jaguar XJ (both with paddles). smile


That's pretty much my understanding. True paddle shift gearboxes are manual gearbox with an automated clutch (Ferrari F1) but a quick shifting auto (Aero 8 ZF unit) wouldn't feel too different if mated to paddles. Main difference is that with no torque converter the F1 style gearbox will not hold itself on a hill whereas a conventional auto will. That can be a bit of a nuisance. The BMW SMG gearbox gets around this by a mechanism triggered by holding left hand paddle (if my memory serves me correctly) for a few seconds which gives a further few seconds of hill hold.

I would love paddle shift on my S4 and believe from the factory that this will be introduced at some point.

Rbt Aero8 thumbs