I have tried searching, but could not find the answer I was looking for.

I am considering purchasing an R230 steering wheel to use on my E55. I found the one shown in the attached pics. One of my concerns is the distribution block. Others I have seen have more ports than this one looks like it has (3 vs 5 I think). It also appears that the R230 has a different airbag and say the E63 or CLS. Trying to not find out the hard way this will not work.

 

The wheel you are looking to install is the same as a w211 facelift steering wheel. as long as your car is a 2005 or newer you will not need to do anything extra aside from purchasing a new airbag as your stock one is different.
now if you have a 2003-2004 you will need to also upgrade your clockspring to a 2005+ (2007 e63/cls) are the easiest to find on ebay. you will also need to purchase a new wiring harness and change a few wires. if your car is indeed a 2003-2004 and you would like to go through with the full swap ill be more than happy to send you the part number for the harness along with instructions as to how to wire everything. its easy
wiring harness from the dealer is around $35
clockspring on ebay 80-150ish give or take (i can shoot you a link to what you would need)
airbag: $270ish

as for the steering wheel: you can buy a sl55/e63/cls55 they are all the same (might be able to find a stock one dirt cheap on ebay or if you prefer I can build you a custom wheel


If you have any other questions or concerns feel free to ask, been doing these for years

 

Thanks for the response Ithlc63, I appreciate any help with this.

My E55 is a 2006 model.

My concern with this wheel is that it has a 3 port block where the E63 and other wheels have a 5 port block. My understanding is that the R230 SL uses a different airbag than the E and CLS wheels use due to different button communication signals. This particular wheel is also missing a cable. I have a 5 port block and cable available. If I need to use that and a CLS/E airbag I can sort that out. I just want to make sure before I buy this wheel.

 

https://mbworld.org/forums/w211-amg/...tall-pics.html

This is a good read for you

 

Thanks, but it didn't really answer my question. A number of pics on that post are no longer visible, that may be the issue.

It looks like the seller for the wheel I posted has ghosted me, so I am back on the hunt for a wheel for my car.

 

5 port is for non amg cars
3 port is for amg cars 03-08
09+ the port was moved to the airbag so no need for the module all together

The wire you are missing from the control unit goes into the clockspring

you can get away with ordering a bag from 2009 and not even worry about the block itself.
your paddles will go directly into the clockspring (both paddles are tied into a harness which then plugs into the CS)

I have a custom built LED steering wheel. you would need an airbag 09

 

If the missing wire on the three block example goes to the clockspring, which wire goes to the airbag/switch connection?

I have seen AMG steering wheels (post 2007) with 5 port blocks. Is it only early AMG wheels with the three port blocks? My understanding is that the two individual paddle connectors go to two of the ports. The third wire in my example goes to the airbag/switches and the clockspring wire goes to one of the remaining ports.

Your example looks to be an early button wheel converted to E63 paddles. That is a different setup than what I intend to do.

 

There is a black connector that comes off the clockspring that is intended for the airbag, next to the loom there is a female port which that wire you are talking about should go.

 

Hello, I stumble with you here in the forum I,m Nikko I would like to get that part number I have 2003 e320 w211 I,m buying a steering wheel of off ebay from MB SL R230 because I like the wood grain with black leather. Again thank you for your time

 

https://mbworld.org/forums/w211-amg/...re-05-a-2.html

go down a little youll find the directions