New Steering Wheel Upgrade

[awiner]

After seeing T-Bones MP Designs steering wheel on his W211 E55 I decided I needed one too ! I missed the wood / leather steering wheel that was on my 2001 CL and the MP Designs wheel not only adds the wood but also has an awesome perforated leather sport grip and a slightly smaller diameter due to the rim thickness.

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[t-bone]

Nice upgrade Adam!

Where did you get the steering wheel from?

AUTOWERKS DIRECT also?

[rominl]

that looks awesome adam. i think it goes with the center console very well!

[awiner]

The wood is a perfect match. I've always agreed that a steering wheel upgrade is one of the best things a enthusiast can do. Since we are in constant contact with the steering wheel while driving it is a upgrade that is always apparent.

[t-bone]

Originally posted by awiner
The wood is a perfect match. I've always agreed that a steering wheel upgrade is one of the best things a enthusiast can do. Since we are in constant contact with the steering wheel while driving it is a upgrade that is always apparent.

I never thought of it that way, but you are absolutely correct.

[EDWARD CONROY]

Holy crap! T-bone's pics were bad enough. But these are great pics and this is our color wood! My wife has declared that she wants it and she wants it now. I want it yesterday. I too agree with Adam's statement about a steering wheel upgrade. It is not so much the heft of the E55 that communicates that this is a big sedan that can't manuever like an M3. It's the steering wheel. Is this an install that any dealership would be okay with doing?

[awiner]

Yes any dealership will do it. The actual install takes about 10-20 mins., however, a dealership will certainly charge the book rate at 1 hour's worth of time I am sure.

Anyone that is handy and has the right tools (T27 Torx driver, T25 Torx driver and a 10MM hex driver) can do the swap themselves.

If you interested let me know and I can provide full instructions.

[victoryroad]

Beautiful steering wheel! I, too, miss the wood that I had on my 02. Does the new wheel have the same airbag and does it in any way impact the MB warranty or deployment? also, how much does it cost and if the wood is not exactly right can it be exchanged?

[awiner]

Nice steering wheels aren't cheap..... The one pictured was approx $1500 and that was at a discount however if you look at the Kleemann and Brabus wheels they retail for over $2000.00...

As with most any aftermarket wheel, you get a carcass. Then you need to transfer from your stock wheel the air bag, outer cover, inner supports as well as the shift buttons and wiring.

The carcass is a genuine Mercedes carcass so it is up to OE spec. The wood and leather work is as good if not better than OE Mercedes as well.

The supplier I used has the wheel made with genuine Mercedes OE wood.

Actual installation took me about 15 minutes. Not hard at all if you have the right tools and wish to tackle the task on your own.

Took about 5 minutes to take the old wheel off. 5 minutes to swap the ole components over to the new wheel and another 5 minutes to put the wheel back on.

Tools needed are a Torx T25 and T27 driver, a 10mm Hex bit socket driver and a large torque wrench that I used as a pry bar to loosen and tighten the 10mm bolt that hold the wheel onto the spline of the steering wheel.

I am sure if the wood doesn't match they would work with you on getting a new wheel sent. If you want more info, email me and I can help.

[carsany]

Anyone want to see if we can get a group buy for this steering wheel going?

Where did you order the wheel from for $1500? Thanks

Carsan

[EDWARD CONROY]

Adam, are there grooves for the fingers at the back of the wood, as on the stock wheel?

[awiner]

Originally posted by EDWARD CONROY
Adam, are there grooves for the fingers at the back of the wood, as on the stock wheel?

Yes, there are grooves on the back like the stock unit.

[JamE55]

Very nice Adam! Now when can i see it in person?!

[theboogers]

where can i get a wood wheel for my sl55's on the east coast? thanks

[EDWARD CONROY]

Renntech wants your stock wheel after installation. Man, they're really cleaning up on this deal. But it is a beautiful upgrade so I'm going for it.

[awiner]

I was not required to send my wheel back as a core exchange. I simply boxed my stock wheel up and am storing it in my garage.

[EDWARD CONROY]

In that case I may not be getting it. It's a rip off and I don't like an upgrade where I have to give up my stock hardware.

[t-bone]

Did you check with Autowerks yet? I think you may not need to give up your core.

[jambee888]

Originally posted by EDWARD CONROY
In that case I may not be getting it. It's a rip off and I don't like an upgrade where I have to give up my stock hardware.

I just ordered one for our new E55 from Autowerks... they said they do NOT need my original core.

Here's their website...

http://www.autowerksdirect.com

and phone...

858-569-2447

[awiner]

Looks like Autowerkes has 2 wheels listed now. The one I have (pictured above) is the Autowerkes Sport Steering Wheel. It is actually made by RennTech for Autowerkes to Autowerkes specifications with a thicker grip and finger grooves. The normal RennTech sport sterring wheels doesn't have as thick of a grip nor does it look like it is perferated leather.

[EDWARD CONROY]

Thanks, guys. You saved me. I'm going to call Autowerks today and get details. I also e-mailed Renntech last night, telling them how the phone call went and giving them a chance to give me a better deal. I plan to order the wheel by early next week. Other than the great looks, are you guys really enjoying the feel of it?

[Frisco]

awiner - VERY nice! I love it.

[awiner]

Originally posted by EDWARD CONROY
[B Other than the great looks, are you guys really enjoying the feel of it? [/b]

Yes, I really like it. Everytime I get into the car and drive away I think, "How did I go so long without this".

[jambee888]

Originally posted by awiner
Looks like Autowerkes has 2 wheels listed now. The one I have (pictured above) is the Autowerkes Sport Steering Wheel. It is actually made by RennTech for Autowerkes to Autowerkes specifications with a thicker grip and finger grooves. The normal RennTech sport sterring wheels doesn't have as thick of a grip nor does it look like it is perferated leather.

I did ask about that before ordering mine and here is the response I received by email:

Dear Mr. xxxxx:

Thank you for your interest in the products we carry.

We have introduced a new line of our own "private-labeled" products, one of them being the steering wheels.

We have worked with RENNTech Performance in an effort to co-brand and import these steering wheels in order to pass the reduced cost to you, the customer. However, each company has decided to carry their own unique line independently.

Nevertheless, the steering wheels, either RENNTech brand or our own Sport Steering Wheel, are hand crafted in Germany (to order) using Mercedes Benz factory cores. The products pass all the strict safety standards mandated by international safety authorities, as they are manufactured by the same OE supplier to Mercedes Benz.

It is then left to the customers interest which wheel he/she will purchase. Both wheels are strikingly awesome and are backed by complete warranties, where it applies.

At this time, our private label steering wheel outsells any other by 14-to-1 since its introduction about 2 weeks ago.

No core exhange is required for our private label steering wheel.

Thank you.

Autowerks Direct Sales
autowerksdirect.com
858-569-2447

[EDWARD CONROY]

Well, I called Michael at Autowerks this morning. He quoted me a price $100 lower and they don't need my stock wheel. So I placed the order. By the time it comes in I'l be able to put the summer tires on and maybe another upgrade or two. Nobody can ever accuse us of leaving well enough alone.