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Not to hijack or anything, but here's the final iteration, and it stuffed into the glovebox. Again, impressed how awake the factory drivers are now, and with plenty of headroom. I'd definitely recommend this if you're looking for a modest stereo upgrade.
Any updates on yours? I'm still searching for a seat cover for mine as well as yours.
Update on a little modification I'm working on for my W221. I have a seen a few photos and videos of W221's with retrofitted steering wheels. Looks like this is finally available for our gen S Class. I took the plunge and ordered a W222 AMG steering wheel for my car. The airbag itself is still in transit so the photos below are just a test fit, but I'm completely sold. Obviously this will not be for some but I feel it shaves many years off of the look of the car.
Any updates on yours? I'm still searching for a seat cover for mine as well as yours.
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Yes. What I ended up doing was purchasing a seat cover and having it re-dyed. I used this company featured in the link below. Just got the seat back today and it looks great. Will install soon as I'm currently driving around without a passenger's seat haha.
That steering wheel is a HUGE improvement! I'm not normally a fan of steering wheel swaps. This worked great for yours, though.
Looking forward to seeing your dyed seat cover. I'm still on the lookout for seat covers. I'm getting to the point however, where I have spent so much time looking, that it almost isn't worth any more time, and $700 for a brand new, proper seat cover sounds reasonable.
Where did you get the steering wheel? Will everything integrate? I want to do this to mine now. I need one in black!
I will get some photos of my seat once I wrestle that ***** back on. I know its going to be a battle haha.
The airbag itself is being shipped separately. In theory it should be plug and play but we shall see. I did find a relatively recent video (which I'll link below) that shows a retrofitted steering wheel functioning in a W221. Only thing is that the cruise is still operated by the stalk.
Should you swap? That is on you. I've never been a fan of four spoke steering wheels in general. The improvement in both looks and more importantly feel is completely worth it. I've always thought this particular AMG wheel looks almost bespoke. Even in black its special. Added bonus is that the diameter is a fair amount smaller so I think it will simulate a quicker steering response feel. I will keep everyone posted. Hopefully this works as I think this could be one of the best W221 upgrades around.
I will get some photos of my seat once I wrestle that ***** back on. I know its going to be a battle haha.
The airbag itself is being shipped separately. In theory it should be plug and play but we shall see. I did find a relatively recent video (which I'll link below) that shows a retrofitted steering wheel functioning in a W221. Only thing is that the cruise is still operated by the stalk.
Should you swap? That is on you. I've never been a fan of four spoke steering wheels in general. The improvement in both looks and more importantly feel is completely worth it. I've always thought this particular AMG wheel looks almost bespoke. Even in black its special. Added bonus is that the diameter is a fair amount smaller so I think it will simulate a quicker steering response feel. I will keep everyone posted. Hopefully this works as I think this could be one of the best W221 upgrades around.
I looked at that same steering as well but heard mixed reviews on the module that makes everything work. Also not being able to use the cruise via the steering and also not being able to have it heated as mine is heated, it pushed me away. Instead I went with this one which is heated, it has the line assyst and it is plug and play for mine. Have not installed it yet since I been busy with the house projects...
I looked at that same steering as well but heard mixed reviews on the module that makes everything work. Also not being able to use the cruise via the steering and also not being able to have it heated as mine is heated, it pushed me away. Instead I went with this one which is heated, it has the line assyst and it is plug and play for mine. Have not installed it yet since I been busy with the house projects...
Totally understand. Sort of taking the plunge here and hoping for the best. Operation of the cruise on the wheel itself and heated steering wheel aren’t really important to me. I’m keeping my old one just in case. Your wheel is definitely better but I just can’t get over the design in general. I know there’s no hiding the fact that the car is a design from almost 20 years ago, but the wheel dates it the most.
Totally understand. Sort of taking the plunge here and hoping for the best. Operation of the cruise on the wheel itself and heated steering wheel aren’t really important to me. I’m keeping my old one just in case. Your wheel is definitely better but I just can’t get over the design in general. I know there’s no hiding the fact that the car is a design from almost 20 years ago, but the wheel dates it the most.
No definitely looks great! The newer steering wheel looks way better and updated but I just wanted to play it safe and stay stock as much as I could. Definitely let us know how everything works out
We shall find out. A little annoyed the airbag came separately but I understand that shipping airbags can be tricky. I spent a good chunk of change on this so I'll be sure to update. If it doesn't work as advertised I'll be cancelling my credit card payment.
Hope it all works! That wheel just looks like it was made for your car in my opinion. That really worked out aesthetically.
Thanks! I think so too. I actually wanted to go with the pre facelift AMG wheel but my vendor couldn't accommodate that. Worked out well since I think this wheel is superior. Didn't think it would mesh with the design language but it absolutely does.
