My S3 came with different paddle shifters

drummerdimitri · Jul 7, 2015

I was able to have a lot at the car since it has arrived at the dealer but I noticed that the shift paddles are silver and short and not black with the silver contours like the car I've driven and like most S3's I've seen in pictures and videos.

My car was a special order and so is a 2016 model but I am not sure why Audi has two different shifter models for the S3. I much prefer the longer one which is black with the silver contour since It looks sportier and the extra length makes is easier to shift.

If you configure an S3 on the Audi France website you get the short silver pedals but on the Audi UK you get the longer ones which seem to be the improved version and the latest model.

Can anyone explain to me why Audi use two different models of paddle shifters on the S3 and what the differences are between the two?

I have insisted that the dealer switch the paddle shifters on my car with an S3 sportsback they have displayed in their showroom since I am sure it can be done. Can they be switched without having to change the steering wheel too?

Some clarification would be much appreciated.

Thanks!

Benash20 · Jul 7, 2015

I'

drummerdimitri said:
I was able to have a lot at the car since it has arrived at the dealer but I noticed that the shift paddles are silver and short and not black with the silver contours like the car I've driven and like most S3's I've seen in pictures and videos.

My car was a special order and so is a 2016 model but I am not sure why Audi has two different shifter models for the S3. I much prefer the longer one which is black with the silver contour since It looks sportier and the extra length makes is easier to shift.

If you configure an S3 on the Audi France website you get the short silver pedals but on the Audi UK you get the longer ones which seem to be the improved version and the latest model.

Can anyone explain to me why Audi use two different models of paddle shifters on the S3 and what the differences are between the two?

I have insisted that the dealer switch the paddle shifters on my car with an S3 sportsback they have displayed in their showroom since I am sure it can be done. Can they be switched without having to change the steering wheel too?

Some clarification would be much appreciated.

Thanks!

as far as I'm aware this is a modification that has has been done to the 2016 chassis are the paddles not nice?

veeeight · Jul 7, 2015

Have a look at these 2 posts for the MY16 paddles v <MY15 paddles

http://www.audi-sport.net/xf/threads/a3-s3-8v-my16-info-rumour-thread.237411/page-7#post-2500180
http://www.audi-sport.net/xf/threads/a3-s3-8v-my16-info-rumour-thread.237411/page-7#post-2500621

drummerdimitri · Jul 7, 2015

veeeight said:
Have a look at these 2 posts for the MY16 paddles v <MY15 paddles

http://www.audi-sport.net/xf/threads/a3-s3-8v-my16-info-rumour-thread.237411/page-7#post-2500180
http://www.audi-sport.net/xf/threads/a3-s3-8v-my16-info-rumour-thread.237411/page-7#post-2500621

So I have the new 2016 paddles on my car? That doesn't make sense since the other car in the showroom is a 2016 model and it has the extended paddle shifters.

So what's the difference? I prefer the extended shifter over the new short one. Looks sportier and more aggressive. Not sure if they both feel the same or if there are any differences between them.

What do you think I should do? If the new pedals are an upgrade I don't mind keeping them but like I said the longer ones are my preference.

drummerdimitri · Jul 7, 2015

Benash20 said:
I'

as far as I'm aware this is a modification that has has been done to the 2016 chassis are the paddles not nice?

They are nice in an Audi A8 maybe being chrome and all but I prefer the looks and feel of the larger paddles. They seem to suit the S3 better. Not sure if the new ones light up at night (+ and -)

Rob2k68 · Jul 7, 2015

Think they should still light up otherwise a backwards step and from other pics I've seen they look to have a red tint hinting that it's a lens to produce red light.

Are they metal or plastic ?

I guess you could consider fitting 2015 paddles if it bugs you that much. I can't see any visible fixings so I'm guessing that they attach from the front from behind the switches which just pop out once the airbag is removed. I fitted a MFFBSW to my 8P and that was how the switches were removed on that.

Rob2k68 · Jul 7, 2015

How's the car otherwise ?

Any collection pics ?

drummerdimitri · Jul 7, 2015

Rob2k68 said:
Think they should still light up otherwise a backwards step and from other pics I've seen they look to have a red tint hinting that it's a lens to produce red light.

Are they metal or plastic ?

I guess you could consider fitting 2015 paddles if it bugs you that much. I can't see any visible fixings so I'm guessing that they attach from the front from behind the switches which just pop out once the airbag is removed. I fitted a MFFBSW to my 8P and that was how the switches were removed on that.

