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We went to the dealer to inspect the OPBA trim and wood steering wheel.
I found both highly objectionable.
The wood is so heavily grained that it formed a distraction.
The steering wheel is so slick that it could be problematic during normal driving maneuvers. Beyond the slick wood, the wheel has no "nubs" on the rear surface to improve grip.
The trim above the glove box was significantly more grained than any of the door trim.
If you like your MB looking like the side of an oak coffin or a Louisville Slugger baseball bat, their Open Pore Brown Ash is just what your doctor ordered.
We have the open pore trim and like it the best of the options. The black was too black, and the others were too glossy for our taste... but to each their own. Buy what you like
I have it on mine, and it's one of the features I like best about the car. High gloss is definitely distracting to me.
To each their own. There's no accounting for taste or lack thereof, which is why there are options.
PS - Does the OP have nothing better to do than to post the same identical message with photos in six (6) different threads? Seems like harassment or Spam to me. Maybe "Troll" is the more applicable term.
i happen to love it! had i had the chance to build my own, i'd have gone with it! the other options are way too glossy! maybe we can switch! anyone want the normal glossy eucalyptus wood trim?
We went to the dealer to inspect the OPBA trim and wood steering wheel.
I found both highly objectionable.
The wood is so heavily grained that it formed a distraction.
The steering wheel is so slick that it could be problematic during normal driving maneuvers. Beyond the slick wood, the wheel has no "nubs" on the rear surface to improve grip.
The trim above the glove box was significantly more grained than any of the door trim.
If you like your MB looking like the side of an oak coffin or a Louisville Slugger baseball bat, their Open Pore Brown Ash is just what your doctor ordered.
My sale guy told me not to take this option, looks good when new, a year later with UV not so good.
My sale guy told me not to take this option, looks good when new, a year later with UV not so good.
Your sale guy doesn't know what he's talking about. I have not seen one complaint about the ash wood. I'm 2.5 years in and it looks new. I get more compliments on the ash than anything on the car. To each their own.
I've had my 13' ML550 with auburn Designo/Satin ash since Sept 12' and it looks brand new. I put over $22K in options on my truck and that is by far my favorite one. Everybody that sits in my truck comments on it and usually touch the wood. I've had service techs grab other service workers to show them the interior on more than one occasion. I agree with 27T, your salesman is steering you away from it for some other reason or he's just clueless.
...your salesman is steering you away from it for some other reason or he's just clueless.
None in stock.
Regarding whats on the lot for salesmen: "Sell what you can see... don't see what you can sell."
Regarding the shiny wheel... I've ordered MBs with wood wheels in 2004, 2007 and 2015 model years. They wear like iron, are comfortable as hell in the hand, and in no way inhibit life saving emergency driving maneuvers at 70 MPH. (Been there, done that.) Order what you like and don't overthink the entire situation if you lease, in 36 months you'll be on to the next one & if you buy, in 8 years you'll also be out. In both cases, the wood wheel will look as good as the day you picked it up.
All the wood choices offered by MB are beautiful each in their own way.
BTW, the steering is so over assisted in the 2015, you can spin the wheel like a Roulette wheel with 1 finger. You don't need nubs. Nobody's got a Freightliner grip on the wheel in these cars... and they certainly don't require any effort to steer.
Last edited by Barry45RPM; Feb 15, 2015 at 11:06 AM.
Ash looks great on my 2015 ML. Especially with Cinnebar paint. Have heated leather steering wheel so NO problem there. Remember that you are buying the car NOT the salesperson. Beauty is in the eyes of the beholder.
I love the open pore brown ash trim on my MY15 ML550. Goes beautifully with the designo chestnut brown leather. I like the hand crafted look to it. The other choices were too "factoryish" to me. This wood gives a warm, organic feel to the vehicle.
I'm another happy customer with the open pore satin trim. Looks great up against my wrapped dash.
I liked it so much I tried to source it to line the floor of the back cargo area with it. Thought it would be a nice touch with a few chrome slide rails added. Still wish I could pull it off but after three calls MB still wouldn't give my any leads.
If anyone has any ideas on how to pull this off, please chime in. I can handle putting a floor down but it's the finish that's the hard part. Been thinking about buying unfinished ash flooring and finishing it myself. Would be tough to match up though since it has to perfect to be in such a nice vehicle.
Last edited by SmokinReefer; Feb 16, 2015 at 09:25 AM.
I'm another happy customer with the open pore satin trim. Looks great up against my wrapped dash.
I liked it so much I tried to source it to line the floor of the back cargo area with it. Thought it would be a nice touch with a few chrome slide rails added. Still wish I could pull it off but after three calls MB still wouldn't give my any leads.
If anyone has any ideas on how to pull this off, please chime in. I can handle putting a floor down but it's the finish that's the hard part. Been thinking about buying unfinished ash flooring and finishing it myself. Would be tough to match up though since it has to perfect to be in such a nice vehicle.
interesting idea
Ash is relatively cheap, is available in veneers and plywood (no need to use flooring). if you could get a replacement hatch cover, strip the carpet off and glue the veneer on. Then all you need is some stainless trim around the edge (or chrome). You can test stain on the scraps left from when you cut the hatch to fit. I'd layer a coat or two of uv stable epoxy.
Recently, I have chosen anything but Burl Walnut....I have had it for years and it appears that M-B has depleted the forests! My 2013 GL has yellow strains running thru it and has pieces pieced together. No more burl walnut for me.
interesting idea Ash is relatively cheap, is available in veneers and plywood (no need to use flooring). if you could get a replacement hatch cover, strip the carpet off and glue the veneer on. Then all you need is some stainless trim around the edge (or chrome). You can test stain on the scraps left from when you cut the hatch to fit. I'd layer a coat or two of uv stable epoxy.
Thought about using a replacement cover. It comes with another chrome handle and would make a nice template. I personally think the flooring would look nicer with the joints every four inches or so and some chrome slides for protection. Never figured out what to do about the edges though. Getting the pores open and matching the finish is real tough though. I guess I need to find a real experienced wood worker
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