And that seals it. Where's the best place to purchase? Morristown MINI or the other site noted above?

Think I'll go with the alcantara - I don't have my hands at the top or bottom too often, so it prolly won't wear out as some BMW customers have complained.


mb

 

I got mine from Morristown. They were in stock and replied promptly to e-mail inquiries.

 

Not a lover of the CF myself ,however as I have the Gear stick and hand break covers I thought it would set it off with the steering wheel inserts.
You can still get a JCW wheel ....it comes without any inserts , so you could just add your original ones with the multifunctions etc .

 

Try NewMiniStuff.com as mentioned earlier. It's in the UK, but after shipping and conversion to dollars it should price out cheaper (around $400). Morristown is a fine choice as well.

 

Two more days 'till this is installed - I'll post pics of the Alcantara/leather wheel saturday night. I'm pumped!

mb

 

I lied about this - it's going on tomorrow - pics coming soon.......

mb

 

I'm looking forward to seeing it. I really like the look (feel) of that wheel.

 

I am having mine installed tomorrow. Anybody want to buy a blue/silver checkmate steering wheel...sligthy used?

 

Possibly. But I'd need to see photos. (I've never seen one!)

 

kinda off topic, but...anyone fitted a 3 spoke wheel to a 04 and back?

 

The steering wheel itself is a straight bolt-on swap between 2 and 3 spoke versions. However the airbags do not match and you would have to buy a new one, also spokes with multifunction buttons if your car has MFSW.

 

Here she is - and it's all it's cracked up to be. I love it and am very happy with the purchase:




Edit - this photo makes it seem the same diameter as the stock wheel, but it is definitely not the same size. This wheel is much thicker and more substantial.
mb

 

Installed mine today (all leather), and I can attest the pictures do not do this justice. It's hard to believe how much different this wheel is from the stock one. The install took 45 minutes from start to finish and was very easy to do. everything can be done with basic hand tools and switching the MFSW buttons is no harder than undoing one torx head screw from each spoke on the wheel.

I know I'm going to get my money's worth every day I drive, what a difference. By the way, I bought mine from NewMiniStuff.com, it took just a little over a week for it to arrive from Great Britain.

 

wow, i am drooling already

 

Well after using mine for a bit, I'm convinced it was some of my best modding money I've spent. I go through withdrawls everytime I drive our other MINI with the stock wheel.

 

Hopefully this will better show the difference. If I were smart I'd just measure, but that's not fun!

Direct comparison:


JCW from the side:


JCW and Stock side view:


My hand around stock (comfortably, not squeezing too hard):


My hand around JCW (I tried to replicate the hold exactly):


I agree with MINI fireman - this was money well spent.

mb

Edit - Yea, I know, I should be a hand model.

 

Nice, those look real nice.

haha, but then you would have to wear a glass case around it, and then you couldn't shift.

 

What finally sold me on it was something Gabe (of MotoringFile) pointed out. What other part of your MINI do you interface with more than the steering wheel? It's a beautiful piece of kit, functional & well built. Now if only they'd discount them a little more.

 

This wheel is great...I can't believe how much nicer this feels compared to the standard wheel. See gallery.

 

so much like the M3 steering wheel the only thing MINI should have done is matched the stiching on the inside for the 550 USD

It is thick and I thought my 3 spoke sport was thick.
What sells the wheel is that so many people liked the M3 alacatara

 

Agreed - when I used to lust after BMWs like the M3, one of the most attractive aspects of it to me was the steering wheel. Now I've got one.

mb

 

I've ordered mine - should be here soon.

So hold my hand here a little. The install sounds like a piece of cake, but the air bag freaks me out. I just disconnect the battery and wait 15 minutes or so, right?

Mark S

 

I had the dealer do it, but he did say they had to disconnect the battery. I think others in this thread did the install themselves, hopefully they'll chime in for you.

mb

 

I disconnected the negative terminal on the battery. I've done it before without disconnecting the battery but decided not to chance it this time around. The only thing you need to reset after reconnecting the battery is the clock, all other electrical settings are unaffected.

As long as the battery is disconnected, there should be no concern with a short setting off the airbag. I've still never heard of any instances of that happening but I'm sure someone has.

 

I just disconnected the battery and then started taking the airbag off (no waiting 15 minutes). The online PDF didn't say anything about needing to wait 15 minutes before proceeding after battery disconnection.
http://motoringfile.com/2006/07/07/j...ing-wheel-diy/