C350 SE Coupe (05) paddle shift upgrade ?

[350_Coupe]

Hi guys, not entirrely sure this is the right place for this as its transmission related, but seems to fit better in here....

I'm about to take the plunge on a 2005 C350 SE Auto Coupe but as you all know, when buying second hand your kind of limited in the options dept, to what the original buyer selected.

Well the one i have my eye on does not have the paddle shift on the steering wheel, although it does have the 7G auto transmission, and the mode selection switch next to the shifter has only C and S on it, no M option

So my question, if armed the correct steering wheel with the paddles fitted, is it possible to retro fit the paddle shift option ? if so what's needed, except the obvious of the wheel and possibly the mode switch (i'm assuming it's actually the same switch just different markings) .... is it then a software update that's needed ?

someone has already pointed me towards comand.co.uk and said they might be able to help, so i've emailed them, but was hoping maybe someone here has had some experience of this type of thing and can maybe share their findings

 

[BaldGuy]

As you dont have a button shift wheel to go from as I did... There is allot of work needed and the guys from Command.co.uk have done a few of the guys cars on this forum...
As i mentioned I already had button shift so the CLK63 wheel with paddles fitted straight on all ready to go in 5 minutes....

 

[350_Coupe]

hmmmm, sounds like a costly retro-fit ... and it was one of the options i wanted for sure, problem is the car i'm looking at is not only a good price, but very well spec'd other than this and no heated seats or panoramic roof

 

[BaldGuy]

Do you know if that model came with paddle shift as an option??

 

[350_Coupe]

yes it did, (according to parkers it was a £170 upgrade option at order time) it came standard on the Sport and AMG trim versions however

 

[Smatt]

hmmmm, sounds like a costly retro-fit ... and it was one of the options i wanted for sure, problem is the car i'm looking at is not only a good price, but very well spec'd other than this and no heated seats or panoramic roof

Hi.
The missing options would be enough for me to walk from the car.
Although it sounds like a non essential, 'nice to have' option, leather without heated seats option is really not good.
The panoramic roof is also very desirable, from a point of interior cabin light & will make resale much easier.
Personally, I would say that the paddles are the least essential of the 3 options, but then if you want all 3 of the options, I would advise you to wait a little longer; a car with those options will come up!

Most retrofits on MBs are involved & costly unless you know someone that runs a MB breakers yard. The forum generally advises against pano roof retrofits.

Is it a C-class coupe you are looking at, or is it the CLK coupe?
What is the spec otherwise?

Although it was only a £170 option new, you will be looking at approx £1000 or so for OEM dealer parts to retrofit paddles as you will need paddles, loom(s?), contacts & labour/coding. Others on here have done this & will be able to advise you better if you really need to retrofit it. A cheaper option is to just use the kickdown function!

 

[richard]

Smatt,

On your car, the expensive part is the steering wheel with buttons then the paddle shifters themselves. Its worth considering (a) used steering wheel from eBay and whether you want a more fancy steering wheel (alcantara etc)

If you use Search4CarParts it will find you steering wheels in multiple languages, mis-spells etc etc so quite effective for finding them.

You don't have to change the CS button to a CSM button, it is purely cosmetic..

Cheers

Richard

 

[richard]

For instance eBay item: 200534894049 (used) or 260681725360 (new) or 260681726603 (alcantara new)

(assuming you have 3 spoke variant)

Plus: http://www.comandonline.co.uk/amg_paddle_shifter.html

R

 

[Smatt]

Thanks, Richard.
My car is a manual though
In wifes Auto, we just use the kickdown!
I did weigh up whether it was worth getting this option on the B class, but decided against it as the B class CVT only has 'virtual' gears anyway, so what is the point in having paddles to change between virtual gears?
I thought I might use the tiptronic box more, but don't.

 

[richard]

Smatt, as you've worked out I'm just confusing you and 350_coupe together

That would be some interesting kind of mechanical thing to make the gear stick move when you press the up/down buttons on the steering wheel on your manual !!

R

 

[350_Coupe]

right, firstly i know there are replies below this one i have quoted, but for simplicities sake i'll reply to those afterwards if needed...... so for this one, lets see....

Hi.
The missing options would be enough for me to walk from the car.

i'm border line, but will explain more in answers below regarding the rest of the car

Although it sounds like a non essential, 'nice to have' option, leather without heated seats option is really not good.

i know i have leather now with heated, and really wanted that, but i know that the seats can be swapped, the buttons added and the main wiring is already in the car so self-fittting is not that hard (bearing in mind i've retro fitted things like factory cruise control, additional gauges and door central locking motors into existing systems already in the car i have now, volvo 480, so am not shy about pulling things apart )

The panoramic roof is also very desirable, from a point of interior cabin light & will make resale much easier.

