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Porcelain/Black owners: What trim color do you have?
I know there are a few of you on the forum with the Porcelain and Black interior combo, and I'm curious what trim color you have. My SL450 came with the Designo Piano Black trim, which looks great color-wise with the interior, but (to my eyes at least) also looks a bit plastic. (I know it's not, but I find myself almost wanting to apologize for it when I have a passenger in the car...)
I've been considering getting an OEM trim kit in Black Ash, but that will be about $1800 for the panels and who knows how much for the dealer install, so I'm kind of on the fence. I know I could resell my Piano Black trim panels to offset some of the cost (but I'm not sure who would want them!).
Anyway, the whole exercise got me wondering what other trim combos might be out there with the Porcelain/Black interior. Would love to see photos of what some other people have. Is Black Ash about the only other good choice? Does anyone have any of the burl woods, or does the brown on black just look odd? Thanks to anyone who wants to share pics or opinions!
I have the designo Champagne white piano finish. I was a little worried when I did the deal through my local dealer for a car in Virginia, but once I saw it when it arrived I decided that I liked and it’s unique. I do miss the wood grain effect though.
Black Ash here as well. I like the wood grain and it fits fine with the more "monochrome" look of the interior but the biggest difference is that it allows for the wood/leather steering wheel. Something you can't get with the Piano Black/White trim.
I had the wood on the steering wheel on my last SL550, and to be honest I don’t miss it. I like the way it looks with the wood, but all leather is more comfortable.
I have the black ash with the porcelain/black combo, and I think it goes great with the interior. I looked at several SL's which had the porcelain/black with different brown trims, and to me, it was a real disconnect. The brown didn't go with anything else. Had the porcelain been a saddle color, for example, it may have matched much better, but not with the lighter leather. I also have the black ash on the steering wheel, and the entire combo seems pleasing to my eyes.
Thanks all! Appreciate all the input and great to see all the awesome photos as well. So funnily enough, at one time I was looking (remotely) at a Brilliant Blue Metallic model that had the Champagne trim. I loved the blue and was about to pull the trigger when I read someone on the forum comment that they were bothered that the Champagne and Porcelain didn't quite match (the Champagne having a decidedly gold cast) — and that was enough to give me second thoughts. I'm sure it would have been fine in the end, but going by photos only I decided not to take the chance.
Ultimately I ended up with the Magnetite Black and the Porcelain/Black, which I love — but I was never a fan of the Piano Black trim. Honestly even my softest microfiber cloth leaves tiny scratches behind, and you can't touch anything without leaving fingerprints everywhere. Sounds like the Black Ash is slightly porous and a bit more matte and doesn't show dust and fingerprints as much — would that be accurate?
Of course now I have to worry about changing the steering wheel, too. :-) (Which I definitely think is outside the bounds of reasonable decisions since the leather will go just fine with the Ash.)
For reference, here are still a couple of interior pics; both the pre and post facelift model. The biggest difference was the exclusive Nappa option on the MY17+ and the steering wheel design for the wood trim. On pics the Black Ash looks just black but in reality has a satisfying grain look to it. For some off reason, the lacquer is also harder on the wood trim than the piano trims and less prone to scratching...
For reference, here are still a couple of interior pics; both the pre and post facelift model. The biggest difference was the exclusive Nappa option on the MY17+ and the steering wheel design for the wood trim. On pics the Black Ash looks just black but in reality has a satisfying grain look to it. For some off reason, the lacquer is also harder on the wood trim than the piano trims and less prone to scratching...
Thanks for those. Great color combo with the silver! I actually like that the grain is pretty subtle, but you had me at "less prone to scratching" for sure. :-)
Not Porcelain- but Deep White and carbon fiber for me!
Love Carbon Fibre! My personal preference for a non-wood trim option. Unfortunately only available at the time on AMG models
I noticed that your alcantara steering wheel portion is shiny; you may want to restore that to make it grippier again. Super easy to do and looks/feels great afterwards.
2019 SL450, 2019 E450 Luxury Trim Wagon, 2024 BMW I7 xDrive60
Originally Posted by KJohnston
I had the wood on the steering wheel on my last SL550, and to be honest I don’t miss it. I like the way it looks with the wood, but all leather is more comfortable.
Yet another example of how different we all are. I just LOVE the feeling of the wood on my steering wheel and will always have one, as long as the option is available. My interior, by the way, is Ginger Beige/Espresso Brown.
That color combo and trim is what I had on my 2018 SL550. My 2020 SL550 has the all leather wrap with the perforated leather, which doen’t get quite as hot as the wood does in the sun. I prefer the wood from an aesthetic perspective.
2019 SL450, 2019 E450 Luxury Trim Wagon, 2024 BMW I7 xDrive60
Originally Posted by KJohnston
That color combo and trim is what I had on my 2018 SL550. My 2020 SL550 has the all leather wrap with the perforated leather, which doen’t get quite as hot as the wood does in the sun. I prefer the wood from an aesthetic perspective.
Good point about the heat. Living on the coast in Southern California, I rarely ever have an issue with it.
Love Carbon Fibre! My personal preference for a non-wood trim option. Unfortunately only available at the time on AMG models
I noticed that your alcantara steering wheel portion is shiny; you may want to restore that to make it grippier again. Super easy to do and looks/feels great afterwards.
You are spot on! These were the pre-delivery photos. The first thing I did when I got it (after washing the exterior) was to re-condition the leather bits on the wheel and shifter and restore the alcantara! It’s started out hard and crunch and is now all nice soft and grippy!
Porcelain with Satin Poplar, here. I wanted the Poplar because the Satin finish just tends to look more like real wood to me...though any of the woods look great. I've seen Streamliner's interior with Satin Poplar and it doesn't work nearly as well there as his Burl Walnut does. Bamboo always appeared to really pop with the Deep White interior in the configurator...almost Scandinavian looking. I would have liked the wood wheel too, but the leather is very comfortable. I passed on cars with Piano Black during my search because of the maintenance issues...
Last edited by Dr. Manhattan; Jan 19, 2021 at 04:11 PM.
OK, that's a beautiful combination. If I had ordered a car new, I would have gone with either this leather or Classic Red. As far as the Piano maintenance issues, that interior would probably pop nearly as well with either Black Ash or CF.
Did anyone get the 20 inch twin 5-spoke wheels? I saw them with the AMG black accents but wonder if it looks drastically different without the black accenst
2019 SL450, 2019 E450 Luxury Trim Wagon, 2024 BMW I7 xDrive60
Originally Posted by AF23
Did anyone get the 20 inch twin 5-spoke wheels? I saw them with the AMG black accents but wonder if it looks drastically different without the black accenst
2019 SL450, 2019 E450 Luxury Trim Wagon, 2024 BMW I7 xDrive60
Originally Posted by AF23
2024 GLE 450 with 20 inch twin 5-spoke tires
First of all, welcome as a new member here. Secondly, this forum is for the 2013-2020 SL convertibles. You need to go to the GLE forum for the info you are seeking. Just go to “Forums” at the top left of this screen.
Hi all,
I’ve loved seeing the different interiors from everyone! I’ve got a Slc 2016 with ash wood interior. I’m in the uk and I really want an ash wood steering wheel. Can anyone please provide me the part number or let me know where I can get it from please?
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren
Slideshow: A one-of-one U.S.-spec Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Roadster became even rarer after a factory-backed transformation at McLaren's headquarters.
Unfortunately only available at the time on AMG models
