DIY Paddle shift install W204 Facelift
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Aug 2013
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2012 C300 4MATIC Sport
I see. Thanks a lot for all the detailed info. I bought the paddles and will be tackling this soon, but the shop where I had wanted to do this was saying we have to drill through the aluminum despite showing him your DIY guide. Now I know how to respond.
Super Member
Joined: Mar 2015
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From: PA
2019 E63s AMG
Yes, you misunderstood. I used a soldering iron to make the hole through the material after removing the material where the paddles would sit. There is already a hole in the frame of the steering wheel as I didn't have to drill through any aluminum.
MBWorld Fanatic!
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2012 C300 4MATIC Sport
Thank you so much for posting all these detailed pictures. I now understand 100% what needs to be done.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Aug 2013
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2012 C300 4MATIC Sport
I finally got to doing this mod and installing the paddle shifters. I had bought them off of eBay for $40. They came off a 2012 ML350.
A friend of mine who's into modding and I tackled this mod on a weekday afternoon and it was a cool enjoyable project rather than paying $100 for a shop to do it.
There's no need for me to post a lot of pictures because you guys did an amazing jobs with all the detailed pictures you posted so a BIG THANK YOU for that. The only comment I have is that I didn't have to go through the aluminum to get a flush fit. I just made the hole for the screw deeper and that allowed the paddle to sink in deeper and fit nicely.
Pictures attached
A friend of mine who's into modding and I tackled this mod on a weekday afternoon and it was a cool enjoyable project rather than paying $100 for a shop to do it.
There's no need for me to post a lot of pictures because you guys did an amazing jobs with all the detailed pictures you posted so a BIG THANK YOU for that. The only comment I have is that I didn't have to go through the aluminum to get a flush fit. I just made the hole for the screw deeper and that allowed the paddle to sink in deeper and fit nicely.
Pictures attached
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Aug 2013
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2012 C300 4MATIC Sport
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w204
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Aug 2013
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2012 C300 4MATIC Sport
I cannot tell you enough to be careful of not overscrewing the screw and breaking the paddle's circuit board.
Good luck!
Junior Member
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 73
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From: Chicagoland
2013 C300 4Matic
Going to attempt to do this DIY this weekend. I only have one question, what size bolts did you use to mount the paddles to the wheel? My paddles came without bolts (ordered the C63 ones)
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Aug 2013
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2012 C300 4MATIC Sport
i can't remember. Take the paddles to the hardware store and fit the bolts there and buy them. Make sure they're not too long otherwise you'll break the circuit board when you tighten them. Good luck.
Super Member
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 680
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2008 C350 Sport 4Matic Swap
Do you guys have Manual mode programmed in ? I had to activate and do coding on my transmission to make them work and I put Manual mode at the same time. I find the shifts are much quicker then just using the normal D1.D2.D3..etc
Junior Member
Joined: Feb 2016
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From: Chicagoland
2013 C300 4Matic
Thanks xsever, ill do that. Do you know approximately what length (mm or inches)? I want to buy them before i take the wheel off as i wont have a method of transportation while its off.
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2012 C300 4MATIC Sport
Super Member
Joined: Nov 2016
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2008 C350 Sport 4Matic Swap
No since the specialist I deal with told me it can be done but it will take a couple of hours and it will require coding the TCM and I didn't want to delve into that. I am perfectly satisfied wit hthe D1 D2 D3 etc... How much time did it take you to active it and do the coding? How complicated is it?
No sorry as I can't remember. The bolts I had bought were longer and I cut them as much as needed as I was fitting them.
No sorry as I can't remember. The bolts I had bought were longer and I cut them as much as needed as I was fitting them.
The coding took maybe 5min tops and most of that time was spent looking for the correct variation of coding. It's pretty simple, every transmission has a coding string on Vediamo and you just change the transmission variation, my guess the one I got was from a c63 with Manual mode since I no longer have Comfort mode available when i press it on my shifter. Maybe your D1-D2-D3 is better but mine does not shift instantly when using it, theres a significant delay in upshifts. In manual mode the shifts are almost instant.
If you want to do it, you will need a Xentry C4 (I use a Chinese knock off that does the job for 500$) and check out https://*******.com/. You will find a lot of good information there. I have someone that helps me from Norway using screen share and he is very knowledgable.
Last edited by W204Motorsports; Aug 23, 2020 at 09:52 AM.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 1,364
Likes: 149
2012 C300 4MATIC Sport
The coding took maybe 5min tops and most of that time was spent looking for the correct variation of coding. It's pretty simple, every transmission has a coding string on Vediamo and you just change the transmission variation, my guess the one I got was from a c63 with Manual mode since I no longer have Comfort mode available when i press it on my shifter. Maybe your D1-D2-D3 is better but mine does not shift instantly when using it, theres a significant delay in upshifts. In manual mode the shifts are almost instant.
If you want to do it, you will need a Xentry C4 (I use a Chinese knock off that does the job for 500$) and check out https://*******.com/. You will find a lot of good information there. I have someone that helps me from Norway using screen share and he is very knowledgable.
If you want to do it, you will need a Xentry C4 (I use a Chinese knock off that does the job for 500$) and check out https://*******.com/. You will find a lot of good information there. I have someone that helps me from Norway using screen share and he is very knowledgable.
]My D1-2-3 are not instant for sure, but they serve my purpose. I'd love to have manual mode, but I don't want to lose any other features such as Comfort mode.
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2019 S560, 2015 Honda Civic Hybrid
Question about shift mode ... I put an almost-identical E class steering wheel in my car (changing out to a wood/leather style) that came with paddles. As it happened, I was able to sell my OEM all-leather wheel for nearly what I paid for the new one. Only unexpected challenge was having to switch the electronic board inside the wheel from one to the other. Then everything worked fine again.
Anyway, on my car shifting with a paddle puts the car into manual mode ... shift up or down once and the transmission will hold that gear forever. I expected it to make the paddle-initiated shift and then revert to automatic shifting. Is this how it works for you too, or is that what you mean when you say needing to program the shift mode?
Anyway, on my car shifting with a paddle puts the car into manual mode ... shift up or down once and the transmission will hold that gear forever. I expected it to make the paddle-initiated shift and then revert to automatic shifting. Is this how it works for you too, or is that what you mean when you say needing to program the shift mode?
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Aug 2013
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2012 C300 4MATIC Sport
Anyway, on my car shifting with a paddle puts the car into manual mode ... shift up or down once and the transmission will hold that gear forever. I expected it to make the paddle-initiated shift and then revert to automatic shifting. Is this how it works for you too, or is that what you mean when you say needing to program the shift mode?
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W204 C250 2013
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Aug 2013
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2012 C300 4MATIC Sport
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Joined: Jun 2016
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Mercedes w204 4matic sport
I’m trying to figure if I would like to do this, I have the sport/sport plus options. I think I have the manual shifting feature but not completely sure as if the rpm’s get close to red line the car will automatically shift. I have an Autel 906ts which has coding abilities( removed auto start/stop) and wondering what I will have to look to change if I can( it has a lot of coding options). Thanks!!