They are exactly like the ones from this post:

http://www.audi-sport.net/xf/threads/a3-s3-8v-my16-info-rumour-thread.237411/page-7#post-2500180

I am sure they arent made of solid metal. They probably just coat the plastic with metal to make it look good but that's about it.

If these are indeed the paddles that are only available on the 2016 S3's then there should be a good reason why audi decided to change their design.

I'm going to need more info before I make up my mind about changing them.

drummerdimitri · Jul 7, 2015

Rob2k68 said:
How's the car otherwise ?

Any collection pics ?

Haven't collected the car yet. Still have to agree on payment terms and deal with the paddle shifter issue and wait for the car to be registered.

Rob2k68 · Jul 7, 2015

I wouldn't worry too much about the paddles I'm sure some think that the earlier ones are too big.

Could be lots of reasons for change maybe a change of supplier but more likely to commonise it with another model. Think you'll also have the differently shaped interior rear view mirror as well then.

h5djr · Jul 7, 2015

The paddles are listed in the parts catalogue as individual items so should be reasonable easy to change.

drummerdimitri · Jul 7, 2015

Rob2k68 said:
I wouldn't worry too much about the paddles I'm sure some think that the current ones are too big.

Could be lots of reasons for change maybe a change of supplier but more likely to commonise it with another model. Think you'll also have the differently shaped interior rear view mirror as well then.

I do seem to have a differently shaped rear view mirror. It's not the rounded edge one that I've been seeing in pictures.

drummerdimitri · Jul 7, 2015

I still have no proof that the shorter chrome paddles are the newest ones.

Anyone have more info about them?

Rob2k68 · Jul 7, 2015

Shorter paddles are filtering through on 2016 MY cars as per the thread link from V8.

drummerdimitri · Jul 7, 2015

Rob2k68 said:
Shorter paddles are filtering through on 2016 MY cars as per the thread link from V8.

How come my dealer has a 2016 car with the longer shifters then?

Can't seem to establish that the chrome ones are the 2016 model if that is the case. Seems to be paddle shifter lottery!

Waiting for more information from my dealer regarding the different paddles shifters.

Rob2k68 · Jul 7, 2015

Is the car with the longer paddles an S3 ?

Is you dealer certain it's a 2016 MY think they've only been built last 2-3 weeks. Maybe if it is Audi are using up old stock - I'd imagine they arrive at the production line pre assembled by the steering wheel supplier.

drummerdimitri · Jul 7, 2015

Rob2k68 said:
Is the car with the longer paddles an S3 ?

Is you dealer certain it's a 2016 MY think they've only been built last 2-3 weeks. Maybe if it is Audi are using up old stock - I'd imagine they arrive at the production line pre assembled by the steering wheel supplier.

Yes it is an S3 with the flat bottomed steering wheel just like mine.

How can the dealer be wrong? It would suck if they were using old stock to finish them up.

K4RL · Jul 7, 2015

The way to tell is does the showroom's car have a '0' on the rev counter if so it's MY15 car & will have the longer shifters. If rev counter has the word 'ready' where zero should be then MY16 car with the shorter paddles.

drummerdimitri · Jul 7, 2015

K4RL said:
The way to tell is does the showroom's car have a '0' on the rev counter if so it's MY15 car & will have the longer shifters. If rev counter has the word 'ready' where zero should be then MY16 car with the shorter paddles.

I will have a look at that tomorrow.

Any reason why they changed the design of the shift paddles?

K4RL · Jul 7, 2015

No idea - maybe it's because the old model had metal paddles & people possibly moaned about the new model having plastic ones. These are the paddles on my 8P S3.

drummerdimitri · Jul 7, 2015

K4RL said:
No idea - maybe it's because the old model had metal paddles & people possibly moaned about the new model having plastic ones. These are the paddles on my 8P S3.
View attachment 62627

I am still not convinced that these are any better than the "old" ones.

It's not like they are made of a solid piece of metal anyway. The backside is plastic as seen in V8's link above.

Rob2k68 · Jul 7, 2015

I quite like the shorter ones - could be tempted to fit them on mine if anyone has a part number from ETKA ?

drummerdimitri · Jul 7, 2015

Rob2k68 said:
I quite like the shorter ones - could be tempted to fit them on mine if anyone has a part number from ETKA ?

Are they not a disadvantage since you can only press them when grabbing the wheel at 9 and 3?

NHN · Jul 7, 2015

They've basically come back round as the shorter ones are quite a few years older, they're slimmer & none of them are solid metal, all are plastic coated with chrome.

