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Aftermarket Steering Wheels

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Ed Doe

Senior member
Ashbourne or Frimley
Morning all,

One of the things I keep coming back to with my car is the Steering wheel.

I'd rather not get into the debate of whether the OE wheel is any good or not - for me I feel it is ridiculously fat and not a particularly good looking wheel. I also don't feel it really fits with the more 'clubsport' spec of my car, so have long toyed with the idea of changing it for something aftermarket. I don't however want to just bung any old thing on the car, and hence my dilemma.

I rather like the Momo prototipo, but I think this may only look good on certain older cars (think classic BMWs; 2002, E9 3.0cs etc, or Aircooled Porsches).

Other considerations are:

Momo Mod.07
Personal Grinta

Part of my problem is that I don't really know how these wheels will look fitted to the Z4; irritatingly I can never seem to find many pictures of E85 or 86s with aftermarket wheels fitted (seems I may be in a minority in wanting something other than OE...!).


So - finally getting to the main point of this post - does anyone have any of the above wheels fitted to their cars, and/or other options of a similar style, and if so would you be so kind as to post up a few pictures so I can see how it looks!

Another query I have is regarding diameter - my Zed is currently in storage so I can't check myself - could someone please advise what the OE wheel diameter is?

Many Thanks in advance all!

Ed
 
all those wheels look like a really classic style, dont think they'd really work on a E85 z4...

i've got a richbrook r1 kicking around which was really nice when fitted to a 90s, nissan 300zx... was going to fit it to a porsche boxster i have currently, but want to retain the originality and the porsche crest! that would be a nice fit for a z4 i reckon...

41gXxt9DdRL._AC_SX355_.jpg

though can't help you with the rim feeling fat... i seem to recall the standard z4 wheel is pretty thin, the m sport wheels are like holding cans of redbull lol
 
I have to say that I really like mine, it doesn’t have the extra buttons, has a Royals cover and feels just right to me. But each to his/her own I suppose. :thumbsup:
 
If you think it's too fat you could always get a thinner one off an SE and get it trimmed to your spec.
 
The stock wheel is 350mm, I tried a 330mm from a friend for a while but it was a little too small.
DSC_2867.JPG
Ended up going for a 350mm momo which I'm happy with. I don't have any photos of it I'm afraid.
https://momo-uk.co.uk/MOMO-racing-GT-Touring-MOD.69-steering-wheel-black-suede

I had to get rid of the stock wheel because of the airbag and that I have no 3 point belts any more. An added benefit is that it has improved steering 'feel' to me with none of the 'sponginess' I found in the original and of course no where near as thick. Some people might say that running a non airbag wheel with a 3 point is not a good idea, I don't have an issue with it but it is something to think about I guess.
 
Have you looked at “Royals” they offer a refurbish service on your existing wheel, maybe they could help with the thickness?

I’ve heard nothing but praise for their work :thumbsup:
 
Grey area on the MOT, since 2013 it's technically a straight fail if you've removed the airbag.

Easier to get away with it when you have fixed race seats and harnesses like Tom has.
 
Mister T said:
Grey area on the MOT, since 2013 it's technically a straight fail if you've removed the airbag.

Easier to get away with it when you have fixed race seats and harnesses like Tom has.
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Yes, good point. Mine only passes as you say due to the harness/cage situation I'm pretty sure.

Not a big deal to swap over though assuming you've figured out the coding for the warning light come the time.
 
I'm clueless again here, what difference does it make whether or not you have race seats and harnesses as to if an airbag is legal/illegal? :?
 
Hi all,

Thanks for the input.

To be clear I currently have a royals retrimmed oe wheel. I don't want to replace it with another z4 wheel, I don't particularly like the style of wheel.

I have similar tilletts to Tom, and schroth 5point harnesses mounted using fia approved mounting brackets and eyelets etc., so do not anticipate any issues with mot.

Just to restate my question above; does anyone have any pictures of any of these wheels or similar styles fitted to their cars, and could they post them if so :)

Thanks!

