Steering wheels: What do you guys think is best? - BMW 3-Series (E90 E92) Forum

rondocap · 11-12-2012, 01:22 AM

My 335i has the sport steering wheel with the older style paddles. I do like the wheel, but it's a bit thin - and anytime I've driven an M sport car, I've always really liked that wheel as it's thicker.

Here's my dilemma - I could very well add an M tech wheel, sure - but I also find the non-electronic Alcantara wheel really appealing. First, my car is an 08 so m sport never existed that model year - so I feel like adding the M tech wheel is a bit outside the original factory ideals - while the Alcantara wheel seems to be more of a BMW backed upgrade that makes it a little more special in my opinion.

What do you guys think? Anyone have some good pictures of the wheel with the paddles? I wonder how it is to keep clean, and how it feels in the hand.

I'm referencing this wheel:

spiike32 · 11-12-2012, 01:52 AM

I had the same dilemma as you do but going a completely diff route. Custom wrapped perforated leather sides, cf on the top, can't decide on the bottom, and heating element.

The wheel you describe sounds like the one at **********s.

VTECaddict · 11-12-2012, 01:59 AM

M-sport or M3

e90sexion · 11-12-2012, 03:35 AM

i tried all the wheels from mtech - m3 - m performance alcantra wheels.
out of all 3, m3 is the best imo.

sbce90 · 11-12-2012, 03:37 AM

Perforated MSport wheel is my favourite.

Philz BMW · 11-12-2012, 03:42 AM

You guys change steering wheels? I'm not even sure what that is about.

very strange

Maybe I'm old, I just don't see any value from it.

CombatNinja · 11-12-2012, 07:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spiike32

I had the same dilemma as you do but going a completely diff route. Custom wrapped perforated leather sides, cf on the top, can't decide on the bottom, and heating element.

The wheel you describe sounds like the one at **********s.

Have you found someone that will do custom heated steering wheels? I have been looking for someone for ages. Nobody seems willing to do a heated wheel. Please share the contact info if possible.

spiike32 · 11-12-2012, 01:01 PM

I'm doing the wheel myself following various online DIY tutorials and will post up a DIY probably end of December. I've practiced baseball stitching, found a local seamstress to do the initial pattern, and I'm currently finding a cheaper source for NAPA leather.

For the heating element you can take apart one of those 12v heated steering wheel covers and incorporate it under the leather and put the switch under where the right paddle should go behind the wheel (my plan at least).

Example of a heated steering wheel cover. Any custom wheel company can incorporate this under the leather.
http://www.autobarn.net/heated-steer...FcU-MgodP1EAXw

I'm actually also working on a diy air conditioned seat... but not going to hijack this thread with my diy

rondocap · 11-12-2012, 01:02 PM

The M tech is definitely great - but that Alcantara one is very unique, and I love that Flat bottom.

Njprince0226 · 11-12-2012, 02:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Philz BMW

You guys change steering wheels? I'm not even sure what that is about.

very strange

Maybe I'm old, I just don't see any value from it.

It actually change's the feel of the car but it is pretty pricey for a little upgrade..

Eric335 · 11-12-2012, 02:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rondocap

The M tech is definitely great - but that Alcantara one is very unique, and I love that Flat bottom.

Thats what i would go with too

ECSTuning · 11-12-2012, 02:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rondocap

The M tech is definitely great - but that Alcantara one is very unique, and I love that Flat bottom.

Agreed the M Performance flat bottom wheels look awesome and feel great on the hands!

Meeni · 11-12-2012, 04:40 PM

I heard that the Alcantara is difficult to keep clean and wears very quickly if it is not treated like a princess (hand wash before every drive etc), is it true? It is beautiful, but that sounds like a lot of hassle to enjoy it, in that case.

The best of all worlds would be the perforated M-sport wheel with the blue/red stitching

Op: the M3 paddle are vastly superior to the regular paddle buttons. There is a DIY on this forum that claims they are PnP for paddle equipped cars.

rondocap · 11-12-2012, 04:44 PM

That steering wheel is a good excuse to drive around in bmw racing gloves, and might as well throw in a helmet, too. Daily driving to work will be fun! Racecar looks from people.

Sara504 · 11-12-2012, 04:45 PM

Ive driven yodaime's car a couple times with this wheel on that he just got.. Its comfy

husks002 · 11-12-2012, 06:12 PM

I got the m3 wheel w/ dct paddles on mine. Best mod i ever did to my car.

Dark_Knight_335 · 11-12-2012, 06:14 PM

It was a choice between m-sport or a heated steering wheel.
I chose m-sport- I can wear gloves

VMRWheels · 11-12-2012, 08:53 PM

M sport suede/alcantara

11-12-2012, 01:22 AM	#1
rondocap Lieutenant Drives: 335i Sedan Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: NY/NJ Posts: 425 iTrader: (0)	Steering wheels: What do you guys think is best? My 335i has the sport steering wheel with the older style paddles. I do like the wheel, but it's a bit thin - and anytime I've driven an M sport car, I've always really liked that wheel as it's thicker. Here's my dilemma - I could very well add an M tech wheel, sure - but I also find the non-electronic Alcantara wheel really appealing. First, my car is an 08 so m sport never existed that model year - so I feel like adding the M tech wheel is a bit outside the original factory ideals - while the Alcantara wheel seems to be more of a BMW backed upgrade that makes it a little more special in my opinion. What do you guys think? Anyone have some good pictures of the wheel with the paddles? I wonder how it is to keep clean, and how it feels in the hand. I'm referencing this wheel:
	Tweet

