I test drove a type S yesterday and really liked the paddle shifter for the auto transmission. Unfortunately, the type-s is out of my price range. Does anyone make a kit to add paddle shifters to the normal TL? I wouldn't think it would be too hard to do because it already has the manual option on the shifter. Let me know what you guys think...

 

Thats a cool idea, but idk of anything about it. This is the first time Ive read a thread about somebody wanting to do it. If you find out let me know

 

idk if it would be worth the time and hassle, atleast imo.

 

I think it was discussed here and the outcome was that you would need a new steering wheel, steering colum and many wire harnesses.

 

Yeah, I looked into it too and it looked really hard to do.

 

All the people I know that have paddle shifters stop using them after about a month and then realize they should have got an MT. Food for though before you lay out lots of $

 

I stopped after two weeks with my Audi when I had it. I guess its just one of those "cool factors" that you want but are hardly ever gonna use. Its like saying, I got every single channel from dish network, but I only watch the ones that come from the Top 100 channels lol

 

the conversion is pretty simple to do, but not worth money

the wiring is only 2 wires that would need to be custom run from the back of the cable reel to the shifter console.

other than that, you will need a new steering wheel, air bag, cable reel, buttons, trims.

your looking at 1000 bucks or more just for 2 buttons

 

thanks for the replies guys, its probably not worth the work, but I like to mess with stuff. I would probably end up fabing something up. Im getting a little ahead of myself though considering I dont even own a TL yet.

 

^ mmh what a shame, I got paddle shifters and as everyone has said, I don't use it, they are like girly...

I would honestly be down to swap out the parts with someone who is interested in it... course they'd need to get me a replacement steering wheel

 

I agree ... one of the gadgets that is nice to have but rarely being used ... still kind of cool to BS with my friends about it though ....

 

i was thinkign about doing on my 2nd gen TL...the only prob i have is wire mgmt because everytime i turned the wheel it would yank the wire out and may or may not (more than likely) go back in. once i figure that out, i'll prob do it

 

The only way I would want paddle shifters is if I owned an M5

 

If I owned an m5, it definatly wouldn't have paddles. 6 speed for sure

 

If I owned an M5 I wouldnt be here right now, Id probably be at the gas station filling up because of the V10 12mpg 500hp pure sex engine.. motor swap anyone? lol

 

you wouldnt be saying that if you drove one.

that car can shift harder and faster then you could ever possibly try in your lifetime

and downshift rev match as well. most fun Ive ever had.

ok back on topic

 

I used to own an e39 540i/6 speed manual. I've driven a SMG m6. That was an awesome car and experience no matter what tranny you have. I will agree that the shifts are beyond perfect, but IMO it takes some of the fun out of it. I just love the feeling that I get when I nail that heel toe downshift smoothly, perfectly launch off the line, or even just when I'm rowing through the gears.

Now that I think about it, I'm gonna hold out and wait for that 6 speed when I get the TL Thanks for the help guys haha

 

I've been searching around and as you mentioned in your post you said its pretty simple. I have a Type S steering with everything needed. The only thing I don't know how to do is wire the two wire your refering to. How do you wire the two wire from the reel to the shifter? I have already replace my stock steering wheel with the Type S one and everything works great except for the paddle shifter. Can you help?

 

it can be done....

since the shift up/down lever is an electronic "switch" you can relocate it....

but with that said, I dont think its gonna be worth it...the time and money you will spend will be more than the difference in getting a Type S

 

Points for an almost 6 year resurrection. Yep, as Swoosh said, it would be less work and probably cheaper to just buy a TL-S.

 

^^^ better idea for noobs to search and resurrect old threads than to start a new thread asking what engine oil and filter is the best LOL

 

lol you guys are so messed up the guy just joined azine and has 5 posts. Give him a break lolll

 

Absolutely! I pointed it out because it's always impressive to see an old thread come back to life.

?? No one's being hard on him. Plus he joined the site 2 1/2 years ago.

 

I've been trying to find a thread too, someone on the 2nd gen tl fb page has a TL with the paddle shifters and everyone was asking how he did it when someone saw the interior of his car and realized the steering wheel but he wouldn't tell anyone because he didn't want a lot copying "his" idea. The steering wheels can be free from the dealership, there was a thread about the recall for the airbag and how the dealership covered the recall but couldn't install a used steering wheel. So the dealership would throw away steering wheels and someone got a free mdx one that he had to install himself then the dealership could install the airbag. Or the guy could pay cash and have the dealer install both but wouldn't be responsible for it and void any type of warranty.
I've been looking for a wood steering wheel for my TL and remembered the paddle shifters idea and now that the cars are older the steering wheels are a lot cheaper. Was curious if anyone had done a how to yet on it. But with the negative feedback doesn't look like it. If it's easy to wire and the steering wheels are a couple hundred bucks or ones found at a dealer than it might be a free mod! Depending on how much the wiring is, very cheap if there is some cost.

 

Correct me if I'm wrong but in my 07 TL-S paddle shifters make a difference. In normal automatic mode 3rd gear only hits 95-100mph before it shifts, while with paddle shifters I can hit 110 in 3rd gear.

 

The autos (they are two different, but very closely related transmissions) on both the earlier TL and the 07-08 TLs and TLS seem to shift very close to redline but not quite there when in fully automatic, at least in the higher gears. My TL, at least whenever I reset the ECU, hits redline in 1st and 2nd in WOT when in auto mode, but not in 3rd (not that I ever manage to get to that speed ) - In manual mode you can get it to shift right at 6800 rpm if you time it well, but you risk banging off the rev limiter.