Hi, all, I'm hoping someone can help me. I'm looking to buy a W164 ML500 and I know the manual up down shift buttons/paddles on the steering wheel work a little different on each year, and my right arm is paralyzed from nerve damage from a motorcycle accident, so I would like to hold the steering wheel with just my left hand and be able to up shift and down shift using the same paddle button while trans is in manual mode, so what I'm looking for is the specific year ML500 where I can hold the steering wheel with just one hand and can up shift and down shift using one paddle button on the steering wheel while the trans is in manual mode. I've heard some years are setup so the paddle on the left side only shifts in one direction and the paddle on the right only shifts in the opposite direction, but then there are some years setup so the left and the right paddle both shift up and shift down which would be perfect for someone like me who only has use of one arm. I think 2007 might be a year where the paddle shifter buttons both up and down shift, but would be very helpful to confirm with you all so I can narrow my search. I'm looking at years 2006 - 2011. Thank you for any help and info in advance, much appreciated.

 

On my 2007 GL—which I’m positive is same as ML—left button is downshift, right button is upshift.

 

On my 2008 ML the left button is for downshift - right button for upshift.

 

Pretty sure this is a Porsche thing that you can use the same button/paddle for up/down shift, every Mercedes I've owned or driven has been downshift on the left and upshift on the right. Wouldn't be very difficult to add another button/paddle on the left side of the steering wheel, remove the airbag and all the shift button wiring and steering wheel frame is readily accessible.

 

The 2006 does what you're looking for. I have a 2006 ML500 and both right and left buttons allow you to up and down shift. The button toggles in the middle allowing either side to shift up or down. Personally I like that for the exact reason your talking about. But most of the rest of the world don't seem to agree!