Paddle Shift Kit
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 840
Likes: 0
Blown 208 55 amg, 211 55 amg
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 1,775
Likes: 7
From: Los Angeles
CLK W208
There is already a member "latemodel21" that has these kits and they work flawless and are plug any play. but even with the best of the kits you have to have the knowledge and capability of taking the shifter apart and accessing the circut board in there and tap two wires to the tiptronic switch part of the circit board as well as tapping into your ignition wire to put the signal filter for the shifters because the clock spring on our cars doesnt have room for extra wires so we have to use the horn signal wire to transmit the signal and then filter it out on the other end by the EIS module via the signal filter which "latemodel21" has already created a top notch one. Ive already done all the wiring on my car and will be buying the signal filter from the "latemodel21" next week. he is a very nice guy and very helpful. once my 55 conversion is done it will be with paddle shifters. moral of the long paragraph is that many people wont do this because the shifter part is not something you can make into plug and play because it has to be tapped into the circut board in the shifter assembly and it is percision work. i made mine into a plug that is easily removeable but you still have to take it a part which many people cant and wont do. but if you are looking for this setup and have tiptronics on your car contact "latemodel21" he is the man and has them already made and ready to ship. hope this helps.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 1,187
Likes: 239
From: Santa Clara, Ca
2003 SL55 / 2002 SLK32
Thanks for the support, Ash!
However ...
I wont presume to have the best answer (or choose to pursue every solution) for every single generation of every model. Your car is unique and the solution for your car may not be the same as others.
I have spoken with Redw20855amg and I think he may have something to offer that will appeal to some owners that currently have no other options. I like a more traditional hard-wire approach, but at the same time acknowledge that there are other viable solutions (that I have toyed with yet not focused on).
Let's see what Redw20855amg can do and welcome anything that he adds to the list of options for improving our cars.
Cheers,
Chris
However ...
I wont presume to have the best answer (or choose to pursue every solution) for every single generation of every model. Your car is unique and the solution for your car may not be the same as others.
I have spoken with Redw20855amg and I think he may have something to offer that will appeal to some owners that currently have no other options. I like a more traditional hard-wire approach, but at the same time acknowledge that there are other viable solutions (that I have toyed with yet not focused on).
Let's see what Redw20855amg can do and welcome anything that he adds to the list of options for improving our cars.
Cheers,
Chris
There is already a member "latemodel21" that has these kits and they work flawless and are plug any play. but even with the best of the kits you have to have the knowledge and capability of taking the shifter apart and accessing the circut board in there and tap two wires to the tiptronic switch part of the circit board as well as tapping into your ignition wire to put the signal filter for the shifters because the clock spring on our cars doesnt have room for extra wires so we have to use the horn signal wire to transmit the signal and then filter it out on the other end by the EIS module via the signal filter which "latemodel21" has already created a top notch one. Ive already done all the wiring on my car and will be buying the signal filter from the "latemodel21" next week. he is a very nice guy and very helpful. once my 55 conversion is done it will be with paddle shifters. moral of the long paragraph is that many people wont do this because the shifter part is not something you can make into plug and play because it has to be tapped into the circut board in the shifter assembly and it is percision work. i made mine into a plug that is easily removeable but you still have to take it a part which many people cant and wont do. but if you are looking for this setup and have tiptronics on your car contact "latemodel21" he is the man and has them already made and ready to ship. hope this helps.
Trending Topics
MB World Stories
The Best of Mercedes & AMG
8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine
Verdad Gallardo
Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction
Verdad Gallardo
Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping
Verdad Gallardo
10 Most Reliable Mercedes-Benz Models You Can Buy Used
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes Teases Updated EQS With Steer-By-Wire and a Yoke
Verdad Gallardo
8 Mercedes Models With Poor Reliability Records
Verdad Gallardo
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 1,305
Likes: 50
From: Yokohama, Japan
2000 CLK 320
Thanks Ash for that write up, I didn't think it was that easy from when you was telling me about it I think either when I visited you or when you came out here to Japan.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 1,775
Likes: 7
From: Los Angeles
CLK W208
No problem William, I have something else in mind for you, because I can get the shifter here and retrofit it and make the plugs and you'll just buy the module from latemodel21 and take it to your shop to just tap the wires in. The shifter is the most difficault part but I an take care of it for you and send it down.
Latemodel21: I looked into different wireless options but one thing remains that when the battery for the transmeter runs out of Juice you have to take off the airbag just to replace it and that's few times a year so so fr yours is the most legitemet option. Btw please get my module ready I'll be calling you next week to take care of everything.
