RootN4U

Just wondering from those of you who have their cars already, if you chose your center console in Wood (Walnut, Birdseye, or Chestnut) or Aluminum AND WHY?? Did you make the right decision?

blueSL

In the UK, we can have aluminium or aluminium, so it was one less decision to make. Personally, I like it and think it suits the nature of the car well. The finish is pretty close to the finish under the hood of the supercharger. They haven't make the grain too fine and so far it's proving durable and doesn't mark. Don't have first hand experience of it but it was said at launch the aluminium in the 360 Modena marks very easily.

I was never impressed with the wood in my SL600, the Germans at that time had the amazing ability to make it look like acrylic (which it probably was given the number of coats of lacquer on it). Doing wood properly (like Bentley) is very labour intensive and not suited to a car built in the number Mercedes does, so the wood is always going to have a manufactured rather than hand crafted look about it.

On balance, I'm happy with the choice for the SL55 but if I was buying a car like the S600, CL600 or SL600, I would stay with a wood which had the same tone as the interior rather than contrasting with it. One other thing to think about is that the SL500 allows you to have a steering wheel and shift lever knob with the same wood. The SL55 wheel comes only in black and (I believe) alpaca grey, so you can't specify those extra accents in an SL55.

Just my $0.02 worth.... at the end of the day, it's down to personal choice.

sillydriver

It’s interesting that we have more interior choices here in the US while more substantive options like derestriction are unavailable. Mine has ebonized wood (Birdseye maple) and berry red leather. Although the grain is hard to see, and it does have a slightly plastic look, the overall effect is pretty good. I’ve never sat in an SL55 with an aluminum console, although a friend of mine recently bought a BMW Z8 with a red and black leather interior and all-aluminum trim. The overall effect was stunning and made me question my choice of wood, at least until I actually got the car.

SL Boy

blueSL - I think the SL55 steering wheel is available in alpaca grey but at extra cost. Morebhp's Jasper SL55 pictures with alpaca grey interior look like he has a black wheel and I recall Richard saying he had a black wheel and had enquired about changing it for a alpaca and it was expensive.

My Jasper/alpaca SL55 is due in January and I have tried to find out what wheel I am getting or whether I have a choice. No dealer response yet but if I get a black wheel having paid £2300 for exclusive grey interior I wont be happy!

rs200evo

I'm in the UK , and did opt for a wood interior rather than the aluminium. Personal tase really and I was not too taken with the look of the aluminium. I went for Designer Umbro to replace it, which is the darkest trim they do.

RootN4U

Does anyone actually have the Aluminum trim or is being avioded by most everyone? What is the problem with it? Is it just ugly, or cold looking and unattactive or what??
I need or specify my car soon...tring to get some opinions from those who have the Aluminum...any thoughts you would like to share with us??

blueSL

Judge for yourself, I'm more than happy with it.....

1sl55

I have the aluminum trim - and love it!!

It looks great with the obsedian black and charcoal/black leather, timeless, classic. Although my other cars have wood, I wanted to preserve the absolutely clean lines of the car - and I think I made the right choice.

It not only looks great, but it also feels good

MRI Doc

From those who have seen the aluminum trim in person, I have heard nothing but raves.

Remember, this is standard and only available on the SL55 and distinguishes the car's interior from the SL500.

I agree that MB wood trim is not impressive and looks like plastic.

I have selected the aluminum trim on my car, being bult at the end of December.

SL Boy

I agree SL55 aluminium trim looks great and will be on my car due January - it looks much better than the SL500 aluminium trim.

I think the Designo dark wood trims look good too but bare in mind the extra cost and extra waiting time for Designo options - having read on this Forum how good the car is I dont want to wait a day longer than I have to!

Mustard

That trim does look nice BlueSL - so whats different with the SL500 ali? Less solid looking?

Have walnut orderd with Alpaca Grey, but it looks out-of-place. Too much contrast, still looks great with sand leather. Black Ash is an option, but looks a bit like a lump of shiny coal. Do not want a tinny looking aluminium if I change spec now.

blueSL

Ah, the "aluminium" option on the SL500 is different from the SL55 and looks more like carbon fibre. Take a look at the German web-site (mercedes.de) at the SL350. I believe it is the standard option with wood extra. This one you definitely need to see before buying.

bobafett

I saw a 'stone' interior that I thought was absolutely fabulous. Aluminium, if that interior isn't available in the US even by special order, is definetly the trim of choice.

--Dan

henry42

Dear Sillydriver; You posted great shots of your car, can you do one of the birdseye maple interior.

sillydriver

As requested, a shot of my black console to compare with blueSL’s aluminum posted earlier in this thread.

sillydriver

Here is the ebonized wood door insert. Sorry for the dark flash photography but as forum members from the Boston area know, there’s been a howling gale blowing outside these last two days. This has kept the car confined to the garage.

henry42

Thanks Sillydriver; Just drove back from Hockey game in Salem through that mess, so I understand the car being indoors.
Two miles before home I heard a noize and it was a flat on my ML55. I have the black birdseye maple and just not enough grain shows... too plastic looking. So I'll go with the Chestnut wood to offer more of a contrast between the red interior and black dash.