*** Custom Paddle Shifters ***
Thread Starter
Banned
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 3,797
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From: Richmond Hill, Ontario
2003 E55 AMG
Firstly.. The manufacturer that is working on these paddles is in Asia.
In order to make this feasible (for the E55) and not have an outrageous price tag I have to commit to 100pairs of paddles.. That's over $20K + the mold costs. After burning through one mold I just dont know if this is worthwhile to pursue anymore for the E55.. Its just too costly and sometimes you just have to cut your losses and move on...
There were a few people that sent deposits for the E paddles so for now I am going to refund the deposits until I can figure out what to do with this project...
Sorry.. I gave it my best shot, but what really hurt was discovering the differences between the E and the rest.. otherwise we would have been home free..
In order to make this feasible (for the E55) and not have an outrageous price tag I have to commit to 100pairs of paddles.. That's over $20K + the mold costs. After burning through one mold I just dont know if this is worthwhile to pursue anymore for the E55.. Its just too costly and sometimes you just have to cut your losses and move on...
There were a few people that sent deposits for the E paddles so for now I am going to refund the deposits until I can figure out what to do with this project...
Sorry.. I gave it my best shot, but what really hurt was discovering the differences between the E and the rest.. otherwise we would have been home free..
Junior Member
Joined: Jun 2007
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What if you were able to get 50+ firm deposits for the E55 paddles? What is the number of deposits at which point you might feel comfortable going forward? Thank you for your great efforts thus far. They are truly appreciated.
Thread Starter
Banned
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 3,797
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From: Richmond Hill, Ontario
2003 E55 AMG
If $10K was covered by purchasers, I would cover the remaining $10K.
Thanks! I try my best, but not everything works out 100% the way you want it to..
Thanks! I try my best, but not everything works out 100% the way you want it to..
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Joined: Jun 2006
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'03 E55, Range Rover Sport Supercharged, Ducati 748R
Thread Starter
Banned
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 3,797
Likes: 2
From: Richmond Hill, Ontario
2003 E55 AMG
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 3,221
Likes: 11
From: Sydney, Australia
W203 slightly modified
Thanks for the quick replies guys! 
We are still discussing etching out the "-" & "+" onto the paddles, and possibly also etching the AMG logo onto each paddle.. Not sure what the final production piece will have but these are some ideas that are rolling around in my head.
As for delivery timelines, once I give the go ahead we can have 200 made and delivered within 3 - 4 weeks. I just need to finalize whether or not we will do the etching and we are also working on the packaging part.. I am looking at making a custom case for them (similar to sunglass cases -- flip open)...
Was also looking for your feedback on what, if anything, should be done to improve or change them before doing the final production run.
Oh yeah.. sorry.. pricing.. I dont want to throw out quotes because it all depends on how many I have made and how many people are interested.. I'll have to wait a bit before I can say some firm numbers..
Right now the rough price I have is $240.
We are still discussing etching out the "-" & "+" onto the paddles, and possibly also etching the AMG logo onto each paddle.. Not sure what the final production piece will have but these are some ideas that are rolling around in my head.
As for delivery timelines, once I give the go ahead we can have 200 made and delivered within 3 - 4 weeks. I just need to finalize whether or not we will do the etching and we are also working on the packaging part.. I am looking at making a custom case for them (similar to sunglass cases -- flip open)...
Was also looking for your feedback on what, if anything, should be done to improve or change them before doing the final production run.
Oh yeah.. sorry.. pricing.. I dont want to throw out quotes because it all depends on how many I have made and how many people are interested.. I'll have to wait a bit before I can say some firm numbers..
Right now the rough price I have is $240.
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Super Member
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 820
Likes: 1
From: La Quinta, CALIF.
2009 C63 Black on Black
Increase the price $100??
Victor: What if you increased the price $100 per paddle pair. Would that make it feasible? I'm still in if you were to do this, I think many others would be too!!
