Z3 steering wheel.

[Rha]

Well after looking at various steering wheel replacements I asked my mechanic friend if he would pass my cars MOT with a non airbag one, his answer was that if it looked like it had a bag and there was no light on dash he may ask some questions but wouldn't be adle to test it for obvious reasons, would probably fail it and only change his mind if I prove it would work by showing him how it was wired. Well being of sound mind and reasoning I decided against this route even though I dislike the wheel so much. Looked on Internet at Raid steering wheels and decided the're too expensive, took my Z to Aylesbury to Royal steering wheels where Jack (the owner) showed me what he could do for £120-ish, told him the OEM wheels are so hard I find I'm swapping hands frequently on longer journeys and would like something real comfy but rejected the alcantara as I didn't like the look, whent with original black leather but double padding, he had a Z3M steering wheel in stock for exchange so left a deposited, I'm back to get it changed by him next Tue. Will post pics and comments on the way it looks and feels next week.

Rha, Roy.

 

[Mnbrennan]

Here's mine from Jack and I love it!

 

[Rha]

It looks the dogs and it remains original with air bag intact no doubt Martin, how comfy is it compared to original?
Love that red and black interior.

Roy.

 

[Antm72]

Looking at this for my next upgrade i think the feel is very different and comfortable looks more like it should the outer being more bulkier so more inline with the giant airbag !!

 

[Rha]

Yeh Ant, told Martin a couple of weeks back what I wanted to do and he said he'd had his coupe wheel done and recommended it then. Can't wait to get back over there for Jack to fit it, him having one in stock ready to be recovered saved me taking the car off the road for a week, agreed to a swap after seeing the one he had in stock.
Roy.

 

[Antm72]

I've been looking at the website but there are no pricings on there at £120 its a great deal are you having it done like Martin's or all smooth?

 

[Rha]

No nothing fancy, I think the quote was for normal padding of 5mm but I said it wouldn't be comfy enough so he s charged me more for double the thickness 10mm, then on top of that there's gonna be a fitting charge so I reackon that could be £25-30ish. Let you know next week what the exact damage is. Was gong for a ring in another colour at the top but couldn't visualise it so didn't. It should look very standard but a lot thicker.

Roy.

 

[GazHyde]

One of the best things you can fit, love mine but wish I had gone double thickness. The standard thickness he does is still 100 times better than the standard one.

 

[Lee]

Wonder if he will re trim mine, Feels too thin and flimsy.

 

[Dino D]

@Lee He can do any wheel I believe, but might he want you to remove yours yourself, looks a bit complex!

Mines like new 5yrs and 30k+ miles later.

 

[5harp3y]

if anyone needs a spare steering wheel to send to get trimmed i have a MSport wheel here (needs recovering) that i'd sell for cheaps.

 

[Antm72]

He does and exchange service on the steering wheels according to the web site you pay a surcharge and return your wheel after the new one has arrived.

 

[Dino D]

Just to add then when it's brand new the leather looks a bit grey, especially in photos. This is mine when it was just fitted:

With a bit of use (especially if you are groomed individual that uses hand cream) it becomes a normal black colour.
I use some gliptone leather cleaner from time to time.

I'll be looking to get my hands on your wheel @Rha next time we meet to see what the double padding is like. I too would look a Raid but it's just a lot of cash (and looks very dull for the price!). No complaints with my current retrimmed wheel but double padding sounds interesting.

 

[Rha]

Wonder if he will re trim mine, Feels too thin and flimsy.

View attachment 25503

Needs a bit of contrast if you ask me @Lee, too much grey, I would go for something darker, your choice of course just a suggestion.
Love all them dials it makes the cockpit.
Roy.

 

[Rha]

Just to add then when it's brand new the leather looks a bit grey, especially in photos. This is mine when it was just fitted:
View attachment 25510

With a bit of use (especially if you are groomed individual that uses hand cream) it becomes a normal black colour.
I use some gliptone leather cleaner from time to time.

I'll be looking to get my hands on your wheel @Rha next time we meet to see what the double padding is like. I too would look a Raid but it's just a lot of cash (and looks very dull for the price!). No complaints with my current retrimmed wheel but double padding sounds interesting.

Your more than welcome Dino, if it looks/feels half as good as @Mnbrennan steering wheel I'll be more than happy, BMW definately let us down with there OEM st/wheel, good job someone like Jack can do something with it at reasonable prices.
Roy.

 

[Rha]

One of the best things you can fit, love mine but wish I had gone double thickness. The standard thickness he does is still 100 times better than the standard one.

Nearly missed replying to this post Gaz, and didn't realise how many Z-ers have gone before me with the st/wheel recovering, would have asked you for a feel at the last meet had I known so many others have.

Roy.

 

[GazHyde]

Forgot I had pics too! Nice close ups of the stitching as well

Refurbished Steering Wheel

• GazHyde
• May 10, 2014

Padded out to be thicker than the standard wheel for a better feel in the hand.

Refurbished Steering Wheel

• GazHyde
• May 10, 2014

Tri-colour stitching in the M colours

Refurbished Steering Wheel

• GazHyde
• May 10, 2014
• 5

Tri-colour stitching in the M colours

 

[Rha]

Just to add then when it's brand new the leather looks a bit grey, especially in photos. This is mine when it was just fitted:
View attachment 25510

With a bit of use (especially if you are groomed individual that uses hand cream) it becomes a normal black colour.
I use some gliptone leather cleaner from time to time.

I'll be looking to get my hands on your wheel @Rha next time we meet to see what the double padding is like. I too would look a Raid but it's just a lot of cash (and looks very dull for the price!). No complaints with my current retrimmed wheel but double padding sounds interesting.

Well Dino If everyone's using their wife's hand cream maybe they would be well advised to wear driving gloves. ME!!!!! No way not wife's hand cream, but if hands are getting a bit rough have been known to use a bit of my after shave balm, don't reckon that counts as cream, DO YOU?????? Anyway I'm sticking with black leather.