Smiles

Thank you, and no problem.

I could dye it darker, ignore it, or go back to a 4-spoke.

I think I need to live with the CPZ and see how I like it. It's pretty thick, and thicker than I'm used to.

It does look a little out of place, only because it's lighter. I assume that, because I got the leather airbag, which matches both the CPZ and the slimmer 3-spoke, that all three-spokes are lighter in color. Fair warning for those who search!

Cactus

Mine is lighter like you said but doesn't really bother me. If you treat it with leather conditioner it appears darker.

V

If your 993 was brand new, it should match. You see that when looking at ads (specifically the interior) of very low mileage 993 garage queens that the black leather seems a little bit towards charcoal. I think it's because it has not been worn in the way most of our seats have by now.. With time it gets worn, thereby more glossy which makes it look darker. Just my 2 cents.

Smiles

I don't think that this is accurate. Otherwise, what were the guys at Sunset warning about in post #15 of this thread?

Treat it like Cactus says. I have some professional leather dye that I might try.

But, again, if you're looking to go 3-spoke, it's going to be a little lighter. Don't be surprised.

993C4Smontreal

Is the lighter black just for the CPZ 3-spoke, or all 996 3-spokes?

Cactus

I think all of them. Mine is from a 996 GT3 and it is a bit lighter. Doesn't really bother me at all because it is such a nice wheel.

Smiles

Good question.

I think it's all of them too. I ordered the black airbag, and it matched the CPZ. But it was also the nicer, stitched leather airbag.

I also have a normal 996 3-spoke wheel, and it seemed darker, but also not very nice. But it might match the not as nice airbag.

Does anyone know conclusively?

briefescape

I bought a hardly used 996 tan thick turbo steering wheel for $250 and purchase
a light blue leather air bag from Sunset for $495 total with $20 professional dye job = $765 and it feels and looks perfect in a Midnight Blue interior .

Cheers Guy

geolab

Viggo is right.
The black color code changed @ P between 2002-2003 with the 996 facelift.
If you match wheels and Abags from same MY or batch, no color difference.
The vinyl Airbags were perfect compromise match with old and new batch, everybody wanted vinyl.
In 2004, the vinyl airbags were far more expensive than real leather Airbags, because of color mismatch.
Some dealers still have deals on leather AirBags today.
In 2003, I bought 6 brand new 3 spoke steering wheels from a US dealer on ebay for $50 each, and he threw me a vinyl airbag brand new for $225, the colors matched perfect, they darkened and became glossier with time but they match still . -regards