jwframe

I have a 86 300e and the steering wheel is rather large compared to more modern cars. Does anyone know if the later models got a smaller wheel? If so will it fit on my car? Will a wheel from another mb fit it? Please comment and post any specific info you have about steering wheels on the W124 in general. Thread Search Experts how about some links to previous discussions about this. Thanks and Best Regards.

ps2cho

The sportline/500E leather wheel is a great upgrade. I got one for my 260E and I love it. As soon as I can find one for my wagon I will get it. They are semi-rare to find though. You could always buy a trashed one and get it redone at a shop for ~$100 IIRC.

spetz

Any pictures of the 500 steering wheel?

AMGDave

The 500E steering wheel is 390mm diameter, compared to the more common 400mm diameter wheel. There are two types - an early Sportline wheel with the same airbag as all other 1992-95 cars, and a later Sportline wheel with a "triangle" shaped airbag (this was phased in during 1992 model year). I upgraded my 1992 500E to the later style wheel/airbag and have the stock/early type (290mm / 500E) available for sale, wheel+airbag, if anyone is interested. It will fit any W124 through 1993, and also the 201/129/etc chassis.


Click here for a photo of the early Sportline leather wheel as seen in my 1992 500E.

Click here for a photo of the late style Sportline wheel with the "triangle" airbag.


Any leather wheel is a nice upgrade from the vinyl wheel used on the early 124's though!

ps2cho

Interesting. Looks like I have that late style one! Thanks for the pics Dave.

spetz

How much do these cost though??? The triangle one has a tag of 1600USD??? Plus airbag?

AMGDave

Yep - new ones are crazy expensive. Used ones pop up on eBay, typical price is $400-$500 including airbag. The "triangle" airbag is difficult to find used, so be careful if you buy a used wheel without the airbag. I'd sell the setup from my 1992 500E for less though.

pifcat2

I miss my vintage AMG wheel, I never measured it but it was thicker, leather covered, and smaller diameter. They fit many models so they are hard to find and pricey in the US. No airbag though for those who want 15+ old airbags that may still work...

2PHAST

You can use any MB wheel from 1992-1999 (a few 2000's even) and retrofit to your 1986 model. For this, you would need the horn contact ring from a 92-93 model MB wheel. This contact ring can be easily installed on 94+ wheel.

You should look at my site, www.2phast.com/500e (under the interior section) which details several different wheel swaps. Currently, I am back to using a 1999 E55 wheel/airbag (sold the RAID)

Should also be noted that the regular wheels from 98-99 look the same as the 92-97 wheels, but MB changed the airbag design. So if for some reason you ended up buying a 98 wheel, you need to make sure you get a matching airbag from a 98 or 99 wheel. I explain this a bit more on my web site. When possible, always try to buy the wheel/airbag together, that way you avoid any compatibility issues.

spetz

2PHAST, that is a very nice steering wheel, but does it match the 124 interior?
I may just be used to mine, but it sort of looks too new for the car.
Either way, looks very nice

2PHAST

Hmm, well the original Sportline wheel was solid black (leather) and so is this one. The E55 wheel is smaller than the Sportline wheel and much thicker with ergo grips and perferated leather at the top.

Personal preference though, you can run with any wheel you like. I didn't really like the RAID wheel I had nor did the looks flow with the interior of the car, hence why I switched back to the E55 wheel. I won't be changing wheels again as IMO, this is the best wheel upgrade for any W124, W201, W126 etc.

Also, what is not shown in the picture is that I now am using the AMG airbag, looks exactly the same, just says AMG on it. Originally I elected to not use the AMG airbag, but since I recently added AMG wheels to the car, I swapped the bags.

ZorroAMG

I went with aftermarket MOMO a few years ago...no airbag but then again, I'd rather not drive around with a 20 year old first gen airbag/timebomb haha....

Old VS New (back in 2003 when I first got the wheel)

EDIT and here's a couple of more recent shots...

2PHAST

Thats a good looking wheel, like the two-tone

AMGDave

If you get a 1992-up airbag, it has no expiration date, as detailed in the attached factory TSB. I agree that it's not good to be using the pre-1992 style as it may not deploy in an accident, but upgrading to post-1992 is pretty simple. But I'd much rather have any airbag, even an first-gen airbag, than none at all.

spetz

What about post 92 airbags? Do they need replacing?

AMGDave

According to the factory PDF file in the previous post, no, they do not. Quote:
Translation - there is no longer a 15-year limit on airbag service life for the 1992-up airbags.

tmaguire

2PHast... Love the 92-97 AMG wheel (looks like my C43 wheel). What did you do with it when you went to the RAID wheel? Is it for sale? PM me

spetz

What is this RAID wheel everyone is talking about?

2PHAST

If you read my post, I sold the RAID and now have the E55 wheel back on the car w/AMG airbag. C43 and E55 wheels/airbags are identical.

2PHAST

A quick look at my web site would answer this question, but I will post anyway.

RAID wheels are the only aftermarket wheel to utilize a SRS Airbag. These are popular in Europe and Aston Martin uses them on some of their vehicles. The wheel is much smaller than any OE Mercedes wheel.

spetz

I looked in your site and I only saw a RAID picture which had an interior from what seemed like a very high end car (Aston Martin now as you mentioned it).

What gearknob do you have there?

2PHAST

You needed to scroll farther down that particular page, the first picture is of the Aston Martin, then it proceeds into the installation with additional pictures. The picture I posted is a direct link from that page, last picture of the install I think.

Shift knob is nothing special, just a leather W203 knob, believe its from a C230. Bought the whole assembly cheap, two dollars if I remember correctly. There are nicer knobs out there (if you want to spend $50-100 on one). I have a shift shaft from a W202 in the car, so I can use any of the newer twist on knobs.

jwframe

2phast What are the buttons to the left of the steering wheel for. I know that one is the euro headlight leveler. But was are the round knob and the two rectangular buttons for? Also, the top row of switches on your center panel seem different. Any thing different about that too? Just curious.

2PHAST

The round knob is a level adjuster for the Basslink T that I have. I took the level control apart and mounted the ckt board and knob in place of a LED that was included in the headlight level control panel.

The entire headlight level control panel is part of the Brabus Tempamatic system. The Tempamatic system includes a new dash mounted temp display, outside temp sensor and oil temp sensor. The buttons allow you to switch between outside temp's (in celcius) and oil temp. Oil temp sensor is mounted in the drain plug.

This item is not currently on my website, I did update it but must not of uploaded the changes to my ISP, so need to re-do it at some point. I will post a few pictures in this thread though.

1995E320Cab

These are nice looking wheels also