I went to the dealer yesterday (Fletcher Jones Chicago) to check out the six 2007 ML63's they had in stock (just looked but didn't test drive any because of the nasty snowy weather out), and I noticed that every single one of them had the burl walnut trimmed steering wheel. I found this odd because none of these particular ML63's window stickers show the wood-trimmed steering wheel as an added cost option yet I distinctly remember the brochure, mbusa website, and media indicate that they were an added cost option while the non-wood-trimmed "ergonomic AMG sport steering wheel" was the standard steering wheel. I asked the dealer about this and they seemed confused as well but were quick to conclude that the wood-trimmed steering wheels that their ML63's had must be standard on all ML63's since they don't recall delivering any ML63's without them. Skeptical, I left and did some more research on some forums including this one. After looking at these forums, a few recent posts showing interiors all disclose that almost everyone has the "optional" wood-trimmed steering wheel. I even went as far as stalking my neighbor's new ML63 but noticed that his car has the non-wood-trimmed steering wheel with the ergonomic contours around the thumb areas as well as the "-" and "+" silver emblems embedded on left and right thumb areas respectively just as the brochures and media have shown. Here's a pic of my neighbor's steering wheel:

I also noticed the a older post also from this forum shows another US owner (florida) also has the ergonomic AMG steering wheel (note the "-" and "+" silver emblems near the thumb rest areas):


So this brings up a few questions:

1) To those that have the wood-trimmed wheel, are your manual shift buttons the rocker type (meaning both upshift/downshift on each side)?

2) To those that have the all leather AMG ergonomic wheel with the "-" & "+" emblems on the thumb areas, are your manual shift buttons the paddle type (meaning the left hand button downshifts only while the right hand button upshifts only)? This would be consistent with my SLK55 AMG which has the same scheme and the same emblems on the steering wheel whereas the SLK350 has the rocker-type as presumably found on the wood-trimmed steering wheels.

3) To those that have the wood-trimmed wheel, did it show up on your ML63's as an added cost option? (it didn't show up in any of the six cars I saw yesterday making me think they were standard on the ML63)

I'm confused.


Sorry for this long diatribe regarding something so trivial as a steering wheel but it is for good reason: I do not want the wood-trimmed steering wheel. I prefer the ergonomic AMG all-leather steering wheel because it looks like it would feel sportier and if the shift buttons are indeed configured just as the "-" & "+" emblems suggest (same as on my SLK55), that is the way I want it. Purely personal preference but wood-trimmed steering wheels also look and feel tacky to me and are not only prone to scatching but also less comfortable and grippy.... and even if it doesn't show up on the window sticker and I don't have to pay for it, I still wouldn't want it, and I'll be damned if I have to pay for it as an option. Just my opinon

 

Mine was an option, it was on the window sticker, and yes, i do believe the buttons are the same

 

So the buttons on your wood-trimmed steering wheel are the same as the AMG wheel? Left hand button only downshifts, right hand only upshifts, not the dual rocker-type?

Or are you saying they all have the dual rocker type?

 

Mine doesn't show as an option. I guess I got it for free then.

 

Its a no-cost option, wood vs no-wood wheel. I ordered ours without wood because I liked it better.


All the ML63's I've seen on dealer lots have had the wood wheel, I think dealers are just ordering it because they think people want it.

 

Fuzz & 2MANYCARS, how do your shift buttons work? dual-function rockers on each side or 2 single buttons (left side for downshift/right side for upshift)?

 

I dont believe any of the current AMGs have dual rockers... they are all up right down left... switches...

 

left is downshift, right is upshift

 

Masmole,
55 fanatic and blue monster answered your question for me.

 

Go for the all leather wheel. I have the wooden wheel and I don't like the slippery feel of the wooden part of the wheel.

 

yea AMG wheel all the way i have the wooden one on my ML350 right now and I will defenetly not order 1 with my ML63, AMG wheels are thinker and feel nice in your hand, moreover if you are pissed and banging you cellphone on the wheel it wont crack the wood like it did on mine I was having a bad day that is