Steering column stalks -- nastiest part of the interior -- any aftermarket?

Not sure how many would agree with me, but I feel that the flimsy plastic steering column stalks with the nasty flashing (bits left over from the mold) are easily the most embarrassingly cheap part of the 996's interior. I'd go for updated buttons too (the oval ones), but they're much lower on my list. I'd pay good money for a high quality (look/feel) replacement for these levers. They aren't complicated -- one of them (cruise) has a button on the end, but the rest are just... levers, so they should be relatively easy to reproduce. They aren't nearly as complicated as the ones in our S4, by comparison. I'd go for some nice stalk made up of bent-tubing with a cast/billet end, for example. Something that doens't feel like it's going to break, and something that has the cool touch of metal. I'd pay low $hundreds for something like this. Am I insane here? Anybody offer anything like this? Any interest in having something built? Hey, maybe the stalks from the 997 would fit? (I haven't examined them).

I could be interested, unless disassembly of the steering column is required. I hate steering columns....

Unfortunately, based on a few pics I found on renntech, it looks like the stalks and switches are replaced as a module. there appears to be a module for the MFC and Cruise, and another for the turn signals and wiper. the key to this is figuring out if the stalks can be R&R'd from the switch module. if not, then it's game over. Can anybody who might have replaced these switches chime in here? If the stalks can't be removed from the switch module, then we'd be limited to finishes applied to the existing stalks. How about dipping them in liquid rubber? Maybe the Plug Guy can paint them to match our cars...

I bet you could make a leather cover for them that would button over the inner part and slide over the outer.

Interesting. What about carbon or aluminium replacements for them to match other interior trim? Smells like an opportunity for someone.

I would be interested in this mod as well, Alum or C/F is a good idea and i think a great look...

Does anyone feel like creating some billet aluminium pieces as replacments or is it easier to try to simulate the factory "aluminium" trim paint used on shifters, handbrakes, etc?

I remember a similar thread on renntech.org not too long ago. I too would pay low hundreds for this. (Incidentally, what do the stalks in the Cayenne look like?) Unfortunately nothing came of it...

I doubt that Cayenne stalks are any better. The most luxurious and most expensive car in the world still uses cheap looking plastic stalks. It's an area that has never received much attention from any manufacturer.

Both MB and BMW (like my 745Li) use much better quality stalks.

Perhaps they do use better quality stalks but in thend, they're still cheap plastic, just molded better, right?

The order guide for my 2003 C2 Cab had a $490 option from Porsche for leather covered stalks. It was: Option Code: CUP - Steering Clm Controls Leather Covered with leather in interior color: control stalks (2.9b) for flasher, wiper, on-board computer and cruise control. It could be that one of the dealers (like Suncoast) could order this as parts.

Damn, good find.

I think Misha makes a GT2 carbon wing for the stalks.

I've always liked the feel of BMW stalks the best--even the three series have a great feel. It's not so much the stalk itself as it is the switch they're connected to, which engages with a soft, smooth yet firm action. On the other hand, all three of my Porsches have had turn signal levers that feel like they're breaking every time they're actuated. Obviously Porsche has never paid much attention to that kind of thing. My favorite Porsche control feature was on my '88 951S, where the outside mirror adjustment control was on the driver's door, but the switch that altered the function from the right to the left mirror was located on the center console.

The stalks are part of the steering column switch assembly. The only stalk that can be removed from the assembly is the OBC stalk. The switch assembly came over from the 993.

I wondered when Toolpants was going to show up. thanks for the pic! Wow, so you're saying that the 993 had the same crappy stalks? I thought everything in the 993 was made out of hand-crafted titanium Also, do you need to remove the steering wheel to R&R this part? It appears that it slips over the column... The link to the leather-covered stalks is an interesting one. I may follow-up with Gert. My worry is that this is a custom "at time of order" type of thing, but we'll see. I also wonder whether the option will actually change the feel of the stalk. My biggest beefs are: - it feels like it's bending, and may break if I use it roughly, and - the plastic still has the flashing from the casting. At least they could have done some final finishing on the pieces. I may just take some light sandpaper to it and call it a day...

I called Justin @ Brandywine, and he is calling Porsche for more information on ordering the custom stalks described by HenryM above. His first guess was that it might be a prepaid special order item requiring several months wait. I will post as soon as we get a response. Based on Toolpant's post, it might be (a) more expensive and (b) less complex to install (?)...

The wheel has to come off to remove the switch assembly. Easy to do. When we do the OBC/trip computer retrofit we replace the 3 stalk switch for the 4 stalk switch.

Update: I just got word from Justin@Brandywine about the stalks (leather covered, painted to match, CF or aluminum look etc.). They are a special order item only, and would take 3-4 months and lots of money. So I guess this idea is dead in the water....

He didn't give you any idea about what "lots of money" would cost, did he? I'm afraid to ask ps. thanks for checking into this!

CF stalks would be to die for.....

I think the numbers were in the 600-1000 range

I had ordered these stalks with my 2004 coupe, but when I bought the Cab they had on the lot it didn't have that option, so I never really got to see how they looked.

LOL that actually IS easy... Had to do that tonight... However what is NOT easy is taking the WHOLE dash out and everything that goes with it. Not to mention having to re-wire some shorted/fried wiring harnesses. Bloody hell...

even though the stalks covered in leather are availible as a factory option, they are not availible after the fact. for 2 reasons, mostly the 1st. 1. you cannot get exclusive department options after the fact (includes said option) unless your car originally came with them and you need a replacement part. 2. 996 production is over so it is even more difficult to obtain such parts.