Chuck W.

IMHO these wheels do not look as good in our cars as the 3-spoke 996 wheels. However, the smaller diameter and feel is enough to out weight any looks concern.

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Slow Guy

No doubt I would be very happy with a 996 wheel. Unfortunately the availability of nice condition wheels and the price of airbags right now makes that a challenge for me. However the ergonomics of the Raid/FVD wheel more than compensate for the non-OEM appearance of the wheel, IMHO.

x50type

So how much more is the 996 3 spoke over the fvd?
I had this 3 spoke fitted by the dealer for $950 including installation and tax.

911PERVY

The 996 with non leather air bag is about $1000 as per above, the turbo all leather air bag version about $1600

Canyon56

fwiw, I bought my OEM 3-spoke wheel and airbag new from Sunset last year for $751.00. They ordered a "kit" of both the wheel and bag directly from Germany instead of a separate bag and wheel (like they're sold normally here.) It took about 5 weeks. (the wheel is leather, but the bag is vinyl with a gold crest; looks just like x50's one pictured above.)

x50type

FVD/993/996 steering wheel.

The only difference i can see for the 996 $1600 turbo wheel over the $1000 vanilla 996 wheel [and i have both] is the embossing round the air bag cover - $600 for that?

Does anyone know what is the differences in price between the FVD delivered and installed wheel to the 996 oem $950 dealer bought and fitted wheel i mentioned and pictured in my previous post?

Busta Rib

Based on my experience, the feel and grip with the Raid/FVD wheel is worth the aesthetic hit you take compared to the OEM 996 wheel. It just feels so much better, more contoured, and comfortable with the perforated leather, slightly thicker diameter, and ergonomic grips at 2 and 10.

IMO, the one thing you touch constantly when in your car besides your seat is the steering wheel. Installing this wheel was one of the best mods I did on my car and biggest bang for the buck.

bart1

X50, yours has a vinyl airbag vs. The stitched leather on the other one. Everybody wants a smaller thicker wheel, but my mechanic who used to race for Brumos says he would optimally like a wooden wheel on the street for the feel.

As far as looks, I prefer non airbag wheels like the RS and Cup. Hesitant to put one in my street car, but may try an RS part time. It's really cheap, too.

FWIW, it's not that good looking, but I prefer the stock wheel in my 968 for feel over my stock 993 4 spoke. Not sure what it is.

Slow Guy

X50, I just purchased the Raid Freeway wheel (exact one as in post #27) from Gert (Carnewal) for 550Euro which included shipping. I installed it myself so install charges were a couple of beers.

x50type

ok - thanks 993BillW

So there doesn't appear to be much difference between the price of your Raid Freeway steering wheel [great looking wheel, incidentally] at about $700, and the oem 996 three spoke at $751 from Sunset.

Mmmmmmmmmmm, very interesting.

thanks

Slow Guy

I would be very surprised if the 996 wheel and airbag can be had for $751 now. Not saying it isn't so, just that it will surprise me.

911PERVY

My costing was an estimate due to the dollar pound exchange rate £624 and £1046 for the 2 versions in the UK, mind you just the leather airbag is over £1000 on its own

Canyon56

Just for the record, as I mentioned in the post it was last year. March 2009 to be exact. I have no idea what they might be going for now(?) But I'd be curious as to how much they are these days. (fwiw, it was a 'special combo' package that had to be ordered directly from Germany, otherwise the price was way up there on the in-stock wheel and bag. It took around 5 weeks to receive.)

Slow Guy

Canyon, I'm sorry, I didn't mean to sound like I doubted you. By surprised I meant "why the hell did I spend the better part of a year looking for a good condition used wheel when I could have gotten a brand new wheel and airbag for that price?" That kind of surprised. I would have jumped on that in a heartbeat.

I still like the Raid Freeway but the stock 3 spoke is nice.

csertich

Bill,

Nice wheel. Such an improvement over stock.

Make sure you get used to the horn buttons. I have an FVD wheel and the first week I was in a parking lot and a gentlemen in a Buick was backing up without looking in all directions. My instinct was to press on the center of the wheel. I quickly corrected in time to use the buttons.

I had a plastic FVD emblem that sat on the surface of the wheel. No indentation so I figured it was best to remove it as soon as possible, rather than let it bake in the sun. I kind of peeled up one edge and looked underneath to make sure I wasn't going to make a mistake. Mine peeled off very easily and you can't tell it was there.

chuck