Wood accents for the R171.

**Dolebludger** · 07-06-2008

I was looking at the ebay link below on this board, and came upon a wood kit being offered for $137 + $10 shipping by DistinctiveWoodTrims for the R171. It looks good in the pictures, supplies wood trim for all interior surfaces where I would want it (and maybe some I would not), and offers a wide choice in wood colors and grains. They state that they offer a 30 day "no questions asked" policy for those who don't like the materials when they get them, and have a phone number for customer service.

While these are all "good signs", I'd like to hear from R171 owners who have purchased this product before I spring for it. Anybody know anything about this wood trim kit?

**Woolly** · 07-06-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dolebludger

I was looking at the ebay link below

**SLKCop** · 07-06-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by Woolly

x2.... no eBay link to click....

**Dolebludger** · 07-06-2008

I'm sorry, guys. I just discovered that I cannot copy and paste a link for an ebay site on the board. It fails to copy, at least on my computer (which is a bit of a piece of junk, BTW, or maybe it is the "nut behind the wheel"). I am working on it, and will try to find a "copy and paste" link that will work for this seller.

**-1-** · 07-06-2008

My recommendation is, don't do it. These type of simulated wood grain, carbon fiber, etc kits have been around for a long time. I don't have any personal experience, but I've seen them in other cars. For the most part, they look cheap and "added-on"'. Some, not all, kits require a "promoter" to ensure attachment and sure the process would be tough, if not impossible to reverse. I checked into one for a previous car and decided all the above and passed on that idea. The SLK is too classy and I would leave it factory stock in this area. Just my opinion. Here's a link for a sample SLK kit. http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/2005-Mercedes-R171-SLK-Real-Carbon-Fiber-Dash-Trim-Kit_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ33705QQihZ012QQitem Z220252641911QQrdZ1QQsspagenameZWDVW

**Dolebludger** · 07-06-2008

www.exoticwoodtrim.com/

Here is the link to the product, though the price on it is $155 and the ebay price is $137. Also, on the link I have supplied, you have to look on the menu and click on "Mercedes" and go from there.

-1-:

The product in the link you supplied does not require the promoter, and the one in the link I supplied does. That's a good thing for the product in your link. I'll call them tomorrow to ask if it is real wood veneer. If it is not, I'll pass on both. Don't want promoter making the mod not removable, and don't want fake wood veneer.

Here's my problem. I feel that the over-use of plastic that is supposed to look like aluminum on my SLK 280 looks a bit cheap in itself. Had I ordered the wood option, I would have been stuck with a wood steering wheel, which I didn't and don't want. My dealer will sell me real wood veneer pieces, but only for the horizontal strips on the dash. IMO, that's not enough wood and would be a mismatch without the wood around the radio and around the shifter. And that's really all the wood I feel my SLK needs.

If anybody can make a suggestion on where I can get real wood veneer for these areas, please post it here.

**alroumi** · 07-06-2008

The wood kit makes the interior look over done, the SLK is not an S-class nor a CL so that lounge type effect doesnt work on it. I have wood trim on my SLK55 and it only comes for the dashboard pieces that replace the silver trim, interior door handles.

If you want more wood for your car checkout MP design who are the supplier for Mercedes.

**Dolebludger** · 07-06-2008

alroumi:

Do you know how to contact MP design?

And do I understand correctly that your SLK 55 AMG has only the wood pieces that run horizontally along the dash (one long piece on the passenger side and two shorter pieces on the driver side) plus the door handles, and the rest is aluminum look or black? And there is no wood around the radio/nav or the shifter? If so, how do you like that look?

If you like it, maybe I'll just go with it!

**alroumi** · 07-06-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dolebludger

Do you know how to contact MP design?

mp-design.com

**UK-C200** · 07-07-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by alroumi

mp-design.com

I looked at an SLK in London that had the MP wood trim added. The look was not what I would have wanted (I'm not a wood sorta guy I guess), and the radio / central console was not included in what he'd had done to the car.

