SL55/63/65/R230 AMG: My interior transformation thread.
#1
Super Member
Thread Starter
My interior transformation thread.
As most of you know, I "settled" for an SL600 when I could not find the right SL55.
I prefer a few things about the SL55 including the interior, so I'm doing some modifications.
Step 1:
SL55 steering wheel. But there is a problem. My SL600 did not have shifter buttons, and I found a great deal on a barley used SL55 wheel with the buttons removed. The solution: Take the wheel to a local guy who has done some upholstery work for me in the past and have him fabricate some blanks. I paid him $40.00. The work is good...not great, but I didn't want to spend a ton of money on a 3 spoke wheel or 4 spoke wheel with paddles that I wouldn't use. Plus you can't really see the back of the steering wheel.
Here is how it came out:
![](http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa248/lukasbmw/amgwheel.jpg)
![](http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa248/lukasbmw/amgwheel2.jpg)
![](http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa248/lukasbmw/amgwheel5.jpg)
![](http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa248/lukasbmw/amgwheel4.jpg)
![](http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa248/lukasbmw/amgwheel3.jpg)
By the way...for those of you who are interested in doing a more extensive interior transformation, I have a standard leather R230 steering wheel that would make a great "core" for the good folks at DCT Motosports. This wheel has the smaller (2.5") shifter buttons. I originally bought this wheel to send to them so they could turn it into something special, but then decided against spending that much money. I'm asking $150.00 for the wheel OBO. Pictures below. It would make a great core and allow you to keep your current wheel on your car until DCT transforms the core into something exotic. The fact that this wheel already has shifter buttons probably means that it would be easier for DCT to convert to paddles if you so desire.
![](http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa248/lukasbmw/corebuttons.jpg)
![](http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa248/lukasbmw/corewheel.jpg)
![](http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa248/lukasbmw/corewheel2.jpg)
Next up will be a re-wrap of my trim in Carbon Fiber, a new all leather shifter, and custom V1 hardwire with mount.
I will soon have a complete set of 2004 SL600 Burlwood trim (door pieces, center section, ashtray, keyless go shifter, and steering wheel) for sale. It might make a nice upgrade for the SL500 guys or AMG guys who don't like their aluminum trim.
![Big Grin](https://mbworld.org/forums/images/smilies/biggrin.gif)
Step 1:
SL55 steering wheel. But there is a problem. My SL600 did not have shifter buttons, and I found a great deal on a barley used SL55 wheel with the buttons removed. The solution: Take the wheel to a local guy who has done some upholstery work for me in the past and have him fabricate some blanks. I paid him $40.00. The work is good...not great, but I didn't want to spend a ton of money on a 3 spoke wheel or 4 spoke wheel with paddles that I wouldn't use. Plus you can't really see the back of the steering wheel.
Here is how it came out:
![](http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa248/lukasbmw/amgwheel.jpg)
![](http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa248/lukasbmw/amgwheel2.jpg)
![](http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa248/lukasbmw/amgwheel5.jpg)
![](http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa248/lukasbmw/amgwheel4.jpg)
![](http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa248/lukasbmw/amgwheel3.jpg)
By the way...for those of you who are interested in doing a more extensive interior transformation, I have a standard leather R230 steering wheel that would make a great "core" for the good folks at DCT Motosports. This wheel has the smaller (2.5") shifter buttons. I originally bought this wheel to send to them so they could turn it into something special, but then decided against spending that much money. I'm asking $150.00 for the wheel OBO. Pictures below. It would make a great core and allow you to keep your current wheel on your car until DCT transforms the core into something exotic. The fact that this wheel already has shifter buttons probably means that it would be easier for DCT to convert to paddles if you so desire.
![](http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa248/lukasbmw/corebuttons.jpg)
![](http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa248/lukasbmw/corewheel.jpg)
![](http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa248/lukasbmw/corewheel2.jpg)
Next up will be a re-wrap of my trim in Carbon Fiber, a new all leather shifter, and custom V1 hardwire with mount.
I will soon have a complete set of 2004 SL600 Burlwood trim (door pieces, center section, ashtray, keyless go shifter, and steering wheel) for sale. It might make a nice upgrade for the SL500 guys or AMG guys who don't like their aluminum trim.
#2
Super Member
Thread Starter
Step two was to buy a spare set of aluminum trim which I had a friend paint black (to match the car).
