steering wheel question
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 308
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From: Houston, TX
2003 E500
steering wheel question
Just wondering what you guys thought of this.. I took delivery of my 03 E brand new (nav replacement) back in 03 and remember the steering wheel felt so GOOD in my hands. THe leather was so soft and supple and.. just great. Anyways over the past few years... and has become slightly discolored in some spots and along the back edge especially on the top of the wheel.. it looked like the wheel was actually peeling as some of the material was gone from the wheel... and created a two tone appearance.
I had my dealer/service dept look at it.. and at first he was like.. WOW.. never seen that before.. and we began talking "warranty issue"/replacement. Well, after then checking with "his boss" they decided to call a professional restoration specialist.. and it seems like all he did was paint/dye the wheel. My car now smells like a new house not a new car (lol!!). Anyways, it's a bit better than it was.. but I'm like eh?? Should a steering wheel be doing this?
The only stuff that touches the wheel is my hands.. and the occassional Meguairs GC Leather wipes.. or sometimes (very rarely) the Lexol leather conditioner. THe service guy was like the restoration guy was asking "what did he put on the wheel?" Eh??
Anyways... I know it gets hot in the summers in Houston... but I've never seen this... thought maybe it was a defective wheel/leather.
Just wondering what your thoughts were.
Thanks
Peter
I had my dealer/service dept look at it.. and at first he was like.. WOW.. never seen that before.. and we began talking "warranty issue"/replacement. Well, after then checking with "his boss" they decided to call a professional restoration specialist.. and it seems like all he did was paint/dye the wheel. My car now smells like a new house not a new car (lol!!). Anyways, it's a bit better than it was.. but I'm like eh?? Should a steering wheel be doing this?
The only stuff that touches the wheel is my hands.. and the occassional Meguairs GC Leather wipes.. or sometimes (very rarely) the Lexol leather conditioner. THe service guy was like the restoration guy was asking "what did he put on the wheel?" Eh??
Anyways... I know it gets hot in the summers in Houston... but I've never seen this... thought maybe it was a defective wheel/leather.
Just wondering what your thoughts were.
Thanks
Peter
Member
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 112
Likes: 0
From: New Jersey
E500
I also have an '03 Nav-replacement E500 with a heated Ash wheel. I just recently replaced it with a heated wood/leather wheel. I didn't notice any wear or discoloration anywhere on the original wheel. You didn't say if you're still within factory warranty. If so and you're not satisfied with the repairs, you should insist on a replacement. Unless they can prove you subjected it to unusual wear and tear, I don't see how they could deny you.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 5,017
Likes: 16
From: Ft. Lauderdale Area, USA
2015 ML 350
I have a wood wheel... I notice that the color is very thin on the leather part at the 7 o'clock position where I NEVER hold the wheel, and that the wheel is smooth there. (No little wrinkles/grain. ) I believe it is caused by mechanics with grease/oil/hand cleaner/chemicals on their hands/gloves that touch the wheel there and affect the leather when the car is in for service.
How else can the wheel have that damage in a spot I never rest my hand in while driving? And thats the ONLY spot.
How else can the wheel have that damage in a spot I never rest my hand in while driving? And thats the ONLY spot.
