Yeah, that would have been the ultimate. The only box I was not able to tick, but one I looked past in the end. Had to have the v8. That said, I’m pleasantly surprised how satisfying the implementation of this ZF is in manual sport mode. I love it, so that made up a bit for the lack of a manual.

I had never experienced a ZF transmission before this purchase. Definitely not your average auto. It is impressive for what it is, particularly the implementation in these newer F-types. Apparently they are using the exact tuning from the Project 7.

 

I ordered a custom Nappa leather steering-wheel skin with perforated side grips for my 2023 F-TYPE P450. The stock wheel always felt a little too soft and not as sporty or high-quality as what I’m used to in my Audi, Porsche, or BMW M cars.

Because my car has the heated-wheel option, it’s nearly impossible to source a full OEM replacement core or a flat-bottom wheel from overseas without losing that feature or going remanufactured/aftermarket. So for about $120 and some hands-on time, I decided to re-wrap the factory wheel myself and install magnetic shifters at the same time.

Here are the before-and-after photos. I used a small amount of leather adhesive to keep the seams tight and ensure the button panels fit cleanly. I also removed the slightly crooked 12 o’clock stripe that came from the factory. This photo was taken right after the install—Nappa leather naturally shrinks and settles over the next couple days, smoothing out any minor waves.

It’s been years since I last did a leather wrap (my previous one was on my 1991 Toyota MR2 Turbo), and I’m definitely older now—but it turned out great. The wheel feels far more premium and sporty than OEM, and I kept every factory feature, including the heating. It’s still the original wheel—just better materials and the magnetic paddles.

 

Which ones did you order? From eBay or Ali express? I want to make sure I get the right ones.

 

Which ones did you order? From eBay or Ali express? I want to make sure I get the right ones.

(Sorry mods - I tried to delete my blank post but there doesn't seem to be a delete button)

 

EBay since Ali could not ship to USA. Look at the brand the below picture is what I purchased. Remember the feel is not for everyone & I think a forum member is selling his on the site too as he was not a fan.

 

FYI, I purchased both the set from the eBay link AND the Ali set, both exactly the same SANZICP but the Ali set was half the cost of the eBay set and arrived faster- both came from China.

 

Nice! I ordered the Ali set.

How do you like it?

 

Still need to install, soon

 

They came today! Very fast shipping from AliExpress. Any tips for installation folks? I can’t wait to give these bad boys a try.

 

i got mine fast as well but won’t install until spring. I’m excited to hear how your install goes but more important, what you think of them!

 

This install was extremely agonizing for what should’ve been a simple job. Whomever said it takes 20 minutes - I vehemently disagree. I’ve been struggling to get one shifter installed for over an hour due to stripped screws. The wire connector on the back of them is too long and I can’t get the screw threaded through the paddle assembly to fully connect. That’s after struggling to unscrew the original T20 screw for what seemed like forever. Not a fan at all so far.

the main issue is unless you take the steering wheel off - which you don’t NEED to do - you’re doing the job pretty much blind or at an odd angle at best.

 

Update: fortunately the second paddle went a lot smoother than the first. Probably took me about 15 minutes for just the second one but they’re on.

i went for a quick ride around the subdivision to ensure everything worked probably and the feel of the shifters is a lot more substantial for sure. They’re a lot louder. They make a satisfying “CLICK” whenever you press them, but the thing that surprised me is how much more pressure you need to use to actuate them than with the OEM paddles. I can definitely see how it isn’t for everyone but I think I’ll enjoy them. Pictures attached.

 

I've been following this thread and decided to give these a shot and placed an order. Looking forward to trying them out and to see how much more tactile they're are. I'm not entirely convinced by the looks but the carbon will go fine with my interior carbon back and carbon blades. Great that it's also possible to buy replacement paddles in what looks like aluminum.

I use the paddles all the time and have a set of custom made solid aluminum paddles similar to the optional OEM ones fitted to the SVR since many years, and used them in two other Jags before the F-Type. Played around with stiffer springs some years ago but that didn't really add much value because the whole base part that's screwed into the steering wheel is too soft and mushy. The base is the weak point and whatever paddles or extensions you fit it will feel pretty much the same although the solid aluminum ones and later aluminum coated plastic ones do feel a bit better than the all plastic black and orange stone age versions.

Btw the "SVR" ones are not unique to the SVR. They may have been fitted to the SVR but they've been fitted to other Jags as well and have been around as an option for ages, probably longer than the SVR existed.

 

Fitted these paddles yesterday. Weather's been crap so I've just tested them on a short drive and still have to see how they feel during some hard driving but I'm pretty impressed by them so far. They feel really solid and what makes a big difference is that the whole base is out of metal. The paddles themselves are also incredibly stiff so there's no play anywhere and the shifting feels much crisper than before.

Super easy to replace and fit perfectly. Some 2 minutes per paddle if you know how to do it. I've removed and refitted paddles like this loads of times so it's a quick job. Best thing is to turn the wheel 90 degrees and drop it as low as possible to make it easy to access a paddle from below/behind.

I chose to fit the bigger paddles because the smaller just seemed too small and clearly smaller than the solid aluminum paddles I've had so far. Was a bit unsure about the looks before I got them and think they would look a bit out of place in a car without any other carbon fiber details, but now it feels like they blend in really well with my my interior since I have the interior black pack and original matte carbon center console panels plus the carbon blade wheels. I thought I'd order some additional replacement paddles with a different design but am not so sure now.

There's a bit more resistance than in the OEM paddles and I can imagine there's even more resistance if you fit the smaller paddles.

As pointed out they're surprisingly loud. It's not the microswitch that that clicks but it's actually when you pull the paddle all the way and hit the metal base, and then also when you release it and the magnets snap back together that you get pretty loud clicking because everything is made of metal.

I think it's a bit unnecessary that you can pull the paddle surprisingly far beyond the actual shift point, until it hits the base and clicks loudly so I'm playing around with some minor mods. I added automotive felt tape on the surfaces between the magnets and some damping rubber on the base so that you can't pull the paddle that far after the shift point. That significantly quietened them down and shortened the paddle travel.

To be continued but so far this feels like a really good update from the old JLR parts bin OEM paddles. This mechanism is on a completely different level than the OEM one which will feel mushy no matter what paddles you attach to it due to the plastic base and pin setup.

 

Excellent review and advise. I haven't installed mine yet either because of winter but will likely follow your setup with the larger paddles and foam tape.

 

I agree the quality is so much better than the OEM Cheap Ones, I like them so much better. Took my car in for its 8500-mile service & the Tech was super impressed with them. Two things you can do. When pulling them back, don't let go hold then instead gently let up fingers stay on carbon at all times. You can shift as fast and you won't get the clicking sound.

Haven't had time to post it, I have another set of these Paddles new in the box that I bought, for my wife's Range Rover. Everything in the original BOX these are the exact same as the ones installed on my 2023 FType P450, which also fit on some Range Rovers. I will have them for sale sometime next week just been too busy. $100.00 Dollars with all tools box & hardware. Buyer must pay shipping in USA only.
Never installed them as we just sold her SUV on Friday for a new 2026 BMW M4 Competition. I just got my new company SUV, so we decided to add another Coupe to the family to join our 2023 F-Types P450.

Everything in the original BOX. I will have them for sale sometime next week unless someone wants them, they are a direct fit to the FType same paddles. $100.00 Dollars with all tools box & hardware. Buyer must pay shipping in USA only. Just PM me