Flat bottomed steering wheel - options out there?

[johntomferg]

So, just let me say I love my car. But the ingress/egress into and out of the passenger seat with the current wheel isn't really what I want it to be. It's less about the waist and more about how high my knee is off the ground when I want to scoot in under the wheel.

I don't really need a dramatic redesign of the entire wheel, buttons, grip, etc.. But, I think it would be significantly better (at lest for me) if there was a flat bottomed steering wheel option.

Comments? Options? Anything coming on the horizon?

[Used2be]

Take a look at this BMW M Performance wheel for your needs.
http://www.getbmwparts.com/partlocat...subcat1=190030

[M-bitious]

Doesn't it go up automatically? It does on mine.

[bm5bullit]

Originally Posted by M-bitious

Doesn't it go up automatically? It does on mine.

I think that this requires coding for US spec cars.

[Used2be]

Originally Posted by bm5bullit

I think that this requires coding for US spec cars.

No coding needed for mine, it has always raised when I open the door. Perhaps the OP is the size of Shaq and needs all the space he can get?

[PatrickC23]

Originally Posted by Used2be

No coding needed for mine, it has always raised when I open the door. Perhaps the OP is the size of Shaq and needs all the space he can get?

Yea it might just be a comfort access option thats programmable. I just found it on my C63, one week prior to trading it in. Fail.

[stealth.pilot]

Originally Posted by johntomferg

So, just let me say I love my car. But the ingress/egress into and out of the passenger seat with the current wheel isn't really what I want it to be. It's less about the waist and more about how high my knee is off the ground when I want to scoot in under the wheel.

I don't really need a dramatic redesign of the entire wheel, buttons, grip, etc.. But, I think it would be significantly better (at lest for me) if there was a flat bottomed steering wheel option.

Comments? Options? Anything coming on the horizon?

The M Performance wheel has a square bottom.

Unfortunately it is Alcantara and doesn't blend well. However you can have it reskinned in Nappa by DCT Motorsports. Dctms.com

They can also convert your existing wheel into a square bottom.

[ColdList]

Originally Posted by stealth.pilot

The M Performance wheel has a square bottom.

Unfortunately it is Alcantara and doesn't blend well. However you can have it reskinned in Nappa by DCT Motorsports. Dctms.com

They can also convert your existing wheel into a square bottom.

THIS is what I was going to ask. Do not want alcantara on the wheel. I like the square bottom a lot. Have you heard any real life reviews on the work these guys do? I know you would also lose your heated steering wheel but here in GA I would never use it-even on the coldest days. Never used it once since buying in January.

[stealth.pilot]

Originally Posted by ColdList

THIS is what I was going to ask. Do not want alcantara on the wheel. I like the square bottom a lot. Have you heard any real life reviews on the work these guys do? I know you would also lose your heated steering wheel but here in GA I would never use it-even on the coldest days. Never used it once since buying in January.

Look on teamspeed or ask Sonic Motorsports who are a reseller. The people on teamspeed seem to think their work is excellent.

[ColdList]

Great tip! thanks!

[ColdList]

Looks like DCT does not have one for the F10 yet. Only E60.

[johntomferg]

Perhaps the OP is the size of Shaq and needs all the space he can get?

I'm no small guy, but I'm not shaq sized. That said, you could effectively consider it the same problem. So let's utilize the Shaq Buick commercial for the discussion.

Notice through careful editing they don't show him getting in, and the he offsets the height of his right knee by sitting unevenly in the seat such that he is lifting his left leg up more.

In the same way, the steering wheel in the full up position doesn't do much for me. There is this odd under and up motion when it comes to granting right knee clearance to evenly position infront of the wheel. (the evenly position part is what you don't see Shaq do in the commercial, or else you'd see that right knee 'up'). Just about an inch more clearance on the bottom of the wheel would make it a smooth action to get in/out.

Once I'm in, I'm good.

Keep in mind the problem is also easily managed when there is no car next to you on the drive side in a parking lot. But it is exceptionally aggravated when you can't open the door far enough because someone is parked next to you.

I know you would also lose your heated steering wheel

Wife would ix-nay that in a heartbeat. I believe you if that is what you have already discovered in your research, but I'm not full sure I can appreciate why this would be lost on a modified wheel. Heat conducting leads can be re-looped.




