I'm pretty sure the "burlwood" is really burled walnut, but I may be wrong.

 

I'm pretty sure the "burlwood" is really burled walnut.

ding ding ding!

Like previously mentioned, burlwood is a generic term. From my W140 brochures, its officially called burl walnut.

Even other manufacturers with the same type of wood call it burl walnut.

I guess "burl walnut" is just not as catchy as "burlwood"

 

Burlwood is a generic term. A burl is a wart-like growth from the trunk or limb of a tree caused by a viral infection of the sap wood. They can grow very large, big enough to cut into slices and make table tops. They can be cut from the tree without harming it.

When sliced to make a veneer they have a characteristic swirl pattern. Once stained it can be hard to pick the type of tree. Walnut is popular, but makers use the term burlwood as a way of getting around things so they can use any type depending on supply.

The term 'burled' is incorrect, as it sounds like there is some sort of process to 'burl' wood. But it gets used a lot. The brownish coloured burl in the W140 would probably be referred to as walnut.

 

does anyone have pics of the birds eye maple in a w140 its not something ive ever seen here in the uk and ive looked at many of them.
would be interested to see how it looks

 

Hi Silverw140,

I posted some pics here:

http://www.benzworld.org/forums/4842746-post16.html

I've seen several in the UK, but I could probably count them all on one hand.

I believe dbs600's picture above is Birds Eye Maple as well, but I'm not 100% sure because of the lighting in the photo.

 

Ok great, so to answer my query- so theres only 3 options, right?

 

How does this wood factor in, and the wood on the 1999 S500 Grand Edition?

Otherwise, did Designo ever work their precious stone magic on the 140's?

 

wood

thanks allentc
i do like the look of the maple i have lots of wood burlwood trim pieces in stock as i break mercedes for a living so i think im going to have a play around with some wood stain and see what i come up with

 

thanks allentc
i do like the look of the maple i have lots of wood burlwood trim pieces in stock as i break mercedes for a living so i think im going to have a play around with some wood stain and see what i come up with

If you want a faux birds eye maple, you might want to look at this

 

The birds eye effect is also caused by a 'defect' in the growth of the wood like burl. It's most common in maple but also happens to other trees, including walnut. The blackish colour is a a stain, most maple timber is golden in colour.

 

so 11 responses later no one can still confirm lol



how many w140'ers does it take to change a light bulb...?

 

Guess this is a start:

Zebrano (entry models)
Burl Walnut (most common)
Birdseye Maple (europe / japan only?)
Dark Ash (Grand Edition only?)

 

Zebrano

Burl Walnut

Bird Eye Maple

Dark Ash

is this about right?

 

Those are the sort of figurings you should see for each type of wood. I took a picture of the trim from my 91/92 300SEL and 93 400SEL. (Couldn't do it until the sun came up.) It doesn't show it very well, but the 300SEL on the left is more orange than the 400SEL. Both would be called 'walnut'.

These are natural products and will have variations. If you are trying to match colour perfectly you will be looking for a long time.

None of my brochures specifically list the types of wood in their trim specifications.

 

There will be definite variation with trims especially between new and used. however, with this as a guide I can use it to say A, B, C or D. this is especially helpful when the person on the other end is not a stealership, nor an MB specialist and simply a parts guy.

Thanks dbs600 & tlampre

 

Yes, those are good representations, but you can also look at these: Zebrano, Burl Walnut, and Dark Ash...

 

UPDATE:

Upon further research:

Zebrano: 92-94 300/320/400/420's - in the U.S.
(first picture in prior post)

Calyptus: 95-99 320's - in the U.S.
(first picture in this post)

Burl Walnut: 92-99 500/600's and 95-99 420's
(second picture in this and prior posts)

Birdseye Maple - Dark Finish: 99 Grand Edition and optional outside of the U.S.
(last picture in prior post)

Chestnut - Light Finish: Optional outside the U.S.
(last picture in this post)

Note that Birdseye Maple is actually the dark wood, not the light wood!

 

Still don't know the name of the light wood that was also optional outside the U.S.
(last picture in this post)

That photo is from my car, and when I bought the original Mercedes S/CL600 part, the wood for the gear shifter plate, it said; Chestnut.

So, Chestnut it is!

br,
syljua

 

Thanks Syljua! So, it looks like we have them all now!

 

"And then I come and spoil it all, by saying we also have Designo..."

Designo wood, were colored wood. (They did not even bother to get separate real wood samples in the prospect, just computer color one image of woodgrain...)

Here are the woods/colored offered in Designo models in 1997 (gotten from Sven in the www.w140forum.de);

And for completeness sake, the paint colors, and the leather samples (not all available in the W/V/C140);

br,
syljua

 

wow thank you for that chart i needed it

 

Wow, so the parts guy i was dealing with is right. I didnt care to mention it because i thought he was smoking something good. I was offered wood options in green.

Good info and great pics!

 

I was offered wood options in green.

Did a dealership offer this!? Does this mean replacement Designo parts exist!? There are so many combinations. How would they even price out!?

 

Wow, wow, wow, wow, wow!!!

Did this 1997 Designo chart apply across all model lines, except where noted!?

I have a 7 Series Individual now (Designo equivalent) and anyone who appreciates this thread, would love this as well(!):

Individuals by Lancaster - 7Post - 7 Series Forum

All special, all factory!!!

 

Talking about "real" burlwood...I just happen to have some that I keep for my own personal use. This is just one slice of a few I have (not for sale, just sharing). It's from a Yew tree from British Columbia, Canada.

 

300 year old tree:

Meet the tree Cadillac used to make the Ciel Concept's gorgeous wood interior

 

A little off topic, but still interesting to know that there are other choices outside of the OEM wood trim options...

APSIS-Mercedes Wood Trims.......!

 

Interesting:

Note that while this is a Designo interior, it does not have the "Exclusive" extended leather interior of the S600:

http://www.benzworld.org/forums/w14.../forums/w140-s-class/1375489-great-pics-top-optioned-s-500-a-2.html#post2870084

Why aren't these very special cars not better documented!?

 

3D print?

Has anyone scanned the console such that one could print a replacement, perhaps add a veneer that is durable?

Jay