Someone out there could possibly just drill holes in the wheel spokes, install small push buttons and wire to the stock harness? Race cars have buttons on the wheels now and some even have LCD displays. Only limit is your imagination and check book balance.

 

What is the likelyhood that a wheel from a 3 series would fit and have working controls? I keep thinking about the alcantera wheel (suede look and feel) that is available in the 3 series. This way you keep all the cruise control and other functionality and it has an airbag.


Bob

 

That's a great idea!! Many of the components on a MINI that are shared w/ thier big brothers are wired the same way, ie the CD changer.

 

I'd love to do that sparco wheel with a horn button - haven't worked up the nerve yet.

 

i still think the nicest looking steering wheel would be the M3 steering wheel, looks sick and should still retain all the stock features like cruise control and that other crap...

 

well i have heard that niether momo or sparco are coming out with a hub anytime soon, so dont get your hopes up, i talked to speedware (sparco distributor) and they called sparco and they dont even a hub for the mini in production, sparco told speedware to tell me to use the e36 m3 hub and use a shim, dont ask me why. horns are need but to me cruise is a option, fun to use but not need on the track, that is why you get the aftermarket steering wheel.

chris

thanks for the replies

 

Hmmm...regarding the European factory optional wooden steering wheel, I heard it was NOT real wood. And, also, that it's the SPOKES of the steering wheel, not the actual wheel part, that are finished that way.

This information was from my MA on my '05 MC. He had a serious interest in doing an aftermarket mod, using European factory MINI accesories, to switch his his dashboard over to a wooden style. However, he worked for Niello MINI of Sacramento, at the time (but no longer). After having purchased my MINI from that particular dealership, I'm no longer too hot on anything they have to say regarding MINI's, or that they have to say about anything else for that matter. So, you can make of that information what you will.

A TRUE wooden steering wheel for the MINI would be cool. But, if it didn't have all my MFSW controls on it, then I'd likely have to take a pass on it. Of course, actually SEEING such a steering wheel on a MINI...might change my mind. :smile: (Boy, do I sure miss the old MFSW option. *sigh*)

 

@ BillyB

Here you´ll find genuine wood. http://forum.mini2ig.de/coppermine/d...at=8&pos=-5371

 

Well...strangely, I'm not sure I like it. At least the steering wheel, though I think the dash is alright. It's nice to see in any case. Where's that set of pics from? I'm assuming that car is not in the States, but I guess I could be wrong. That type of MFSW (two spoke) is not available anymore, at least here, so I wonder if they have that option (wood, be it simulated or real) in the remaining 3-spoke MFSW, even if not here in the States. (So, I guess it doesn't really matter, eh?)

Of course, right now, I'd be happy just to get rid of my remaining rattles, then replacing my tires, getting the cracked windshield changed out, and...oh boy, I'm far from playing around with interior upgrades. *sigh* (I'm more of an old Jaguar E-type wooden steering wheel fan anyway.) The perforated leather (BMW look) steering wheel was kinda nice, but it did look out of place on the MINI. Replacing an item like that with an aftermarket product can be really tricky, both as far as getting it to fit right, and having it look like it belongs.

 

I also like the Alcantera wheel on the 3 series very much. Does anyone know where I can get something like that? Maybe just a Alcantera (suede look and feel) trim added to my steerting wheel?



David

 

I had mine done at a local upholstery shop.

 

You guys do know that its illegal to remove any airbags from your vehicle.

Secondly, good luck if you have a major accident and are injured due to not having your steering wheel airbag. I'm pretty sure any insurance company would fight hard to deny your claim since you removed your airbag. Same goes for people who put in Racing seats.

I love these wheels and seats as much as the next guy but the risk just doesn't seem worth it unless its a full out race car.

Good Luck

 

I'd love to switch to a MOMO since I have one in my current care and really like it, but I'm just afraid of what my insurance company would say if they found out I disabled a safety device in a street car.

Joe

 

The E-36 hub with a 1/2 inch spacer is still the only way I have seen to get a aftermarket wheel on the mini .I know of one owner that ground the hell out of his stock one to make it fit but it was a real tough time.

 

hey mini d, what does something like that run ya? That is Alcantara or some other suede, right?

 

Yea, there are probably alot of MINI owners that would love to do that to their wheels. You should tell that company that they could probably sell redone stock wheels like hot cakes if they can do it for under $500.

I would seriously think about it, but they would have to do a better job of matching the stock color leather.

 

It matches perfectly. It is Alacantra like my seats. I am just a seriously horrible photographer . If I can't point and click it ain't gettin a picture taken. This is a better representation of the color.

 

If I remember correctly it was about 500 for the wheel.
www.stitchcraftinteriors.com

 

That german site had pics of an Alcantera wheel- and more:
http://forum.mini2ig.de/coppermine/d...lbum=78&pos=24
Blue!

 

Wow, where did those come from? And how much??

 

There is a japanese company that makes a hub for the Mini. With an airbag warning cancelation curcuit built in.

site

 

i want one too!!

 

There was contact information on the website originally and I tried to contact them but there was no reply. That is where the idea came from, I wish I had done mine completely in Alcantara.

 

How has the wheel been wearing since you've done it? How long ago did you do it?

I got to drive a 3 Series that had a steering wheel like that and it was great, though it seemed like it would wear pretty badly from day to day use.

 

But it is holding up fantastic. No wear whatsoever. The seats too. By the way, this is my daily driver so I have already put 12K miles on it since August of last year.