There is also this company out of San Jose, CA that seems to be making quality stuff... I was thinking about visiting them next week to check out the options they have.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Porsc...#ht_3222wt_948

 

Pretty close to TechArt territory...$1350 PLUS a core...

 

I know... I am really tempted to get the TechArt wheel... I would probably recoup most of the cost if I were to sell the car. $2K is just a hard pill to swallow.

 

I just got my multifunction wheel back from Dallas Custom Steering wheel. They made it thicker for me. The circumference was previously 3 7/8", now it is 4 1/2". I also changed the style slightly, having the seams placed where they are on the newest Porsche wheels (like the tan one in the pic below). This way I am rarely feeling the seams where previously my hands were always on them. I also had them add seems to create the vertical band at top center, just like the latest Porsche wheel.

It looks very OEM and feels great. Now the car feels like a sports car. I am very satisfied. I think the aftermarket wheels like the TechArt look great too and have some nice extra features but this job used my steering wheel, and with the options of premium leather (matching my Sea Blue interior), 1/8" pad and the extra vertical band seams, cost under $400.

Pics below show my old wheel, the tan "target" wheel, and my recovered wheel. Since the mutifunction wheel did not come with the bumps at 10 and 2, they could not add them but the 4 1/2" circumference all the way around now is wonderful to grip. In the photos the steering wheel may not appear that much thicker than previously but the difference is considerable. It is actually thicker than the tan factory wheel between the bumps at 10 and 2.

A nice thing about Dallas Steering Wheel is, doing business primarily over the Internet, they email you several photos of your completed wheel for you to review and approve before they send it back to you.

 

WOw 400$ thats more like it!!!! How long did it take for the turnaround time?

 

He did mine in about a week. I had it done in Alcantara, built up to about the same thickness. Really ideal and much better than stock. Pretty much the thickness of the BMW M wheel.

 

What is the advantage of Alcantara? I know the GTs have them. I have a tt and want to redo the wheel, but aren't sure whether to use perferated leather or Alcantara.

 

It was about a week. I'm in the area so was able to deliver and pick up myself. Also since mine was Sea Blue and I wanted premium leather, we matched ordered it. That took about a week but they didn't need my wheel until the leather came in.

A couple of compliments to DCSW:
- He found after completing my wheel that the leather had a flaw in one spot he hadn't noticed. He called to tell me he was redoing the whole thing and it would take a couple of days more. I appreciated the perfectionist approach.

- When your wheel is delivered it is covered with an elastic/clear protector (kind of like a shower cap around the rim) -- no big deal but a nice touch.

I'm very happy with the results. He also does other leather bits like sun visors, consoles, pretty much anything you want. As budget permits (and if my car behaves over time and doesn't become a problem) I intend to have DCSW do additional leather bits for my interior.

 

No real advantage - perhaps a disadvantage in that it will show wear much more easily. But it is grippier and has a very comfortable suede feel. Also more friendly in the winter since it doesn't feel cold. Main thing is a bit more grip so it is now the material of choice for the track. I just like the comfort and the look. Personal preference really. It is the latest fashion, I suppose.

 

like to see some installed pics.

 

is it difficult to take off a multi-function wheel?

 

No it isn't. I searched the forum and found all the info I needed. This is a good thread: https://www.6speedonline.com/forums/...l-removal.html

The 12mm 12 point tool to remove the screw holding the wheel on can be purchased at AutoZone or O'Reilly's in a pack of 4 sizes, cost me $5 at O'Reilly's.

Once you remove the airbag by pushing a hex key or other flat topped object through the hole in the bottom rear of the steering wheel (it raises a spring-loaded locking mechanism that holds the airbag in) you just disconnect one orange connector at the top of the wheel by pulling forward, then the green and yellow connectors on the airbag (pull out the tabs and with gentle pressure pull them forward away from the airbag) and one locking connector on the airbag.



It really was simple. There is nothing you remove related to the multifunction controls.

 

If you are just removing your wheel and not exchanging it for another MF wheel, then this is true; nothing else needs to be removed. But if you have to exchange the buttons to another wheel, then you have to unclip each button cluster from a small black control module that sits in the lower right corner of the wheel. You then unclip this module from the wheel from the backside with a pair of needlenose pliers. Simple, but another few steps.

 

Um, please do yourself, your chiropractor and perhaps your plastic surgeon a favor and disconnect the battery before you begin...
Really.

 

Yes, as I stated in my post above, there is a good thread on this. My multifunction removal post that was quoted provides extra details. It is NOT the entire procedure.

Disconnecting the battery and leaving it disconnected until everything is back together is very important.

If you intend to do this project yourself, do your own due diligence and find/read all the posts about it until you are sure you understand the procedure exactly.