Old v New Steering Wheel Design

[ziderdrinker]

Do others have an opinion on the more recent steering wheel design.

I have had a pre facelift and post facelift C class W204 and I conclude that I preferred some of the functions of the earlier steering wheel.

My gripe is that the activation of the horn function in the new design is a long stretch for my thumb to the centre boss of the wheel, where in the old design the horn activation was much easier as the function buttons were embedded in the horn activation plate which stretched to the rim of the wheel. A more minor point is that the Back button for functions is at the top of the control now, where before it was lower down, which I personally found a more natural reach.

I'm not a perpetual horn honker, but when I need to use it I want it be a semi auto action. What I end up doing now is hitting one or more other function buttons.

Many cars and vans at all price points still retain horn activation within comfortable reach of the thumb whilst keeping your hand fully on the rim, so I don't get why the designers chose to change this. What is your opiniion?

 

[Hillbillybenz]

I like the look of the post 2010ish wheel, never used on enough to comment on its function but I didn't like the look of the early w204 one much, I liked the late w203 one better especially in sport with the silver buttons, felt better made IMO