Just wanted to share that my C63 steering wheel comes in today. Because I couldn't find a vendor that would do an affordable custom wheel with the paddle shifters, i just ordered a C63 wheel and airbag.

I probably won't see it till tomorrow because I won't get home till about midnight but we'll see.

 

Worthless with out pics!!!!!!!!!!!

 

I know my bad. But it was crazy quick shipping from Europe. Last I checked the tracking it was at a chicago sort facility this morning.

 

True... How much did you pay if you dont mind me asking?

 

He doesn't have the s/wheel yet, so he can’t post pics.
Post pics once you get it.

 

$1600 including shipping

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Merce...#ht_2441wt_989

 

just tried to post pics but imageshack is blocked at work.

 

Really quick question. Dealer quoted me $140 to remove and replace my steering wheel. Do you guys think that is too much?

 

It's way too much for a ten minute job. Since my own new wheel has arrived (not C63) I just posted an inquiry on another thread asking how the wheel is fastened to the steering shaft. Big 21mm nut like the old cars or?? So far no answer so I guess none one noticed.

Two torx bolts hold the bag on but then what socket is needed?

 

Yeah I thought it would be 30 mins max if the guy didnt know what he was doing. I went to the dealer after they quoted me over the phone and asked to see a text so he could explain why it was 140. He couldn't do it so they said yeah max it would be half an hour.

This should help you though. Don't know if the size of the big nut is the same...

http://www.marcusfitzhugh.com/CLK/DI...gwheelrem.html

 

Thanks very much. This is exactly what I needed and I'm going to assume that the W203 3/8" 10mm center allen bolt is carried over to the W204 and will pick up the wrench tomorrow. Come to think of it, the big center nut is in my no-airbag Porsche.

I stood by while a dealer tech swapped the wheel in my 2001 C320 back about 2002 and it did take about ten minutes. Just removing the key was all that was needed.

 

I got my Alcantara C63 wheel last week. I removed the shift paddles. As soon as I get some plates to fill in the paddle locations and install it, I will post pics. I think Vic Viper installed his by himself. Make sure you disconnect the battery first.

 

No amount is too much in my opinion to have something installed by an expert that is guaranteed to be done correctly....If you have the money....

 

Why didn't you just get the sphere motors w204 dtm wheel ?.... looks like it doesn't have the paddle shifters

 

Kinda how I feel. They charged by the estimate books they have so it doesn't matter how long or short it takes. Still ended up paying $120.

 

Here are the pics

Overall the C63 wheel feels MUCH smaller than the 350 wheel. The thick grip and smaller circumference feel great in my hands and feels a lot sportier. The 350 was my first car with a "grandma" type wheel..I knew I'd eventually get a different steering wheel before I bought the car. It took much longer than expected because I didn't anticipate how expensive it would be. But to me it is a very worthwhile upgrade.

C350


C63


The paddle shifters on the C63 wheel are a little longer and are made of aluminum I'm guessing. They feel a better quality than the plastic and I like that they say down and up, and I like that they are much more prominent from the front.

C350


C63


C350


C63

 

Impatient with waiting for a short appointment at my dealer to swap the wheels, I decided today to do it myself. The 3/8 drive 10mm allen wrench from Sears was just what I needed. Removing the airbag was easy with the torx 30 bit. Two plugs to release and pull out. I was unable to break the 10mm center nut loose even with an 18" bar so I broke out my new Milwaukee 28V impact wrench which did the deed.

Reinstalled in reverse order and the wheel is beautiful, complementing the burl walnut elsewhere.

Forty minutes total and I could do it in twenty, now.

 

Just as a heads up for anyone wanting to do this

You're gonna want to disconnect the SRS relay so that it's not possible for the airbag to blow up in your face. In all the Benzes I've worked on, it's in the passenger foot-well area. It should be a small red box that you just disconnect

The procedure you stated is the same on all Benzes, either a T25 or T30 for the airbag and 10mm nut for the wheel

Love that new steering wheel!

 

did u have paddle shifters in your car -- if not, how did you get the c63 shifters to work?

 

As you can see in my pics, my oem wheel had black paddle shifters.

 

I was really frustrated with the quality of the standard wheel. It did take a bit of time to source the right people and get the kind of quality finished I wanted. I am now offering a hand finished C63 style wheel that allows you to keep the existing airbag for £259. You can either send back your original wheel or we can provide a donor wheel for an extra £111. (plus postage)

Having tried out the C63 wheel it really is lovely with the slightly smaller diameter and flat bottom, but I wasn't willing to pay over £1200.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2611062674...84.m1586.l2649

 

i wish they can figure out how to enable paddle shift for the c300 in the states

 

You didn't get the 2012 style steering wheel?

 

having read other threads, there are compatibility issues with the steering wheel from the facelift model. Apparently the buttons dont light up without some wiring modification and you need to get the onboard computer reprogrammed for the updated airbag.

Just to add to my previous post. I have now modified the wheel to accept the AMG alloy steering paddles, which look much better but also feel great to use.

 

If you ike the C63 style wheel but either manual or non-compatible you can either leave the paddles on for appearance or remove them and blank out the hole. I know I couldnt live with the skinny and plastic feel of the original.