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OK, I searched. There have been threads on paddle shifters before, e.g.: http://www.mycarforum.com/topic/2676927-paddle-shifters-which-type-suits-you/. But they don't address this exact question. My specific question is: which particular mounting position of paddle shifters suits you better? Fixed to the wheel or fixed to the steering column? Examples of makes/models with each position (taken from the web): Wheel mounted: BMW - 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 series VW - Golf, GTI Porsche - 918 Audi - R8 McLaren Acura - TL Cadillac - CTS-V Column mounted: Subaru - Outback Ferrari Lamborghini Nissan - GTR, Maxima What prompted this question: I have experienced both. Right now, my Bimmer and my Merc both have wheel mounted shifters. I find them very intuitive to shift with. This applies to both street driving and track/high performance driving - I recently came back from NZ where I did the Alpine drive on the Southern Hemisphere Proving Ground. The wheel-mounted shifters on the M and xDrive cars were an absolute pleasure. Also, I was recently invited to test drive the 488GTB. I loved the car on the whole, but disliked the column mounted paddles as I found them unwieldy to use. I have lived with a column mounted shift for a few months - my F430. Took me some getting used-to. Honestly, I never drove that car as hard as I've driven many others, and nowhere near as hard as it was intended by god and Enzo (who might be one and the same entity, lol). What made it a little easier is that I had no other paddle shifting car at that time so I didn't have to "switch" between two modes of shifting. But if one has one of each type, I can see how it might be difficult to go from one to the other on a periodic basis. So my question is: which do you personally prefer? I prefer the wheel-mounted type, as I've already mentioned. But arguments for and against both types can be made, e.g. Wheel mounted shifters allow one to always have immediate access to the paddles if one holds the wheel in the prescribed 9-3 racing position. But Ferrari claim that you shouldn't be shifting gear mid-corner, so you should never actually need to reach across to the column from anything other than a 9-3 position. I don't really agree - you can and should select the right gear prior to corner entry, but you often have to upshift when accelerating out of the apex. With modern rev-matching transmissions, weight transfer, etc. becomes a moot point, it's all so smooth that there's practically no risk of destabilisation. Anyway, if you're experienced with both types, please do vote and post an opinion. But please don't proffer irrelevant opinions like "never had one", "I leave the car to shift for itself", or "real drivers drive manuals", which would be a waste of time and effort for you, and of bandwidth for all. I don't mean to be rude, but too many threads like this have devolved into noise. Thank you!

The Mercedes Benz steering mounted gear shifter gets lots of flak and misunderstanding for not being traditional. Let me clear up some misgivings with this post and hopefully help fellow mercedes owners understand and operate their ride with more confidence. The top concern about the gear shifter is accidental activation of gears (due to mistaking it for the signal/wiper stalk). From my understanding of the shifter, it is an electronic shifter with no mechanical link to the transmission. That fact allows the Mercedes engineers to program in failsafe guards to ensure safety and protect the transmission. At low speed from 0 up to 10kph, the gear shifter is programmed to allow you to go from N to R. It is presumably to facilitate parking situation. See the attached photo I took of my own cluster LCD. Note the arrows. These arrow heads denote that it is possible to shift into these gears indicated. Note the speed. When the speed goes above 10kph, the arrow head at the R position disappear. Meaning you can at most engage N but not R in the event of a mistake. So, yes, you can accidentally engage neutral while you are driving but you will not be able to force the R mode without coming down to a <10kph speed. That will be a deliberate action imho. So, no, your 7G-9Gtronic will not self destruct without your deliberate help.

Here is an instructional video on how to replace your manual shifter knob. I believe this design is common for most Hyundai models and some other brands in the market. It also helps to understand how you can easily remove the leather blanket of the shifter stick. Very simple. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P_fyZ9l1nK8

Anyone has any idea where can i get it? Cant seem to find an exact answer anywhere.. hehe thanks in advance!

Recently I was thinking of changing the gear shift knob, because the factory fitted one is ugly and a bit longish for my liking. This morning I was just testing out how to remove the existing gear knob, I found that by turning anti-clockwise I can totally remove it. But what's even more surprising is that the factory fitting knob isn't turned all the way down, it can turn clockwise and down somemore. So I just kept turning it down a couple more rounds until it can't turn anymore, and end up with a rather short gear shift lever. Of course it still can't beat a real good short shifter as a short shifter throw is much shorter (that's why it's called that). But I guess that will do for now, and I'll be shopping for a nicer gear knob for a while.

Hi,i just bought a short shifter and will be DIYing it myself. we know that short shifter helps reduce the throw of the gear distance between each gear. my new shifter is actually about 2 cm longer than my stock one but the throw distance is about 20% shorter. but then,i have the urge to cut it shorter by about 3-3.5cm which is shorter than my stock ones. therefore before i make my final decision,i would like to hear your views. thanks for reading.

trd quick shifter for sale $280/- cash and carry

got 3 items available. who wants? gimme a buzz.

Any Lobang for Workshop and cost? Thanks!

Its not the first time that the gear shifer broke. It has failed on me twice already. Different linkage bar I understand... Usually, when the linkage bar breaks, I cannot engage 1st, 2nd, 5th and reverse gear. Can only engagge 3rd and 4th, so not so bad. Can still get to a safe place before I call the tow truck. On Friday, the unthinkable happened. The gear shifter broke (again) but this time, I could not engage any gear at all. I was in free gear. This happened on the ECP heading towards Changi Airport just after the Benjamin Shears bridge, before Fort road. Was stuck in the 2nd lane. Paiseh man... did anyon'e gear shifter break that many times??!!

hi guys, can advise where i can get short gear shifter? thanks

which workshop customs the above? Price?

Anyone done theirs? It is actually a short pin which a slanted end. Heard that the car need to jack up abit inorder to remove the original. After installing, the gear stick is much shorter and the gear shifting is easier coz the distance from gear to gear is reduced.

Anyone done theirs? It is actually a short pin which a slanted end. Heard that the car need to jack up abit inorder to remove the original. After installing, the gear stick is much shorter and the gear shifting is easier coz the distance from gear to gear is reduced.