New steering wheel fitted to the ML today

[nictry]

One of my pet hates on most cars is the awful 'standard' steering wheels and in the ML I really couldn't stand the slippery thin version so today I had Jack from www.royalsteeringwheels.com ,who previously made me a custom wheel for my 350Z, fit me a thicker, with thumb grips, perforated and smooth combo wheel.

I have put the pics below and can highly recommend Jack for not just the design/making of the wheel but for the quick and efficient fitting too!

Original wheel:



New one fitted



Close up to show quality

 

[MancMike]

Slightly thicker steering wheels... for when life's just dandy...

Seriously though, I do like a chubby steering wheel, feels much surer in the hand.

The workmanship looks excellent too. Was it expensive?

 

[nictry]

Very reasonably priced in my opinion, even including a small charge for fitting, all in for under £150

 

[KennyN]

He did mine also , modelled on the AMG style.

Kenny

 

[noy91]

Does look good - the leather on mine is starting to get quite worn and smooth, which also seems to make it sticky easier, so am starting to consider options. Is it repadded and reupholstered / trimmed or a physically different wheel?

 

[nictry]

Does look good - the leather on mine is starting to get quite worn and smooth, which also seems to make it sticky easier, so am starting to consider options. Is it repadded and reupholstered / trimmed or a physically different wheel?

If Jack already has a wheel he reupholsters it and then swaps the wheel over (and paddles etc.) and then keeps your wheel, you can do this in person or he can send to you. You can also choose styles of wheel, how much extra padding/thickness etc.

 

[MWCLS]

Highly recommend jack, great communication and top workmanship.

 

[After Shock]

Just what I was looking for!! Not sure how I missed this thread!!!

I'm off to browse..........

So for "grip" what works best???

Also my wife just said "what about when my hands get sweaty"??!!

As I said in a previous post on this, I have no finger movement as I'm a spinal injury.

What would give me the best grip as I basically just use the flat of my hand. I also only use one hand as the other hand is on the hand controls which operate brake and accelerator.

 

[renault12ts]

I try not to use my thumbs...in an accident they are vulnerable to getting broken.

 

[MancMike]

So for "grip" what works best???

Alcantara. It's the velvet like stuff you can brush your hand and make patterns, found in lamborghinis. It feels like the back of leather, and slightly rubbery, very grippy. It's what racing steering wheels often come with.

 

[After Shock]

Alcantara. It's the velvet like stuff you can brush your hand and make patterns, found in lamborghinis. It feels like the back of leather, and slightly rubbery, very grippy. It's what racing steering wheels often come with.

Had Alcantara inserts on a Volvo V70R's seats a while back. Felt so nice to the touch!! It was a toy for a while. A 1999 car. So the Alcantara had been ummm rubbed. Wondered how well it would stand up to steering wheel use. Guess 911 GT3's, etc have it soooo..........

 

[MancMike]

I guess there's varying quality of alcantara too. I ordered a sample of it a few years ago and the paper thin shoddy stuff that arrived was terrible, the stuff I ended up using was 5 times the price and 10 times the quality.

I'm sure professional guys like this "Jack" guy will use good stuff, as he's clearly got a good rep.

 

[gIzzE]

I had alcantara on my M3 CSL, great stuff but bobbles after a while, so needs sanding.


I got him to retrim my Z3 wheel, nappa top and bottom, perforated sides and m colour stitching, all with extra padding so around 50% thicker.
So much nicer.

 

[gIzzE]

I might call Jack tomorrow and get him to do the ML350 wheel, this really lets the car done, it is so thin and hard it makes the car feel less well put together.

It is amazing how much better the whole car feels with a nice chunky wheel.

 

[Fudger]

All those re-trimmed wheels look very good. I will have to have the same done on my S212 now.

 

[Lit91]

How long did the whole process take? I'd want to do my CLK steering wheel.

 

[gIzzE]

About 2 weeks, but he will retrim you one and send it and you send your wheel back.

 

[Lit91]

About 2 weeks, but he will retrim you one and send it and you send your wheel back.

That's if he has this one in stock I presume...

 

[gIzzE]

Yeah, but he has a lot!

 

[gIzzE]

If not, he can send you one that you can use that will fit, maybe the wrong colour, but means you're not without your car at all.