Paddle Shifters
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 111
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From: Reno, NV
SL500, ML350, 2 GL550's (on order)
Paddle Shifters
Hello,
I have a 2007 ML 350 and two 2008 GL 550s on order. I was at my local dealer the other day checking on the status of the GLs, and while there, I was drooling all over a new SL 55 AMG with the V12. I noticed that it had the silver paddle shifter levers on the back of the steering wheel, instead of the black button shifters that are on the ML and GL. I have always thought the paddle type of shifters look better than the buttons. It looked like the silver paddles went into the back of the steering wheel in the same location with the same footprint as the buttons. Does anyone know if the button type shifters can be swapped out for the nicer paddles? I am pretty technically inclined, and thought that if I were able to get a pair of the paddles, I might be able to take apart the steering wheel and change them. Does anyone know if this would work?
Thank you.
I have a 2007 ML 350 and two 2008 GL 550s on order. I was at my local dealer the other day checking on the status of the GLs, and while there, I was drooling all over a new SL 55 AMG with the V12. I noticed that it had the silver paddle shifter levers on the back of the steering wheel, instead of the black button shifters that are on the ML and GL. I have always thought the paddle type of shifters look better than the buttons. It looked like the silver paddles went into the back of the steering wheel in the same location with the same footprint as the buttons. Does anyone know if the button type shifters can be swapped out for the nicer paddles? I am pretty technically inclined, and thought that if I were able to get a pair of the paddles, I might be able to take apart the steering wheel and change them. Does anyone know if this would work?
Thank you.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 1,511
Likes: 267
From: Chicago
2025 AMG E 53; 2018 GLC300 4Matic; 2003 360 Modena
I retrofitted my C55, there have been others done to E's that I know of. I paid $70 for the paddles (both left and right) at the dealer. For what you have on order, they should give you two sets of paddles.
Do a search on the subject and you'll find the links.
Do a search on the subject and you'll find the links.
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 111
Likes: 0
From: Reno, NV
SL500, ML350, 2 GL550's (on order)
So, I did a search and found 2 instances of people doing this. There is a guy (Victor) who was having new paddles made for the masses, but it seems that the project never got off the ground. And then there some who bought "63" paddles and put them on "55" steering wheels. In this mod, the paddles had to be cut and glued together with the button shifters.
Did you do one of these things? I was hoping that there were paddles that fit exactly in place for the buttons.
Thanks.
Did you do one of these things? I was hoping that there were paddles that fit exactly in place for the buttons.
Thanks.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 1,511
Likes: 267
From: Chicago
2025 AMG E 53; 2018 GLC300 4Matic; 2003 360 Modena
I did the modification of adapting the "63" paddles to my C55 steering wheel. This is my thread: https://mbworld.org/forums/c32-amg-c55-amg-w203/183031-pics-paddles-installed-05-c55.html.
In the first picture, you will see the collar of the old button as modified to fit the paddle. If your steering wheel and button have the same basic design as the paddle, then I would guess that it is an easier swap.
Another check would be to determine if your buttons simply unclip to remove. If that is the case, then I think you would need to do more retrofitting, as you need a screw to secure the paddles. That screw is in picture two (from the left). It is the black philips head screw to the right of the downshift minus circle icon embedded in the steering wheel. I needed to drill a hole to accommodate.
In the first picture, you will see the collar of the old button as modified to fit the paddle. If your steering wheel and button have the same basic design as the paddle, then I would guess that it is an easier swap.
Another check would be to determine if your buttons simply unclip to remove. If that is the case, then I think you would need to do more retrofitting, as you need a screw to secure the paddles. That screw is in picture two (from the left). It is the black philips head screw to the right of the downshift minus circle icon embedded in the steering wheel. I needed to drill a hole to accommodate.
