I'm with SCCA. Death to the two-spoke

I see no problem with offering both, but if it's only one, I think they picked the one that will appeal to more buyers. That's what marketing is all about

 

I agree... 3 spokes have a better look.
Larry

 

I recently got a 05' Cooper S, and I too am disappointed. Although, I like the three-spoke wheel's sportiness, I just think it is too small and I personally liked black better. Not to mention the extra source button on the back of the steering wheel, the old wheel just looked a little more classy.

 

I think MINIUSA should offer the two spoke wheel as an option. Hell, the MINI has so many options already, what different does one more make?
Charles

 

i have smallish hands and the 3-spoke just fits me better, the 2-spoke was too beefy and weird with all those backside controls.

I also like the third spoke at the bottom, quite handy for evasive moves
and yes we should have a choice

 

Aesthetically, it comes down to a matter of taste, but from a safety perspective, I vote with the 2-spoke wheel. Adjusting the radio/CD from behind allows my hands to be in constant contact with the wheel. I didn't find the controls to be awkward or difficult to learn. BTW, I am very satisfied with the quality/durability of the leather on this wheel in my 02 MC.

 

One thing about the 3-spoke wheel has me puzzled. Where's the horn button? Please tell me it's not built into the airbag cover! One of the best things about the 2-spoke is that I can rest a thumb on a spoke-mounted horn button at the first sign of an impending hazard, and my fingers stay firmly on the wheel. :smile: That's much better that taking a hand off to hover over the wheel hub. Worse yet, I've got his creepy mental picture of what would happen if the airbag deployed while a hub-mounted horn button was being pressed. It involves the back of the driver's hand, and a broken nose...

 

I think they should just left it the way it was. Come with two spokes but have the option for 3 spokes.

 

I like the 2 spoke better. The 3 spoke looks exactly like the PS1 wheel controller.
http://www.ebgames.com/ebx_assets/pr...ges/239298.jpg

But I think GM got this one right (that and I owned one). 4 spoke but it did not have the air bag bulk eather.
http://auto.consumerguide.com/images...1000503LRG.jpg

The lower spokes are good for curzing and the top two are for corners

 

Two spoke - no question.
The three spoke feels nice in the hands, but between the backside stereo controls (WAY 2 cool) and horn buttons (hmm, if I'm hitting the horn as I try to avoid them, but still hit them, my arm gets broken. Not 2 cool.) I may look to retrofit a 2 spoke to a 2005.

 

2 Spoke for me


Danny

 

I didn't even realize the 2-spoke had audio controls. It's too bad they don't offer them anymore, but I was actually planning on transferring my kenwood head unit out of my old car into my '05. I was going to skip the MFSW and use the behind-the-wheel RC-700 wheel remote that I've become accustomed to. That is, unless I can find a reasonably priced adapter that makes the audio buttons work with my head unit. Now that I've read some of the complaints, I'm pretty sure I'll skip the 3 spoke MFSW. If there's a petition for the 2 spoker, I'll sign it.

 

2 Spoke Please, at least the option of personal choice.

 

Ok, how can we go about setting up the petition online?

 

I must confess. I have had the car since 4/03 and have not used the horn once! So I really have no idea.:smile:

But my wife says it is easier than the center hub horn on a Taurus.

regards,
Red

 

I'm all about the 2 spoke one, I can't believe they got rid of it :(

 

The entire center part of the 3-spoke wheel is the horn button.

 

...but you still have to remove a hand from the wheel to use it.

Historically I'm a 3-spoke steering wheel fan; I even think the MINI's 3-spoke is more balanced aesthetically. The real issue for me is functionality; the 2-spoke rocks for that. To each is own, but MINI certainly axed an excellent wheel.

 

http://www.mini2.com/forum/showthread.php?t=72803

Looks like the 2-spoke is still around, at least in other countries.

 

The two spoke is much better. This three spoke is terrible. Maybe a 4-spoke like the WRX would be best. Certainly would be the sportiest. The radio buttons on the BACK of the wheel are fantastic. The buttons on the front of the wheel are just plain stupid and much less convenient. And getting rid of the perforated leather???? I have a 2nd week build 03 and it doesn't have the perforated leather (added later in the 03 model year). I had to buy an aftermarket leather wheel cover (from MINIswag/Motorswag) b/c perforated is so much better. The swag wheel is fantastic - so much better than stock.

But I'll sign a petition if you start one. I really don't like the new wheel and with 55k miles on my MINI, I do plan on getting another one soon.

 

I can't belive you people! I know its a personal preference but I can't stand the 2 spoke. I had it on a loaner and too big and has a cheap feel to it. The same goes for the standard light gray headlining. I can't stand it.

I find that the 3 spoke has a much better feel to it. It's a shame there's no source button on it for the radio, but I've never stopped listing to mp3's since I got mine.

Luke

 

I equally can't possibly understand how you like the 3 spoke. To each his own.

 

Where do sign to support the return of the two-spoke?

I justified the extra money for the MFSW on safety grounds. OK, I was streching it a bit--but given the downright dinky controls on MINI's stock radio, not much!

 

I guess this is what makes the mini so unique

 

Before I got my Mini I would have agreed with you. I had to get the 2 spoke when we bought our car and it was pissing me off that I was going to have to suffer with a dorky wheel.

The 2 spoke is more functional IMHO, and fits my hands better. Has to be the 2 spoke with the bumps at 2 and 10 though.