R171 Steering Wheel Buttons

[GLK]

I'm going to get the steering wheel controls surrounds carbon dipped, along with a few other bits of interior ...

So, I bought a spare buttons assembly, cleaned it (it was pretty good anyway), took it apart and ready:

Not a single scratch on these, great.

Now, as I was taking this assembly apart, I remembered the R171 buttons (and the steering wheel) were basically identical to those on W169, and thought the "aluminium" buttons might look nice on my new steering wheel, so went looking for them ...

I never had an SLK, so was rather shocked to find these:

Is this common? I certainly do not want it happening (if say I get a new or newish set), so maybe it's best to keep my nice black buttons after all?

 

[GP801]

The buttons on our 2005 R171 remain pristine

 

[GLK]

Thanks!

Great to know - I can't imagine what had to be done to a steering wheel to get it like that.

BTW, these are for sale on eBay at £15 each, which is more than I paid for my entire 169/245 assembly above, in absolutely mint condition (and I am very picky).
A good condition R171 board with buttons is over £80, which seems way too much, as brand new is £122.

Looks like I'm staying with my original buttons, unless I can find some reasonably priced ones before the dipped parts arrive ready for fitting ...