does anyone have the paddle shift conversion done?
12-01-2010, 12:42 AM
#1
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Aston Martin V8 Vantage
does anyone have the paddle shift conversion done?
i just got a new steering wheel with paddle shifts on them installed. i'm completely loving them so far and it definately gives a whole different look and feel. has anyone done this conversion, but with aluminum paddles? also, i had to disconnect my battery to do this procedure and i reseted the one touch feature on the moon roof, the driver door's window and the back, but how do you do the passenger front side? overall, i'm loving my car alot more now and i just got back from a 1200 mile round trip 2 day journey in it and met a member on here along the way 
12-06-2010, 01:39 AM
#3
You can also just get the 2007 SLK55 AMG steering wheel with paddle shifters and swap it out with no modification, as it is the same design as the C55 AMG, except the (-) (+) metal buttons are not embedded in the leather on this model, everything should be plug and play.
Just remove your air bag, unplug the cables, swap steering wheel, and put back together... air bags are the same.
You just have to find out the part number for the SLK55 steering wheel (not sure if paddles were included), it might be part of a package but I have seen it on those cars.
Just remove your air bag, unplug the cables, swap steering wheel, and put back together... air bags are the same.
You just have to find out the part number for the SLK55 steering wheel (not sure if paddles were included), it might be part of a package but I have seen it on those cars.
Last edited by ruben65; 12-06-2010 at 01:42 AM.
12-06-2010, 11:32 AM
#5
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I had the conversion done on my car long ago. A fantastic modification! But in S mode, the auto tranny shifts faster than you will with the paddles. There is an anoying delay between moving the paddles and the tranny actually shifing. Apparently, when this was the hot topic, an AMG, Germany only, shift program could be installed in our cars that would solve this problem. However, getting the program to the US proved to be impossible.
12-06-2010, 02:27 PM
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C55 AMG, 135i, 911 GT3, GLE43 AMG
When I saw that the 2007 C55 came with paddle shifters, I too was interested. However, as Tump43 has implied, it mainly is a cosmetic "cool" modification. Pulling on paddles has exactly the same effect as pushing the stock steering wheel buttons. There is a still a noticeable lag with the actual shift, especially when upshifting. Downshifting seems quicker.
I rarely shift manually in the C55, so I decided against the modification in the end. Even on the track, I find the transmission is quite "smart" in S mode........it downshifts as necessary during heavy braking and holds the gear during a turn so the balance of the car is not upset in the middle of a corner. And as mentioned previously, you simply can't manually match the upshift timing and speed in S mode when the transmission is upshifting itself for maximum acceleration.
The only real advantage I think is maybe there is less of a chance of accidentally hitting paddles when turning the steering wheel (compared to the stock shift buttons which).
I rarely shift manually in the C55, so I decided against the modification in the end. Even on the track, I find the transmission is quite "smart" in S mode........it downshifts as necessary during heavy braking and holds the gear during a turn so the balance of the car is not upset in the middle of a corner. And as mentioned previously, you simply can't manually match the upshift timing and speed in S mode when the transmission is upshifting itself for maximum acceleration.
The only real advantage I think is maybe there is less of a chance of accidentally hitting paddles when turning the steering wheel (compared to the stock shift buttons which).