So no good options at the moment. For what it is worth, I hear-by throw down the gauntlet for the modding companies to device a solution without compromise.

[ColdList]

Originally Posted by johntomferg

Perhaps the OP is the size of Shaq and needs all the space he can get?

I'm no small guy, but I'm not shaq sized. That said, you could effectively consider it the same problem. So let's utilize the Shaq Buick commercial for the discussion.

Notice through careful editing they don't show him getting in, and the he offsets the height of his right knee by sitting unevenly in the seat such that he is lifting his left leg up more.

In the same way, the steering wheel in the full up position doesn't do much for me. There is this odd under and up motion when it comes to granting right knee clearance to evenly position infront of the wheel. (the evenly position part is what you don't see Shaq do in the commercial, or else you'd see that right knee 'up'). Just about an inch more clearance on the bottom of the wheel would make it a smooth action to get in/out.

Once I'm in, I'm good.

Keep in mind the problem is also easily managed when there is no car next to you on the drive side in a parking lot. But it is exceptionally aggravated when you can't open the door far enough because someone is parked next to you.





Wife would ix-nay that in a heartbeat. I believe you if that is what you have already discovered in your research, but I'm not full sure I can appreciate why this would be lost on a modified wheel. Heat conducting leads can be re-looped.




So no good options at the moment. For what it is worth, I hear-by throw down the gauntlet for the modding companies to device a solution without compromise.

I do not know that for a fact about losing the heating. Just assumed so because every aftermarket wheel I have seen deleted that. Since this is a BMW Performance wheel that may not be true.Sorry about that. Shouldn't post assumptions. Not very helpful.

[jmh]

I have the ///M Performance wheel and would agree it doesn't blend as nicely as a Nappa one.
However I do like the feel of Alcantara and the wear is excellent (did have the ///M Performance steering wheel on my previous E90s and the steering wheels did not show any significant wear after 2yrs).

As for custom steering wheels the folks at LeatherInteriors do great work too :

http://leatherinteriors.carsdream.co.../en/realizacje
http://leatherinteriors.carsdream.co...php/en/page/19

[a90]

Originally Posted by Used2be

Take a look at this BMW M Performance wheel for your needs.
http://www.getbmwparts.com/partlocat...subcat1=190030

Is that wheel actually compatible with the M5 series ? Is there place for the M buttons etc ? I thought It was only applicable for non M cars.

[jmh]

Originally Posted by a90

Is that wheel actually compatible with the M5 series ? Is there place for the M buttons etc ? I thought It was only applicable for non M cars.

Yup fits with no problem.
All you have to do is to transfer the buttons/electrics (if you have lane departure you
also need to move the motor etc inside the steering wheel)
The rest is simple bolt-on

[Used2be]

Originally Posted by a90

Is that wheel actually compatible with the M5 series ? Is there place for the M buttons etc ? I thought It was only applicable for non M cars.

I don't have this wheel in my car, but jmh who is using it will know for sure. My guess would be that the M series button modules would transfer from our stock wheel into the new wheel, and the wiring connections will still be available in the steering column.

[jmh]

Originally Posted by ColdList

I do not know that for a fact about losing the heating. Just assumed so because every aftermarket wheel I have seen deleted that. Since this is a BMW Performance wheel that may not be true.Sorry about that. Shouldn't post assumptions. Not very helpful.

Yep the ///M Performance wheel will not retain the steering wheel heating function.

[bm5bullit]

There are several companies that modify the performance steering wheels and do an awesome job. I have had 2 steering wheels modified in this manner and the last one I had done was the one in my C6 ZO6, which I still have (removed it from the car before I sold it). Carravaggio is the company that did the last one but I know there are at least three altogether.

[johntomferg]

thanks bm5bullit (and to everyone else who replied.) I feel more educated in my options.

[bm5bullit]

Originally Posted by johntomferg

thanks bm5bullit (and to everyone else who replied.) I feel more educated in my options.

Like I said, I still have my ZO6 steering wheel which I removed from my car. When I get a chance I will post pix of the wheel if you like.

[Head]

Can you get this wheel with the 'wheel centre' stripe in one of the other 'M' colours, other than red?