11-12-2012, 01:52 AM	#2
spiike32 Captain Drives: Monaco Blue E92 335i Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: shy-town Posts: 857 iTrader: (7)	I had the same dilemma as you do but going a completely diff route. Custom wrapped perforated leather sides, cf on the top, can't decide on the bottom, and heating element. The wheel you describe sounds like the one at **********s. __________________

11-12-2012, 01:59 AM	#3
VTECaddict Where'd my VTEC go? Drives: 06 330i 6MT Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: West LA, CA Posts: 4,090 iTrader: (3)	M-sport or M3 __________________ AW/Terra \| ZSP \| ZPP \| ZCW \| iDrive \| CA Mods: KW V2 \| OEM Blacklines \| M-tech rear \| custom dual exhaust \| M3 steering wheel \| BMW SSK \| ZHP shift knob \| BMW Performance rep spoiler Varrstoen ES1 19x9.5+20 Front, 19x11+25 rear

11-12-2012, 03:35 AM	#4
e90sexion E 9 0 S E X I O N Drives: like old times Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Vancouver/WA Posts: 5,361 iTrader: (16)	i tried all the wheels from mtech - m3 - m performance alcantra wheels. out of all 3, m3 is the best imo. __________________ KW \| VOLK TE37SL \| RECARO \| BMW PE

11-12-2012, 03:37 AM	#5
sbce90 Me Boosta Drives: 320i / MB C63 Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Sydney, Australia Posts: 4,966 iTrader: (3)	Perforated MSport wheel is my favourite. __________________

11-12-2012, 03:42 AM	#6
Philz BMW Slow rollin Drives: 328i koop Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: USA Posts: 373 iTrader: (0)	You guys change steering wheels? I'm not even sure what that is about. very strange Maybe I'm old, I just don't see any value from it. __________________ Business: BMW 328i Coupe Pleasure: Ducati 1098S

11-12-2012, 01:01 PM	#8
spiike32 Captain Drives: Monaco Blue E92 335i Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: shy-town Posts: 857 iTrader: (7)	I'm doing the wheel myself following various online DIY tutorials and will post up a DIY probably end of December. I've practiced baseball stitching, found a local seamstress to do the initial pattern, and I'm currently finding a cheaper source for NAPA leather. For the heating element you can take apart one of those 12v heated steering wheel covers and incorporate it under the leather and put the switch under where the right paddle should go behind the wheel (my plan at least). Example of a heated steering wheel cover. Any custom wheel company can incorporate this under the leather. http://www.autobarn.net/heated-steer...FcU-MgodP1EAXw I'm actually also working on a diy air conditioned seat... but not going to hijack this thread with my diy __________________ Last edited by spiike32; 11-12-2012 at 01:07 PM.

11-12-2012, 01:02 PM	#9
rondocap Lieutenant Drives: 335i Sedan Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: NY/NJ Posts: 425 iTrader: (0)	The M tech is definitely great - but that Alcantara one is very unique, and I love that Flat bottom.

11-12-2012, 04:40 PM	#13
Meeni Gateropode Drives: BMW 330i 06 Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: TN Posts: 795 iTrader: (0)	I heard that the Alcantara is difficult to keep clean and wears very quickly if it is not treated like a princess (hand wash before every drive etc), is it true? It is beautiful, but that sounds like a lot of hassle to enjoy it, in that case. The best of all worlds would be the perforated M-sport wheel with the blue/red stitching Op: the M3 paddle are vastly superior to the regular paddle buttons. There is a DIY on this forum that claims they are PnP for paddle equipped cars.

11-12-2012, 04:44 PM	#14
rondocap Lieutenant Drives: 335i Sedan Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: NY/NJ Posts: 425 iTrader: (0)	That steering wheel is a good excuse to drive around in bmw racing gloves, and might as well throw in a helmet, too. Daily driving to work will be fun! Racecar looks from people.

11-12-2012, 04:45 PM	#15
Sara504 ///Miss E92 Drives: 2013 335is Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: California Posts: 17,214 iTrader: (6)	Ive driven yodaime's car a couple times with this wheel on that he just got.. Its comfy Attached Images __________________ 2013 335is-Current 2011 335i -Sold 4/132006 325i-Sold 7/11 Last edited by Sara504; 11-12-2012 at 04:52 PM.

11-12-2012, 06:12 PM	#16
husks002 Private First Class Drives: AW e92 335i Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 147 iTrader: (0)	I got the m3 wheel w/ dct paddles on mine. Best mod i ever did to my car. __________________ 08 AW E92 335i \|JB4 G5 E85 \| BMS DCI \| BMS 3" DP \| 19" Avante Garde \| Custom Catback \| M3 DCT Wheel/Paddles \| Alpine 6000k \| Hardwired V1 \| Aero Lip \| BMW Performance Spoiler

11-12-2012, 06:14 PM	#17
Dark_Knight_335 Came to the N55 Darkside Drives: 2011 335 E93 M-Sport Join Date: May 2010 Location: NY/NJ Posts: 5,794 iTrader: (17)	It was a choice between m-sport or a heated steering wheel. I chose m-sport- I can wear gloves __________________ Assorted E9x bushings, 200$ local pickup or 225$ shipped! http://www.e90post.com/forums/showth...2#post13995632

11-12-2012, 08:53 PM	#18
VMRWheels BimmerPost Supporting Vendor Drives: BMW Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Anaheim, CA Posts: 9,910 iTrader: (4) Garage List 2008 5 Series [3.30]	M sport suede/alcantara __________________ NEW WHEEL MODEL: V721 \| LIVE INVENTORY: V705 V703 V710 \| V710 PICTURE THREAD p. 714-442-7916 extension 103 \| e. kevin.a@velocitymotoring.com \| f. facebook.com/vmrwheels f. flickr.com/vmrwheels

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