Complaint: "Leather" Steering Wheel
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2005
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From: London, UK
No longer stock '06 E55, A3 3.2 Quattro, GLE 400d, R107 280SL, Golf Polo
Complaint: "Leather" Steering Wheel
I have a complaint !
The steering wheel is a plastic POS
. Even a VW GTi comes with a leather steering wheel for goodness sake. I think this is a absolute joke.
Why do I have to go to MP designs or whoever and spend ~$2000 for a wheel that should have been fitted on this car in the first place?
Also - it is stated in their standard fitment that other E's get a "Leather trimmed steering wheel" ... and the E55 is the runt of the litter and gets a piece of plastic ? Whats worse is they try and make it look like leather, with that stitching !
Sorry - but had to get this out of my system!!!!!
The steering wheel is a plastic POS
. Even a VW GTi comes with a leather steering wheel for goodness sake. I think this is a absolute joke. Why do I have to go to MP designs or whoever and spend ~$2000 for a wheel that should have been fitted on this car in the first place?
Also - it is stated in their standard fitment that other E's get a "Leather trimmed steering wheel" ... and the E55 is the runt of the litter and gets a piece of plastic ? Whats worse is they try and make it look like leather, with that stitching !
Sorry - but had to get this out of my system!!!!!
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2005
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From: London, UK
No longer stock '06 E55, A3 3.2 Quattro, GLE 400d, R107 280SL, Golf Polo
Well what annoys me is its not leather ok , but more that they try make it look like leather. The stitching in the plastic rim is plain horrible.
The rim is also too thin and not padded like any GT car should be....
The rim is also too thin and not padded like any GT car should be....
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Mercedes Benz
Originally Posted by stevebez
I have a complaint !
The steering wheel is a plastic POS . Even a VW GTi comes with a leather steering wheel for goodness sake. I think this is a absolute joke.
Why do I have to go to MP designs or whoever and spend ~$2000 for a wheel that should have been fitted on this car in the first place?
Also - it is stated in their standard fitment that other E's get a "Leather trimmed steering wheel" ... and the E55 is the runt of the litter and gets a piece of plastic ? Whats worse is they try and make it look like leather, with that stitching !
Sorry - but had to get this out of my system!!!!!
The steering wheel is a plastic POS
. Even a VW GTi comes with a leather steering wheel for goodness sake. I think this is a absolute joke. Why do I have to go to MP designs or whoever and spend ~$2000 for a wheel that should have been fitted on this car in the first place?
Also - it is stated in their standard fitment that other E's get a "Leather trimmed steering wheel" ... and the E55 is the runt of the litter and gets a piece of plastic ? Whats worse is they try and make it look like leather, with that stitching !
Sorry - but had to get this out of my system!!!!!
But in the case of the W211 they use the worst quality leather known to man kind and it looks about equal to the plastic leather on the sprinter van I drove over the weekend - no it looked better than my E55's wheel.
Buy an MP design wheel and you will be far happier. They make wonderful wheels for a very respectable price.
Not only is the E55 wheel tacky looking, it gets very shiny with age, and it also is far to thin for a car of this level.
Just my thoughts.
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From: 2000 ft over the FL coast in a B-17
Various
Yup too thin and the leather is not very good feeling to the touch. I also posted before that the center section used to be covered in leather and say AMG but the cost cutters at MB took care of that too.
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
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From: London, UK
No longer stock '06 E55, A3 3.2 Quattro, GLE 400d, R107 280SL, Golf Polo
Yep - a friend who is quite objective about these things (does not own a car) commented on the dash board being a bit poor in terms of trim ... not very plush for this type of car... anyhow enuf bashing ... but my car did feel a little slow over the w/e.... must be the steering wheels fault 
I bet they have impregnated the steering wheel "leather" with polyurethane... or some other cr*p. Even if it is leather its still a POS.
I bet they have impregnated the steering wheel "leather" with polyurethane... or some other cr*p. Even if it is leather its still a POS.
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From: Southern California
2003 E55
Can anyone suggest where to buy the MP Design steering wheel? I tried performanceproducts.com but when I select the 2003 E55 as my vehicle it doesn't give me the option to buy the wood/leather sports steering wheel. only when I select E500 for some reason. It should be compatible for all 211's right? Is there someplace with more detail and better price for steering wheels?
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From: Long Island
'07 Porsche 997TT
Originally Posted by 2K6E55
Guys,
Buy one from Adam @ Kronen Tunning... I think it costs ~ $2600?
Buy one from Adam @ Kronen Tunning... I think it costs ~ $2600?
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From: Ventura County USA
'06 E55, '05 SLK55, a few others
Originally Posted by stevebez
Well what annoys me is its not leather ok , but more that they try make it look like leather. The stitching in the plastic rim is plain horrible.
