CL55 steering wheel

[MikeAMG]

Hi All

Not really sure if this fits here or somewhere else.

The steering wheel in my is 55 too large in diameter. I think the SLK55 wheel is smaller (not actually checked) and wondered,

1/ would it fit?
2/ would the buttons work with a Cl55?
3/ are there any other options for a smaller diameter wheel for the CL?

Thanks all

Mike

 

[noy91]

What may be worth investigating is getting your existing wheel retrimmed in such a manner that padding is added to the inside of the rim, keeping the outside radius the same, but reducing the inner radius. This may make it 'feel' smaller and a bit more sporty. Have a look at: Royal Steering Wheels | Exclusive look, unique feeling

 

[Alex]

CL55 F1 Edition had CLK wheel fitted. I would guess all the controls are working:

Or you can retrim like noy91 suggested. I bought a new wheel that is beefier all round. Feels great:

 

[C43AMG]

I bought a new wheel as I didn't like the leather one. The new one is Leather and Walnut and as Alex has said much beefier.

 

[MikeAMG]

Thanks for the thoughts/ideas. But it really is the rim diameter I don't like. So I'd really like to find something smaller

Anyone know if the slk/clk or even SL is smaller?

 

[Alex]

How important are paddle shifters for you? I use mine most of the time and it limits your steering wheel choice somewhat, unless you're prepared to lose them. You're welcome to pop around my place and check my steering wheel out to see if you like it. The car is in Milton Keynes, currently off the road.

 

[MikeAMG]

Hi

Thanks for the offer. Is your a chunky standard diameter?

I want the paddles which is why I was thinking the slk.

Why is yours off the road nothing serious I hope.

 

[Alex]

I believe it is standard size, otherwise the airbag wouldn't work with it. Smaller wheel may look a bit out of place in a big CL. I would go with a CLK wheel as it looks okay, maybe a 63 one with the flat bottom?

My car is in for some planned (and unplanned) upgrades, so undriveable at the moment. Only mentioned it as I would otherwise be at the Bluewater meet this week.

 

[alexanderfoti]

Alx, who did your interior, or did you cover it yourself?

I was thinking of getting mine done in Piano black but wasnt it was worth £700+

 

[Deleted member 37751]

Is that your interior Alx? Looks brilliant, really fresh.

 

[Alex]

Alx, who did your interior, or did you cover it yourself?

I was thinking of getting mine done in Piano black but wasnt it was worth £700+

The trim was done by oCarbon in the States (had to send the original trim there) and the wheel, buttons and gear shift knob came from Mansory.

Is that your interior Alx? Looks brilliant, really fresh.

Thank you, Lee. Yes it is my car. CF does spruce it up and the job is very good so I'm very happy with it

 

[alexanderfoti]

The trim was done by oCarbon in the States (had to send the original trim there) and the wheel, buttons and gear shift knob came from Mansory.

Many thanks, Are there not companies in the UK that can do a good job, with hyrdo dipping, for example?

I would be pretty worried it would get damaged on the way to america and back

 

[Alex]

Many thanks, Are there not companies in the UK that can do a good job, with hyrdo dipping, for example?

I would be pretty worried it would get damaged on the way to america and back

Probably there are but when I inquired I was quoted £1500+VAT for piano black. I paid less than half of what you quoted above to get the carbon fibre overlay done. It was an introductory offer on MBWorld and oCarbon's first CL so I jumped on it. The key to safe delivery is the packaging. I had everything individually bubble wrapped, then used a courier to send out and collect.

I do a fair bit of work on the car myself but trying out a CF overlay just requires a lot of practice and I have only one trim lol. Hydro dipping looks interesting and no doubt cheaper than the overlay but getting the trim out and refitting with all new fasteners is such a big job, you might as well go full out and do it right.

 

[alexanderfoti]

Aha I see, so in reality by Piano black quote was pretty competive. I also do all the work on my car, so the only cost invovled would be the actual work on the trim rather than removing/installing.

I had a thought to buy a replacement trim set at one point, then I wouldnt have to worry, but I havent seen one come up for a reasonable price yet!

 

[Alex]

There was a trim on ebay a while ago at £500+. The trouble is you never know how it was removed and if the tabs are intact (unlikely) so taking the time to remove your own trim not only saves you money but also ensures you can refit it back as it was.

I would imagine £700 will get you a carbon fibre overlay abroad. oCarbon has been around since 2004 and their work is spot on. Shipping both ways was £140 from memory.

CF looks great on dark interior CLs:

 

[MikeAMG]

Ref piano black. On my previous car I just had a local body shop paint the trims in black with lots of layers of lacquer. They came out perfect and for a whole lots less than £700.

On the CL the only one that would be a pain to paint would be the rolling cover in the rear centre box.

 

[alexanderfoti]

That carbon interior on the black car looks pretty good, I must say!

Hmm many options to consider. I am yet to find a good body shop that will do something as per my instructions, If I can get a good recomendation then that would be a good idea!

I wonder if the rear center box cover can be dismanteld at all? I havent looked at it in detail.

 

[Alex]

Ref piano black. On my previous car I just had a local body shop paint the trims in black with lots of layers of lacquer. They came out perfect and for a whole lots less than £700.

On the CL the only one that would be a pain to paint would be the rolling cover in the rear centre box.

My centre box cover is the only part that is painted black and lacquered as it was very involving to get done in carbon or so I was told.

Removing the centre part of the gear shift cover was a royal pain in terms of figuring it out. You can't just see how they put it together. I probably spent the longest of all trim trying to gently pry it all out. Then upon receipt carefully popping it back in place, applying even pressure so that the lacquer doesn't get damaged or cracked along the way. Doable, just very time consuming.

 

[Alex]

I wonder if the rear center box cover can be dismanteld at all? I havent looked at it in detail.

Yes and pretty easily. Once you remove the entire box you see that it is made of two parts, that click in and a strip of silicone-like substance as an extra measure (totally superfluous as they will never come apart unless all the perimeter tabs are undone). Get the silicone off with a scraper, unclip the tabs and that's pretty much it.

 

[Alex]

BTW, since we talk about the trim removal, I have a pair of new Brabus door pins in aluminium for W215, just like below. I bought a set of 4 and only used 2 on mine. PM me if interested.