Q5 Mod: Osir O-Shift R Paddle Shifters
 

My Q5 has the S Line package which includes paddle shifters on the steering wheel and an aluminum trimmed in interior. What's missing? Aluminum paddles!

One of our forum sponsors, Parts4Euro.com is an online retailer for Osir, makers of fine aftermarket Audi carbon fibre and aluminum components. I originally contacted Parts4Euro.com via PM through our forum when I saw the O-Shift S (R8/TT/S3) on a TT on another forum and wondered if they would work for the Q5. A month later the O-Shift R (all other models) was released and Parts4Euro.com had them in my hands a week later with their free shipping. They were even drop shipped from Hong Kong! Did I mention that they ship for free?

I received the shifters and decided to give the install a go last night. There is instructions posted on the Parts4Euro.com website, but they sounded a little vague.

"O-Shift R Installation Guide & Airbag Module Removal

1. Disconnect the battery
2. Remove the air bag unit from the steering wheel (Don't have to disconnect from the steering wheel)
3. Unscrew the control buttons on the steering wheel.
4. Unscrew the 2 screws that hold the factory shift paddles.
5. Unplug and remove the factory shift paddles.
6. Use a small screwdriver to poke the king pin out from the factory paddles.
7. Separate the factory paddle and its bracket. (Be careful of losing the small springs inside the bracket)
8. Replace the O-Shift onto the factory bracket with the small springs, then put the king pin back to lock it up.
9. Put the modified paddles back on the steering wheel and plug them back.
10. Put the control buttons back, then the air bag module.
11. Connect the battery."

Here was my take on those instructions...

1. Didn't bother. Felt like taking a risk. Also, if you disconnect the battery you cannot start the vehicle. This came in handy when I had to turn the wheel three times in the process.

2. First you have to figure out how. On the right and left side, behind the front of the steering wheel, there are two little plastic covers, each hiding a (torx) T30 screw behind them. They are most easily accessed by turning the wheel 90º from flat in each direct so that the cover and screw can be reached from the top. Once you have the covers removed and the screws loosened (the screws in mine didn't actually come out, although they could have) the airbag should lift right out. There is also a plastic ring that sits between the airbag and the wheel that needs to be removed. It's fairly flexible and just pops right out. As the directions say, you don't have to disconnect the air bag. In fact, I wouldn't recommend it. You will likely have an air bag code the next time you start your car if you do.

3. Not sure what this meant exactly. It must have been referring to the multi-function steering wheel control buttons on the steering wheel for the radio etc. The entire assemblies for mine just slid out. They slide toward the centre of the wheel.

4. Each of these are located behind the multi-function steering wheel control button assemblies and are T20.

5. I used a small pair of needle nose pliers to get in there and remove the plug. There is a clip on the top of each plug that has to be depressed to remove it. Once you have them unplugged you will see that you can push the whole wire and harness through a small hole to the backside of the wheel. The paddle shifter assembly pull out and in toward the middle of the wheel for removal.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2565/...271d5071_o.jpg

6. On one end of the paddle shifter assembly you will see the end of a (king)pin that is pressed in to provide a pivot point for the shifter as well as hold the assembly together. (My kingpin was black.) On the inside side of the assembly, if you follow the route of the pin you will see the grooved tip of the pin through a small square hole. Carefully using the flat blade of a small screwdriver against those grooves through the hole, pry the kingpin out of the open end of the assembly where you first saw the kingpin. Once I got the kingpin few millimetres out, I used my needle nose pliers to pull it all the way out. Oh, and don't worry, it's not about to spring apart if you already read about the springs in step 7 above.

7. I held the inside side of the assembly facing down in one hand while grasping the outside of the assembly (the paddle) facing up with the other hand. There is resistance, but the two components do just pull apart. Do be careful no to make any jerking movements when you do this as there are two springs in each assembly. One is exposed and the other has a plastic over over it. Neither spring is tight enough that it will shoot across the room upon opening the assembly, but they are loose inside and could easily be lost.

8. Basically just replace the plastic paddle that you just took off in the opposite fashion with the aluminum Osir paddle. The kingpin should slide all the way back in just as it came out.

9. The paddle shifter assemblies bolt back on in the opposite fashion as how you took them off.

10. Slide the multi-function steering wheel control button assemblies back into place. Pop the plastic ring that sits between the air bag and wheel back into place and then reinstall the airbag. Don't forget to replace the plastic covers over the torx air bag screws after tightening the screws. (I forgot mine.)