Redw208...: I don't mean to discourage you but I just meant that there is a very reliable option already but of you got something new I'm all ears brother.
Latemodel21: I looked into different wireless options but one thing remains that when the battery for the transmeter runs out of Juice you have to take off the airbag just to replace it and that's few times a year so so fr yours is the most legitemet option. Btw please get my module ready I'll be calling you next week to take care of everything.
Redw208...: I don't mean to discourage you but I just meant that there is a very reliable option already but of you got something new I'm all ears brother.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 1,187
Likes: 239
From: Santa Clara, Ca
2003 SL55 / 2002 SLK32
Ash,
Let's keep in mind that this is Redw20855amg's thread ... please Pm me or call me if you like, but let's not hijack this thread k buddy? : )
I look forward to seeing what he has ... I imagine it will be good.
I don't know that battery life is an issue to be concerned with on Redw20855amg's solution, so probably best not to speculate here.
Chris
Let's keep in mind that this is Redw20855amg's thread ... please Pm me or call me if you like, but let's not hijack this thread k buddy? : )
I look forward to seeing what he has ... I imagine it will be good.
I don't know that battery life is an issue to be concerned with on Redw20855amg's solution, so probably best not to speculate here.
Chris
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 1,775
Likes: 7
From: Los Angeles
CLK W208
Well I took it as a discussion thread so I'll keep my ideas and R&D to myself. Haha.
sorry Redw208 I got a bit excited because I've been researching and working on this idea for about year trying to figure out the optimal and reliable way. Sorry for hijacking you but like I said I'm all ears. : )
sorry Redw208 I got a bit excited because I've been researching and working on this idea for about year trying to figure out the optimal and reliable way. Sorry for hijacking you but like I said I'm all ears. : )
Last edited by VIPclk320; Nov 15, 2012 at 10:54 AM.
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 840
Likes: 0
Blown 208 55 amg, 211 55 amg
Ash,
Let's keep in mind that this is Redw20855amg's thread ... please Pm me or call me if you like, but let's not hijack this thread k buddy? : )
I look forward to seeing what he has ... I imagine it will be good.
I don't know that battery life is an issue to be concerned with on Redw20855amg's solution, so probably best not to speculate here.
Chris
Let's keep in mind that this is Redw20855amg's thread ... please Pm me or call me if you like, but let's not hijack this thread k buddy? : )
I look forward to seeing what he has ... I imagine it will be good.
I don't know that battery life is an issue to be concerned with on Redw20855amg's solution, so probably best not to speculate here.
Chris
It's ok I honestly did not know anyone had done this allready nor have i ever seen any pictures! I'd be happy to help some members and build them reliable kits and mae a few dollars at the same time, but if other members have made kits and wish to sell them too I encourage it!
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 840
Likes: 0
Blown 208 55 amg, 211 55 amg
Maybe i will give you some parts free for your shop to install and report back 
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 1,775
Likes: 7
From: Los Angeles
CLK W208
This was done back in 2005 by stillen for one of their customer's w208 clk 430 and instead of paddles they used momentary push switches an it was great but at the time when I saw it I wasn't planning on doing all this conversion stuff and didn't see the need for it but it is a sweet mod.
Red does yours use a signal filter or direct wires?
Red does yours use a signal filter or direct wires?
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 840
Likes: 0
Blown 208 55 amg, 211 55 amg
It is removed for installation but does remain factory and still functional, I know many are awaiting updates I should have alot more information after the 1st of the year
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 1,775
Likes: 7
From: Los Angeles
CLK W208
My paddle shifters are in and working great. I highly recommend doing this mod if you have the time and are handy. I will post my setup at a later time but I'm not looking to reproduce any.
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 840
Likes: 0
Blown 208 55 amg, 211 55 amg
be very careful soldering the board get the smallest strand wire possible i think i used 22 guage but only could get 1 strand of the 5-6 to go through the hole and solder it the holes o the board are unusually small i mean there TINY rdia shack sells the perfect pencil solder tool with many tiny tips that heats up super hot quickly and its great quality all for 25 dollars or so
Junior Member
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 16
Likes: 0
From: san diego ça
1998 clk 320; 2004 ford expedition; 2005 toyota prius
98 clk 320 wanting to do this mod as well. anyone still on this project or am i too late? would i have to replace stock steering wheel to have this? anyone tied this with a shift gauge? please post some pics or pm me. thanks!
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 1,187
Likes: 239
From: Santa Clara, Ca
2003 SL55 / 2002 SLK32
Chris