I also looked at a C class that had some crap aftermarket kit added (the owner claimed it was $1500), and it was the biggest joke I'd ever seen. This kit did require the "promoter" - or at least that's what the guy described, and he'd broken a piece off the center console trim - the underlying original trim was completely "destroyed" from a cosmetic standpoint.

I also looked at another C that had been done by a coachworks company in London (full leather and wood treatment), and the guy simply said it cost more than 5k gbp to have it done. It looked awesome - he'd taken styling tips from one of the launch edition SL's, and used black piano wood. In his case I seem to remember that some was veneer added to existing trim, and some of it was complete trim replacement with the new stuff. Again, not what I like, but it was a 100% professional job and it showed. I think I may still have some pic's, I'll see if I can dig them up.

I don't know why, but the wood trim kits seem to be more popular here in the UK than anywhere else - I finally got to the point where if they had aftermarket wood, I didn't even go look at the car. The people who did it right (few and far between) wanted to recover their investment, and the ones who did it on the cheap had cars that looked like they'd done it on the cheap.

My advice would be to avoid the cheap kits at all cost, specially if you want to keep your car for a couple of years. Seems like the kits don't hold up well to time in an enclosed cabin, I can only imagine the UV from running topless will accelerate the process....

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dolebludger

alroumi:

Do you know how to contact MP design?

And do I understand correctly that your SLK 55 AMG has only the wood pieces that run horizontally along the dash (one long piece on the passenger side and two shorter pieces on the driver side) plus the door handles, and the rest is aluminum look or black? And there is no wood around the radio/nav or the shifter? If so, how do you like that look?

If you like it, maybe I'll just go with it!

Dolebludger - the SLK55 I drove with the Verona wood trim had the "dash" bits (glovebox strip and two small bits on the drivers side), the door "vertical" handle bit, and the emergency brake handle done. The steering wheel was what I think was a "normal" 55 wheel with paddles. This car also had an A20 head, and the "non-digital" climate control, and it was all the aluminum look + plastic face crap around the A20. It basically looked like this 350, but without the steering wheel. This was a UK RHD SLK, so I'm not sure if the US LHD kits are the same - by the time I decided to get it for the states, I'd decided I didn't want the wood trim...

**UK-C200** · 07-07-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dolebludger

alroumi:

Do you know how to contact MP design?

And do I understand correctly that your SLK 55 AMG has only the wood pieces that run horizontally along the dash (one long piece on the passenger side and two shorter pieces on the driver side) plus the door handles, and the rest is aluminum look or black? And there is no wood around the radio/nav or the shifter? If so, how do you like that look?

If you like it, maybe I'll just go with it!

Dolebludger - the SLK55 I drove with the Verona wood trim had the "dash", the door handles, and the emergency brake handle done. The steering wheel was what I think was a "normal" 55 wheel with paddles. This car also had an A20 head, and the "non-digital" climate control, and it was all the aluminum look + plastic face crap around the A20.

**Dolebludger** · 07-07-2008

Thanks all:

I am now calling around to get details to insure that no available product satisfies my wants, before I abandon the project. The only reason I am looking for a cure, is that I feel I have a problem as the fake aluminum bits that came stock look cheap to me. I don't like the "martini bar" dripping with wood look either -- and sure don't want some non-removable stuff, or plastic stuff (I've got plastic now). If anybody wants to know what I think is tasteful use of wood trim on a Mercedes, just look at a pre-'05 W203 C 320. That is rather the look I want with sparing use of wood (real). I'll report back as soon as i get my calls answered.

**Dolebludger** · 07-07-2008

Here's an interim report. The wood trim from the site I mentioned above is no good, because it is "synthetic wood" i.e., plastic. Don't want anything that looks "cheap" as that is my complaint about some of the stock pieces. However the site -1- posted about is real wood veneer. If you reach them on their home page at www.directcartrim.com you can see samples of all their wood, carbon fiber, and metal finishes. I called their phone number, and spoke to a very helpful gentleman who agreed to send me samples of several wood finishes compatible with my Mars red/black interior car at no charge. No promoter used for it, and can be removed like any glued on interior or exterior trim with no car damage. The samples will allow me to judge the look of the product and test its ability to be removed. I'll report what I find.

alroumi:

I am having trouble navigating the www.mp-design.com web site. All I seem to be able to bring up are carbon fiber kits -- not the wood ones they indicate they offer -- and I can't seem to link to pricing or order information for anything. And too much of the wording is in German, which I do not speak or read. I get the idea that this is a manufacturer's web site not intended for direct buying, and that this company sells through retailers. If so, do you know of any retail sellers of these products?

