Custom Steering Wheel.

**olongapo** · 09-15-2006, 08:14 PM

Guys, I thought I’d take a few minutes and share an experience.
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Let me start by saying that I’m an American living in the <?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" /><st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Philippines</st1:place></st1:country-region>. I’ve always been a “Gear Head”, and always have a project in the driveway. This past year I picked up my e-36. Of course I had to modify and customize it.
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One item that frustrated me was the worn condition of the leather on the steering wheel. I’ve used Momo wheels on other vehicles and always liked the Thick Grip of their products. After purchasing and installing a Momo wheel on the Bimmer, I realized that I wasn’t happy with the smaller diameter. It just didn’t provide the same road input as the stock wheel.
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Here in the <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Philippines</st1:place></st1:country-region>, labor is extremely cheap. After locating a shop that does leather work, and after conveying my desires, I had the stock wheel re-upholstered. The shop was able to increase the thickness of the wheel by first covering it with a dense rubber product before stitching the leather. They also used a combination of smooth and perforated leather.
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The craftsmanship is A1! The thickness is exactly what I wanted. The price, 30 US dollars!!! I now have a custom steering wheel and also retain the airbag.
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