I have a 2006 ML500 with the wood/leather steering wheel.

I was wondering if I can replace the buttons without replacing the complete steering wheel.

Thanks.

 

Doubt it. The airbag is seperate so the wheel shouldnt be too badly priced.

 

They are replaceable, found them on ebay. The dealer aslo quoted me on them.

Steering wheel lists for $1100 and it doeasn't include the buttons. That's badly priced.

 

$1100 for the wood and leather wheel in my book is a fair price.

 

Yeah, but the buttons only cost $80 shipped. A lot less than replacing a perfectly good steering wheel.

 

Thats true but will they match the color of the wheel which may be faded.

 

For the difference of $1000 I'll take my chances

 

Just in case you do have a wheel that has faded:

I had the stock wheel on my X5 fitted with wood trim by what was then American Stitches in Dallas. Now called Craft Customs. http://www.craftcustoms.com/

They refinish the existing wheel. You have to send them a piece of wood trim (eg: the front of the ashtray) so that they can match it. They also match all popular leather colors. About $600. The result is better than the factory wood wheel, IMHO. Downside is that unless you have access to another wheel, your vehicle is off the road for a couple of weeks. Also, as with the factory wood wheel, you lose wheel heating.

BTW, the price of the factory wood wheel on 2009 and up MLs is half as much again as what it used to be!