jkirk

Thanks to the forum for alerting me to this option. I just installed it and it is one of the best things I could have done to my car!

cb

HHumbert

This is somewhat related. We bought this wheel as an add-on to our 2003 CL55 from the San Francisco MB dealer for, probably around $1500 or so (plus labor). It shortly developed a small crack on the back, and then it spread to the front.

We can get it fixed. The SF MB dealer will support us, but we'll be out of a wheel for 4 weeks or so.

Since we live in a downtown condo in San Francisco, we don't have a lot of storage space and she just chucked the original steering wheel (this was before we bought a weekend house in Marin with oooodddles of storage). Does anyone in the Bay Area have a loaner stock steering wheel that we could borrow for 4-6 weeks? As a token of my appreciation, I'll leave whatever deposit and an extra $100 for a tank of gas (or maybe not at the rate of gas prices) as a token of appreciation. Obviously, logistically, it makes sense if you're in the Bay Area.

My girlfriend (it's her car) really wants this fixed. If we do that, then we have to tool around in my old 95 E420 in the interim, or she has to tool around on the back of my BMW GS Adventure motorcycle. Probably not a bad thing, but not her first choice, I'm guessing.

Any kind (and somewhat trusting) souls out there? We can come up with whatever deposit/security that makes sense so you're protected. I just don't want to have to buy a brand new "throw-away" wheel. I've already scoured the online salvage sources, or at least a couple of them with the predictable luck.

Thanks,
-Mike

awiner

Interesting you brought this up. I just received my wheel back from MP Designs in Germany. My wheel had developed a stress crack in the upper wood portion as well. MP Designs warranted the wheel and replaced it with a new one once I sent mine back to them.

I still have my OEM wheel and was able to use it in the interim (3-4 weeks).

Frisco

HHumbert - Call Zim at Topline in Burlingame; he has a loaner steering wheel for customers that are having their wheels converted to the sport/ergo style and can probably do the repair for you as well.

tkracing

There is a guy out of Foster City CA that does them as well. His work is awesome and pretty cheap. Plus no sending in your wheel send him a pic of your exsisting and the color of your wood trim and here you go...

HHumbert

Thanks, all, for the suggestions. I think that I may call Zim if it's quick and inexpensive (<$300) or so. I'd love to get a second option in Foster City, but lacking a name, probably can't reach him.

Adam -- what was the term of the warranty? Greater than 1 year?

Thanks,
-Humbert Humbert

awiner

I had my wheel over 2 years when it started to crack and they (MP Designs) took care of me with no problems.

tkracing

Foster city contact is Gary Peng at 650 358 8788. Leave a message as he travels alot for work.

He has a warranty as well but I have had 3 made by him over the last 4 years and the oldest looks just like it did when I bought it from him. He also met me and installed it in about 10 mins. Popped out the airbag and put it back in no prob! He takes your old wheel for his cheap price but to me was much worth it.

phattbam

that is a nice wheel plus that color is gorgeous. what was the turn around time on that?

phattbam

would you like us to use your name as a referal when we contact him?

tkracing

Its cool but thanks. He knows already.. Let me know when you get a hold of him and what the final product looks like.
Thanks

phattbam

I spoke to a lady that returned call. Gary's out on business now and was unable to reply back to an email I sent him.

raycanales

so is the wheel still available from autowerks?