I apologize if everyone on the forum already knows this but I just got my new MCS and the first time I drove at night I saw that the MFSW buttons light up! Does the 2 spoke MFSW do this?

 

Nice!

 

That does look very nice! I think they did well with this new steering wheel.

 

That is the 1st close-up pic of the 3-spoke I've seen where you can make out what's on the buttons. Thanks.
Looks good IMO. No buttons on the back of the wheel anymore?

 

Is the horn activated by pressing the middle of the wheel? There's no thumb button for it.
If so, that's enough to sell me on the 3-spoke.

 

>>I apologize if everyone on the forum already knows this but I just got my new MCS and the first time I drove at night I saw that the MFSW buttons light up! Does the 2 spoke MFSW do this?
>>

The two spoke steering wheel has the radio buttons on the back, while the horn buttons and cruise control buttons are on the front (those are lighted).

 

>>That does look very nice! I think they did well with this new steering wheel.

Yeah, what he said. I wonder if it is a simple swap to go from a 2-spoke to the 3-spoke wheel.

 

Well I do like the 2-spoke look better. But now...what's with the buttons on the front? I really love having the buttons on the back - there's no need to look down or take your hands off the wheel to do all the radio stuff.

 

nice. :smile:

 

It looks like the 2 spoke MFSW has 2 more buttons, unless buttons are hidden on the back of the 3 spoke. The right one lets you change mode (CD, FM, AM, Changer, Aux) and the left one is used from some obscure radio function (I never listen to the radio). I know some of the aftermarket adapters use those extra buttons as well, I think the left one can become a "mute" button.

I really like the looks of the 3 spoke wheel though, I played with one at the dealer last week but didn't notice the missing/hidden buttons.

 

You're right. The 3-spoke doesn't let you switch modes.

I went with the 3 spoke because of its looks. The 2 spoke reminded me of my mom's Mercury Sable that I drove in high school... Ugh.

My car arrives on the Tancred tomorrow... shouldn't be too much longer now!!!

 

I'll bet that a steering wheel swap is NOT easy as there is an air bag in the wheel.

I don't know that for a fact, but everytime I talked to a mech about the air bag, they got very very un-easy....

 

All in all I like the 3 spoke MFSW but I wish I could change modes (CD, radio, cassette) - that's something that should've been included.

Horn is activated by the entire hub. You can see the horn symbol in the picture at 3 and 9 o'clock of the hub.

 

I pick-up my new MC on Monday AM and it has the 3 spoke....I' like a kid on Christmas eve....I can hardly wait!!!!

 

So my ingrained reflex to slam my palm into the middle of the steering wheel in reaction to morons cutting me off would actually help me with the 3-spoke? Hmmmm....maybe I will get an orange MCS after all....

 

>>So my ingrained reflex to slam my palm into the middle of the steering wheel in reaction to morons cutting me off would actually help me with the 3-spoke? Hmmmm....maybe I will get an orange MCS after all....
>>

I hate that. I must have slammed the middle of the 2 spoke steering wheel dozens of times in the first few months of ownership when going for the horn. And the weird thing is, my previous car had side horn buttons also. I guess it's just ingrained in our heads to go for the horn in the middle of the steering wheel.

 

The 3spoke has the airbag in the steering wheel still, right? then swapping
steering wheels isn't really hard at all. Just unplug your battery
and let the system drain first and then just swap it. The only challenge we would
have is with the harness for the buttons. We may have to splice/tap to configure.

Since some of us say there are missing keys, i am pretty sure the harness
will need to be cut and soldered. also, i bet those steering wheels are very
expensive to buy separately..

 

I'm so glad my car has the 2 spoke steering wheel.

 

I still prefer the "classic" 2 spoke sports MFSW wheel. I like the audio buttons behind the spokes much better. The new 3 spoke seems come straight from Mr. Chris Bangle's drawing board.

 

I had originally ordered the 3 spoke then changed my mind and went back to the 2 spoke. My MA assured me that it was the 2 spoke being put on. Well, when my car arrived it wasn't and while I was initally dissapointed, the 3 spoke grew on me and I'm pretty happy! I do wish it had buttons to change the modes.

_________________
CR/W MCS - no packages

 

The only functional aspect of the 3-spoke wheel that I really like over the 2-spoke one is the fact that the horn button is smack in the middle of the hub versus the small buttons on each side of the 2 spoke.

But I prefer the 2-spoke as it integrates better with the cabin design and the audio buttons behind the spokes make so much more ergonomical sense.


Anyway, choice is good!

_________________
'02 Cooper CVT PW/B, Bone stock (Hers)
'04 MCS CR/W/Chrome Grille and mirror caps (His)

 

I've got the original MFSW and I really like it. I guess what I really want is all the functions of the 2 spoke with the center horn, not the 2 small horn buttons. Also I wish the steering wheel was thicker, like the M3 steering wheel. I gotta say I love the radio functions on the back of the steering wheel. When I'm driving other cars, I instinctively start changing radio stations with non-existing buttons on the steering wheel.

 

I saw the 3-spoke the other day when I was at my Mini dealer. I did not like it at all. IMO it looks cheap (too much of that silver coated plastic). Others have described it as looking like something that would come with a video game console. I like my 2-spoke MFSW. The buttons on the back are easy to use. In addition, I have gotten used to having the horn button on either side of the center piece within easy reach of my fingers, as opposed to having it in the center. Also, my guess is that, knowing how careful Mini owners are eith their cars, those with a center horn button would be reluctant to use/overuse it for fear of scratching the horn button and the Mini logo.