Quote:
Originally Posted by jiggz
Though as noted previously, there are 2012 non M sport models out there with paddles, so they aren't exclusive to M sport.
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To answer this and your original question. Paddles were added to both the sport and MSport package steering wheels at no charge starting with the October 2011 production of the 2012 model year e70 X5. 2012 model year production began in the spring 2011 and the paddle addition was a mid-year upgrade for the 2012 model year. This is why some 2012 35i and 5.0 Sport and MSport X5s have the paddles and some don't. Also, paddles were only added to vehicles with an 8-speed transmission, which is why the Diesel (which only came with 6-speed) did not ever get paddles on the e70.
I have a 2012 X5 35i with sport package that was a January 2012 production and the actual code on the build sheet for the paddled steering wheel was "2XA." I recall when I ordered my X5 in late Oct/early Nov 2011, pestering my SA to confirm the paddles were included, as paddled versions of the X5 had yet to arrive on Dealer lots for me to see. ...It was an important option for me, coming from a 5-speed manual.