I wanted to do carbon fiber trim, but I just could not justify the 4 figure price tag. Additionally, no one in this community seems to have tried painting their trim so I thought I'd be the guinna pig.
The friend that painted these for me used a filler to make the aluminum trim smooth before he painted it black. Had I gotten my hands on a spare wood trim set, I think this step could have been skipped since the wood already has a smooth finish.
Pictures of the aluminum trim before paint:
![](http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa248/lukasbmw/alutrim2.jpg)
I wanted to do carbon fiber trim, but I just could not justify the 4 figure price tag. Additionally, no one in this community seems to have tried painting their trim so I thought I'd be the guinna pig.
The friend that painted these for me used a filler to make the aluminum trim smooth before he painted it black. Had I gotten my hands on a spare wood trim set, I think this step could have been skipped since the wood already has a smooth finish.
Pictures of the aluminum trim before paint:
![](http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa248/lukasbmw/alutrim2.jpg)
![](http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa248/lukasbmw/alumtrim.jpg)
#3
Super Member
Thread Starter
Final results:
Before:
![](http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa248/lukasbmw/sl600interior.gif)
![](http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa248/lukasbmw/steering6.jpg)
After:
(Black trim installed, AMG steering wheel installed, AMG shift knob installed)
![](http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa248/lukasbmw/4.jpg)
![](http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa248/lukasbmw/1.jpg)
![](http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa248/lukasbmw/14.jpg)
![](http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa248/lukasbmw/5.jpg)
![](http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa248/lukasbmw/6.jpg)
![](http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa248/lukasbmw/9.jpg)
![](http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa248/lukasbmw/2.jpg)
![](http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa248/lukasbmw/11.jpg)
Before:
![](http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa248/lukasbmw/sl600interior.gif)
![](http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa248/lukasbmw/steering6.jpg)
After:
(Black trim installed, AMG steering wheel installed, AMG shift knob installed)
![](http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa248/lukasbmw/4.jpg)
![](http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa248/lukasbmw/1.jpg)
![](http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa248/lukasbmw/14.jpg)
![](http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa248/lukasbmw/5.jpg)
![](http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa248/lukasbmw/6.jpg)
![](http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa248/lukasbmw/9.jpg)
![](http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa248/lukasbmw/2.jpg)
![](http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa248/lukasbmw/11.jpg)
![](http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa248/lukasbmw/13.jpg)
#4
Super Member
#5
Senior Member
It looks REALLY good (and makes me want to paint my aluminium trim in black too).
One question though... couldn't you've let your wood trim painted black? I mean... where's the point in getting the aluminium trim parts when you want to have them painted black anyways?
One question though... couldn't you've let your wood trim painted black? I mean... where's the point in getting the aluminium trim parts when you want to have them painted black anyways?
#6
Super Member
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Southern CA
Posts: 691
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
08 CLS63, Honda Accord, 04 911
Great work Lukas! whats the difference between the AMG shift knob and the other one? I thought they were all the same just diff. material?
Trending Topics
#8
Super Member
Thread Starter
He used filler on the aluminum and then sanded down the filler to make it flat. Painting the aluminum trim without filler to keep the grainy look/feel is also an option.
#11
Super Member
Thread Starter
#12
Super Member
Thread Starter
#14
Senior Member
My ride's exterior is black too and I always wondered how it would look if the interior parts were painted glossy black.
Now, I think I'll do the same to my ride...
Now, I think I'll do the same to my ride...
![Smilie](https://mbworld.org/forums/images/smilies/smile.gif)
#17
Super Member
Thread Starter
#18
Super Member
Great job ...... and it looks very professional ....... you certanily shall have the credit for being the first going down that road.
If you still have tis wooden trim and will ship to Europe I could be interested.
If you still have tis wooden trim and will ship to Europe I could be interested.
#19
MBWorld Fanatic!
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Maryland
Posts: 8,137
Likes: 0
Received 25 Likes
on
17 Posts
Eurocharged 2004 E500, Eurocharged ECU/TCU 2005 SL600, 2010 Caddy SwaggerWagon
Looks great!
I guess since your SL600 doesn't have the shifter buttons, it wasn't equipped with the 321 AMG package? That package makes a big difference, IMO.
I guess since your SL600 doesn't have the shifter buttons, it wasn't equipped with the 321 AMG package? That package makes a big difference, IMO.