The Great Airbag Steering Wheel Group Buy

[JK1]

If you’re tired of looking at the crappy GM simulated leather airbag steering wheel then now is the time to do something about it!

I think most everyone by now has seen the pics of Karl’s and others Raid Daytona airbag steering wheel, and what a gorgeous wheel it is. After many international phone calls, emails and general sleuthing we have finally put together a package deal which is too good to pass up.

At this time there will be two different models available, The Daytona or The Freeway by Raid although it may be possible to include other Raid models. These steering wheels are manufactured by Atiwe and distributed through Raid which is their aftermarket company. In case you aren’t familiar with Atiwe, they are an OEM manufacturer and their steering wheels are used on many high end cars including Aston-Martin among others.

The steering wheels will be purchased through TM Tuning of Berlin, Germany. The hub adapters are being custom made by a local manufacturing company.

This is a two part deal with part 1 purchasing the wheel directly from TM Tuning and part 2 is purchasing the necessary hub adapter directly from me.

The pricing is as follows:

Daytona $548.00 US plus shipping*
Freeway $450.00 US plus shipping*
Hub adapter $200.00US plus shipping

*We have been told by TM Tuning that standard air shipping from Germany will run approximately $30-$40.

The pricing will include all necessary mounting hardware and installation instructions.

This is a great price and a chance to save several hundred dollars on this package.

Please note that this is a one time deal and I need to have firm commitments as soon as possible so we can place the order within a couple of weeks. The lead time on receiving the wheels should be 5-6 weeks once the order has been placed.

For pics or other info feel free to contact me off-list.

So who’s interested?

Jim Knowles

[techspy]

I am very interested, however I have a couple of questions. I would really prefer that the "Raid" and "SRS Airbag" emblems not appear on the wheel. Is this possible? At the very least I could live with the "Raid" emblem as I could easily change that to something such as "Esprit" or "Lotus", however the molded "SRS Airbag" would be to hard to change and in my opinion detracts too much to consider placing in my Esprit. Does anyone know about the "makeup" of the center rubber piece that has the "SRS Airbag" moulded into it? I would be happy to pay for an upholstery shop to fabricate a new one without all the "advertisments". Any ideas on how specific a replacment would need to be to still be effective with the airbag? Otherwise, I can't bring myself to put something so tacky, that otherwise would be a great improvment, on my Esprit.

John
94 S4
http://24.25.100.254/

[ErnestM]

Jim - will the bag be functional?

ErnestM

[karlfranz]

techspy said:

I am very interested, however I have a couple of questions. I would really prefer that the "Raid" and "SRS Airbag" emblems not appear on the wheel. Is this possible? At the very least I could live with the "Raid" emblem as I could easily change that to something such as "Esprit" or "Lotus", however the molded "SRS Airbag" would be to hard to change and in my opinion detracts too much to consider placing in my Esprit. Does anyone know about the "makeup" of the center rubber piece that has the "SRS Airbag" moulded into it? I would be happy to pay for an upholstery shop to fabricate a new one without all the "advertisments". Any ideas on how specific a replacment would need to be to still be effective with the airbag? Otherwise, I can't bring myself to put something so tacky, that otherwise would be a great improvment, on my Esprit. John 94 S4 http://24.25.100.254/

Tacky? - I'll try not to be offended. The embossing really is quite subtle and still a huge improvement over the ghastly GM wheel. It's a government mandate in some countries that the restraint be labeled as such on the wheel.

The crash pad is made out of rubber and is scored on the inside so that it splits open when the bag deploys. If you were to attempt to upholster it you would wind up imparing the airbag's abililty to deploy. So in short: DON'T do it.

Folks, if I were you, I would not pass up this great opportunity. It's unheard of to get a full airbag steering wheel for around $800. If you were to purchase from MotoConcept, the same exact wheel would cost you over $1,300US!

If you still want an airbag, but want to get rid of the ugly wheel this is the ONLY alternative available. Some of us have been working on this deal for 1 year now and this will be the only chance for a group buy. Those who have seen the wheel on my car can vouch for how beautiful it is, how well it's made, and how good it feels in your hands.

Also note that those who want a little less "flash" than the alloylook and leather Daytona wheel on my car, the Freeway wheel is available in full leather or with faux wood, alloylook, or carbonlook at the front 10-2 position.

[JK1]

Ernest,

Yes the airbag will/should be functional. If you want to test yours and report back we would all appreciate it.

John,

I don't think that is possible from Raid but it may very well be possible to do something with it after you get it.

Maybe Karl will chime in since he has actually taken one apart and has seen the cover inside and out when he put the Lotus badge on it.

Jim

[JK1]

Woops,

Karl beat me to it.

Thanks for the input Karl. Hadn't thought about actually needing the airbag to deploy.

Jim

[techspy]

Sorry Karl, I had no idea you would take my opinion personally. In any event, I just feel that Raids approach is too much of "Look at me, RAID as an SRS AIRBAG Steering wheel!" In any event, I like the Freeway because it doesn't have the silver finish. Also, Karl is right, it is a great price and is better than the oem piece. Jim, I will email you with my info.

John
94 S4
http://24.25.100.254/

[dirk989]

Count me in. Firm. For sure. Count on it.
I have a titanium/silver etc. colored 99 V8.

The raid wheel matches and looks great.

Certainly an improvement over the parts bin reject.

I don't mind if it say 'raid' or 'srs'. Many of
the parts on the car have brand names. For example
the stereo doesn't say "Lotus Esprit"

Just let me know where, when and how.

Dirk
[e-mail]