I'm sure plastic would solve the problem; but I suspect most --myself included--would never go for it. (For all of the great engineering that exists under the hood, it's the vehicle's fine wood and genuine leather that one actually sees and contacts every day.)

What I'm asking is if there isn't some way to treat/reinforce the wood (directly or indirectly through the finish) that would impede cracking.

Furthermore, I'm not so sure that sunlight is the sole culprit. Seems to me that the vast majority of owners--including those who garage their Benzes--eventually wind up with damaged shift panels. (No doubt greater contact and resulting stresses on the wood here are to blame.) And, to the extent that sunlight is at fault, aren't there UV blocking polyurethanes on the market?

I contend that there MUST be a some practical--and reasonably priced--way to prevent this ubiquitous problem.

Anyone out there knowledgable about exotic woods that can shed some light on this peeve of mine???