**alroumi** · 07-07-2008

Just wanted to provide you with the pictures of my Designo trim, special order from the factory.

**alroumi** · 07-07-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dolebludger

Here's an interim report. The wood trim from the site I mentioned above is no good, because it is "synthetic wood" i.e., plastic. Don't want anything that looks "cheap" as that is my complaint about some of the stock pieces. However the site -1- posted about is real wood veneer. If you reach them on their home page at www.directcartrim.com you can see samples of all their wood, carbon fiber, and metal finishes. I called their phone number, and spoke to a very helpful gentleman who agreed to send me samples of several wood finishes compatible with my Mars red/black interior car at no charge. No promoter used for it, and can be removed like any glued on interior or exterior trim with no car damage. The samples will allow me to judge the look of the product and test its ability to be removed. I'll report what I find.

alroumi:

I am having trouble navigating the www.mp-design.com web site. All I seem to be able to bring up are carbon fiber kits -- not the wood ones they indicate they offer -- and I can't seem to link to pricing or order information for anything. And too much of the wording is in German, which I do not speak or read. I get the idea that this is a manufacturer's web site not intended for direct buying, and that this company sells through retailers. If so, do you know of any retail sellers of these products?

Hello,

There retailers for the U.S seem to be Performanceproducts.com

**UK-C200** · 07-08-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by alroumi

Hello,

There retailers for the U.S seem to be Performanceproducts.com

Man, they are really proud of their products!

**Dolebludger** · 07-08-2008

Performance Products is very proud of these R171 wood trim bits. I'm somewhat familiar with these products, as I have their matching wood trim pieces for the backs of the headrests on the W203 C320 (these rather big pieces were only about $200). These are a bit different than the other aftermarket trim pieces. These are a thin wood veneer on a rigid metal backing. The best of the others seem to be just the thin wood veneer that sticks on existing surfaces. But Performance Products is just too high on these R171 items. Plus, they won't just sell just the parts of the set I would want.

**Dolebludger** · 07-21-2008

I received the samples of the wood trim kit from directcartrim. The material is a thin wood veneer with a good and heavy plastic coating. It appears to be of very high quality. Indeed, the actual wood veneer looks better protected than the factory wood on our C 320. The material is very flexible and seems it would be easy to apply. In other words, this product is clearly not the "plastic sprayed contact paper" some have reported on in posts on this thread. Actually, it is more than 1/16" thick. As a wide variety of wood veneer grains and colors are offered, my next step is to figure out which goes best with my red/black car. I do feel that this product would make my interior look "less cheap" than the stock, plastic looking fake aluminum finishes.

07-06-2008	#1 (permalink)
Dolebludger Elite SLK World Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Yukon, OK Vehicle: '07 SLK 280; '04 C 320, '01 Honda S 2000, '98 Ford Ranger truck. Posts: 545 Country: Thanks: 39 Thanked 76 Times in 51 Posts	Wood accents for the R171. I was looking at the ebay link below on this board, and came upon a wood kit being offered for $137 + $10 shipping by DistinctiveWoodTrims for the R171. It looks good in the pictures, supplies wood trim for all interior surfaces where I would want it (and maybe some I would not), and offers a wide choice in wood colors and grains. They state that they offer a 30 day "no questions asked" policy for those who don't like the materials when they get them, and have a phone number for customer service. While these are all "good signs", I'd like to hear from R171 owners who have purchased this product before I spring for it. Anybody know anything about this wood trim kit? __________________ The SLK -- What the SL was supposed to be.

