Paddle GearShifter for c32 w203
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Oct 2006
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02 C32 AMG
well, ANYTHING is possible when there is enough money. but, IIRC, the C32 cannot be retrofitted with the mercedes C55 or other paddleshifters. i believe searching the forum would support why as i cannot remember why, but i'm about 99% sure it canNOT be done. sorry! would be cool though! 
i have done it, it is now working from at least 6 months with no problems,
we have connect the paddle shifters on the steering wheel to the shift knob so when you hit the paddle shifter is like hitting the shift knob.
we have connect the paddle shifters on the steering wheel to the shift knob so when you hit the paddle shifter is like hitting the shift knob.
i cannot cause it deals with electronics, a guy here who works with electronics did it to me, i remember he did an electronic board connected to the wires coming out the shift knob and a wire to the steering wheel. tomorow i'll get pics.
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Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 369
Likes: 17
From: SO CAL
AMG
interesting that sounds like a relly good shortcut instead of changing the whole stearing wheel. is there a way you can get in touch with guy im sure if enough people put money together maybe he can be motivated to put together a kit or something. because im sure just about all the C32 owners on here have always wanted to do this. this route sound like you wouldnt need any star to make it work. and the only thing needed is to mimic the contact created by movin the stick on the stearing wheel level. ................. by the way anybody know if E55 Come with any kind of shifting at the stearing wheel level ?
you need an OEM steering wheel with paddle shifter for the look to be OEM, no steering column, i went with the clk550 steering wheel and i ordered now the paddles of the 63, the silver one, no star.
I took today some pics and i talk with the guy who did it and said that he will work on a kit with instruction for shipping to you guys, i will be in touch.
I took today some pics and i talk with the guy who did it and said that he will work on a kit with instruction for shipping to you guys, i will be in touch.
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Joined: Sep 2008
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From: murfreesboro,tn
2003 porsche 996 turbo
ok i have a stupid question. with the steering wheel you used costing 1200$ can the oem wheel be used? i just read a bmw thread were they used amg paddles costing 100$ and installed them on the bmw wheel. a template was made and the backside of the wheel padding was cut away for the paddles to set in place and a 2 holes were drilled in the wheel, 1 for the wires and 1 for the screw to hold the paddles in place.
so... if we can use the oem wheel this could be done for a couple hundred depending on what the cost of the electrical kit costs. much more in line with what i would like to do
robertamg would you happen to have any fotos of the backside of your wheel with the paddles installed?
heres the link i found . doesnt look to hard! with a kit for the electrics this is a big custom mod!!
http://www.bimmerboard.com/forums/posts/610491/
any thoughts?
so... if we can use the oem wheel this could be done for a couple hundred depending on what the cost of the electrical kit costs. much more in line with what i would like to do
robertamg would you happen to have any fotos of the backside of your wheel with the paddles installed?
heres the link i found . doesnt look to hard! with a kit for the electrics this is a big custom mod!!
http://www.bimmerboard.com/forums/posts/610491/
any thoughts?
Last edited by 320 dreamer; Jan 3, 2010 at 02:59 PM.
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Dec 2009
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2003 C32
This looks promising.. These paddles were also used on a LX thread. Not bad for $100-$150 of investment.
http://www.lxforums.com/board/showthread.php?t=114669
http://www.lxforums.com/board/showthread.php?t=114669
MBworld Guru
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 22,058
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From: Diamond Bar, CA
W206 PHEV AMG
proper way takes too much money. i.e. new SAM, wiring harness, programming, etc. not possible with what's already in the car unless you change'em and you still won't get the Manual mode like the C55.
the above way seems possible if you have someone with the electronics know how. too much hassle, but at the end of the day it's just two buttons sending the same signal as if when the gear lever is pushed left and right.
the above way seems possible if you have someone with the electronics know how. too much hassle, but at the end of the day it's just two buttons sending the same signal as if when the gear lever is pushed left and right.
This is my setup, i paid 250$ for the streering wheel used and swap from the C32 one, i spent more then 12k dollars on the car and this upgrade is the best one i ever did, you don't believe how much i enjoy it, why? cause you don't have to puch the manual mode on the shift knob like the C55 each time you want to use them, they are always ready every second.
And who told you that they are slow? same as shift knob.
And who told you that they are slow? same as shift knob.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Sep 2008
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From: murfreesboro,tn
2003 porsche 996 turbo
This is my setup, i paid 250$ for the streering wheel used and swap from the C32 one, i spent more then 12k dollars on the car and this upgrade is the best one i ever did, you don't believe how much i enjoy it, why? cause you don't have to puch the manual mode on the shift knob like the C55 each time you want to use them, they are always ready every second.
And who told you that they are slow? same as shift knob.
And who told you that they are slow? same as shift knob.
i got the steering wheel cheap because of that i didn't think of installing them on the C32 one, i think it can be done, you have to check inside the OEM C32 st wheel and if there is a steel plate where you can hold the bolt and the paddle and if not you can install one and hold it with a nut if there is place.
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From: AL,IL, GA, CA
CLS, SLK, ETC
MBworld Guru
Joined: Apr 2002
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From: Diamond Bar, CA
W206 PHEV AMG
for anyone that don't know. on the C55 in the manual mode tapping the gear lever has a quicker response than the steering wheel button. why it happens I don't know, but it happened on two C55 that I've driven.
Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 87
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From: South Germany
C32 & C63PP, 203CL
i have the "M-mod" in my C32, it`s a spezial option from performance center in affalterbach.
in normal drive you dont need it, but to drive in montains, or "on track" its perfekt.
paddles on the steeringwheel makes this option perfekt.... i am on the way to have once.
sorry for my english, i read much here, but i can`t write........
greets ralf
Last edited by german32er; Jan 5, 2010 at 02:24 PM.
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From: Snellville, GA
'03 C32, '08 ML63
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 369
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From: SO CAL
AMG
I think robert is on to something i will definetly be interested if the guys can have some kind of information as to which wire goes to where 
and the how he wired it. I've hear plenty of people say padles cant be done on c32 
well obviously it can 
MBworld Guru
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 22,058
Likes: 18
From: Diamond Bar, CA
W206 PHEV AMG
i have the "M-mod" in my C32, it`s a spezial option from performance center in affalterbach.
in normal drive you dont need it, but to drive in montains, or "on track" its perfekt.
paddles on the steeringwheel makes this option perfekt.... i am on the way to have once.
sorry for my english, i read much here, but i can`t write........
greets ralf
in normal drive you dont need it, but to drive in montains, or "on track" its perfekt.
paddles on the steeringwheel makes this option perfekt.... i am on the way to have once.
sorry for my english, i read much here, but i can`t write........
greets ralf
