ashrek77

Just ordered e43. There is no heated steering wheel option anywhere. It may not be important for some but I hoped to get it. There is a slim chance that it is a part of premium 2 package. On e300 it's $250 like on other vehicles. Delivery should be in 3-4 months but not confirmed yet.

kmaheshwaran

Hi,

I checked with the dealer and E43 does not have this option , not sure why. Which dealer did you order? Did they provide any discount?

Thanks

c4004matic

Looks like no one ever answered this one so I will. The heated steering wheel is a Mercedes round wheel type. AMG (flat bottom) does not offer any heated ones only different materials (partial or all alcantara). Since the E43 only comes with AMG style, no heated option exists. Not only does the alcantara wheel feel fabulous, given its "fuzziness" it does not suffer from unduly "coldness". The E 43 only offers the wheel with alcantara at the 3 and 9 positions. You should try it, its one of those must have options which is why the base price of the E43 is just an illusion, most will be in the low to mid 80K range.

ashrek77

Thanks.

Are you suggesting to get: Amg Performance Steering Wheel (L6I) - $500 instead of standard Amg steering wheel?

I drove e43 with standard steering wheel option. It was similar if not the same as on my 2014 e550.

c4004matic

Yes, the optional one is the alcantara one.
Its the same wheel as the standard one but with alcantara inserts. On some ''real'' AMG's the whole wheel is alcatara. In my book its a must have, it gives the wheel a whole different feel, not only is it much gripper but its even thicker, plus, it doesn't feel cold. The steering wheel is the only part of the car you touch with your bare skin, for me, its an essential part of how the car feels.

mjsbenz

Another reason why the E43 would have not worked for me. I need the heated steering wheel.

Russ103

I'm a bit of a clean freak, so how would you clean the alcantra steering wheel that eventually absorbs oil from your hands, along with germs, dust, etc?

They look and feel great though.

c4004matic

A little brushing with a soft brush now and then should do it. Furthermore, its a plastic so soap and water should do too. The entire headliner is also alcantara. Looks fabulous!

c4004matic

Alcantara is composed of about 68% polyester and 32% polyurethane,[5] giving increased durability and stain resistance. The appearance and tactile feel of the material is similar to that of suede, and it may be incorrectly identified as such.

c4004matic

From wikipedia:

roger23

Confirmed....
I just ordered a 2018 E43, and here in Canada, a heated steering wheel is also not available, with the AMG (flat bottom) wheel.
Neither the standard AMG nor the optional AMG wheel has the heated option.
Not available in North America.

c4004matic

As far as I know no AMG steering wheel is heated, anywhere. As of yet.

c4004matic

BTW I made a booboo on this thread (I hadn't received my car then), the headliner on the E43 is not alcantara, its black stretchy regular fabric.

roger23

Actually, that's why I am upset......
The AMG performance steering wheel has the 'heated' option on the GL, GLE, and S class.
Some marketing genius (I would like to choose another word) at MB decided that no one ordering an E43 in North America, would want that option....

c4004matic

The S class has a completely different wheel not available in any other Benz. The AMG version of that wheel is exactly the same as the non AMG version but wrapped differently and with an AMG badge. On the EClass the standard and AMG versions are completely different. No real AMG sourced flat bottomed steering wheel is heated.

roger23

My apologies.....
You are correct......
Doing some further digging, it turns out no 'official' AMG flat bottom steering wheel has the heated option.....
Maybe (tongue in cheek) MB wants us to use the Drive Pilot all the time, as the door armrests, and console covers are heated, so we would rest our arms there, and not touch the steering wheel......
Seriously though, is there a technical reason why its not available, or is it simply a cost issue ?

c4004matic

I guess they simply havent gotten around to it or they simply see it as an option that the luxury rather than the sport buyer is looking for. Im sure they have a commitee somewhere that decides these things. In addition you can always prwarm the car with your phone to minimize the chill That is if mbrace is cooprerative at the time

ua549

Creature comfort and AMG are opposites.

roger23

Believe it or not, that was the answer from MB Canada, that AMG drivers are less concerned about creature comfort things like a heated steering wheel, and more about the performance and handling.
Yet (sarcasm now), MB goes to the trouble of having a heated armrest and heated console covers as standard, or optional equipment .
Your arms should not be on either of those places during spirited driving, but on the steering wheel !

c4004matic

I think my E43 doesnt have warmed armrests either, I have to check.

roger23

They are included with the Premium Package in Canada

petee1997

I don't get it. What is the difference running a heat tape in a square or round steering wheel? And E43 buyers don't care about heated steering wheel? Well, this E43 buyer, really cares in frozen Ottawa.

roger23

I am also in Canada , and I still cant fathom the answer from MB Canada, that " AMG drivers are more concerned about handling, than comfort".
Yet they provide heated console lids and door armrests.....
Maybe there is a technical person on this site, who can explain if there is a technical assembly issue, why AMG steering wheels cannot be heated....
It cant be the 'shape', as other manufacturers have heated, flat bottom steering wheels...
Is it available in European spec'd E43's ?

c4004matic

I don't know if its available in the EU.
There is no technical issue, probably an issue of the manufacturer where the wheel is sourced from or simply that they have a lot of non heated AMG style wheels they need to get rid off. The AMG wheel is a low volume item to begin with (thus the premium price) adding a heated version is simply another item to carry, maybe if they made them all heated it would be simpler. As UA pointed out, AMG was not known for its comfort credentials, maybe now that they are mainstreaming that may change.
Ive lived "up north" for 20 plus years a heated steering wheel is not something that Ive "craved" very often. If the car has been outside at -35 degrees I just keep my gloves on till it warms., now that the car has remote start Ill just use that . BTW what about a "cooled" wheel? Ever had to grab a 200 degree "Texas baked" steering wheel????? I don't see much whinning about that!

ua549

I would buy a cooled wheel in a heartbeat. I bought ventilated seats but I could go for actively cooled seats.