The rim is also too thin and not padded like any GT car should be....
The rim is also too thin and not padded like any GT car should be....
Super Member
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 587
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06 E-55-95-F355S- 99 Porsche 911 C2 w mods
Someone was telling me that AMG has a F1 wheel for our car.......?? Anyone know about this wheel? I do agree that a car costing $90 K with close to 500 bhp should have a better wheel, when I test drove the C55 its wheel was much thicker with better leather.
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Joined: Sep 2004
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From: San Diego
2015 S212
Originally Posted by JLP
Someone was telling me that AMG has a F1 wheel for our car.......?? Anyone know about this wheel? I do agree that a car costing $90 K with close to 500 bhp should have a better wheel, when I test drove the C55 its wheel was much thicker with better leather.
Member
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 169
Likes: 0
From: Southern California
2003 E55
You can get the F1 wheel with some wait time from Steve_BenzNL. I believe this wheel is actually from the E55 safety car used in Formula 1.
As for the Mp design one, I found out that performance products does in fact have them and it costs around $1300 with tax and shipping. I actually just called them right now and ordered one thats on its way this week. They don't have it listed as a E55 accessory on the website which I find wierd, but if you call them they will give you the right part number. This wheel is in my opinion the best looking one and a bargain compared to the other wheels out there Carlsson, Brabus, Kleeman, etc.
MP Design
Kleeman
AMG Safety Car w/Alcantara
As for the Mp design one, I found out that performance products does in fact have them and it costs around $1300 with tax and shipping. I actually just called them right now and ordered one thats on its way this week. They don't have it listed as a E55 accessory on the website which I find wierd, but if you call them they will give you the right part number. This wheel is in my opinion the best looking one and a bargain compared to the other wheels out there Carlsson, Brabus, Kleeman, etc.
MP Design
Kleeman
AMG Safety Car w/Alcantara
Super Member
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06 E-55-95-F355S- 99 Porsche 911 C2 w mods
Originally Posted by jangy
Then buy a C55 wheel.
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From: San Diego
2015 S212
Originally Posted by davidhung78
You can get the F1 wheel with some wait time from Steve_BenzNL. I believe this wheel is actually from the E55 safety car used in Formula 1.
As for the Mp design one, I found out that performance products does in fact have them and it costs around $1300 with tax and shipping. I actually just called them right now and ordered one thats on its way this week. They don't have it listed as a E55 accessory on the website which I find wierd, but if you call them they will give you the right part number. This wheel is in my opinion the best looking one and a bargain compared to the other wheels out there Carlsson, Brabus, Kleeman, etc.
MP Design
Attachment 81307
Kleeman
Attachment 81308
AMG Safety Car w/Alcantara
Attachment 81309
As for the Mp design one, I found out that performance products does in fact have them and it costs around $1300 with tax and shipping. I actually just called them right now and ordered one thats on its way this week. They don't have it listed as a E55 accessory on the website which I find wierd, but if you call them they will give you the right part number. This wheel is in my opinion the best looking one and a bargain compared to the other wheels out there Carlsson, Brabus, Kleeman, etc.
MP Design
Attachment 81307
Kleeman
Attachment 81308
AMG Safety Car w/Alcantara
Attachment 81309
That AMG Safety car pic is of a CLS, not an E right?
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 1,087
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From: Central FL
2006 E55
I agree totally that the E55 steering wheel is a POS. Why do replacement wheels cost so damn much? $1300 is outrageous, and $2500 + for Brabus/Kleemann? That's freakin' insane for a steering wheel.
They are sweet looking though! I don't know why they can't use the same wheel as the CLS.
They are sweet looking though! I don't know why they can't use the same wheel as the CLS.
Last edited by Torquey55; May 16, 2006 at 09:38 PM.
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Joined: Aug 2005
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2001 S500 Sport "Klaus"
Originally Posted by Jakpro1
I punish any critiques of my interior/the car with giving the passenger an instant stomping up to 135mph run....seems to take their mind off it. 
Member
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 140
Likes: 2
From: Chicago, Illinois
2006 E55 - obsidian black, all options except pano roof - gone but not forgotten
I think the wheel is just fine...i don't mind the leather quality either. Then again, I also have a Camaro with " leather" steering wheel so i have something to compare it to...
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
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Posts: 3,174
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From: London, UK
No longer stock '06 E55, A3 3.2 Quattro, GLE 400d, R107 280SL, Golf Polo
Originally Posted by Fast55
If that's the only thing wrong with your car, I'd be freakin' ecstatic if I were you.
- in case you all did not get it ... Steering wheel is POS!!!
- Gearchanges are too slow in any setting
- no matched engine revving on downshift
- a few very annoying rattles from dash and roof liner
- The rear TV screen is a POS - dont option this - get it done aftermarket. The frame rattles and the picture quality with any source is very poor.
