dgt1031

can you get an s63 with a wood trim steering wheel? I dont like the leather wheel. I just bought my wife an 08gl550 and we love it. I want a sedan with the same features.

silberrosa

Yes, for MY09 a wood/leather steering wheel is available. It is also heated (when activated) in the leather portions.

MBS63

Yes you can, but you will lose the paddle shifter when you install a wood steering wheel.

usctrojans1

Doesn't the S63 designo come with wood/leather steering wheel? And if so, does it not come with shift paddles?

WSH

IIRC, for MY09, the codgerly wood wheel incls shift paddles....

IMO, paddles are fairly placebo-like in an era of ever-faster/smarter gearboxes/stab ctrls, etc....I have yet to find myself faster/smoother/safer in mtn twisties using paddles vs SportAuto mode...

And, when I examine NBR claims of various mfrs like AMG/P, it seems that even pros are no faster in Manual mode vs SportAuto........isn't advanced hardware/software great???

That said, the thickness/tactile pleasure of the steering wheel rim of the wood/leather steering wheel is rather disappointing (vs AMG's superb all-leather, sport steering wheel), even for straight-line daily commuting....

trumpet1

I don't use my shift buttons on my car. I don't know if it's because of what you said or because of their location. I know that when I had my W215, I used the tiptronic all the time but I believe that was because of its location. I just simply like a gear/tiptronic shifter in the console area 10:1 over paddles and column shifters. I really hope MB does what BMW just did and get them back where they belong.

To me , it was just more intuitive to 1) start the car, 2) shift the gears, and 3)use the tiptronic all in that same area utilizing the console shifter. Even after 2 years, I get all fumbled up with starting the car, shifting into gear, and changing gears with buttons because all 3 are in different locations within the car
Many times I shift into P and believe it or not, sometimes I begin to step out of the car and within a second or two realize I forgot to shut off the engine ( or vice versa) I know I'm 45 y.o. and may be getting alzheimers but overall I find this difficult to get used to. I would have to say this is the only design element that I don't like in this car. I didn't like it when BMW started it, and I don't like it in my car.

AustinGuy

I too am not impressed with the wood wheel - no groves to get a good grip. Just smooth all around

cjf_moraga

That happens to me also... Always have to do "the three finger dance routine" when getting out.. press Park (Transmission) , Press Park (Brake), Press Ignition (To Off) ... as it is all electronic, a one button "shut the car down" all in one action would be helpful!

Now I love the wood/leather wheel... the all leather wheel cheapens the interior look IMO... and it is easy to grip! ... certainly easier than those thin MB steering wheels of times past... you can tell at 48 I am well advanced into codegerdom.... :-)

Chris

AsianML

If you're brave enough to learn to do this out of habit:

https://mbworld.org/forums/showpost....8&postcount=14

Should work with the S since it's the same transmission and Keyless Go system, but I'm not sure.

Suprfknman

Wood wheel = sweaty palms hehe
Will