ctouhey

Well, it took exactly 3 weeks from my order date for my Wood/Leather steering wheel to arrive. They called today about 5:00 PM. I didn't go by -- I just hope it matches. But given the car hasn't seen a ray of sun in it's relatively short life, I think it will.

It will be installed Thursday when I go in for service. I've got the drift-to-the-left problem documented in this forum. By the way, anyone here know what a Check Valve is? I was having drinks with a former NASCAR pit crew boss a few days ago who said if the car has rack & pinion steering I'd want to have that looked at as well as the camber adjustment. I've seen that the camber adjustment didn't work for some, so I'd like to mention it to the mechanic. I just don't want to sound like a jerk.

I also heard the ticking sound this weekend when gently accelerating from a stop. I think that was the first time the stereo's been off since I picked it up. The left rear reading light isn't working either.

And that Keyless Go...man, that's a mystery. I accidentally discovered that if I go to the passenger side, it works pretty much as advertised. Unfortunately, I didn't get the UK version, so I still need it to work on the left door as well. Plus, if I unlock on the right door, I get a beep alarm and a red speedometer screen saying "Key not recognized" while driving. It only happens once and just for a few seconds. I'm thinking about taking a picture of the key and leaving it in the car so they can get to know each other better.

Anyway, I'll let you know if any of my stuff gets fixed. This is a great forum -- at least I know the few small problems I'm experiencing aren't unique!

jhb

When did you receive your car? How long ago did you order the wood and leather wheel? What is the cost they are passing on to you? We ordered our E500 with it and the car was delivered last Monday without it. Thanks

ctouhey

The car was not ordered with it. I ordered it on Oct 7th (while waiting for the car) at a cost of ~$915 ($850 + tax). Sales is paying for the installation ~$81. The car arrived 10/21. (After sitting in the VPC since 9/25.)

etenn

I am still waiting for my car to arrive

But....my dealer says he has my wood wheel in stock and is holding it for me. I believe he has it now but will be greatly surprised if he hasn't given it to someone else by the time my car arrives.

I think I'll send him an e-mail rocket right now!!!!

abhansali

etenn,

how much more did you pay for the wood wheel? Just trying to see what the average dealer markup for this is..

etenn

I am paying $500. He said the list price is $705. but that he would install it for $500. I have an idea that his cost is somewhere around the $500. mark.

By the way, I did fire off an email last night telling my salesman to go get that wood wheel and hold it himself for me. Haven't heard from him. I know that everyone at the dealership has a customer for it. I may be the only one on this board with a wood steering wheel and no car.

jonboy

A check valve is a valve with a ball inside that slams shut if the fluid tries to reverse direction and flow backwards through a pipe. This is very common in firewater systems and especially chemical plants - water flowing backwards through a pump can turn the pump into a generator - a bad thing!

As far as your situation, the check valve is ensuring the liquid only travels in one direction.

Hope this helps!

R/Jon

Otto

etenn,

it is a good deal, $500, material + labor for a wood steering wheel. (I don't think your dealer can make money on it.)

is it a heated wood wheel?

jhb

ctouhey, was the $850 for a MB wood and leather wheel and does it including installation?

ctouhey

Yes.

I was taken aback when they said $850 when I saw it on MB site for $710, but then, hey, I wanted it. The parts guy told me that installation typically runs $81 and change, and he assumed it would be the same for an E500. But my sales person said that Sales would cover installation (like they haven't made about 10K off me already), so it's possible to pay more for drive off. I'll let you know Thursday if installation went fine, and assuming I get the Zaino stuff by the weekend and assuming it's sunny (whoa...that's a stretch), I'll post pics of a Zaino'ed Pewter with the wheel dressing up the interior.

etenn

Look forward to the pictures. Doing the Zaino yourself? How difficult is it? I never have been able to do a decent wax job. I wonder if I can find someone to do it for me?
Plenty of people doing waxing (using Carnuba mostly) but seem to draw a blank on the Zaino.

What exactly is it and how does it differ from wax? Really don't understand the "clay" and other processes. I know someone will direct me to the detail forum but I have looked there and didn't follow all the threads.

Any simple explanation?

muhri

For your pleasure, black bird eye maple wood wheel on charcoal leather.

blueeagle75

muhri2,
Is that charcoal or ash? I was wondering about the wood steering with the black maple. I ordered silver/charcoal but not sure about wood steering. Thanks.

muhri

blueeagle75, thats charcoal - there is another picture of ash/blackmaple available in the threads - search for ash/black wood thread adn youll see it - it has more contrast but I was worried about my expensive nappa leather getting dirty from people sitting on it/kids so i got anthracite instead.. ash and black maple really has a nice contrast .. stone does also check the peweter thread..

Crazy4Cars

Excuse me muhri2, that can not be charcoal, charcoal is much darker than that, take a look.

etenn

I also thought that it looked too light to be Charcoal.....maybe a trick of the light?

Is that your car or on a dealer floor? If yours, I am sure you know what color it is. :p

muhri

Crazy4Cars - Yes, the pictures are light but no this is charcoal. Its the light conditions and flash that make it look like that. W211 comes in Stone (Pebble Beige) - Ash (Light gray), Pacific Blue and Charcoal (Anthracite) standard colors (Not counting Designo) and thats no designo color.. Its just the light. You can find pictures of all but pacific blue and you know for sure this aint no ash or stone.. so what does it leave..