I didnt put this in the tech section only because its a simpe question and not really looking for "tech" info on it.. I just had it run through my head and wondered if anyone had tried it.. On the C5 door handles there is a small indention that looks like a thumb print.. Best way I know how to discribe it anyway.. I cant imagine it would be THAT hard to drill out holes and install C6 push buttons into those holes.. Steal whatever actuator or whatever it is in the C6 door that opens the latch and install it as well.. Then you could have the "nifty" push button door handles like on the C6..

Anyone tried this mod?? Better question is does anyone have pics of it if you were successful?

 

Hmm, you have me intrigued.

As far as a Locking mechanism, a biometric lock has a number of issues most of which involve simple reliability.

If you wanted to simply use it as a door-latch actuator switch, that wouldn't be too difficult though you would be absolutely reliant on your FOB's batteries to hold up.....you could shave the door handles and just leave a hole for your fingers to grip.

 

I wouldnt shave the door handles on the outside.. Only on the inside which could be accomplished by having the doors wrapped in leather by Double D mods and simply cover over the hole where the door handle used to be. Leave the exterior handle intact and funtional.. Just simply remove the hardware associated with opening the door from the interior and replace it with the hardware from a C6 door so that you could have the electric push button door handles on the interior..

 

I think it would be quite a project... Here's some issues i'd see right away.

1. The current door handle. You will need to fill that hole and re-upholster both door panels. Which would cost a pretty penny.

2. I think the door pull is solid so you'll have to do more than just drill a little hole. It might be better to have them molded in carbon fiber, then upholstered to maintain the strength but allow for the mechanics to fit into it.

3. overall price for final product would be ridiculous. I would guess probably ~$2,000 or more for a nice clean install. I think for a little button to open your door seems pretty insane.

I'm sure there would be other ways of doing this, but if it was my car i would remove the old method of opening to door. Since that's such a large part on the door you aren't going to be able to just cover that up.

Cool idea, but i don't think many would do it unless they were already in the process of creating a custom interior and had the extra money to throw into something really custom.

 

Back in the day we use to shave off door handles and install a solenoid under the car that you hit with your foot to open the door, I am sure one could be put on the C5, But I am not sure I would want it in the key hole.
Mr.Bill

 

Not even close to what I am talking about doing.. Im talking about the interior.. not the exterior.. Not sure if you were just bringing that up as a related subject or not but I wanted to clarify that this has nothing to do with how you get in the car.. its how you get out of it..

 

Curious what you would be planning for the interior factory door latch setup? Putting a push-button solenoid in the other interior handle shouldn't be an issue though.

 

My uneducated guess is that I could take a piece of quality thick cardboard (allmost like a fiberboard type of material) to fill in the hole from the old door handle assembly, glue it flushly into place.. Buy some vinyl to recover the door with (stock looking black vinyl would be fine).. You would never know where the old door handle was unless you took your finger and actually felt around for it.. then you might find the "seam".. Maybe I am completely nuts Like I said, this was just an idea that ran through my head and thought it would be "cool".. thats all.. If I would happen to dig up some guts from a C6 door cheaply I might entertain mocking up a way to do it.. otherwise it will just swim around with all the other thoughts in my head

I actually just pulled up some pics of the door panel and it wouldnt look at clean as I had hoped.. the whole section of the door panel where the handle goes is sort of raised up.. Its not flush in that area so even covering the hole it would still look "off".. Also, the door lock switch is in that same area so it would have to be reworked unless you are willing to remove your interior lock mechanism all together and only use the key fob to lock your doors..

 

Why not just use a C-6 door panel? They're probably the same door.

 

Even better, switch doors with someone with a C6 who wants C5 door handles. Win-win?

 

Are they really the same door, size and all?

 

I cant find any pics or anything on this but I am going to do a lil more homework and if a C6 door panel can work I might actually give it a go.. I need a winter project anyway

 

I think it sounds pretty neat. If you try it do a write up so I can do it too.

 

Say what Willis?
I don't think they are even close.

 

Oh Yea, I installed C6 doors on my C5, Perfect fit with no mods at all! Only took 20 min a door to install!

 

OP, interesting to see what you come up with.

In regards to the power lock, on the C5 as you know the power lock is on a panel which is shared with the power window, mirror etc. I'm thinking you would have to create a harness of sort (unless you hack off the wires) that would allow you to split off the power lock portion (to get what you want).

On a side note, if you can create a harness that would take the complete C5 panel (power window, mirror, lock etc) and be able to attach it to the C6 corresponding switches (and use it on a C5) I think you might be on to something.

Background info:
I had to replace my driver side power window, lock, switch/panel non-memory because I cracked it when changing out the speakers in the door. Ended up glueing it back into place (it was half cracked) because apparently there is a shortage of these (lots of memory type ones out there though). And the few that are out there are expen$ive.

So since I'm always thinking of mod'ing when things break down...well you get the idea....

Good luck,
Eric

 

It's going to be a lot more involved than you think. I'm not sure what implications the security feature would throw in, but I'd make sure to include some sort of mechanical entry or you'll end up breaking out a window to get in if the battery fails or if the unlock button fails. It doesn't seem like much of an advantage to add a button, but leave the old handle. It's not that much trouble to just pull.
Honestly, that button was the second least favorite part of the C6 I owned, first being the body lines of the rear sides.

 

Am I missing something?? I have NO intentions of messing with the exterior handle in any way.. Everything I am talking about is the inteior door release.. My entire project is to do away with the pull handle on the INSIDE and replace it with the push button from a C6 INTERIOR.. I agree there would be some working with the stock wiring but I really dont see too much to do.. supply the door opening button with switched power and a ground and it should be able to send juice to the actuator to "unlatch" the door..

Cover over where the old INTERIOR door handle used to be and install the buttons on the grab handle of the C5 door.. Others mentioned the C6 door panel in a C5 but that is NOT the project I had in mind at first.. although it is something I might look into..

Edit: Just had a thought.. Maybe you guys keep talking about the Exterior handles because I would need to have electic door releases on the outside to work with having the electric releases on the inside??? If thats the case then scratch this idea all together.. I havent dug into it yet but I assumed there would be TWO rods running to the door latching mechanism.. 1st rod from the interior handle to the latch and a 2nd rod from the exterior handle to the latch.. My thought was to put the electric actuator on the interior door latch release.. Maybe that is where I am off base??

 

It might work like you say, I've never looked into it. Personally I don't see any advantage at all to a push button inside. If you do it, post up some pictures and what you had to do and how you like it. It's pretty tight for space inside the door panel, first step would be to find a place to mount the actuator that doesn't interfere with the window.

 

Honestly if I had to pick one thing on the interior I hated the most its the door handles.. Big black plastic ugly handles.. Just very outdated.. My friend has a C6 and I think its kinda cool to push a button to exit the car lol.. The outside handles are cool too but I know thats WAY more work and the exterior handles on the C5 dont bother me in the least.. That's where the idea came from and I might call around to some local junkyard and see if I can score some of the door mechanisms cheap to "tinker" around with.. Keep ya posted