[newbeamer228]

i recent bought a 2014 228i and i noticed that the steering wheel doesnt have paddle shifters. i have done some research and found that it might because of the gear box. i have the 8 speed. can some please explain why there arnt paddle shifters and how to find out what gear box i have. also if ill be able to get the dealership to fix this and put the proper parts in.

also am i able to just put after market paddle shifters on the wheel?

[Dom147]

first, congrats on the new Bimmer! I used to own a 228i as well and that's how I fell in love with bmw's. What part of VA are you in? now, to the paddle shifter debacle... The type of shift knob you have also may determine if your vehicle was equipped with paddles. In realoem the trim for the shift knob is separated by these two codes: For vehicles with
Automatic transmission
or
Automatic transmission w/ shift paddles
S205A=Yes

S2TEA=Yes

and

For vehicles with
Sport automatic transmission
S2TBA=Yes

Here's the link: https://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/sho...diagId=03_0063

It's for the the m performance trim but its the same idea.

[newbeamer228]

So this I what my shif knob looks like and I can’t seem to be able to find out what transmission or if there were supposed to be paddles to begin with.

I’m in the northern part of Virginia

[Dom147]

I'm also in Northern VA in fairfax county. I wonder if I've seen your car driving around. You have the zf8hp, all automatic f22's have it, however there's a difference it some of the shifters that came equipped. Your car is equipped with S2TBA which is known as the sport transmission. Kinda rare that you see these on a two series, I typically see them on 3 series luxury line vehicles so that's pretty interesting. Since you have that shifter that means you dont have paddle shifters equipped sorry. That makes me wonder though, do you have sport+?

[newbeamer228]

Yes I do have sport+ which is why I’m so confused.

Damn yea I live in Lorton so we have probably seen each other on the road at some point

[Apo Zubulthums]

I'm in the same boat, m-sport auto with no paddles. I'm the second owner and assumed the first ordered it this way.

[Kernel Kurtz]

Total guess and I may be talking out my rear here, but your transmission appears to have the logical controls for a manual mode, so I would think paddles should be possible, just that at some point it was possible to get a car with manual mode via the stick without also having it via paddles.

If your steering wheel does not have the mount points for the switches to be mounted, you would need a new wheel. If that is the case, you may or may not need a different clockspring as well, I have no idea on this so others will have to chime in, or you will have to research. Also no idea if you would need coding as well or if it would be plug and play. I have seen some other threads on this subject on these forums though, so keep searching and good luck.

[freakystyly]

Originally Posted by Kernel Kurtz

I have seen some other threads on this subject on these forums though, so keep searching and good luck.

2nd post has an official looking PDF for the retrofit.
https://f30.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=1455580
It's for a F30 (3 series) but many parts are interchangeable between these models. If in doubt, check realoem parts lookup for the correct numbers.

It looks like a lot of work, its up to OP if it's worthwhile.

[Kernel Kurtz]

Originally Posted by freakystyly

2nd post has an official looking PDF for the retrofit.
https://f30.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=1455580
It's for a F30 (3 series) but many parts are interchangeable between these models. If in doubt, check realoem parts lookup for the correct numbers.

It looks like a lot of work, its up to OP if it's worthwhile.

That is a very well done how-to. And I agree it also looks like a lot of work.