anyone have a suede wrapped steering wheel?

[Justin(OKC)]

I am looking at doing something on my car for the steering wheel. I am thinking about re-wrapping my 3-spoke wheel with a thicker grip, or getting the evo 3-spoke wheel without the airbag and doing the same thing. I could wrap it in suede but I wondered if anyone knew how well the suede holds up on the steering wheel. I know it looks pretty cool but I want it to look good with daily use. Any advice would be appreciated.

[foRRREVerz]

I used to have a momo steering wheel with some suede on it... 2/3's of the steering wheel was covered in leather, and the other 1/3 covered in suede.

I never used the suede portion much, because the ergonomics of the steering wheel forced me to use the leather portion of the steering wheel to grasp a hold on and not the suede portion.

From my observation, the suede was there mostly for looks. It feels really nice, but I think it would wear pretty easily. It was the type that would likely knot or braide together if handled repetitively.

I think it may depend on the type of suede you use. I've sat in an IS300 with suede seats, and that material felt nice, and would appear to hold up well against daily abuse.

If you can post pix of the material, I'm sure members can confirm whether it will hold up or not.

[ClintonM3]

Have you thought about doing a E46 M3 steering wheel, or the new E46 M pkg wheel swap? I think I've seen that done.

[jblack]

The E46 M3 wheel is leather, not suede (or Alcantra). The M3 CSL and 330i PP are Alcantra, and should hold up.

[Justin(OKC)]

I would rather do that kind of wheel, but I've not heard of anyone successfully installing an E46 M3 wheel in an E36.

[r6e36]

Yeah, suede sound cool. But it does not work for a steering wheel for a street car. There is just too much friction when the steering swing back after a turn and burns your hands. On a race car is a different story. Their steering is so tight that they barely turn their steering much.

[MotorWerkz]

http://members.roadfly.com/capone28/330iinterior3.jpg

is this the one are u looking for?

[bmwe30is]

I think if the suede is brushed after use... like weekly, it will hold up to use..

Go for alcantara - synthetic suede, it's supposed to hold up to every day use.

- Jonathan

[Justin(OKC)]

I'm thinking of having my E36 '99 3-spoke wheel wrapped like that one.