We really appreciate your efforts! BTW the TB and Shorty headers really add to the oomph felt on the butt dyno!! Regards!!! (:
We really appreciate your efforts! BTW the TB and Shorty headers really add to the oomph felt on the butt dyno!! Regards!!! (:
Super Member
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 681
Likes: 4
w212 E63 / 996tt
hey guys, check this out. i have an 06 e55 and wanted paddles. so what to do? even at cost for a e63 wheel,airbag and paddles would be $2500+, so i bought a set of the 171 (part #) aluminum paddles and started checking things out. the paddles won't fit in the wheel correctly due to diff. sizes as we all know. i didn't really care about going back to stock shift buttons so i used a razor blade and carefully cut the material away from the back side of the steering wheel and removed the extra material. then i drilled a small pilot hole to screw the paddles to the wheel mounted from the airbag side. now the wheel reads + and - and the paddles read up and down. i cut and switched the wiring from the stock button to the paddles, pay attn. to the correct wiring conncetor side, and there you go, works great, this takes a commitment to modify your stock wheel, but if you want the most inexpensive way to get paddles here it is. this mod is not for all people but if you can remove the wheel and can do basic work on cars then you should have no problem doing this yourself. i know this won't work on sl's due to the shift button hole being bigger, but that could also be modifed.again after this is done your stock shift buttons will not go back into your wheel,cheers.
VRUS: Thanks for your efforts......
But, on a side note, no one seemed to comment on MBTEK'S findings. Can you post a pic?
VRUS, what do you think of the install MBTEK described. If the paddle's were still in production, I wouldn't be posting about the cheap root, but since things have seemingly come to a hault, what about the cheap DIY root.
Thoughts??
Thread Starter
Banned
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 3,797
Likes: 2
From: Richmond Hill, Ontario
2003 E55 AMG
LOL.. I wish I could guys.... No.. BMWEATR was referring to the Xtreme wrap kit which comes with Aux Tensioner + all the pullies + hardware.
The other kit for $299 is just aux tensioner.
Talking to China right now on MSN asking about this... Let me see what I can do.. I will ask for a quote for 50 pairs and see what they come back with.
LOL.. I knew you would love the TB & header combo..
Glad it makes you happy!
Thanks!
Yes. What MBTEK said will work but I believe it is different for 05+ cars and for < 05 cars.
My good friend Finny already proved that it can be retrofitted. You just need to do some soldering and need to understand the electronic schematic.
The other kit for $299 is just aux tensioner.
LOL.. I knew you would love the TB & header combo..
Glad it makes you happy!
Originally Posted by deaguero
Victor: What if you increased the price $100 per paddle pair. Would that make it feasible? I'm still in if you were to do this, I think many others would be too!!
We really appreciate your efforts! BTW the TB and Shorty headers really add to the oomph felt on the butt dyno!! Regards!!! (:
We really appreciate your efforts! BTW the TB and Shorty headers really add to the oomph felt on the butt dyno!! Regards!!! (:
Thanks!
Yes. What MBTEK said will work but I believe it is different for 05+ cars and for < 05 cars.
My good friend Finny already proved that it can be retrofitted. You just need to do some soldering and need to understand the electronic schematic.
Originally Posted by Roseylv
VRUS: Thanks for your efforts......
But, on a side note, no one seemed to comment on MBTEK'S findings. Can you post a pic?
VRUS, what do you think of the install MBTEK described. If the paddle's were still in production, I wouldn't be posting about the cheap root, but since things have seemingly come to a hault, what about the cheap DIY root.
Thoughts??
But, on a side note, no one seemed to comment on MBTEK'S findings. Can you post a pic?
VRUS, what do you think of the install MBTEK described. If the paddle's were still in production, I wouldn't be posting about the cheap root, but since things have seemingly come to a hault, what about the cheap DIY root.
Thoughts??
Thread Starter
Banned
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 3,797
Likes: 2
From: Richmond Hill, Ontario
2003 E55 AMG
Does anyone know of a wrecked E55 somewhere that we can take the stock buttons out of ??
They will need to be wrecked in order to go through the process so I dont want to "borrow" anyone's buttons from their car.
This will help me tremendously.. See what you guys can come up with for me..
They will need to be wrecked in order to go through the process so I dont want to "borrow" anyone's buttons from their car.
This will help me tremendously.. See what you guys can come up with for me..
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 3,221
Likes: 11
From: Sydney, Australia
W203 slightly modified
Does anyone know of a wrecked E55 somewhere that we can take the stock buttons out of ??
