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Paddle shifter on SL 55 2003

J

jrj

New Member
Joined
Apr 1, 2009
Messages
5
Location
Mid. Germany
Car
W212 E350, 03 SL 55
Did anyone manage to modify the shift buttons into actual paddle shifter on elder SL AMG models ?
The only way I found out up to now ist to disassemble the right paddle switch of the newer AMG steering wheels, exchange the (Marquart) closing switch into an opener, add a parallel 5.1 Volt Zener-diode an put a pre-resistor of 100 Ohm into the wiring of the left switch.
Not a professional, but at least feasable way to do it.
Best Regards from the continent
Jens
 
To mount one of the newer AMG steering wheels with paddel shifters to my SL 55 model 2003, I have to correct my proposal. I tried to mount it yesterday and I had to find out, that the resistor has to be put into the prewiring of the right switch and the zener-diode has to be placed parallel to left, original switch, cathode side to the connection line to the right switch. Function is perfect, new feeling of shifting gears with the paddles, see photos below.
Best regards
Jens
 

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Where did you get a marquat closing switch from ?

Congats on this mod - I almost did it but I didnt work out that one could change the switch ! In the end I ended up with a SL AMG performance pack leather/alcantara wheel of the right generation with buttons but still very nice

Richard
 
The marquart switches (you will need an opener) are on the Conrad electronic Internet Shop; one has to modify (one of the two) paddle switches in the right paddle; I drilled a hole of 6mm in diameter and attached the new switch which fitted perfectly; at last I had to enlarge the hole for the wiring in the steering wheel at the right switch mounting position, so that the new condtruction fitted, see photo above without problem, there's space enough;
Jens
 
I know someone on this Forum who has done that Mod on a CL55. I will let him explain when he has the time.
 
The AMG paddles are available in the UK from Comand so I presume if they are a genuine MB part they are available anywhere.

I think they look much nicer than the black plastic paddles, but at over £200 fitted it seems to be extravagant.

Simon
 
CL55 Paddle shift

C43AMG said:
I know someone on this Forum who has done that Mod on a CL55. I will let him explain when he has the time.
Click to expand...

Just completed a paddle shift conversion from the CL55 tiptronic buttons to new style AMG aluminium paddles. Basically I took out the electronics from the old buttons and transplanted them into the flappy paddles. Took quite a bit of dremmelling but they work fine, look o/e and you don't need to worry about getting fancy electronics. I suppose it's a question of mechanical expertise over electronic !

I mounted the paddles onto a wood & leather AMG style steering wheel, which is burl walnut and looks like the o/e wheel that Merc SHOULD have made for the CL55 but didn't ! I now have the best of all worlds and will hopefully post pics tonight (SWMBO willing !)

The reason I changed from the o/e AMG steering wheel is that it was a horrible round brown thing in a lovely tan leather interior. The new wheel colour is inbetween the brown of the airbag and the tan of the seats etc and looks very very nice. I could have re-coloured the leather and airbag to match the rest of the interior but it would have looked too light imho.

Cheers

CJ
 
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Hi Johnny,

Many Thanks for the post showing your Paddle installation! :thumb:

You are exactly right, I agree with you, the paddle should be on a nice Burl Wood steering wheel which I had installed on my CLK.

Please tell me, or better yet, post the price and source for the AMG paddles you installed.

Do you by chance have any pix of the installation showing the paddle mounting and wiring layout? Especially the backside of the Steering Wheel showing the mounted paddles.

I once saw on eBay some AMG aluminum paddles sold by a vendor in England for approx $165, but later they had disappeared when I decided to buy it!

Thanks again... :D
 
I'd ask them to check the stock levels as they occasionaly get out of sync. Also, being in US if you order from European companies the VAT will be deducted (when shipping outside of EU) which is substantial (15% VAT tax in UK, upto 22% in other places - and you thought your sales tax was too high !!)

Richard
 
I ordered a set of these today from my local dealer. He wasn't fully convinced they would fit but looking at an SL63 AMG in the showroom, they have the same fitting.

Part number is A171 267 00 46

£111.55 inc VAT

Surely they must be available in the US?
 
:thumb: Thanks! Now that I know the part number, I'll call my local Dealer and get a pair of paddles.

On the subject of VAT, looks like our new President is giving hard consideration to instituting a VAT like yours to help pay for the Universal Free healthcare he is talking about.

Mind you, that's in addition to the Federal, State and income Local taxes! :doh:

Hey! I better buy the paddles now... while I still have the money!
 
unitfreebie said:
Hi Johnny,

Many Thanks for the post showing your Paddle installation! :thumb:

You are exactly right, I agree with you, the paddle should be on a nice Burl Wood steering wheel which I had installed on my CLK.

Please tell me, or better yet, post the price and source for the AMG paddles you installed.

Do you by chance have any pix of the installation showing the paddle mounting and wiring layout? Especially the backside of the Steering Wheel showing the mounted paddles.

I once saw on eBay some AMG aluminum paddles sold by a vendor in England for approx $165, but later they had disappeared when I decided to buy it!

Thanks again... :D
Click to expand...

The paddles go onto the back of the wood/leather steering wheel (obviously !) the fit isn't perfect as the wheel profile was never made to accept paddles, only buttons and the paddle outline is slightly larger than than the button outline.

The following link pretty much explains it nice and succinctly http://www.mbworld.org/forums/w211-amg/238652-mp-steering-wheel-installed.html?referrerid=41063 You can refit your old wheel without the buttons if you want, they simply unplug and then use the car in auto mode.

The whole process involves a lot of milling with a dremmell, especially if your wood leather replacement wheel has an aluminium frame, as you'll need to take some metal off to get the paddles flush.

It's a very nice mod to do, but if you don't have the skills/tools to do it yourself, be very careful as you could make it look like a dogs dinner unless you are extremely fastidious/ You could also ruin a nice new wheel and set of buttons/paddles !

Good luck

CJ
 
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Mmm, thanks for that link.

It suggests the AMG paddles are not direct swaps for the existing plastic paddle/buttons.

Serious bummer.

S
 
Paddle Shift AMG
Paddle Shift AMG I lost the blade (+ up)
Hello, I have seen that you change blades... old .las you have
to see the right paddle circuit scheme (+ up) leads a resistance of 100ohm. do me need to see the schema to weld the resistance and repair the circuit thank you
 
Hi there - please help !!! I am fitting a clk63 wheel to a sl55 2003 - mow the sl wheel has the resistor / diode in the cct boards within the switches ? The new wheel [like yours i beleive] has the standard n/o switches ? Or is one n/c ? Can you please explain how you connected the resistor & that zenner again pls - cause of the heat shrink & used same colour wires - hard to tell ? Really hope you can help on this ! Pac
 
Hi there - wen u say the right = up = 100 ohm resistor
and left = down = 5.1 zenner

which one should be n/o & which one should n/c

please - pac man
 
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