- The instrument display for the functions menu does not follow any logical order. The menu item should be numbered so crolling up / down would be allot easier. I suppose over time I will learn them, but obviously I cannot !
- Traction / no LSD. Get the car slightly leaning and gas it and we have a carnival of lights and power evaporates as ESP kicks in... probably due to poor driving ... but an LSD would help.
- Fitting of dash components ... where CD changer meets storage concole / ashtray beneath its probably out by qtr inch from flush.
On plus side ... yes there are some ...
- Keyless go is a great party trick , as is boot closer / opener.
- Torque ... geez you gotta love this torque - that is when the ESP light is not blinking or the ECU has shut the S/C due to heatsoak, O, hang on thats not a good thing.
Last edited by stevebez; May 17, 2006 at 05:06 AM.
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From: Ventura County USA
'06 E55, '05 SLK55, a few others
WOW. I have none of those complaints. My Pano roof has been squeek free so far (1900 miles, knock on wood) The trans in my car is a POS though. There is a huge delay engaging drive after backing out of the driveway cold, and it "clunks" into gear. Even warm, it's slow, and it shudders on gentle upshifts. As far as all around shift speed, the tricky ECU reset and some spirited driving in manual mode gets it working OK, but it aint no BMW or Ferrari SMG that's for sure. My biggest gripe is a momentary stumble on acceleration, usually from a stop, followed by the horrific droning at 2100 RPM (right at 71-73 mph in drive of course), and finally the *****ty Continental tires that have the absolute worst case of tram lining I've ever experienced. All of which was noted twice now, with nothing more than a "here you go".
Anyway, the MP wheel looks good, as do the others, but that doesn't get rid of the big "SRS" on the wheel instead of the embossed "AMG" it should have.
Anyway, the MP wheel looks good, as do the others, but that doesn't get rid of the big "SRS" on the wheel instead of the embossed "AMG" it should have.
Last edited by Fast55; May 17, 2006 at 10:20 AM.
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Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 6,061
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From: 2000 ft over the FL coast in a B-17
Various
Originally Posted by stevebez
Unfortunately its not the only thing... but since you brought it up i'll go through them....
- in case you all did not get it ... Steering wheel is POS!!!
- Gearchanges are too slow in any setting
- no matched engine revving on downshift
- a few very annoying rattles from dash and roof liner
- The rear TV screen is a POS - dont option this - get it done aftermarket. The frame rattles and the picture quality with any source is very poor.
- The instrument display for the functions menu does not follow any logical order. The menu item should be numbered so crolling up / down would be allot easier. I suppose over time I will learn them, but obviously I cannot !
- Traction / no LSD. Get the car slightly leaning and gas it and we have a carnival of lights and power evaporates as ESP kicks in... probably due to poor driving ... but an LSD would help.
- Fitting of dash components ... where CD changer meets storage concole / ashtray beneath its probably out by qtr inch from flush.
On plus side ... yes there are some ...
- Keyless go is a great party trick , as is boot closer / opener.
- Torque ... geez you gotta love this torque - that is when the ESP light is not blinking or the ECU has shut the S/C due to heatsoak, O, hang on thats not a good thing.
- in case you all did not get it ... Steering wheel is POS!!!
- Gearchanges are too slow in any setting
- no matched engine revving on downshift
- a few very annoying rattles from dash and roof liner
- The rear TV screen is a POS - dont option this - get it done aftermarket. The frame rattles and the picture quality with any source is very poor.
- The instrument display for the functions menu does not follow any logical order. The menu item should be numbered so crolling up / down would be allot easier. I suppose over time I will learn them, but obviously I cannot !
- Traction / no LSD. Get the car slightly leaning and gas it and we have a carnival of lights and power evaporates as ESP kicks in... probably due to poor driving ... but an LSD would help.
- Fitting of dash components ... where CD changer meets storage concole / ashtray beneath its probably out by qtr inch from flush.
On plus side ... yes there are some ...
- Keyless go is a great party trick , as is boot closer / opener.
- Torque ... geez you gotta love this torque - that is when the ESP light is not blinking or the ECU has shut the S/C due to heatsoak, O, hang on thats not a good thing.
The car should have come with a rear lip spoiler standard.
The exhaust thud/resonance is annoying at times (a common E55 malady)
Car idles rough during cold start (a common E55 malady)
The leather on my drivers seat back side bolster won't stay in place and causes a nasty wrinkle no matter how carefullty I get in or out of the car. Dealer ordered new cover.
Got to give MB credit, as they added some nice touches for the 63, it would have been nice however if they gave the last of the E55's a special edition treatment with a few small and unique goodies for 06.
Last edited by RJC; May 17, 2006 at 11:51 AM.