True, i did want that, but as i have no sunroof now, i know i can live without it, plus they are expensive to repair, and can be chipped apparently by stray stones.... resale is affected, and reflected in the price the car is on offer at

Personally, I would say that the paddles are the least essential of the 3 options, but then if you want all 3 of the options, I would advise you to wait a little longer; a car with those options will come up!

LOL, i have been waiting for the right spec'd one to come up, the tiptronic was an important one for me, coming from a manual i didnt want just a full auto only box, this is the closest spec'd one i can find to what i want, except one i missed that even had the electric memory pack on both seats mirrors and steering column (damit!)

Most retrofits on MBs are involved & costly unless you know someone that runs a MB breakers yard. The forum generally advises against pano roof retrofits.

I would NOT be looking to retro fit that !

Is it a C-class coupe you are looking at, or is it the CLK coupe?
What is the spec otherwise?

C-Class, the CLK + CLC is out of my price range, plus i dont want newer than MAR 06 at this point cause i dont want to be paying 450 tax year !

The other spec is good.....
bi-xenons with cornering fog light function
headlight power wash
wipers rain sensors
Trim elements, dark aluminium
PARKTRONIC system (front and rear)
Automatically dimming int.and ext.mirrors
Sidebag in rear left and right
Sports suspension
COMAND APS with navigation system
Intelligent air conditioning (thats the posh digital version)
CD changer, MP3-capable, for 6 CDs
Sports package

and about 55k mileage

Although it was only a £170 option new, you will be looking at approx £1000 or so for OEM dealer parts to retrofit paddles as you will need paddles, loom(s?), contacts & labour/coding. Others on here have done this & will be able to advise you better if you really need to retrofit it. A cheaper option is to just use the kickdown function!

Yeah they are expensive to source new, i would look for second hand, and re-use my airbag and multi-function buttons, and possibly even get only the wheel and then get the aluminium AMG paddle switches that are available for about 150.

Comandonlie have replied to my email, if i supply the wheel and paddles, they'll fit the kit and recode the car for 199 Inclusive, which is not too bad

 

[350_Coupe]

Smatt,

On your car, the expensive part is the steering wheel with buttons then the paddle shifters themselves. Its worth considering (a) used steering wheel from eBay and whether you want a more fancy steering wheel (alcantara etc)

If you use Search4CarParts it will find you steering wheels in multiple languages, mis-spells etc etc so quite effective for finding them.

You don't have to change the CS button to a CSM button, it is purely cosmetic..

Cheers

Richard

For instance eBay item: 200534894049 (used) or 260681725360 (new) or 260681726603 (alcantara new)

(assuming you have 3 spoke variant)

Plus: Comand Online Ltd :: Other Mercedes Retrofits :: Interior :: Mercedes Benz AMG Aluminium Paddle Shifts (Type 1)

R

Thank you, both useful links and information i needed on that button, i thought that might be the case, but wasn't 100% sure

Yes it has the 3 spoke variant, with the two 4 button panels, one on each side spoke

and yup, that's the paddle shifter i was talking about

 

[350_Coupe]

richard, you seem to be the man to ask about these things...

would this steering wheel part number be what i would need ?

A17146045039E37

and then i could transfer my original multi function buttons and airbag over ?

 

[richard]

The buttons are attached to airbag, so yes, assuming same shape wheel that is good.

The part number is for the following options
428+X00
428+X20
428+X21
428+X50
and for chassis 144063 (31/8/06) to F197201 (end of MY2008)

428 is button/paddle shift, so it has the buttons which can be changed to paddles as long as its the right age (which it looks like it is)
X00 is leather designo unicolour trim in the car
X20 is leather designo black single colour trim in the car
X21 is alcantara designo alpaca grey lether trim in car
X50 is leather designo two colour

So they put this wheel in Designo cars !, and 9E37 is black

So, I think this is the nice soft black leather wheel. It thus may not be an absolute perfect match to your airbag, but both are black

R

 

[Smatt]

