Which steering wheel suits the E34 best?

[Jay 535i]

Okay, I've narrowed my exhaustive (and exhausting) steering wheel search down to two choices, neither of which I'd previously considered. These are Momo wheels with BMW horn buttons.

Which one suits the E34 best?

BTW, the wheels differ in price by a margin of 100%. Can you guess which is the expensive one?

1.
http://www.moniqueandjay.com/wheel1.jpg

2.
http://www.moniqueandjay.com/wheel2.jpg

Here's where the wheel will live:

http://www.moniqueandjay.com/bmw/9.jpg

http://www.moniqueandjay.com/bmw/10.jpg

[BMWDriver]

What, no airbag ?

N° 1 kinda looks like my Thrustmaster 360 Modena

http://itc.ua/img/dpk/2002/5/!p1010589.jpg

[BMWDriver]

If you figure a way of putting some silver or aluminum trim besides the wheel (knob ?) N°1 might work.

[mholbrook]

Why not consider the M-Tech II wheel if you are going to go without an airbag. It is a bolt on, internal hub, made for E34 and can be found in excellent condition for under $200. And.....drum roll....has an actual BMW part number on it for the purists.

[rreimund]

Well don't leave us hanging.. what wheels are they and where do you get them?
I like #1 myself.. Where and how much?

[Jay 535i]

Well don't leave us hanging.. what wheels are they and where do you get them?
I like #1 myself.. Where and how much?

They're both from Momo. #1 is called the "Driver" and #2 is called the "Fighter". The Fighter is about $200 and the Driver is double that.

You can get them almost anywhere.

The BMW horn button, on the other hand, is very hard to come by. I snagged one off ebay, but had to pay over $70 for it. I wouldn't use a non-OE wheel without one, though.

I'm really surprised at the poll results. I prefer #2 myself, and I'm the only person who voted for it. Y'all don't think it sucks, do ya?

[Jay 535i]

If you figure a way of putting some silver or aluminum trim besides the wheel (knob ?) N°1 might work.

Yes, if that silver strip wasn't there it would make the decision easier. I'm not crazy about it.

Regardless of which wheel I get, I'll make an effort to get a matching shifter knob -- after my 5-speed conversion.


Why not consider the M-Tech II wheel

Because it's not any better than the wheel I have now, IMVHO.

Here's a quick photoshop mockup of wheel #2 in place. I'm really surprised nobody voted for it, because I love it.

Note that both Momo wheels are 350mm, versus 380mm for my stock wheel.

http://www.moniqueandjay.com/wheel1a.jpg

[rreimund]

Good heavens.. you weren't kidding..
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/MOMO-Steering-Wheel-350mm-Black-Driver_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ33704QQitemZ8036 628220QQrdZ1QQsspagenameZWDVW

$415 - with free shipping..

Still a fantastic wheel IMHO..That little strip could probably be made wood grain with some paint techniques. I think someone mentioned someone who did that for a living.

[Anton CH.]

Have you considered an e46 m3 wheel? They are comfortable and fit the car well.

[Jay 535i]

Good heavens.. you weren't kidding..
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/MOMO-Steering-Wheel-350mm-Black-Driver_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ33704QQitemZ8036 628220QQrdZ1QQsspagenameZWDVW

$415 - with free shipping..

Still a fantastic wheel IMHO..That little strip could probably be made wood grain with some paint techniques. I think someone mentioned someone who did that for a living.

I've considered painting that strip, but for half the price I prefer the other wheel (#2).

Anton, yes, I have, but that would be even more money and IMHO it's too modern looking for the E34.

Somebody tell me they like #2, cuz that's the one I'm getting!

[1995 525i]

Okay, I've narrowed my exhaustive (and exhausting) steering wheel search down to two choices, neither of which I'd previously considered. These are Momo wheels with BMW horn buttons.

Which one suits the E34 best?

BTW, the wheels differ in price by a margin of 100%. Can you guess which is the expensive one?

1.
http://www.moniqueandjay.com/wheel1.jpg

2.
http://www.moniqueandjay.com/wheel2.jpg

Here's where the wheel will live:

http://www.moniqueandjay.com/bmw/9.jpg

http://www.moniqueandjay.com/bmw/10.jpg

I really like the first one, but I could live without the silver part (unless you re-did your interior to match) . The first wheel has far more character and I like the thicker appearance. Just my two cents.

Michael

[1995 525i]

Okay, I've narrowed my exhaustive (and exhausting) steering wheel search down to two choices, neither of which I'd previously considered. These are Momo wheels with BMW horn buttons.

