tmaguire

I recently purchased an SLK32AMG steering wheel (new takeoff, old stock) from ebay. On the premise that I'd be able to use this on my 1994 E320 coupe. It was an amazingly easy DIY.
1) remove the airbag (2 torx on the back of the steering wheel)
2) disconnect airbag connector
3) disconnect 2 horn leads
4) remove 10mm hex allen bolt holding wheel on
5) pull to remove old steering wheel

reverse the process for putting the R170 wheel on...

Everything fit, SRS (airbag) connector, horn leads, even the contact ring openings on the wheel itself were the same.

15 minute job.

The wheel cost me $300.00 from ebay....

speedracervroom

sweet any other wheels that fit?

tmaguire

check out this thread: https://mbworld.org/forums/e-class-w...el-thread.html

Saijin_Naib

Awesome job man! I really want to know if the Smart Car steering wheel fits. I love the molded feel of it.

tmaguire

The Brabus Smart wheel is smoking hot.... agree it would be nice to know if it fits....

2PHAST

There is a general consensus that the 2000+ airbags are not compatible, but of course there are a few exceptions (the SLK airbag from 99-02). This is due to the fact the the SLK never received the steering wheel controls (which also included the new dual stage airbag).

The 2000+ wheels/airbags do fit the W124 though, but the airbag is not compatible with the W124 SRS system and it won't deploy in the event of an accident.

I don't have an answer on the Smart car, never heard or seen one installed on a W124. Not even sure if the splines on the wheel would be compatible, let alone the airbag. My guess would be no, but if you get a chance to pick up one of the wheels go for it and report back.

tmaguire

2PHAST thanks for the info. I spent a fair bit of time on your site before doing this mod.

2PHAST

Glad to hear that the info was helpfull. I did see the wheel you purchased on Ebay, that was a great buy.

Saijin_Naib

As always, not in a financial state where I can do this just for yucks/info gathering purposes. However, I'll keep an eye out if possible. I do have a 94/95 Wheel/Bag from JoeF so I'm hoping to upgrade to that in short time.

What do you think of this wheel for the money?
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Merce...Q5fAccessories

I'm quite in love with the moulded handles and the look. I believe they are built off of OEM Mercedes Wheel cores.

2PHAST

Yes this wheel is built from a Mercedes core, so expect it to be large (400mm). Can't comment on the quality though.

Looks like you have a 1990 model, to use this wheel, you will need a 92-93 contact ring to go with this wheel.

Also, be carefull if you decide to buy one of these "custom built" wheels. Make sure you get the internals and you know what year the core is from. 92-97 wheels use the same airbags, but 98-99 wheels use a different airbag. Although the wheels/airbags all look the same, they are not interchangable (can't use a 92 airbag on a 98 wheel)

Floobydust

I bought a wheel from this very vendor for my Cabrio. The quality is excellent and it fit perfectly using my original airbag. It even came with the extra leather that was used to wrap it (presumably for repairs). It was truly a 15 minute upgrade.

Even though redlinessport lists themselves as being in Rowland Heights, California, the wheel shipped directly (but quickly) from Taiwan and the Paypal invoice showed the company was in London - worked for me, but could be an issue if you have problems. I have attached a pic of my wheel which I think is higher resolution than their ebay pics.

- FD

Saijin_Naib

Okay, so I have the 93/94 wheel from JoeF. Now, do you happen to have a picture on your site of what the "contact ring" looks like on its own? I'm not 100% I have that part, but I have the airbag and the wheel. The 93/94 were 390mm correct, and the 92 and previous were 400mm? So I'm okay with the diameter of the wheel (it allows me to view the cluster without the rim obstructing any of the instrumentation).

Saijin_Naib

How is the physical feel? Is it plush? Is the wood part slippery when lets say, your hands are sweaty? Conversely, is the perforated leather tacky/sticky?

2PHAST

Pretty much everything you need to know about steering wheel swaps is on my site. www.2phast.com/500e under interior.

Pretty sure that wheel is 400mm, the Sportline wheel was 390mm. 92-93 wheels had the contact ring on the back, 94+ has a black plastic filler piece on the rear of the wheel. If yours has the plastic filler piece, you would need to remove it and install the contact ring. If you indeed purchase a contact ring, make sure you get the screws for it as well.

Saijin_Naib

https://mbworld.org/forums/4248750-post465.html

I need the newer style ring than the one on my current 90 wheel right? However, would the screws between the old style ring and the new style ring still be compatible?

2PHAST

The contact ring from a pre 92 model will not fit a post 92 wheel.

Don't know if your screws from your 90 will work or not, never tried it.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Merce...item4cf1606a78

This wheel appears to still have the contact ring. You could always purchase this wheel (or one like it), take the contact ring and then re-sell the wheel.

Saijin_Naib

Thanks for that Rick, I'll be watching that one for now.

Floobydust

The wood is finished in high gloss polyurethane like most. It is very smooth, but not slippery (haven't tired this wet). The leather is stretched over a hard backing and has a very taught, high quality feel to it - it's not sticky, tacky, or slippery in any way. I wouldn't call the feel "plush" per se, more like all business.

BTW, I sent an ebay "ask seller" question and asked them to confirm fit for the W124. They did and it did.

- FD

Saijin_Naib

Thanks for the info Flooby, it looks like a beautiful wheel. Though honestly, I think I'd get the all leather one because A) cheaper B) matches OEM wheel better C) only one grip/feel on the wheel surface.

Sorry if I'm threadjacking/being a pain in the *** tmaguire, just collecting information as always :\

Saijin_Naib

http://www.smartcarofamerica.com/for...arrived-28426/

We're a bit closer to finding out about the Smart Car wheel. Tbone has told me that the stock American Smart Car airbag is 2-stage (not compatible?), BUT the Brabus one is 1-stage (possibly compatible?).

There are also some pictures of the Smart Car wheel in that thread but we have no sizing reference.

tmaguire

threadjacking?? nah, good info is good info... love it. Can't wait to hear if the Brabus Smart wheel will work..

Saijin_Naib

I've got to track one down, they are NOT cheap, that is for sure. If you're interested, you can take a look as well.

Do you know anyone with a Smart?