Paddle Shifters
Posted: Tue Nov 13, 2012 3:16 pm
Being an s-tronic newbie I was finding the small stubby OEM paddles a bit of a struggle as I felt I couldn't hold the steering wheel properly and touch the paddles with the edn of my fingers without moving my hands aall the time, they were about 1/2 inch too far away from my finger tipss. You also have to have your hands aat quarter to three to operate them and in rapid changing I was also ofetn hitting the wipers or indicators. So a bit of reserach and I found numerous paddle shift adapters but only a few that really looked the business.
After a bit more research I found most were made by one company, TID styling based in Korea. Having tried their European distributors and struglgling with them either making payment to them or just getting simple info. I contacted TID directly and their sales guy Steve has been mega helpful. So I ordered a set from them diectly last Tuesday night and on Friday morning they arrived at work. Quicker than a UK or Eurropean distributer could have dispatched them and a whole lot cheaper too even after duties.
So here are some pics;
Notice the sealed bags they arrive in and supplied with 3M double sided heavy duty tape
Fitted by cleaning both OEM paddles and extension with IPA, cutting strips of 3M tape and placing on paddle extension; then heating with hairdryer to make super sticky and apply...
Took 5 minutes to fit.
Having been out in the car today at lunchtime I can have my hands on the wheel in the normal position and my finger tips now sit on the paddles, mine where the machined slot is. But there is still enough space for you to wrap your fingers around the steering wheel without using the paddles if in D-mode and they do not obstruct the wiper and indicator stalks at all. I don't have cruise so can't comment on this but on the whole feels far more intuitive to use now and certainly helps me get to grips with the car better.
I went for the standard alu ones as I have alu trim inserts and the compliment those and the OEM padddles as you can see but there are other styles available and also ones that LED light up with your standard lights but they I imagine will require more complex fitting and possibly wiring to the OEM paddles. Quality finish as well and very light so they are not likely to fall off.
After a bit more research I found most were made by one company, TID styling based in Korea. Having tried their European distributors and struglgling with them either making payment to them or just getting simple info. I contacted TID directly and their sales guy Steve has been mega helpful. So I ordered a set from them diectly last Tuesday night and on Friday morning they arrived at work. Quicker than a UK or Eurropean distributer could have dispatched them and a whole lot cheaper too even after duties.
So here are some pics;
Notice the sealed bags they arrive in and supplied with 3M double sided heavy duty tape
Fitted by cleaning both OEM paddles and extension with IPA, cutting strips of 3M tape and placing on paddle extension; then heating with hairdryer to make super sticky and apply...
Took 5 minutes to fit.
Having been out in the car today at lunchtime I can have my hands on the wheel in the normal position and my finger tips now sit on the paddles, mine where the machined slot is. But there is still enough space for you to wrap your fingers around the steering wheel without using the paddles if in D-mode and they do not obstruct the wiper and indicator stalks at all. I don't have cruise so can't comment on this but on the whole feels far more intuitive to use now and certainly helps me get to grips with the car better.
I went for the standard alu ones as I have alu trim inserts and the compliment those and the OEM padddles as you can see but there are other styles available and also ones that LED light up with your standard lights but they I imagine will require more complex fitting and possibly wiring to the OEM paddles. Quality finish as well and very light so they are not likely to fall off.
