ML350 Worn Leather Steering Wheel
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ML350 Worn Leather Steering Wheel
Anyone have the padding on the top of the steering wheel underneath the leather wear out? 85,000 miles on my 14 ML350 and my steering wheel has worn out at the top to the point it is mushy where i grip. Car is a month out of CPO. Dealer said there is no reupholstering, just have to purchase a new steering wheel to the tune of $1800! Called corporate MB to complain a steering wheel is not suppose to wear out this fast. The only thing they offered was to cover the $250 in labor. I'd still have to pay $1800 for the new wheel. Kinda disappointed. Car has been pretty good but I have rattle coming from the cupholder area, suspension feels bouncy (new shocks!) and now this steering wheel issue has me second guessing whether or not I want to keep this vehicle as I question the build quality of it holding up long term. Is Lexus any better?
Super Member
Joined: Sep 2018
Posts: 706
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From: Los Angeles, CA
'22 GLE 350 | '15 ML250 | '87 560SL | '19 GLC 300 | '12 C250 (sold) | '02 ML500 | '98 C230
Anyone have the padding on the top of the steering wheel underneath the leather wear out? 85,000 miles on my 14 ML350 and my steering wheel has worn out at the top to the point it is mushy where i grip. Car is a month out of CPO. Dealer said there is no reupholstering, just have to purchase a new steering wheel to the tune of $1800! Called corporate MB to complain a steering wheel is not suppose to wear out this fast. The only thing they offered was to cover the $250 in labor. I'd still have to pay $1800 for the new wheel. Kinda disappointed. Car has been pretty good but I have rattle coming from the cupholder area, suspension feels bouncy (new shocks!) and now this steering wheel issue has me second guessing whether or not I want to keep this vehicle as I question the build quality of it holding up long term. Is Lexus any better?
https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_fro...wheel&_sacat=0
Last edited by we47b1me; Jun 7, 2019 at 03:52 PM.
Super Member
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 889
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From: Southern Illinois
, 2023 BMW X4, 1991 190E
I have a brown leather steering wheel off a 2015 ML, that I replaced with a wooden wheel. I purchased the wooden wheel off eBay and had the local dealer swap them. Contact me if interested.
Junior Member
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 21
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From: Seattle WA
Ml350 bt
Another option is to have your wheel (or any cheap ebay wheel) reskinned. That way you get to get to customize it the way you want, with better quality leather than the factory. A good company I've had success with (though not with an MB wheel) is royal steering wheels in the UK. All in with shipping both ways is about $325-ish (I had the wheel thickened and thumb grips added). They also ship you a wheel to use while yours is being worked on as an option. Down side is you'll need to know how to replace the wheel yourself (youtube has videos on it), or incur more costs having it done professionally.
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Joined: Jan 2013
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From: The Great White North
W204 C63 Coupe, W166 ML350 BlueTEC, 928GT, Taycan GTS Sport Turismo, C5 Z06 & IS300 race cars
Lexus is way ahead of Mercedes in terms of quality and durability. Personally I can't stomach the look of the RX, but if you're objectively comparing midsize luxury SUVs to keep in the long term and can live with the looks of the RX, it is a better buy in all respects.