The other spec is good.....
bi-xenons with cornering fog light function
headlight power wash
wipers rain sensors
Trim elements, dark aluminium
PARKTRONIC system (front and rear)
Automatically dimming int.and ext.mirrors
Sidebag in rear left and right
Sports suspension
COMAND APS with navigation system
Intelligent air conditioning (thats the posh digital version)
CD changer, MP3-capable, for 6 CDs
Sports package

and about 55k mileage

headlight power wash is part of the bixenon option.
trim elements is part of the sports pack, as is the sports suspension
rain sensors are a cheap option anyway & is a not too difficult retrofit if necessary.
The luxury climate option is good, but you can get the look of the 'posh' -ness by getting a 2nd hand digi display & swapping over(plug & play)

I agree It's not a bad spec, but I think you should be able to get a similar spec with pano roof, but depends how much you want one. Depending on what colour car you get, they can make a big (positive) difference to the appearance; on a pale colour car they make it look very good. On a dark colour, you may not notice the roof. However, if you just want this look, you can get a 'stick on' pano roof- some members have done this & its certainly much cheaper!
As you know about Comand online, the COMAND is a straightforward retrofit (whereas the sunroof is not)

Good luck with testing/choosing

 

[350_Coupe]

The buttons are attached to airbag, so yes, assuming same shape wheel that is good.

The part number is for the following options
428+X00
428+X20
428+X21
428+X50
and for chassis 144063 (31/8/06) to F197201 (end of MY2008)

428 is button/paddle shift, so it has the buttons which can be changed to paddles as long as its the right age (which it looks like it is)
X00 is leather designo unicolour trim in the car
X20 is leather designo black single colour trim in the car
X21 is alcantara designo alpaca grey lether trim in car
X50 is leather designo two colour

So they put this wheel in Designo cars !, and 9E37 is black

So, I think this is the nice soft black leather wheel. It thus may not be an absolute perfect match to your airbag, but both are black

R

wow, that's a complicated/thorough reply, and so many variants from one part number ... the one i have my eye on does indeed have the paddles

thank you very much for your input on this

headlight power wash is part of the bixenon option.
trim elements is part of the sports pack, as is the sports suspension
rain sensors are a cheap option anyway & is a not too difficult retrofit if necessary.
The luxury climate option is good, but you can get the look of the 'posh' -ness by getting a 2nd hand digi display & swapping over(plug & play)

I agree It's not a bad spec, but I think you should be able to get a similar spec with pano roof, but depends how much you want one. Depending on what colour car you get, they can make a big (positive) difference to the appearance; on a pale colour car they make it look very good. On a dark colour, you may not notice the roof. However, if you just want this look, you can get a 'stick on' pano roof- some members have done this & its certainly much cheaper!
As you know about Comand online, the COMAND is a straightforward retrofit (whereas the sunroof is not)

Good luck with testing/choosing

well i've been looking for a little while now and havent found one spec'd as i would like, and of the sort of age i'm looking for.
The powerwash system is a seperate option i thought, getting the second hand AC digi display and swapping it over wont give the same features as the factory fitted option right ? and comand aps whilst may be straight forward, is not exactly cheap to retro fit compared to the difference in cost of cars with and without it.

forgot to say, this one is metallic black (Obsidian?)

 

[richard]

rain sensors are a cheap option anyway & is a not too difficult retrofit if necessary.

Not on W203, it needs a new windscreen (but if you're having a new windscreen then it is easy, wiring loom + sensor + calibration). Easy enough on A/B/ML/GL/R. I havent looked at others.

 

[350_Coupe]

damit... i missed the steering wheel i was looking at, it sold this morning whilst i was out looking at the car again ..... good new.... i got the car, 55 plate C350 coupe pick it up next friday :bannana:

Richard, is there any chance you could post up a list of compatible steering wheel part numbers, car was first registered Sept 05, that way i'll stand a better chance when i see another of knowing if it's right, here's the interior shot of my car.

 

[Smatt]

Not on W203, it needs a new windscreen (but if you're having a new windscreen then it is easy, wiring loom + sensor + calibration). Easy enough on A/B/ML/GL/R. I havent looked at others.

There are threads on here of owners that have done the retrofit without changing the windscreen.
I got my screen changed on insurance(£50) for a chip & told the fitters that it had auto wipers, then I got the sensor & loom later.

 

[350_Coupe]

lol, sneaky... but lets face it, they screw enoug out of us these dyas, so anything you can get back is a plus,
i did the same a few years back when a safety feature on the electric windows of a previous car broke, causing the need to replace the entire winding mechanism and motor (£400 ish) ... i took the glass out, called the insurance company said i needed to make a glass claim as the drivers door glass has broken, and jammed the winding mechanism causing this other damage, they replaced the whole lot for the lot for £25 glass excess (and i had the original glass stored away incase i needed it lol)