996 paddle steering wheel upgrade (Raid?)

[PorkerBus]

I’m pleased to say I have put a deposit on a 2004 c4s. I know as a purist I should have gone manual but I’ll be driving in and out of London a lot so the tip makes more sense.

I’ve seen a couple of people have retrofitted a raid steering wheel and even used Mercedes’ paddles to do so, I wondered if anyone had any details on this or had done something similar themselves (i.e gone for a paddle system rather than the existing buttons).

I did see that Carnewal in Belgium might be the answer but I cannot find anything on their website and they haven’t responded to emails (I will try and call).

Any thoughts/ suggestions greatly appreciated.

 

[Biovox]

Hi PB,
I replaced my Tip steering wheel with the FVD Daytona GT which uses the Merc paddles:
[attachment=20150919_121347 - Copy.jpg]
Had a quick search but can't seem to find it anywhere now (probably did this conversion 5-6 years ago mind you). Huge improvement over the fiddly buttons and makes the Tip so much more engaging to drive - in fact I rarely drive in full auto. Definitely worth seeking out something similar IMHO.
Cheers,
Gary

 

[TurboOwl]

It's a very good mod, I purchased a T96 online, slightly smaller wheel with flat bottom and 12oclock marker

 

[DarrenWells]

Have you actually tried the buttons yet ?

Granted they’re not as intuitive to use as paddles, but once you get used to them they’re not actually that bad.

 

[TurboOwl]

Have you actually tried the buttons yet ?

Granted they’re not as intuitive to use as paddles, but once you get used to them they’re not actually that bad.

This is true, my first tip transmission and the buttons aren't that bad tbf, I do prefer the paddle as it's more of a natural position ??

 

[Castorman]

I bought a second hand wheel for a manual Boxster on eBay and asked Darren who used to trade as Edition 9 (text him on 07943 311332) supply and fit AMG paddles for me. I then had the wheel recovered by Royal Steering Wheels (royalsteeringwheels.com). This was in 2020. Overall I’m very pleased with the outcome. Moreover as a result of discussing colour choice with Jack at Royal Steering Wheels, the black colour of the wheel leather now matches the colour of the seats whereas the OEM wheel was a much harsher standard black. A subtle change of shade which Jack recommended. I have had my 996 since new and I definitely prefer driving with the AMG paddles. If you are not that mechanical Royal Wheels will even fit the refurbished wheel for you. In the event since this was a COVID era project I did it all myself. Royal Wheels can basically tailor the wheel to your needs; in my case I wanted something very understated but their website has all sorts of different examples of previous customer choices.

 

[Castorman]

 

[Richard_Hamilton]

Have you actually tried the buttons yet ?

Granted they’re not as intuitive to use as paddles, but once you get used to them they’re not actually that bad.

I agree, but I found the buttons more intuitive than paddles.
Buttons: Up to change up, down to change down.
Paddles: Is it left to change up, or right to change up?
I guess it is what you get used to......

 

[DarrenWells]

Have you actually tried the buttons yet ?

Granted they’re not as intuitive to use as paddles, but once you get used to them they’re not actually that bad.

I agree, but I found the buttons more intuitive than paddles.
Buttons: Up to change up, down to change down.
Paddles: Is it left to change up, or right to change up?
I guess it is what you get used to......

I think that’s it. I have paddles on my Audi S6 and the stereo volume control is where the tip buttons are on the steering wheel.

I don’t really use the paddles on my S6 though as it’s more of a high speed cruiser, but I regularly use the buttons on my C4S and I’ve grown to rather like them.

 

[PorkerBus]

Thanks everyone for your replies, much appreciated.

 

[PorkerBus]

Hi PB,
I replaced my Tip steering wheel with the FVD Daytona GT which uses the Merc paddles:
[attachImg]https://www.porscheclubgb.com/forum/download.axd?file=0;1119815&where=message&f=20150919_121347 - Copy.jpg[/attachImg]
Had a quick search but can't seem to find it anywhere now (probably did this conversion 5-6 years ago mind you). Huge improvement over the fiddly buttons and makes the Tip so much more engaging to drive - in fact I rarely drive in full auto. Definitely worth seeking out something similar IMHO.
Cheers,
Gary

Thanks Gary that is exactly the steering wheel I am after, let me know if you decide to sell yours!

 

[PorkerBus]

It's a very good mod, I purchased a T96 online, slightly smaller wheel with flat bottom and 12oclock marker

That looks great also, thanks for the suggestion.

 

[PorkerBus]

Have you actually tried the buttons yet ?

Granted they’re not as intuitive to use as paddles, but once you get used to them they’re not actually that bad.

Yes, and you are correct they are not that bad, I just like the idea of using more traditional paddles having used them in a 997, 991 and 992.

 

[PorkerBus]

I bought a second hand wheel for a manual Boxster on eBay and asked Darren who used to trade as Edition 9 (text him on 07943 311332) supply and fit AMG paddles for me. I then had the wheel recovered by Royal Steering Wheels (royalsteeringwheels.com). This was in 2020. Overall I’m very pleased with the outcome. Moreover as a result of discussing colour choice with Jack at Royal Steering Wheels, the black colour of the wheel leather now matches the colour of the seats whereas the OEM wheel was a much harsher standard black. A subtle change of shade which Jack recommended. I have had my 996 since new and I definitely prefer driving with the AMG paddles. If you are not that mechanical Royal Wheels will even fit the refurbished wheel for you. In the event since this was a COVID era project I did it all myself. Royal Wheels can basically tailor the wheel to your needs; in my case I wanted something very understated but their website has all sorts of different examples of previous customer choices.

Thank you, great suggestion. I have reached out to Darren and he has already replied. I just need to find a suitable steering wheel (ideally Raid) and he will do the rest for what seems to be a reasonable cost.