lfranklin

Why can't you get this option/accessory with distronic?

ngerstman

I wonder if it's the lane wandering warning system that's the constraint. That system "bonks" the steering wheel when you wander out of the lane. Regards. Ned.

hanjaya1

The wood/leather steering wheel does not have the vibrator motor and place to put it. You may have to modify it and it seems to be too complex.

rovermark

No. I have the wooden steering wheel along with the lane wandering departure system.

Probably because the system was never tested with that combination.

E550Shopper

You can get both these options. You can configure it this way on mbusa.com. I've ordered my car this way as well.

WGB

I have this combination - it is standard in Australian delivered E500 (E550).



I would not have chosen it in preference to an all leather wheel but since the car came with it I have found it looks and feels good.

The wood can get hot when parked in the sun and it certainly vibrates through all the functions of lane assist, blind spot assist, and when the coffee cup appears (only seen this once) .

And yes my car has distronic.

lfranklin

I notice in the pic there are no "paddles" on the steering wheel, perhaps there is a diff between Aus & US. I spoke with MBUSA and the problem is only with the "ash" wood wheel/sport model. They said with the Distronic & the features there simply isn't enough "room" for the ash wheel. Beats me, but that's their explanation.

hyperion667

lol, still weird's me out to see the wheel on the passenger side......
I'd love to drive a car like that someday.......

lfranklin

I went to grad school in England, and it is amazing how quickly you adapt to driving on the "wrong" side.

hyperion667

I'd be very freaked out with a clutch.....isn't it all backwards?

lfranklin

No. brake is in the middle, clutch on the left. Shifting with the left hand takes a little practice, but it sort of comes naturally.