Maniacs DSG paddle extension

[kleung]

I really don't understand why VW delivers cars with a great gearbox but a useless way of interacting with it.

I actually don't mind the standard paddles. I have zero interest in stick-on paddles, so if I were to upgrade, the only option would be either the S2T or Oettingers, which are upwards of AU$250 a set. Of course the bigger paddles are better, but for me, it's not $250 better.

[Ryan_R]

I know how you feel, but I've read people's reviews on the stick on ones (even one person who had tried both (Maniacs + S2T) and they were full of high praise for the Maniacs. No problems of them falling off - even VW use 3M tape when fitting their OEM weather-shields to the Golf 6 (as they did on my car).

[Steve]

I actually don't mind the standard paddles. I have zero interest in stick-on paddles, so if I were to upgrade, the only option would be either the S2T or Oettingers, which are upwards of AU$250 a set. Of course the bigger paddles are better, but for me, it's not $250 better.

I drive the car almost exclusively with the paddles and to my mind it is definitely a $250 improvement. The only time my car is ever in "D" is when I'm on long highway trips. Around town it's always driven with the paddles. The S2T paddles look and feel great and are much more usable than the terrible stumpy paddles that the car is crippled with from the factory.

I'm a little passionate about it

[kleung]

I know how you feel, but I've read people's reviews on the stick on ones (even one person who had tried both (Maniacs + S2T) and they were full of high praise for the Maniacs. No problems of them falling off - even VW use 3M tape when fitting their OEM weather-shields to the Golf 6 (as they did on my car).

As far as the styling goes, they look fine. It must be a little weird though, having the + and - symbols lit up at night down low on the paddles though.

Even if it is 3M tape, it is still just tape, and it will eventually deteriorate and fall off - my father has the OEM shields on his Golf 118TSI, and the dealer did point out that they will eventually fall off. With the shields I guess it's not a big deal to just buy a bit more tape and slap them back on again, but with the paddles, they are exposed to much higher temperatures than the weathershields, and they also have to withstand being 'pulled' repeatedly over their lifetime.

And if they ever come off, intentionally or otherwise, they'll undoubtedly leave behind a horrible, sticky residue on the OEM paddles, which, because of the location, shape and texture of the paddles will make it difficult if not impossible to clean off.

Besides, plastic stick-ons just seem a bit half-arsed to me, and the aluminium ones would feel so much better. I know TID Styling make aluminium stickons, but seriously, $400+ a set?

I'm a little passionate about it

Nothing wrong with that. They look great, and are undoubtedly nice to use as well. I did seriously consider getting the S2Ts when there was a group buy on here, but I decided that my $250 could be better spent elsewhere.

Besides, it could be worse - I just had relatives staying with me for just over a month, and we spent 6 days in Sydney and 6 days in Perth. We had an FG XR6 hire car both times, and it was an appalling car to drive. Huge boot and surprisingly good fuel economy for its size, but crap in pretty much every other way.

[Ryan_R]

my father has the OEM shields on his Golf 118TSI, and the dealer did point out that they will eventually fall off. With the shields I guess it's not a big deal to just buy a bit more tape and slap them back on again,

lol, if my shields fall off while driving it might be a bit of bigger deal than you've alluded to there :p

Hopefully we've upgraded cars before that time comes anyway

[WazR36]

regarding my original post

i actually have the maniacs paddles - "satin chrome with black metal inlay" bought from zmaxautosport.com

similar to this, except without the white text on it:


these ones:


they look great and the satin chrome matches the accents on the R36 steering wheel perfectly.

the maniacs package was an exceptional piece of kit. it comes in a nice box with a pair of gloves, alcohol cleaning wipe, instructions, and 2 sets of 3M tape. the tape is already pre-cut to exactly fit the shape of the DSG paddle. the quality was really exceptional.

the reason i went for the maniacs of the s2t are numerous:
- i wanted to retain the original feel of the paddle "click" which i have read is somewhat lost on the aftermarket paddle replacements, or is at least dependent on how well it they are installed (ie using the OEM spring and putting it in 100% correctly)
- i preferred the shape of the maniacs paddle both visually and functionally
- i wanted to retain the OEM light on the "+" and "-" symbols

the paddles feel very solid and have not moved one bit since i installed them many months ago. previously i rarely used the paddles, now i find myself driving with the paddles on almost every occasion except in heavy peak-hour traffic.

i would highly recommend these stick-on style of paddles with my only hesitation being that they are generally a massive rip-off for what you are getting - but hey that's the car industry in general.

[Ryan_R]

Those Chrome ones do indeed look awesome & thanks for the review.


$46 v $195 (delivered) is the big question though.


I'll have a think about it over the next few days and see what happens - perhaps you could make a video to tempt me even more?

btw forgot to add that the eBay seller got back to me saying he doesn't have any other colours beyond those 4 shown on his site.

[frozze]

Are the eBay ones definitely Maniacs?? A bit skeptical coz it's so cheap.. Maybe they're just using Maniacs' pictures to advertise..

[Ryan_R]

The only difference I can see is that these come from China whereas the overpriced ones make a detour through the USA

[WazR36]

i will try to take some pics or make a video, however am on night shift this week so it will have to wait until after monday

initially i wanted all-black and decided it was too much $$, but after seeing the silver/chrome coloured ones i couldn't resist. to be honest if these cheaper ones had come up first i would have pulled the trigger without hesitation.

btw, the maniacs ones are japanese made but the only websites that seem to offer them in english with shipping to australia are the american sites. but i'm sure these eBay ones are simply a mould someone has made of the maniacs ones and a direct reproduction. they just look too similar.