Difference between normal and AMG steering wheel
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 1,271
Likes: 1
From: CA
2010 CL65
IMO, no
Would rather save bucks (and time wasted with aftermkt installs) and simply get a new, '10 S63/65....can't engineer via aftermkt all the factory-spec tech and balance of perf brakes, sport seats, DirectSteer AMG-calibrated steering precision, ABC chassis calibration, AMG-calibrated ESP, perf tires/ltwt forged wheels...AMG hp/tq...and exhaust music
Would rather save bucks (and time wasted with aftermkt installs) and simply get a new, '10 S63/65....can't engineer via aftermkt all the factory-spec tech and balance of perf brakes, sport seats, DirectSteer AMG-calibrated steering precision, ABC chassis calibration, AMG-calibrated ESP, perf tires/ltwt forged wheels...AMG hp/tq...and exhaust music
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 1,433
Likes: 119
From: Behind the wheel
The best or nothing
The thing is I wanted a 4Matic for practical reasons but it seems that AMG is much more of a car than standard versions. And I thought the S500 can't get that much better 
AMG versions are much less common in Europe than in States, even the S600 is quite rare.
Lets compare the aftermarket (mobile.de W221 2006+ numbers):
S320 CDI = 629 results
S350 = 486 results
S500 = 490 results
S600 = 113 results
S63 = 63 results
S65 = 48 results
So if you have S65 in Europe, you quite stand-out which I don't mind but I have to justify such decision first to myself .. not having the chance to try any AMG yet, I try to gather all the possible information here from you AMG owners guys..
AMG versions are much less common in Europe than in States, even the S600 is quite rare.
Lets compare the aftermarket (mobile.de W221 2006+ numbers):
S320 CDI = 629 results
S350 = 486 results
S500 = 490 results
S600 = 113 results
S63 = 63 results
S65 = 48 results
So if you have S65 in Europe, you quite stand-out which I don't mind but I have to justify such decision first to myself .. not having the chance to try any AMG yet, I try to gather all the possible information here from you AMG owners guys..
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 1,271
Likes: 1
From: CA
2010 CL65
Fair points
However, I know of a couple of 997GT2 owners in Germany who commute via their GT2 even in winter....winter perf tire tech has improved dramatically in past 2-3 yrs, making 4Matic/AWD fairly irrelevant in Germany or NYC or Chicago if one has proper winter perf tires
Would definitely test-drive '10 S63/65 for self to properly judge value vs own driving tastes
I've owned S550, CL550, CL600, CL63 030 and CL65 over past 3+ yrs...and IMO my '09 CL65 is best value to-date (and I'm getting '10 CL65 shortly), even though far more costly than a 550....so many obvious things like hp and tq, but many more subtleties that a driving fanatic will enjoy every day, even upon start-up and even if driving at 30MPH to office
I'd argue the many positive attributes of a new AMG are apparent even if car is debadged and even if one drives at legal speeds, but please do yourself a favor and test-drive a copy...perhaps at a major dealer in Munich/Frankfurt/Geneva? Many in US who aren't in major mkts simply visit BeverlyHills or SF Peninsula to test-drive these cars (major dealers often have a new 65 on lot for test-drives) on interesting roads to draw own conclusions
However, I know of a couple of 997GT2 owners in Germany who commute via their GT2 even in winter....winter perf tire tech has improved dramatically in past 2-3 yrs, making 4Matic/AWD fairly irrelevant in Germany or NYC or Chicago if one has proper winter perf tires
Would definitely test-drive '10 S63/65 for self to properly judge value vs own driving tastes
I've owned S550, CL550, CL600, CL63 030 and CL65 over past 3+ yrs...and IMO my '09 CL65 is best value to-date (and I'm getting '10 CL65 shortly), even though far more costly than a 550....so many obvious things like hp and tq, but many more subtleties that a driving fanatic will enjoy every day, even upon start-up and even if driving at 30MPH to office
I'd argue the many positive attributes of a new AMG are apparent even if car is debadged and even if one drives at legal speeds, but please do yourself a favor and test-drive a copy...perhaps at a major dealer in Munich/Frankfurt/Geneva? Many in US who aren't in major mkts simply visit BeverlyHills or SF Peninsula to test-drive these cars (major dealers often have a new 65 on lot for test-drives) on interesting roads to draw own conclusions
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 302
Likes: 4
2007 S550 AMG with ABC
I posted about my conversion back in May... https://mbworld.org/forums/new-s-cla...ing-wheel.html
It's an inexpensive upgrade (if you find the right person to do it). I had the stock black Leather wrapped wheel, and love the AMG steering wheel with the flappy paddles, it's thicker, and has a better feel in your hands.
It's an inexpensive upgrade (if you find the right person to do it). I had the stock black Leather wrapped wheel, and love the AMG steering wheel with the flappy paddles, it's thicker, and has a better feel in your hands.
