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Wondering why my wife’s AMG GLC43 Coupe has a different steering wheel than my C63s. Hers is the heated wheel mine is not. Mine has AMG badge, more polished metal, and a flat bottom. Is this because hers is heated? Noticed many on YouTube have the flat bottom and badge on the GLC. Any ideas???
GLC Wheel
Yes its because its heated, you only get the flat bottom steering wheel if you don't get the heated wheel.
Does as anyone know if the heated steering wheel can be swapped for the flat bottom wheel with more polished metal? My wife hates the look of the heated wheel. $$$
I already checked into this. You can do a swap for the flat bottom but you will lose the heated steering wheel function. I also hate the look of the heated steering wheel but when the weather is freezing, I prefer the function of the heated steering wheel keeping my hands warm versus the look of the flat bottom.
I already checked into this. You can do a swap for the flat bottom but you will lose the heated steering wheel function. I also hate the look of the heated steering wheel but when the weather is freezing, I prefer the function of the heated steering wheel keeping my hands warm versus the look of the flat bottom.
If you had to do it all over again, would you still pick the heated wheel?
If you had to do it all over again, would you still pick the heated wheel?
I had the flat bottom steering wheel on my previous MB cars and it fit the overall interior sportiness theme. With my current GLC43 (which the dealer custom order) it’s looks like the dealer chose to go more of the luxury route with the diamond white designo interior with grey seatbelts and to me the steering wheel would look out of place if had the flat bottom. If I had the red and black stitched interior or the black designo trim it would look better.
So to answer your question, if I had custom ordered the GLC43 to my specs, I would have bought the flat bottom steering wheel but with a more sportier interior scheme/theme to match. Also, I would wear gloves if it was too cold like I did in my previous cars. I am not sure why Mercedes can’t give us a flat bottom steering wheel with the heating element outside of the s-class.
If you had to do it all over again, would you still pick the heated wheel?
I would not order the heated wheel again. I skipped it on my car...the C63s simply because we live in Houston. Seldom needed. Wanted my wife to have the luxury on her car but she wished she had the sportier wheel. Oh Well...
For me, I would order heated steering wheel if I had to do it again, especially for winters like we have this year.
We still have snow on the ground as of now.
In this case,I'd prefer it's function over it's look.
I ordered my 2018 GLC43 specifically to have the flat bottom wheel. My previous E63S wagon had the real AMG wheel with alacantra and leather (slightly flat top and flat bottom). I have never seen the need to have a heated steering wheel (even with frigid winters). The leather steering wheel does not get that cold...just my opinion.
I had the flat bottom steering wheel on my previous MB cars and it fit the overall interior sportiness theme. With my current GLC43 (which the dealer custom order) it’s looks like the dealer chose to go more of the luxury route with the diamond white designo interior with grey seatbelts and to me the steering wheel would look out of place if had the flat bottom. If I had the red and black stitched interior or the black designo trim it would look better.
So to answer your question, if I had custom ordered the GLC43 to my specs, I would have bought the flat bottom steering wheel but with a more sportier interior scheme/theme to match. Also, I would wear gloves if it was too cold like I did in my previous cars. I am not sure why Mercedes can’t give us a flat bottom steering wheel with the heating element outside of the s-class.
It's interesting that you say that because I'm currently torn between the heated steering wheel and the AMG Alcantara wheel. I have the older generation heated wheel in the E350 and although it's not as special as an AMG wheel, it's not terrible and the heating function is great during the freezing winter days, especially in the early mornings and late evenings.
I've begun speccing out a GLC43 and test drove one with the carbon fibre trim and heated wheel and I didn't find it too bad - the wheel felt decent in my hands and an improvement in mine. (Pics below.)
However, with such a sporty interior I do agree that a sportier wheel would be more suitable. Therefore I'm leaning towards the AMG Alcantara wheel over the heated wheel, especially since I might be moving to the DMV area soon and the winters aren't as bad to require the steering wheel heating. I don't like the flat bottom so much and would prefer something more round (especially when making tight turns), which the other wheels are.
The only thing I'm concerned about is the wear and tear of the Alcantara, especially with sweaty hands in those DC summers with ridiculous humidity. The heated wheel you have seems more durable in that regard. If it had the same metal paddle shifters I wouldn't mind as much.
Last edited by MB300AMG; Apr 23, 2018 at 09:18 PM.
I ordered my 2018 GLC43 specifically to have the flat bottom wheel. My previous E63S wagon had the real AMG wheel with alacantra and leather (slightly flat top and flat bottom). I have never seen the need to have a heated steering wheel (even with frigid winters). The leather steering wheel does not get that cold...just my opinion.
Sure you will need lot more care on alcantara vs leather. the good thing is our AMG steering only had small portion alcantara. there are some youtube videos can show you how to maintenance them.
My experience from maintaining the alcantara on my E63 wagon steering wheel was to clean it with a damp microfiber cloth. There is really no need for anything beyond water. The alacantra always looked great after I cleaned it which I did monthly. My 2018 GLC43 does not have alacantra (maybe since it is not the GLC63).
My experience from maintaining the alcantara on my E63 wagon steering wheel was to clean it with a damp microfiber cloth. There is really no need for anything beyond water. The alacantra always looked great after I cleaned it which I did monthly. My 2018 GLC43 does not have alacantra (maybe since it is not the GLC63).
Good to know, thanks.
And yes you are correct, the 2018's don't get the alcantara wheel but they are introducing the option for the 2019 MY which is why I'm considering it now. Alcantara vs. heated wheel and basically whether to pick trailer hitch (for bikes) or parking package are the only two things I'm still on the fence on.
I believe you can still install aftermarket tow hitch (for bike rack etc...) with the Advanced parking assist pkg. don't quote me on this because I still haven't got my car yet LOL so I am not 100% sure, but I think I read it some where here. and my sales guy say the same. otherwise I won't get this pkg as well.
And yes you are correct, the 2018's don't get the alcantara wheel but they are introducing the option for the 2019 MY which is why I'm considering it now. Alcantara vs. heated wheel and basically whether to pick trailer hitch (for bikes) or parking package are the only two things I'm still on the fence on.
I would go with the alacantra wheel since over the full year you will not likely use the heated steering wheel feature all that much and the sport wheel looks way better than the heated wheel (in my opinion). I know I would not order the heated wheel. I did not order the trailer hitch but certainly could use it for bikes as well. I do have the park assist but I have not investigated the trailer hitch install. I think if you order the trailer hitch from the factory you can also order the package that includes the park assist (at least the online order system allows you to add it).
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