Thanks Tom for the pictures and info on 330vs 350 dia wheel, that's at least answered that question I had in my head!
 
I may be wrong Ed, but I think it will be a fail if you don't have a cage and no longer any 3 point belts. My understanding is it is then considered modified enough to a motorsport specification to not require an airbag wheel, as indeed at that point an airbag equipped wheel is arguably more dangerous.
There is some interpretation that I understand is somewhat subjective to the tester, so well worth shooting your favourite tester with the scenario before diving into it I'd say..

There's a bunch of threads out there, little in the way of certainty though!

https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&f=198&t=1781278
 
Thanks Tom - I should say I do have the normal oe 3point seat belt fitted, as well as the 5 point harnesses. This way I can drive it with a normal seat belt on the road, and then use the harnesses on trackdays. Any idea if that would still be OK, or if its the roll cage that's the clincher for mot purposes without an airbag?
 
Ed Doe said:
Thanks Tom - I should say I do have the normal oe 3point seat belt fitted, as well as the 5 point harnesses. This way I can drive it with a normal seat belt on the road, and then use the harnesses on trackdays. Any idea if that would still be OK, or if its the roll cage that's the clincher for mot purposes without an airbag?
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I don't really know to be honest but it looks like it doesn't it? I think having access to a 3 point doesn't help.
On a separate note, I'm not sure how/where your eyelets have been drilled/mounted, but in the event of the worst I've seen them only attached to the single skin part of the bulkhead. Compare that to where the 3 point is attached, which is comprehensively reinforced.

I raise that point as I have seen first hand the results of a CSL crash at spa violent enough to rip the floor bolts/studs of the bucket out of the floor at radion. He spent a while in hospital, I'd hate to think what would happen if the top half of the torso is not strapped in :!:
 
Yeah does look like it - it does surprise me though so many cars have aftermarket wheels still these days and seemingly have no issues?

Christ I do wonder if it's worth the hassle at this point.

My Shoulder belt eyelets have been drilled vertically through the floor of the 'storage compartment' behind the seats, or where the speaker is if you have (or had in your case :lol: ) the upgraded audio. The eyelets are bolted through FIA backing plates so should be good if the worst came to the worst. Thanks for the heads-up and the concern though, appreciate it! :)
 
Ed Doe said:
Yeah does look like it - it does surprise me though so many cars have aftermarket wheels still these days and seemingly have no issues?
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I don't think I see many, but it's a 10 min job max to switch wheels come testing time. Not sure how insurance would go in event of a serious claim though if found with a wheel that wouldn't have passed mot.

Ed Doe said:
Christ I do wonder if it's worth the hassle at this point.
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Just speak to your mot place and see what they say?

Ed Doe said:
My Shoulder belt eyelets have been drilled vertically through the floor of the 'storage compartment' behind the seats, or where the speaker is if you have (or had in your case :lol: ) the upgraded audio. The eyelets are bolted through FIA backing plates so should be good if the worst came to the worst. Thanks for the heads-up and the concern though, appreciate it! :)
Click to expand...
Good, sounds well enough. In my original installation we did something similar (they went through the rea of the sub enclosure and plates on the back of the bulkhead) and the shop that did it wasn't particularly happy about it, backing plates can be as strong as you like but when they rip through the sheet metal you'd probably wish they were softer!
 
Oh yeah I know it's a super easy job - done it a few times on previous cars - but as you say in the event of a serious accident I'd really rather not be in that awkward legal grey area.

I'll definitely be checking with my MOT tester - will keep this thread updated for interest if it's something anyone else is thinking of doing (doesn't sound much like it though!)

I think the area where the plates/eye-bolts are located on mine is fairly strong/thick ? Either way you do make a good point - another thing to check out at some point!
 
I have recently bought momo steering wheel and boss kit but struggling to fit the horn and use ohm connector for air bag but the connector that fits into the clock spring is sticking out and the new hub wont fit correctly and can find ay videos about getting round it any help much appreciated
 
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