Why do some mercedes cars have a raised star logo on the center of the steering wheel/airbag cover and others have an indented star logo? Does this indicate a different typ of airbag system?
I think you may be thinking of the airbag steering wheel which has a raised star moulded into the centre versus the non-airbag wheel with a chromed star behind a clear cover recessed into the wheel. The wheels in my 300TE and 190E are both the latter type without airbags (see pics).
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Technical Officer, Mercedes-Benz Club (NSW) Inc. www.mbcnsw.org.au
107.023: 1973, 350SLC, auto, icon gold, parchment MBtex.
107.026: 1981, 500SLC, auto, thistle green, green velour.
124.090: 1990, 300TE, auto, arctic white, cream-beige MBtex.
201.028: 1990, 190E-2.3 Sportline, 5-speed manual, arctic white, blue leather.
201.028: 1990, 190E-2.3 Sportline, auto, signal red, black fabric (parts car, currently dismantling).
This is what the steering wheel with the airbag looks like. My car has both passenger and driver airbags, I believe the steering wheel is slighty smaller in diameter too. I know the actual wheel part is a tad thicker though, I've driven non-airbag W126s and the steering wheel feels like this large, thin, almost old muscle car type steering wheel, the airbag wheel is much sportier of a feel.
-Tubs
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My car is a 1991 300E with driver airbag. However, the center star and circle logo in the steering wheel is indented. It looks like the inverse of the raised logo airbags you have pictured. My 1992 190E had the raised logo star on the air bag like in the pictures you have posted. Just was curious if this was anything more than an asthetic design change. Thanks, Matt.