Chris-W

Im interested in doing this still and Ive seen the nightmare everyone has been having so Im considering buying 1 set of paddle shifters and 1 set of shifter buttons.

Once in my hands I'll remove the electronic internal switches/buttons from the button shifter and try to fit it into the paddle shifter assembly instead of trying to hack my buttons currently on the car and screwing it all up.

I think this guys seems to have done it sucessfully?

https://mbworld.org/forums/w211-amg/...installed.html


Does anyone know the part numbers so I can order the necessary parts or can point me in the right direction to get the parts?

Regards

okbarnett

you have to buy the e63 shift paddles. You have to take the switch buttons out of your long button shifters, and cut up the frame of the e63 paddels and put those switches in the paddle frame. You have to cut up the rectangle panel of your old button shifters and fit the e63 switch into it and put that into the steering wheel. This isnt for amatures. If you can handle it, dive right in. The guy at DTC steering wheels does it. I dont know how much they charge. But if its a couple of hundred $, its worth it.

Chris-W

If I could get a set ready to go plug and play I'm game for that !?

I think with th emoney most people were spending on the VRP solution that doesnt seem to have worked out so well this is a pretty good option.

Are the E63 paddles the same sixe s the long (old) button shifter or will I have to hack my steering wheel a bit?

okbarnett

that reference to the guy who changed them wasnt for the old rectangle buttons. Just the newer oval buttons. Thats no use for the older 03 type.You have to completely remake the paddle shifter unit. And cut and mod the wheel. If you want to do it, I only know of DTC You have to check their prices.

SANDOVAL

PN: 1712670046 $132 Retail

Chris-W

Soo.. Im actually starting to loose hope!

Are DTC on this forum ?

Sandoval is that the part number for the paddles? Does nayone know if you can get the buttons from a dealer or if they have to come with the steering wheel?

SANDOVAL

Why loosing hope? They are not plug and play.


I just did the install. The paddles are from an E63 the p/n is for both paddles. I used my existing buttons. I followed the steps mentioned in the DIY instructions. Lots of Dremel work on the circuit board and inside the paddles. But in the end it worked out great. I took a box cutter to the steering wheel. The E63 paddles have a footprint and they are bigger than the buttons.

okbarnett

you already have a sl55. you have the button shifters, you need a set of e63 paddles, and a lot of intense consentration, or have dtc do it.

Chris-W

I just went to Mercedes and they want £116 for the E65 paddle changers.. Thats $174. And they also could not supply the shifter buttons apparently on their own!?

So I need to get my hands on these pieces before I undertake the project.. I found a really good walkthrough here that Im going to follow when i get the parts!

https://mbworld.org/forums/w211-amg/...lled-pics.html

SANDOVAL

I found a set of buttons for $100. I was going to buy them but then decided to just hack up the set I have. It all worked out. I paid $121 for the E63 paddles here in the states. I would see if your dealer can do a little better. Ask for a club discount.

This guy sent me a pic of the buttons he had with his user name written on a piece of paper. So I felt confident he was legit. Anyway I believe he still has the set for sale if you need them.

https://mbworld.org/forums/parting-o...e55-parts.html

Chris-W

Thanks for the lead on the buttons.. Now for the E63 paddles

I had a good old look at this project now and as long as I can et the parts Im pretty confident its not THAT difficult.

SANDOVAL

It's pretty easy I would say a 5 out of 10 difficulty. It took me an hour modifying paddles and an hour installing paddles. It could be done quicker but I took my time.

I used a dremel bit similar to this to grind down the alluminum paddle.



and a Grinding bit similar to this to shave the plastic in the paddle housing and the electronic circuit board on the buttons.

Chris-W

Great thanks for that.. I might attempt to do a very good writeup of the conversion with photos.

Chris