Which one suits the E34 best?

BTW, the wheels differ in price by a margin of 100%. Can you guess which is the expensive one?

1.
http://www.moniqueandjay.com/wheel1.jpg

2.
http://www.moniqueandjay.com/wheel2.jpg

Here's where the wheel will live:

http://www.moniqueandjay.com/bmw/9.jpg

http://www.moniqueandjay.com/bmw/10.jpg


here's an Alpina wood Wheel...
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Alpina-wood-steering-wheel-Bmw-E30-E34-E24-E28-M5-M3_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ33704QQitemZ80351778 57QQrdZ1QQsspagenameZWDVW

[t_marat]

none of the wheels. My personal opinion, the stock one is much better.

[Jay 535i]

none of the wheels. My personal opinion, the stock one is much better.

Remember that the Momo wheels are 350mm while my current wheel is 380mm.

So while wheel #2 looks a lot like my stock wheel, it is in fact smaller and "beefier".

I really want a smaller wheel, which is why I'm staying away from stock BMW wheels. The M-tec E34 wheel is available in 370mm, but that's still kinda big, and that wheel is very expensive and IMHO not as nice as the Momo ones.

Michael, I actually thought #2 was more characterful. Hmmm. I, too, don't care for the silver strip. If it wasn't there the decision would be made.

And a lot of people say "they both suck." Why?

This is a damn tough choice, and I still haven't completely ruled out some sort of OE BMW wheel. Decisions, decisions...

[BMWDriver]

I would not put either on my car, but that's personnal. I don't think you should mesure your tastes to ours. They're not dead ugly. I personnaly don't like them for my style. But the one you "photoshoped" looks nicer already. I guess the standalone pic doesn't say enough.

Considering the style you want to give your car, I think you're going the right way. And I find they are certainly less boring than the stock wheel you have.

Have fun !

[Jay 535i]

I would not put either on my car, but that's personnal. I don't think you should mesure your tastes to ours. They're not dead ugly. I personnaly don't like them for my style. But the one you "photoshoped" looks nicer already. I guess the standalone pic doesn't say enough.

Considering the style you want to give your car, I think you're going the right way. And I find they are certainly less boring than the stock wheel you have.

Have fun !

Are you a professional hostage negotiator? You seem to know exactly what to say. :)

I know I shouldn't care what other people think, but I do. Don't we all?

I agree that, out of context, it's hard to imagine either. But I'm confident that #2 will look good, and people here will agree when I post pics of the result.

Thanks for your carefully considered feedback.

BTW, what is your style?

[angrypancake]

I know I shouldn't care what other people think, but I do. Don't we all?

I agree that, out of context, it's hard to imagine either. But I'm confident that #2 will look good, and people here will agree when I post pics of the result.
BTW, what is your style?


In that case, it sounds like your mind is made up then, no? Go for it. In the end, it's because you want it, and hey, if it looks like complete ****? You can always sell it and get another one.

[Jay 535i]

In that case, it sounds like your mind is made up then, no? Go for it. In the end, it's because you want it, and hey, if it looks like complete ****? You can always sell it and get another one.

My mind's about 75% made up, but that can change at any moment. :)

You're right. Not much to lose by giving it a try. I think even I won't be sure until it's installed.

[BMWDriver]

My style is preferably a little more subtle, but yet sporty. Can't say I currently like my own steering wheel, but I'm not really looking to change it now. I'd be more interested in 17 inch wheels right now. So, I'm looking to see what I'd like. Also, tinted windows would be a nice touch.

Ah, moneymoneymoneymoney.

But, every time I look at my car, I go "Wow!" That's even though my baby's all stock right now, except for the stereo head unit, and even after seeing all the really beautiful E34s around here.

[Jay 535i]

My style is preferably a little more subtle, but yet sporty. Can't say I currently like my own steering wheel, but I'm not really looking to change it now. I'd be more interested in 17 inch wheels right now. So, I'm looking to see what I'd like. Also, tinted windows would be a nice touch.

Ah, moneymoneymoneymoney.

But, every time I look at my car, I go "Wow!" That's even though my baby's all stock right now, except for the stereo head unit, and even after seeing all the really beautiful E34s around here.

That's what it's all about :)

If I didn't already have Style 5 rims, I'd certainly want them before anything else. They were top of my list when I got the car, and worth every penny (I borrowed from Visa).

[HDhandyman]

I think the original is much tastier!