Which Steering wheel?

[CooperS]

I've got an MY04 111R and now i've spent time and money into sorting anything connected to the wheels (suspension/wheel bearings and geo) out im thinking a new steering wheel would be nice.

Something a bit more tactile.

Now i don't want a stupidly thick BMW M series style wheel but something a bit chunkier to the OEM and in keeping to the ethos of the car.

Looking on elise parts i really quiet fancy the Momo Race steering wheel http://www.eliseparts.com/products/show/49/525/mom...

Has anyone got any views on this or any others they've come across and a good place to buy?

[volores]

Hi

I changed the OEM for the Momo Race earlier this year - its a good choice, good feel and quality. If your not after anything too thick then this fits the bill - must admit I do like the chunky M style - always feels a little thin when jumping from the beemer to the elise - but its a good one all the same.

[JACK6284]

I have one of these but with the straight/flat bottom. Being 6'1" it allows more room for the legs and less(slightly)of a struggle in and out of the cockpit. Great feel too.

[Pum]

I had a Momo Team 300mm. The Race looks like it's a 320mm version of the Team. I found the Team a little thin, and 300mm definitely felt too small for my liking. I looked at a Momo Race wheel, and it seemed very nice, but in the end I got an OMP Superquadro, which I like very much. The OMP has a thicker feel, and is very nicely sculpted where your hands grip it. It is also flat bottomed, giving more leg clearance.

Edited by Pum on Thursday 7th October 10:54

[Loudman]

The one that I put on was the flat bottomed Sparco one (similar to Momo), in Suede - there are some pics in my past posts from a year or so ago. I really like the look and feel of the suede although it does need cleaning occasionally to stop it getting sweaty.

I got mine (with the snap-off kit), from eliseparts. I was happy with the product and service.

Edited by Loudman on Thursday 7th October 19:07

[cyberface]

Loudman said:

The one that I put on was the flat bottomed Sparco one (similar to Momo), in Suede - there are some pics in my past posts from a year or so ago. I really like the look and feel of the suede although it does need cleaning occasionally to stop it getting sweaty.

I got mine (with the snap-off kit), from eliseparts. I was happy with the product and service.

Edited by Loudman on Thursday 7th October 19:07

Same here with my yellow car. It was LOVELY and attracted plenty of positive comment at trackdays. And I love the security feature of a removable steering wheel.

Alas my current car has an airbag and thus, insurance dictates, I cannot have the security and the wheel I really want. And I have to run the risk of disconnecting the horn because the stupid bloody horn buttons get pressed when I steer round roundabouts, and Britain is a country where an accidental 'toot' from a brightly coloured 'moderately' expensive sports car is equivalent to calling someone's mother a we, hence resulting in violent intent and, sometimes, actual violence. This country sucks it down sometimes, it really does.

But then again, this country makes Lotuses. You win some, you lose some

As soon as insurance and warranty allow, I'll be having the airbag removed and the snap-off kit refitted with the suede flat-bottomed wheel. Not only will I feel more secure against theft, it'll be a damn sight more tactile and less 'slippy'.

I've seen a suede (alcantara, probably) version of the normal VX220 airbag wheel fitted to post 2008 (IIRC) Elises / Exiges but it was just another tease - if I wanted that done to my car (I'd like it, sure) it'd require a lengthy time off the road whilst the wheel is sent back to Lotus for re-trimming, AFAICT.


If you're not stuck with an airbag wheel, go for the snap-off with the Sparco suede flat-bottom - it's fantastic and, for once, not one of the expensive options!!!! I miss my steering wheel