11. Aha! I didn't need the eleventh step!

So here's how she turned out...

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2662/...981c5cfb_o.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2533/...ecf47a69_o.jpg

I know that the Q5 is the furthest thing from an F1 car, but driving the TTS has me quite used to using paddle shifters on a regular basis. And yes, that sounded like a bit of work for such a small change. Personally, I am one who gets a lot of satisfaction from completing these kinds of tasks and making small differences. Now I will get that much more enjoyment out of my car!

Thanks for reading.

Oh, and DISCLAIMER! Keep in mind that I am an amateur. By using any of the material described here you are assuming all responsibility for your own actions and their possible outcomes on your car.

https://www.audiforum.ca/images/icons/icon6.gif

Re: Q5 Mod: Osir O-Shift R Paddle Shifters
 

It looks awesome!!!!! :D

Re: Q5 Mod: Osir O-Shift R Paddle Shifters
 

NIGHT PICS! On another forum I was asked if the paddles light up...

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3525/...aa09a037_o.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2463/...2d414f78_o.jpg

Re: Q5 Mod: Osir O-Shift R Paddle Shifters
 

Incredible, Tony! Wish you were here in Toronto where warcity and I reside! Would love to do the aluminum paddles make-over, too! Yet, it's kind of overwhelming! Oh, well, warcity (isn't that right, my friend!) and I will follow your instructions when we get around to this future project! We were thinking of painting our door handles and both side mirrors with silver...what do you think?

Re: Q5 Mod: Osir O-Shift R Paddle Shifters
 

Makes me hate my decision of not getting Sline.

Re: Q5 Mod: Osir O-Shift R Paddle Shifters
 

Hey warcity, congrats again on Germany's win! That was one heck of a very tensed game! Don't regret, your cinnamon seat colours are awesome with your black exterior! Let's wait a few years down the road...you'll get your dream car (won't say it hear, but it's still a German Beauty!). Plus, you've done a lot of nice modifs on your baby! Let's check them out tomorrow...might cancel my open house due to soccer finals. We can meet right after the game if ok with you. Cheers!

Re: Q5 Mod: Osir O-Shift R Paddle Shifters
 

First off, thanks again Q-E. I always find that the little things make the biggest difference to me.

This is a fairly easy modification. It required minimal tools and took less than an hour to complete. You guys should be able to handle it if you follow the Osir instructions. One downside I discovered is that they are quite cold to the touch in winter. Make sure you're wearing gloves!

As for your mirrors and door handles, it could look very good. My fear with the door handles is that the daily use could cause the silver to wear quickly. The mirror housings are actually offered in matte aluminum in Europe and can be ordered from a few OEM suppliers:

Mirror Housings - Aluminum Matte [8R0857527A] - $830.00 : OEMplus.com, Original Equipment

Europrice

http://homepage.mac.com/lvelano/.Pic...rrorcovers.jpg

http://homepage.mac.com/lvelano/.Pic...rorcovers2.jpg

http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h5...Q5/newlook.jpg

Finally, I know you guys are super excited about your cars and soccer, and that's great. It's nice to see such enthusiasm. That said, please try to keep to the topic. Thread jacking to make plans to get together dilutes the original content and makes it less effective in searches and for people to gain information.

Re: Q5 Mod: Osir O-Shift R Paddle Shifters
 

Thanks, Tony, the mirrors look great! The price tag is a bit steep though...oh, well, when it's our happiness/enjoyment, price is no issue.

Here's an ebay link for the door handles, good price: Audi Q5 Chrome Door Handle Cover 08-10 TFSI TDI 4D New on eBay.ca (item 310229192727 end time 24-Jul-10 03:27:07 EDT)

Only concern is it might not match the alu matte mirrors.

Re the shifters, followed your instructions: On the right and left side, behind the front of the steering wheel, there are two little plastic covers, each hiding a (torx) T30 screw behind them. They are most easily accessed by turning the wheel 90º from flat in each direct so that the cover and screw can be reached from the top.

Can't seem to find the 2 little plastic covers. Will check again...

Apologies likewise for the off topic, will focus on Q5 topics from now on.

Re: Q5 Mod: Osir O-Shift R Paddle Shifters
 

Re: Q5 Mod: Osir O-Shift R Paddle Shifters
 

Thanks much, Tony. Warcity and I found it last night when we replaced my map lights with LED. Will order the shifters and let you know once we've installed it.