rdejesus22

Folks- I'm buying a lightly used 05 C55 AMG in the next few weeks. I know it has the push button shifters on the wheel, but I caught this video that shows it with actual F1 Style steering wheel mounted paddle shifters... any insight on how I could have them installed on a US spec 05 C55???

The guy in the video is super annoying, but just bear with it long enough to see the inside cab shots when he's shifting... you'll notice the shifters...

From about 1min30seconds on into the video, you can see them (tried it a few ways):

http://youtube.com/watch?v=w9hdwC5h8VY

http://youtube.com/watch?v=w9hdwC5h8VY

rbaker

One of the other forum members retrofitted them to his C55. Check out the link to that thread below:

https://mbworld.org/forums/c32-amg-c55-amg-w203/183031-pics-paddles-installed-05-c55.html

I'll probably do this to mine soon.
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Roger

1Lop2K5C

Forget the paddle shifter, any one know the part # for that update AMG bumper?

spr

It has the salon parts- the shifters with the m1/2 software as well as the safety car body kit. Not avail in us. Do a search I added the shifters it's a ***** but they're soo much better than those bull**** buttons.

JDC55

Drive the car for a while the M mode novelty wears off real fast.

rdejesus22

So I've received great response from the members- thanks...

1. looks like there's the MBZ part you can order with the paddles, wiring, etc... but you have to drill in to mount....
2. Then I saw a member was having some custom paddles made this past April that had no wiring required and a 20 min install.. thread here: https://mbworld.org/forums/showthrea...hlight=PADDLES

3. Either way, what are the folks opinion who have either set installed?? I've read they're not great unless you have an M1 or M2 flash done... I'm assuming this is a shift program??

Feedback would be great guys, thanks! I'm trying to get it more to the feel of what the E46 M3 with SMG felt like...

I know the C55 wouldn't be as fast in shifting... but someone above wrote you can "train" the car to shift fast... please clarify...

fivepointfivev8

shifting paddles on this car is a bunch bull****, if you ever plan to autocoss your car, having cheap paddles will be the last thing you'll want getting in the way. The push buttons are way better than paddles imo.

kjb55

Interesting opinion. The OEM paddles are excellent quality, and for less than $100, a bargain.

Not sure how you mean that they get in the way, they are tucked behind the wheel just like the later cars that have them OE. You have a greater area to grab for a shift. The buttons are small and have a weak detent feel and it's too easy to accidentally cause a shift. It's all a matter of preference, and this is just another perspective.

The link to the asian made copies is interesting, but tough to determine if anything really materialized. They are much more expensive at more than twice the cost. My concern would be that the snap fit of re-using the button housing isn't enough to hold the paddle securely. I'm not sure that the switch feel would be improved as that is provided by the internal button switch which would be re-used.

fivepointfivev8

I might have been too harsh on the comment, but on a tight course you may only want to stay in first gear - I'd be too afraid I'd shift by accident or worse, breaking a paddle if I hit it too hard while in a slolom. I would think you'd have just as much control on a longer track with your hands in the 9/3 position utilizing the buttons rather than the paddles. If you notice on the BMW, the paddles are moved more towards the column and are awkward to use, and I'm sure there's a reason behind their choice of placement, also their paddles both work same (pushing in to upshift, back to downshift). Will paddles or buttons be used on the CLK63 Black?

spr

Look at the pics of the black- they're the same as the one's that I have and others installed which I believe are a cls part number. They are sooo much better than the buttons. When I first bought the car I would accidently hit them and stick it into quasi manual mode (even though in S). With the paddles they take much more force have a great feel and I no longer have that problem. Plus they look pretty mean.

While I cannot comment on autocrossing, on the track I do use the paddles but S works just fine as well. The main advantage for using the paddles in M mode of courrse- is engine braking which S doesn't really do as well as selecting the engine RPM a bit more. If you heal and toe when downshifting- you can use it effectively, but then of course you will get pissed off by the delay of the up shift... so you have to shift in advance unless you have m1 flash
Anyone who asks me about that don't ask do a search-

fivepointfivev8

interesting, so the paddle shifters have a different feel to them other than just screwing a paddle onto the button. I was figuring in the leverage of the paddle on the current buttons would make them very sensitive (and cheesey). I'll look into this as I agree that this would be a nice to have, but not sold on it yet. If we had the 7 speed gearbox, I'd be more interested. The M1/2 flash also sounds interesting.

Mikegpr03

Where the HELL can I get the 'M1/2 flash"

JDC55

Yes I would also like to know about the reflash.