07-06-2008	#4 (permalink)
Dolebludger Elite SLK World Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Yukon, OK Vehicle: '07 SLK 280; '04 C 320, '01 Honda S 2000, '98 Ford Ranger truck. Posts: 545 Country: Thanks: 39 Thanked 76 Times in 51 Posts	I'm sorry, guys. I just discovered that I cannot copy and paste a link for an ebay site on the board. It fails to copy, at least on my computer (which is a bit of a piece of junk, BTW, or maybe it is the "nut behind the wheel"). I am working on it, and will try to find a "copy and paste" link that will work for this seller. __________________ The SLK -- What the SL was supposed to be.

07-06-2008	#5 (permalink)
-1- Don Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Virginia USA Vehicle: SLK 55 ///AMG The MON55TER on the block Posts: 2,224 Country: Thanks: 54 Thanked 57 Times in 41 Posts	My recommendation is, don't do it. These type of simulated wood grain, carbon fiber, etc kits have been around for a long time. I don't have any personal experience, but I've seen them in other cars. For the most part, they look cheap and "added-on"'. Some, not all, kits require a "promoter" to ensure attachment and sure the process would be tough, if not impossible to reverse. I checked into one for a previous car and decided all the above and passed on that idea. The SLK is too classy and I would leave it factory stock in this area. Just my opinion. Here's a link for a sample SLK kit. http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/2005-Mercedes-R171-SLK-Real-Carbon-Fiber-Dash-Trim-Kit_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ33705QQihZ012QQitem Z220252641911QQrdZ1QQsspagenameZWDVW __________________ To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. *----------------1-----------------* --------SLK 55 ///AMG--------- THE MON55TER ON THE BLOCK Last edited by -1-; 07-07-2008 at 05:15 AM.

07-06-2008	#6 (permalink)
Dolebludger Elite SLK World Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Yukon, OK Vehicle: '07 SLK 280; '04 C 320, '01 Honda S 2000, '98 Ford Ranger truck. Posts: 545 Country: Thanks: 39 Thanked 76 Times in 51 Posts	www.exoticwoodtrim.com/ Here is the link to the product, though the price on it is $155 and the ebay price is $137. Also, on the link I have supplied, you have to look on the menu and click on "Mercedes" and go from there. -1-: The product in the link you supplied does not require the promoter, and the one in the link I supplied does. That's a good thing for the product in your link. I'll call them tomorrow to ask if it is real wood veneer. If it is not, I'll pass on both. Don't want promoter making the mod not removable, and don't want fake wood veneer. Here's my problem. I feel that the over-use of plastic that is supposed to look like aluminum on my SLK 280 looks a bit cheap in itself. Had I ordered the wood option, I would have been stuck with a wood steering wheel, which I didn't and don't want. My dealer will sell me real wood veneer pieces, but only for the horizontal strips on the dash. IMO, that's not enough wood and would be a mismatch without the wood around the radio and around the shifter. And that's really all the wood I feel my SLK needs. If anybody can make a suggestion on where I can get real wood veneer for these areas, please post it here. __________________ The SLK -- What the SL was supposed to be.

07-06-2008	#7 (permalink)
alroumi Moderator Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Kuwait City, Kuwait Vehicle: 2006 Kleemann Designo Mocha Black SLK55 AMG Other Toys: 2007 Ebony Jaguar XKR Coupe' and 06 Black Cayenne S Posts: 6,271 Country: Thanks: 288 Thanked 231 Times in 145 Posts	The wood kit makes the interior look over done, the SLK is not an S-class nor a CL so that lounge type effect doesnt work on it. I have wood trim on my SLK55 and it only comes for the dashboard pieces that replace the silver trim, interior door handles. If you want more wood for your car checkout MP design who are the supplier for Mercedes. __________________ 06 Kleemann Designo Mocha Black SLK55 AMG 06 Porsche Cayenne S 07 Jaguar XKR Coupe' I use the Torque and keep the HP for my Steak Sauce!

07-06-2008	#8 (permalink)
Dolebludger Elite SLK World Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Yukon, OK Vehicle: '07 SLK 280; '04 C 320, '01 Honda S 2000, '98 Ford Ranger truck. Posts: 545 Country: Thanks: 39 Thanked 76 Times in 51 Posts	alroumi: Do you know how to contact MP design? And do I understand correctly that your SLK 55 AMG has only the wood pieces that run horizontally along the dash (one long piece on the passenger side and two shorter pieces on the driver side) plus the door handles, and the rest is aluminum look or black? And there is no wood around the radio/nav or the shifter? If so, how do you like that look? If you like it, maybe I'll just go with it! __________________ The SLK -- What the SL was supposed to be.