They will need to be wrecked in order to go through the process so I dont want to "borrow" anyone's buttons from their car.
This will help me tremendously.. See what you guys can come up with for me..
They will need to be wrecked in order to go through the process so I dont want to "borrow" anyone's buttons from their car.
This will help me tremendously.. See what you guys can come up with for me..
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 3,221
Likes: 11
From: Sydney, Australia
W203 slightly modified
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 1,117
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From: Brisbane, Australia
2003 E55
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 3,221
Likes: 11
From: Sydney, Australia
W203 slightly modified
Send me a private message.
I am adding,
+ AMG memory seats package
+ memory steering column
+ thermotronic rebuild (real upgrade)
+ speed sensitive steering
+ keyless go wiring and modules
+ auto levelling for Xenon
+ AMG springs
+ AMG rear brakes
+ AMG sway bars
(you get the idea).
Carl opened a new workshop up there. All parts came from MBENZNL.
I am adding,
+ AMG memory seats package
+ memory steering column
+ thermotronic rebuild (real upgrade)
+ speed sensitive steering
+ keyless go wiring and modules
+ auto levelling for Xenon
+ AMG springs
+ AMG rear brakes
+ AMG sway bars
(you get the idea).
Carl opened a new workshop up there. All parts came from MBENZNL.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 1,200
Likes: 0
From: Irvine, CA
Car Whore
Send me a private message.
I am adding,
+ AMG memory seats package
+ memory steering column
+ thermotronic rebuild (real upgrade)
+ speed sensitive steering
+ keyless go wiring and modules
+ auto levelling for Xenon
+ AMG springs
+ AMG rear brakes
+ AMG sway bars
(you get the idea).
Carl opened a new workshop up there. All parts came from MBENZNL.
I am adding,
+ AMG memory seats package
+ memory steering column
+ thermotronic rebuild (real upgrade)
+ speed sensitive steering
+ keyless go wiring and modules
+ auto levelling for Xenon
+ AMG springs
+ AMG rear brakes
+ AMG sway bars
(you get the idea).
Carl opened a new workshop up there. All parts came from MBENZNL.
He can add Keyless Go to a non-keyless go car??
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 3,221
Likes: 11
From: Sydney, Australia
W203 slightly modified
There is NOTHING to stop a person to add all of the parts. Coding and integration also take some time to resolve. However to get the drivers key with Keyless Go integrated may be a short delay. I am having it installed as a complete installation. Getting it to work may be easy or may prove impossible. Time will tell.
My car will be dismantled underneath, inside, in the trunk and some areas of the engine bay. It will have no steering parts, no springs and no brakes. It will be an empty shell inside with just a mess of wires.
A few days later I will take it home and everything will be installed complete with SLK55 steering wheel from MBENZNL.
My car will be dismantled underneath, inside, in the trunk and some areas of the engine bay. It will have no steering parts, no springs and no brakes. It will be an empty shell inside with just a mess of wires.
A few days later I will take it home and everything will be installed complete with SLK55 steering wheel from MBENZNL.
Last edited by benzmodz; Jul 9, 2007 at 02:17 AM.
Thread Starter
Banned
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 3,797
Likes: 2
From: Richmond Hill, Ontario
2003 E55 AMG
The Finn-meister is busy.. 
SLR Coolers are top priority right now.
Buzz Sunil.. He and I are working on a few things together and he knows how to do the electronics and does mobile work.. He might be in your area in the near future and can rig it up for you.
Hey D! I just need the buttons. I have to get them taken apart and get a mold made to match the base mounting point for the E55. Unfortunately they will be destroyed in the process, so you wont get them back, but you'll get a set of new Shiney paddles..
SLR Coolers are top priority right now. Buzz Sunil.. He and I are working on a few things together and he knows how to do the electronics and does mobile work.. He might be in your area in the near future and can rig it up for you.
Originally Posted by mbamg06e55
Victor,
Are you looking for the whole steering wheel or just the buttons. If its just the buttons I'll see what I can round up next week
Cheers,
Daryoosh
Are you looking for the whole steering wheel or just the buttons. If its just the buttons I'll see what I can round up next week
Cheers,
Daryoosh
