Hey guys

Just got a new to me 2010 Cooper R56 automatic (non-s) (canada). It's well cared for and exactly what we wanted, except it was missing paddle shifters.

I found a paddled wheel off a 2010 MCS on ebay for $150 the week we were purchasing, so I figured why not buy it. Worst case I'll resell it or lose the $150 if switching it out wasn't doable.

Current wheel has controls for radio, bluetooth, cruise control.

New wheel has same controls plus the paddles. Only one wiring harness connector.

Has anyone transplanted a paddled steering wheel for a non-paddle wheel? Is it just plug and play? Programming required?

From another thread on here it seemed it was plug and play... but it wasn't really completely confirmed by anyone.

Anyone have first hand experience?

Thanks

 

Clarify: A 2010 S Automatic without paddle shifters on the steering wheel?

 

My car is a 2010 Cooper (non-s) automatic

Steering wheel off ebay came from a 2010 Cooper S (automatic I would presume)

realoem.com led me to believe they are the same part (S auto or non-S auto)

 

Hmmmm. Not sure this will be doable for you. Not sure. Wiring and programming.


Steering wheel will work OK though.

 

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...automatic.html

This thread (towards the end) led me to believe it might be doable

 

I would check to see if your steering column has the proper connectors. If there is a connector that looks right, then it shouldn't hurt to plug it in. If there is programming problem, you would find out right away.

I can't remember if there is one connector or two, it's been a while since I put my wheel on. You should be able to check by just pulling the airbag. Don't forget to unplug the battery before messing with the airbag, you don't need a surprise............

Have fun,
Mike

 

thanks for the response

from what I understand, there are two connectors, one for the airbag/horn, one for the MFSW controls/paddles. the MFSW controls share a harness with the paddles, which is confirmed since my paddled MFSW steering wheel has just one wiring harness connector

I think you're right it shouldn't hurt to try. i will disconnect the battery

 

Curious, can you shift thru the gears with the stick? On ours, I believe we move the stick to the left, then forward and backward to move thru the gears..

 

Seems like it should work no problem. Let us know how it turns out.

 

Yes it has the steptronic sport/manual mode (or whatever mini calls it) on the gear shifter... I wasn't expecting adding paddles to somehow upgrade the whole transmission haha

I'll be sure to report back

 

There was a member here who was selling a new pair of power fold mirrors, cheap! I thought what a great mod and I wish I had em! I started looking in to it and I got talked out of it. Between the extra expense of the additional parts, there was wiring harness pigtails in the door, to the footwell module and to the back of the car and I was told if the car wasn't equipped with it on the assembly line they wouldn't necessarily be empty plugs there. Plus the programming, IF it were available. Turned to be too much for me to rip apart just to see if the wiring stubs would be there. I thought they would be, just unconnected since the option wasn't installed. My mod was not listed in any retrofit type catalogue, so.... Anyway, I just relate this because you might run into some of this. I hope not, but that it is plug and play for you! Good luck!

 

So I did the swap.

The stereo, cruise control and phone buttons work on the new wheel, but the paddle shifters do not.

I feel like its a programming issue as the connector on the steering column had the pins for the paddles. I'll be talking to my mini dealer and seeing if a ecm/ecu flash could get them working... we'll see.

 

how did this go??
did you end up gettin git??