I'll post some photos this evening of the seat cover that's been dyed. Installed it this morning before work. Looks great! I used the company highlighted in the video linked below. I trust their process after watching.
Some overspray present. I’m sure it can be removed rather easily.
Very happy with the outcome. Removing the seat itself was a bit intimidating as I didn’t want to damage any of the surrounding bits. The seats themselves are quite complicated but I was able to navigate through it. Required a lot of patience to stretch the new cover over seat bracket. I have a lingering airbag light that’ll have to be cleared out.
Feels quite natural when you run your hands over it. The real test with be the longevity of it. Living in the desert and parking outside doesn’t help but I’m religious with my windshield sunshade. Time will tell but for now I’m satisfied.
So because I forgot, you bought a Designo seat cover that was a different color off ebay then sent it off to the guys in the video? Do you have any before pics of the cover? And why did you need the seat cover again?
It looks absolutely amazing! I think I might want to do that to both of my front lower seat covers? Mine are in pretty good shape, the passenger is flawless sans a small scratch right smack in the middle of it, and the driver cover has random wrinkles that I don't like. Probably not a 100lb Asian owner before me, more like a 200lb fat *** probably (I'm 2nd owner).
Also, how has your vibration, or "rumble" been? Has it self-resolved to some degree? I almost don't notice mine at all anymore, it has virtually disappeared, but I've only put 600 miles on mine since I bought it in January. I'm still going to replace the carrier bearing and both guibos.
Old and decrepit. Two tears and there was cracking at the perforations. Donor seat cover
The guy who did my seat came to my place and took a color sample. I also left him one of the leather covered ash trays so he had a reference. Dropped off the re dyed seat the next day. I’m all in $500 for the seat. Not cheap but it was my only viable solution. Was batting zero at finding the new seat cover.
Haven’t really followed up with the vibration. Had a tech at my work drive it. Flex disks look good and all the motor/trans mounts are new. He says it’s likely something with the diff. I’ll tackle it at some point but I just have a lot on my plate at the moment. I’ve driven the car damn near 5k miles since this original post and it hasn’t gotten worse thankfully.
I wonder if they could pretty mine up? I don't know a method (other than heat gun and wet rag) to tighten up the leather. But if he/they can re-tint and make them taught again I might consider pulling both covers and sending them off. IF they can do all that, surely they can repair the laceration on the passenger seat?
Has anyone here watched the legitstreetcars guy dealing with restoring his leather seats? Based the skills that you demonstrate, I'd be interested to know if you would had been willing to tackle?
I wonder if they could pretty mine up? I don't know a method (other than heat gun and wet rag) to tighten up the leather. But if he/they can re-tint and make them taught again I might consider pulling both covers and sending them off. IF they can do all that, surely they can repair the laceration on the passenger seat?
Hmmmm, that's a good question. The company that I used has locations all over the country so you'd have to reach out to your area specific vendor. I'm sure they could fix up the wrinkles but I might be a bit skeptical on the laceration. If it were a normal seat cover I'd say yes but the perforations make things quite tricky. I initially wanted to have my original seat repaired but my dealer upholstery guy said they stay away from perforated seats. Maybe have the driver's seat refinished and the passenger replaced? Your interior looks fantastic regardless. Get that bad boy out and drive some more!!
Has anyone here watched the legitstreetcars guy dealing with restoring his leather seats? Based the skills that you demonstrate, I'd be interested to know if you would had been willing to tackle?
Love LegitStreetCars. He's from my old home town actually. Knows what he is doing and seems like a genuinely good person as well. I did see what he had done, I just would be nervous doing it on perforated seats. I think it would complicate things but then again I'm no expert.
I might just cough up the denaro for two new front seat covers. The car is otherwise flawless.It deserves new seat covers.
Been a fan of Legitstreecars since he was a tiny yt channel, learned a lot from Alex. Very thankful to have found his channel. Him and I are the same age. He seems to be exactly the guy you described. Great resource for Benzo's.
Connection for steering wheel functions and backlighting. Control module.
So I feel like somewhat of an idiot. Still haven’t got the airbag but the connection for the electronics were there all along. It’s works and is lit up. Not sure where my vendor was trying to source his bag but we just ordered one off of ebay instead. It’ll be here next week and should plug right in. I just have to replace the black plastic cover with the leather wrapped white one.
In terms of functionality it works as advertised. Cruise is still controlled by the stalk on the column but I actually prefer that anyway. Went for a test drive and wow, what a difference. Feels so much better in the hands and looks great. I’ll post another update once the bag is installed and codes are cleared but in theory, there should be a retro-fit steering wheel available for the 221.
03-14-2022, 04:52 AM
