I read recently that changing from the standard 993 steering wheel makes a whole bunch of difference to how the car feels. Has anyone done this and care to comment? With pictures of your new wheel if poss?

Many thanks

GG

 

The ubiquitous 996 three-spoke wheel is just fantastic. Could be a bit smaller, and maybe a bit thicker, but even as-is it's a great sport steering wheel. The stock four-spoke wheel is pretty bad, so any sporty replacement is a big improvement.

I'm a big fan of improvements that you use every minute, rather than just in extreme driving situations. Better seats and steering wheel have a very good real world ROI for your driving experience.

 

I have driven 993's with a three spoke 996 wheel, a Momo D race wheel and my stock 4 spoke and honestly it didn't make one bit of difference in how the cars gave me feedback. It is really just a matter of personal grip comfort.

For my money I would get a recover from Dallas Custom Steering Wheel in Alcantra and have them add 1/8th" to the wheel if you like a fatter grip, that and the fact $300 is a lot cheaper than a 996 three spoke with airbag.

ZP44

 

+10 !!!

When comparing my new 996 3-spoke wheel with the original wheel I was disappointed at first as the diameter and spoke position seemed the same! Once on the car and driving, it was clearly different as my hands are now properly at 9 and 3 and the diameter seems a tad smaller. Expensive mod but one with great value - especially if you put a lot of miles on the car.

 

I am debating this as well. Are you saying to just recover the 4 spoke and make it a little fatter instead of swaping it out for a 996 3 spoke. Is there any advantage to a 3 spoke were there are less spokes to get in the way...vs. the 4 spoke.

 

My 97 993 had the 996 3 spoker that I put in and it looks and feels 1000% better.

 

it is night and day difference to me
the three spoke feels as if you are holding a pyramid from the base, and it ends in one point in the dash
Whereas the 4 spoke is like holding a shoe box by the small sides.
Expensive I am not sure, look what sold yesterday and it was a Buy It Now:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...0%3D%26fvi%3D1

 

The PO put this 3 spoke on before I got it. This was a big bonus to me as it really updates the look of the car. However, aside from the looks it is a fantastic steering wheel for me especially when my palms get a little sweaty as the thicker egronomic palm pads really help my grip and confidence. Driving is such a tactile experience and this wheel really compliments the racing feel the moment you wrap your hands around it. I'm not sure how much this would be all said and done but I love every bit of mine!

 

I installed a 3-spoker on my old 993 that I purchased from a now-defunct web retailer (total cost for new OEM + airbag was $700...pretty good deal IMHO). It was a great improvement over the original wheel.

Who has the best price for a 3-spoke wheel these days? Gert's customer service is awesome, but that exchange rate is a killer.

 

I also went with the 996 three spoke. Night and day diference for me. Plus the stock wheel looked just like my wife's SUV steering wheel. The three spoke looks and feels much better. Another added bonus the tiptronic buttons are also night and day better than the stock four spoke. The buttons seem to be bigger and better positioned. I can shift with out taking my hands off of the wheel.

 

I agree with ZP44.....I didn't notice any difference in the way the car handled but a big difference in the looks and feel of the steering wheel while driving. It really updates the cockpit of the car.

 

I got a new take off from ebay ($180.00) and bought the color crest air bag from the Porsche dealer with PCA discount. At the time 996 owners were opting for carbon fiber steering wheels and selling the stock one.

 

This is the Momo Mod .07 wheel aka the Porsche Motorsports wheel minus a couple hundred bucks. With the suede covering, the increase in control at the limit of adhesion when you open the wheel up and are trying to keep the back end from coming out as you get on the gas is remarkable. I tracked my car with the stock Buick four spoker wheel for about three years and can't believe I didn't make the change sooner.

Hope these pictures show it well.

 

07 is a great wheel, albeit a bit thin. The question is - how does suede hold up on the street without gloves (oil from hands destroy natural suede pretty quick from what I hear).

 

https://rennlist.com/forums/showpost...&postcount=675

Bought some carbon fiber pieces from Gert several months ago...I wouldn't like the exchange rate now...it wasn't great back then...timing's everything, right?

Love the three-spoke wheel and it's right there looking you in the face every time you sit in the car. My car is also handling MUCH better now (but that's probably more attributable to the M030/HD Bilstein suspension and lowered ride height rather than the steering wheel...