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Originally Posted by smharr4
I have cracks in my wood trim too, but I think it's just in the clear varnish on top, not all the way through the wood itself.
I'm interested to see if it's better to just replace the wood or pulling the damaged pieces out and having them sanded and revarnished.
I think I remember hearing that all the wood inside a Mercedes is cut from the same tree, so you'll end up with mis-matched wood if you buy just a single piece, but maybe that was made up by marketing wanting to sell trim kits at once rather than individual pieces.
Any opinions from those members that have done it?
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I considered taking the wood out and having it refinished professonally. (I am not good enough to do that kind of woodwork myself). There are some really good interior wood refinishers. If you check with the Mercedes Benz Club of America, in their magazine THE STAR, there are a number of people who advertise wood refinishing services.
Costs and quality of work varies.
I had originally thought to buy a wood kit from Performance Products. They sell all three pieces, shifter surround, ashtray and A/C control panel. But at $300, less my 15% MBCA discount, I thought it was too much money.
Also, a completely brand new set would look "too new" and would just not look right (in my opinion).
So I decided to look for a set of used wood. I was in no hurry, so when I finally found a complete set from German Potomac I jumped on the opportunity and I bought it. It was delivered to me yesterday and I installed it today.
If you go the used set route, you really need to buy the full set (three pieces: shifter surround, ashtray and A/C top piece). If you don't get a complete set, the pieces won't match and it will not look as good. I don't know whether it was a marketing thing dreamed up by some ad guy or whether the interior wood all really comes from one single tree (I rather doubt it), but if you only get one piece, it will not match the other pieces. Whehter the interior wood comes from different trees or whether it all comes from the same tree, if the pieces come from different cars, they will have all aged differently and they will all look different So my advice is to look for a matched set (unless that kind of thing does not matter to you).
There are plenty of people selling used Benz wood, it is just a matter of being patient and waiting for the right opportunity. But try and get a full set if you go this route.
Good luck.