In the process of ordering an upgraded leather & wood steering wheel and got a response back from the manufaturer today that has got me confused. The response is below:

The W210 was build from 1995-2003

There are 3 steerings that can fit W210 until 2000

In my opinion in the USA you have only 2 types the ones that the dept of
the holder to fix the braket seat at 8cm deep 1996-1997.

The 1996 has a threaded pin which comes out to insert the exagonal screw
on the holder to fix the braket while the 1997 has a hole for the round
screw to go inside. (also the 1993 has a round screw but this core has 2 cm
deeper the holder to fix the braket) This steering is mainly for W124 and 140
for cars 1992-1995 (In europe very few cars are fitted with this old type
steering).

I will send you in a separated email those 2 steerinsg with the brakets
installed and also you can see the difference of the screws for 1996 and
1997.

After that you can check in USA and let us know.

I know some of you have specifically upgraded your 1997 W210 steering wheels and I could use your help to determine which to purchase. Also, if anyone has a photo of their core after removing the air bag would be helpful also. Thanks.

Quite frankly, why the hell would you buy an expensive product from a place that is 1-apparently unfamiliar with what exactly goes on your car, and 2-unable to communicate effectively with the english language?
Get your wheel redone to match exactly what you want, starting at only $209 US, from a guy IN the US, that speaks English, and understands English?

go to www.aglausa.com

The guys' name is Alan Gunnand he does high-end work on steering wheels and shift knobs, etc.
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First of all I am dealing directly with formymercedes.com and the response was sent to him and he was kind enough to inform me of the response from HIS manufacture, so thats the hell why! From what I understand this is not the first time formymercedes has provided this service and has shown to be pretty reputable. So it's ok, I appreciate the website information but the beginning tone I could do without.

Please don't mistake my typed words as 'having tone'. They do not. I do not mean to offend in the slightest.
I have had MANY email exchanges with Jerry @ formymercedes regarding the 210 wheel options (for a 2001 even!), and I decided to go a different route because of the costs and uncertainty of exact part number, exact color, etc.
He also doesn't provide any credit for a core against his merchandise, probably because it is new, and not remanufactured or recovered.

That makes some sense, but the price does not; not when you can order the same thing on your existing wheel that is 1-GUARANTEED to fit your car, & 2- sending it to the shop will essentially guarantee an exact color match.

A recent thread shows a picture of a nice looking wheel that doesn't quite match the interior of the car it was installed in. It wasn't off by enough to bother the owner, but it did spark some controversy and comments from others.
I dislike the potential of betting into the same position after spending $500 plus shipping.

Another option for the 'true DIY-type' is a recover kit offered by AGLAUSA. it is only $79 or so for a standard wheel. It obviously isn't appropriate for everyone to tackle, but the option is nice to have.

Again, please don't take my comments as having tone or attitude. I simply like to make sure of what I am buying, and figured others here do also.
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No sweat bruther, already made contact with Alan and he has been more than helpful many options available, decision made tonight and will close the deal with him tomorrow. Appreciate the connection, I had no clue someone was available in the states, thanks again for your help.

i had ordered a steering wheel at over $500 from jerry @ formymercedes, but i canceled it when he wouldn't answer my questions directly and he became very shaddy.

so are you going to contribute to the thread or keep posting smilies?

I thought BOTH of the smilies that I just 'contributed' were appropriate and that the information that I 'contributed' PRIOR to posting the smilies might have been enough words for most people to understand.

Sorry if my additional 'contributions' were somehow either over your head (as humor does sometimes actually miss the target audience), or possibly confusing.

This smilie is the perverbial 'beating a dead horse'. It means that there may actually be nothing more to say on this topic that has not ALREADY been covered.

I spent PLENTY of time finding this steering wheel guy BECAUSE i was looking for an alternative to the high prices, poor communication and 'take what you get' attitude from formymercedes.com.

Once another member confirmed the positive attributes of my alternate source, i figured the story should have concluded with a happy ending instead of creating a never-ending sequel.

If you prefer the poorer service (as in poor communication), higher prices, and limited product line offered by formymercedes.com, then be my guest to offer them your business.

I now offer no additional excuses, apologies, or other 'contributions' to this thread.
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this is entirely true and I agree with 100%.