why on the column??? why not the steering wheel? anyone else not understand this?

My guess would be something related to ergonomics. There may be something related to electronics too but I would think that unlikely.

well i'm not sure there's an actual reason, but it can be implimented either way, a la 6-series. i think the paddles cover an ample radius of each side of the steering column. do you really want to shift at 90 degrees +?

No!

because the genius who designed it figures you wouldnt be shifting with the paddles during a turn

They move on the BMW - but not on Ferraris... go figure.

i've read before (think in car & driver) that it is a safety/liability issue, ie, if the wheel is turned and you accidentally downshift instead of upshift.

I think it makes sense that they do not move. Since they are not rotating around all the time, you always know where to hit to shift up or down. If the paddles moved with the wheel, and the wheel is severly turned, you wouldn't be able to just go 'boom' and slap the paddle without looking to see where it is and make sure it's the right one.

In any case why would you want to shift in the middle of a corner ??

does anyone here drift???

and as for liability, dodge's slapstick is far worse than steering wheel mounted paddles. when you're in drive, all you have to do is move the stick to either side to shift. if you turn with speed, you might shift without meaning to if you're like me and drive with your hand on the shifter.

my dads audi and bimmer were both wheel mounted, and i felt way more comfortable with those paddles as opposed to the sports column mounted ones.

i would also prefer them on the steering wheel.

the tl type-s has them and it's VERY cool... definitely useful.

there is nothing wrong with shifting in a turn. you didn't say whether it was a full-throttle turn at max G's. then you shouldn't shift in a turn. otherwise, it's a non-issue.

the paddles/buttons were on wheel on my audi and i hated it! imagine taking a long sweeper and having to shift with the buttons (no paddles on my model) at the 12 and 6 o/clock positions! it sucked ***! plus i use to accidentally hit the buttons and it would downshift w/o me wanting to. i prefer the column mounted paddles. theyr long enough to be able to use them while turning and it doenst matter how you're holding the wheel, they are still in reach.

drove my cousins new m6 smg the other day...the paddles move with the wheel...even though i got 6mt when i was considering the auto that was one of the things about the auto that i disliked.