Switched Shifter Paddles?

I was talking to a buddy of mine about switching the paddles on my A3 out for longer, taller ones.
Has anyone done this?

He mentioned using lambo paddles, but I don't know where I'd get them, how much they'd be or whether it's easy or worth doing.

interesting, I feel like the stock paddles are in a good position for their size.

I wonder.

I was thinking of getting the chrome S3 paddles. Looks great. There is a thread in fourtitude about a guy switching out his paddles. As soon as I heard "Remove 4 screws and take out the airbag" I got too scared to go further! To me, taking the airbag out just doesn't sound minor! (Though I bet it is!)

quote:

ORIGINAL: TPE_A3

As soon as I heard "Remove 4 screws and take out the airbag" I got too scared to go further! To me, taking the airbag out just doesn't sound minor! (Though I bet it is!)

hahahhaha agreed!

HEy TPE do you have a conection to that thread? I have to agree if the paddles came up about 1 inch higher they would be perfect for a more spirted driving.

Hi 4Rings,
Here it is:

http://forums.vwvortex.com/zerothread?id=3756164

Thanks. Hmm. I wonder if they make a paddle somewere that are a coosh longer?

Yeah....

My biggest beef with the paddles is that I can't reach the upshift paddle when I'm turning a a corner to go from 1st to 2nd. With a TDI and 4500RPM rev limit, shifting out of first happens pretty quick, and the wheel is upside down...so I have to use the gear shifter.

While we're on the topic, does anyone else think that the upshift being in the 'up' or forward position is counter-intuitive? For some reason, I want to pull down on the gear lever to upshift, and push it up for the downshifts. Maybe it's just me!

quote:

ORIGINAL: TPE_A3

While we're on the topic, does anyone else think that the upshift being in the 'up' or forward position is counter-intuitive? For some reason, I want to pull down on the gear lever to upshift, and push it up for the downshifts. Maybe it's just me!

I found that intuitive actually =P I drove a mazda3 loaner a while ago that does the opposite. It was an autobox but it sucked so badly that I put it in manual mode the whole time. The thing totally pissed me off because I kept shifting into the wrong gear. Maybe they should provide an option like the "Inverted mouse/joystick" option in games to allow you to upshift by pulling the gear level downwards....

That would be a VERY handy mod Omni!

I just really want to pull it down to shift up! :)

TPE_A3

Ive had the same thoughts about the shifting. My natural mode of thought assumes that i should be pulling the shift towards me as opposed to away to shift up. maybe its all those years of watching formula1 and Indy car. who knows but great point i thought i was alone on that one.

The past 2 cars I owned were both 5 spd manual. I found myself downshifting from 5th -> 4th or 3rd-> 2nd most of the time. That's probably why I'm used to pulling the lever down while downshifting.

I agree with TPE that it would be more intuitive to pull for upshift, push for downshift.

+1 for rally style shifts

Hey Omni,

I drove a manual all my life too...and I still want to pull down! It's odd how the brain works, but I'm glad there are others too! The first time I used it, I downshifted when my car was already 3/4s of the way to the redline. Interestingly, the computer allowed the shift but it put it right at the redline. Luckily, (perhaps) I didn't use the DSG at all for the first 1500 KM just in case of exactly that type of bonehead mistake! Even now, 6 months after having the car, I still have to remind myself. Old dogs!

BMW and Mazda (and thus Ford, Jaguar, Aston Martin and Volvo?) staunchly believe that 'push forward for downshift' is correct and more intuitive.  The rest of the manufacturers think the opposite.  This would seem like the ideal situation for the ever-precise Germans to standardise one way or the other.
 
My wife's current car is a Mazda6 auto wagon and she previously had a Passat Tiptronic wagon.  It took both of us a while to get used to the inversed shift direction.  Since her car is opposite of my A3 (and I often drive the Mazda), I have decided avoid use of the A3 lever for manual shifts to keep my meager brain from getting confused.  Besides, the A3 paddles work so well.

^^^^
Yes the Paddles are so nice and quick! but back on subject has anyone seen a paddle modification for our girls?