07-07-2008	#12 (permalink)
Dolebludger Elite SLK World Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Yukon, OK Vehicle: '07 SLK 280; '04 C 320, '01 Honda S 2000, '98 Ford Ranger truck. Posts: 545 Country: Thanks: 39 Thanked 76 Times in 51 Posts	Thanks all: I am now calling around to get details to insure that no available product satisfies my wants, before I abandon the project. The only reason I am looking for a cure, is that I feel I have a problem as the fake aluminum bits that came stock look cheap to me. I don't like the "martini bar" dripping with wood look either -- and sure don't want some non-removable stuff, or plastic stuff (I've got plastic now). If anybody wants to know what I think is tasteful use of wood trim on a Mercedes, just look at a pre-'05 W203 C 320. That is rather the look I want with sparing use of wood (real). I'll report back as soon as i get my calls answered. __________________ The SLK -- What the SL was supposed to be.

07-07-2008	#13 (permalink)
Dolebludger Elite SLK World Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Yukon, OK Vehicle: '07 SLK 280; '04 C 320, '01 Honda S 2000, '98 Ford Ranger truck. Posts: 545 Country: Thanks: 39 Thanked 76 Times in 51 Posts	Here's an interim report. The wood trim from the site I mentioned above is no good, because it is "synthetic wood" i.e., plastic. Don't want anything that looks "cheap" as that is my complaint about some of the stock pieces. However the site -1- posted about is real wood veneer. If you reach them on their home page at www.directcartrim.com you can see samples of all their wood, carbon fiber, and metal finishes. I called their phone number, and spoke to a very helpful gentleman who agreed to send me samples of several wood finishes compatible with my Mars red/black interior car at no charge. No promoter used for it, and can be removed like any glued on interior or exterior trim with no car damage. The samples will allow me to judge the look of the product and test its ability to be removed. I'll report what I find. alroumi: I am having trouble navigating the www.mp-design.com web site. All I seem to be able to bring up are carbon fiber kits -- not the wood ones they indicate they offer -- and I can't seem to link to pricing or order information for anything. And too much of the wording is in German, which I do not speak or read. I get the idea that this is a manufacturer's web site not intended for direct buying, and that this company sells through retailers. If so, do you know of any retail sellers of these products? __________________ The SLK -- What the SL was supposed to be.

07-07-2008	#14 (permalink)
alroumi Moderator Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Kuwait City, Kuwait Vehicle: 2006 Kleemann Designo Mocha Black SLK55 AMG Other Toys: 2007 Ebony Jaguar XKR Coupe' and 06 Black Cayenne S Posts: 6,271 Country: Thanks: 288 Thanked 231 Times in 145 Posts	Just wanted to provide you with the pictures of my Designo trim, special order from the factory. __________________ 06 Kleemann Designo Mocha Black SLK55 AMG 06 Porsche Cayenne S 07 Jaguar XKR Coupe' I use the Torque and keep the HP for my Steak Sauce!

07-08-2008	#17 (permalink)
Dolebludger Elite SLK World Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Yukon, OK Vehicle: '07 SLK 280; '04 C 320, '01 Honda S 2000, '98 Ford Ranger truck. Posts: 545 Country: Thanks: 39 Thanked 76 Times in 51 Posts	Performance Products is very proud of these R171 wood trim bits. I'm somewhat familiar with these products, as I have their matching wood trim pieces for the backs of the headrests on the W203 C320 (these rather big pieces were only about $200). These are a bit different than the other aftermarket trim pieces. These are a thin wood veneer on a rigid metal backing. The best of the others seem to be just the thin wood veneer that sticks on existing surfaces. But Performance Products is just too high on these R171 items. Plus, they won't just sell just the parts of the set I would want. __________________ The SLK -- What the SL was supposed to be.