Steering wheel retrofit
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Jan 2026
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W166 ML 350 BT
Steering wheel retrofit
Hi,
I have a12' ml 350 166. I would like to get a 2016+ gle 63 steering wheel.
Is it a plug and play swap to install the 2016+ steering wheel?
And does the 205 C43/63 steering wheels also work or?
I'm having trouble finding information.
Thanks
David
I have a12' ml 350 166. I would like to get a 2016+ gle 63 steering wheel.
Is it a plug and play swap to install the 2016+ steering wheel?
And does the 205 C43/63 steering wheels also work or?
I'm having trouble finding information.
Thanks
David
Super Member
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 815
Likes: 174
From: USA
04 E55, 06 E55, 05 G55, 14 E63s, 12 cls63
it’s not plug and play win thr sense you just put it on, you will have to do some extra work
if you want to do a 2020 swap you’ll need a decoder
for any wheel retrofit you’ll also need an airbag
Super Member
Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 897
Likes: 94
From: at the mercedes dealer next to you
2020 GLE350 2020 Toyota Rav4H AWD XLE
1) Upgrade to a W166 Chassis (2012-2015) AMG steering wheel, since the shape of the airbag will be the same, you can take it to any dealer just pay for the labor (which could be under 100) for the install.
2) If you want the newer AMG model, you will need to purchase the wheel, the airbag (which could be expensive) since the shape is different, Then you would pay for the labor. Steering wheels arent a simple
plug n play switch out.
You can upgrade to any car steering wheel that you want, since it will fit. You just wanna make sure the airbag is there. Button wise, functionality wise, I would not be able to comment.
I had an X5 that I upgraded to a M steering wheel which was smaller/thicker and it still worked the same.
A Helpful thread to look at: https://mbworld.org/forums/m-class-w...-retrofit.html
Last edited by drwolf; Feb 23, 2026 at 03:39 PM. Reason: additions
Super Member
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 815
Likes: 174
From: USA
04 E55, 06 E55, 05 G55, 14 E63s, 12 cls63
Two ways you can do this
1) Upgrade to a W166 Chassis (2012-2015) AMG steering wheel, since the shape of the airbag will be the same, you can take it to any dealer just pay for the labor (which could be under 100) for the install.
2) If you want the newer AMG model, you will need to purchase the wheel, the airbag (which could be expensive) since the shape is different, Then you would pay for the labor. Steering wheels arent a simple
plug n play switch out.
You can upgrade to any car steering wheel that you want, since it will fit. You just wanna make sure the airbag is there. Button wise, functionality wise, I would not be able to comment.
I had an X5 that I upgraded to a M steering wheel which was smaller/thicker and it still worked the same.
A Helpful thread to look at: https://mbworld.org/forums/m-class-w...-retrofit.html
1) Upgrade to a W166 Chassis (2012-2015) AMG steering wheel, since the shape of the airbag will be the same, you can take it to any dealer just pay for the labor (which could be under 100) for the install.
2) If you want the newer AMG model, you will need to purchase the wheel, the airbag (which could be expensive) since the shape is different, Then you would pay for the labor. Steering wheels arent a simple
plug n play switch out.
You can upgrade to any car steering wheel that you want, since it will fit. You just wanna make sure the airbag is there. Button wise, functionality wise, I would not be able to comment.
I had an X5 that I upgraded to a M steering wheel which was smaller/thicker and it still worked the same.
A Helpful thread to look at: https://mbworld.org/forums/m-class-w...-retrofit.html
Super Member
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 545
Likes: 230
From: Toronto & California
2015 ML400 4MATIC, 2016 C300 4MATIC, 2014 E350 4MATIC (Totaled), 2006 E350 (Sold)
Transfer over your steering plate module and you'll be good. You'll need the switches from a pre-facelift 117 for the switches to work. They look very similar to other ones but notice the button layout to be different. Refer to W212 retrofits.
I haven't done it before, but should be straight forward.
I haven't done it before, but should be straight forward.
Super Member
Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 897
Likes: 94
From: at the mercedes dealer next to you
2020 GLE350 2020 Toyota Rav4H AWD XLE
I had a 2003 X5 and I wanted to retrofit to a heated 2004 X5 steering wheel (since it was a facelifted model), and I would have to pay much more if I wanted to go for the 2004 over the 2003.
Dont know if you have/had a BMW, but the M steering wheels with the 3 colors are really thick on the hands, was fun at the time.
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Super Member
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 815
Likes: 174
From: USA
04 E55, 06 E55, 05 G55, 14 E63s, 12 cls63
I understand. Im just giving my input as someone had it done.
I had a 2003 X5 and I wanted to retrofit to a heated 2004 X5 steering wheel (since it was a facelifted model), and I would have to pay much more if I wanted to go for the 2004 over the 2003.
Dont know if you have/had a BMW, but the M steering wheels with the 3 colors are really thick on the hands, was fun at the time.
I had a 2003 X5 and I wanted to retrofit to a heated 2004 X5 steering wheel (since it was a facelifted model), and I would have to pay much more if I wanted to go for the 2004 over the 2003.
Dont know if you have/had a BMW, but the M steering wheels with the 3 colors are really thick on the hands, was fun at the time.
bmw has a bunch of different cores for different models, while cores look identical not all splines fit (for newer ones mostly) bmw also made wheels for m and base models different thicknesses diameters. Mercedes are the same. Pretty much across the board 2012+ Mercedes wheels are more or less the same thickness +\- a couple mm, not enough to notice a difference. They are also a similar diameter with a very very small discrepancy
Mercedes unknowingly made it very simple for retrofits
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Super Member
Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 897
Likes: 94
From: at the mercedes dealer next to you
2020 GLE350 2020 Toyota Rav4H AWD XLE
BMW and Mercedes are very different.
bmw has a bunch of different cores for different models, while cores look identical not all splines fit (for newer ones mostly) bmw also made wheels for m and base models different thicknesses diameters. Mercedes are the same. Pretty much across the board 2012+ Mercedes wheels are more or less the same thickness +\- a couple mm, not enough to notice a difference. They are also a similar diameter with a very very small discrepancy
Mercedes unknowingly made it very simple for retrofits
bmw has a bunch of different cores for different models, while cores look identical not all splines fit (for newer ones mostly) bmw also made wheels for m and base models different thicknesses diameters. Mercedes are the same. Pretty much across the board 2012+ Mercedes wheels are more or less the same thickness +\- a couple mm, not enough to notice a difference. They are also a similar diameter with a very very small discrepancy
Mercedes unknowingly made it very simple for retrofits
i miss the M steering wheel though thats for sure
Super Member
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 815
Likes: 174
From: USA
04 E55, 06 E55, 05 G55, 14 E63s, 12 cls63