I have the taller ones in my A3 8P as I upgraded to an 8V wheel ages ago, I much prefer them for usage tbh of which I use everyday, nicer to see & use overall.

The paddles can be bought separately & fitted or we can supply/fit a newer wheel complete if that helps.

drummerdimitri · Jul 7, 2015

Any ideas how to replace them with the taller ones?

I'm worried my dealer will tell me that they cannot swap them with the other car as an excuse to not do the work.

Rob2k68 · Jul 7, 2015

h5djr said:
The paddles are listed in the parts catalogue as individual items so should be reasonable easy to change.

Any part numbers for the MY16 ones at all please Dave ?

Martinbanshee · Jul 7, 2015

I had the shorter ones on my TT and they work just as well as the larger ones in my S3. There's absolutely no difference in operation but the larger S3 paddles look much nicer, the MY16 paddles are a backward step IMO.

drummerdimitri · Jul 7, 2015

Martinbanshee said:
I had the shorter ones on my TT and they work just as well as the larger ones in my S3. There's absolutely no difference in operation but the larger S3 paddles look much nicer, the MY16 paddles are a backward step IMO.

I too much prefer the old long paddle. Looks better and can be actuated from a higher grip on the wheel.

Rob2k68 · Jul 8, 2015

There are some R8 ones on ebay a snip at £469 !!!!! All others around £101 from Euro.Stores.

After having seen pics of them in isolation they do attach as I suspected so shouldn't take much effort to replace probably half hour max. Ask your dealer to change them over as part of your negotiations.

h5djr · Jul 8, 2015

Rob2k68 said:
There are some R8 ones on ebay a snip at £469 !!!!! All others around £101 from Euro.Stores.

After having seen pics of them in isolation they do attach as I suspected so shouldn't take much effort to replace probably half hour max. Ask your dealer to change them over as part of your negotiations.

Well the A3 paddles are not quite as expensive as those for the R8.....

The part number for the paddles from 05/13 - 05/15 is 8V0 951 523 XHA soul/chrome and they are list at £180. (for a pair I think)
From 05/15 onwards the part number is 4H0 951 523 F XHA soul/chrome and these are listed at £67.92. Perhaps the price difference is the reason for the change and having a non-A3 specific initial part number (4H0) may mean they are the same as used on other models in the group.

Rob2k68 · Jul 8, 2015

^^ Nice one - thanks Dave.

drummerdimitri · Jul 8, 2015

Ok so the dealer said it can be easily be done so they will do the swap tomorrow.

h5djr · Jul 8, 2015

Looking at them when I went out lunchtime it seems that they just fit into a recess in the back of the steering wheel.

Rob2k68 · Jul 8, 2015

A few pics I found A3 Lux 2014 .....

Steering wheel front :

Steering wheel rear:

Exploded assembly :

Simon L · Jul 8, 2015

Rob2k68 said:
A few pics I found A3 Lux 2014 .....

Steering wheel front :

Steering wheel rear:

Exploded assembly :

Rob, you need to get out more!! Lol

I'm guessing as my car was built a week or two ago it's metal short-shifters for me. Groovy baby, I think they're pretty sexy and slightly more high-end looking

(doubt I'll use em much anyway, be too busy giving it the nuts in 'S' mode)

Blackwhite · Jul 8, 2015

Simon L said:
Rob, you need to get out more!! Lol

I'm guessing as my car was built a week or two ago it's metal short-shifters for me. Groovy baby, I think they're pretty sexy and slightly more high-end looking

(doubt I'll use em much anyway, be too busy giving it the nuts in 'S' mode)

Here you are Simon.----- :superman:

naughts4187 · Jul 9, 2015

Looking forward to the smaller paddles, I find the current s3 ones in my March car are too far towards the middle of the wheel. I never press them at the top so I can understand why they have changed. Is it just me or does anymore else think the current ones don't come out far enough towards the outer edge of the wheel? I find I have to reach slightly to press whereas in the 991 they were sat perfectly placed whilst gripping the wheel.

Rob2k68 · Jul 9, 2015

Simon L said:
Rob, you need to get out more!! Lol

Haha you're not wrong there mate but beer goggles get me into trouble ....

Had a 'spirited' drive to work in M mode this morning and my hands were firmly gripping the wheel at the quarter-to-three position so going to order up some stubbies this morning would prefer them to be more subtle.

Roberto71 · Jul 10, 2015

Please.....nobody go down this road.....yuck.

Blackwhite · Jul 10, 2015

Roberto71 said:
Please.....nobody go down this road.....yuck.

My S3 came with different paddle shifters

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