Multi-function steering wheels..

[tyranical]

I have a question, which will sound stupid but still..

Are steering wheel buttons all they crack up to be?

I've never had them on any car before, i'm now looking at a MINI Cooper S and the thought of Cruise control (Something i've never had) is quite appealling as is the ability to change the song my iphone is playing via the steering wheel so I don't get done for using my phone.

Question is, are they really that good or am I just being a GSW? (Gadget Seeking we)

[Graebob]

They're pretty ace once you get used to them (only ever takes a couple of minutes), makes changing minor settings into a subconscious exercise rather than potentially distracting messing with various dials. Go for it

[North West Tom]

I wouldn't know, mine just spins around.

[tr7v8]

Yup great, have stereo controls & cruise on the Jeep steering wheel. The ones on my wife's Astra are crap but then so is the rest of the heap....

[tyranical]

This isn't what I wanted to hear! I was hoping you'd all be like no they're st ignore them.. mainly because alot of idiots spec'ed MINI's without them which makes my task rather difficult!

[alfabadass]

They are awesome!

Really depends on the design though. Loved them on the 156 as they were purely for music control which is all you really need.

Miss them now the TT doesn't have any!

[Crusoe]

If you do boring long journeys Cruise is handy to have and best on the wheel where you can adjust the speed and cancel/reset as needed. Have had stereo controls on the wheel of most of my cars for years but still use the radio buttons and dial most of the time (don't need to take my eyes off the road as I know where there are by feel).

[Pints]

Another convert here, although I've only ever had the audio controls.

It's actually rather annoying when going from my car with the SWC to the car without. I get so used to being able to change volume, etc. without my hands having to leave the steering wheel.

[krisdelta]

Having key controls on the steering wheel is a good feature, means you can keep your hands on the wheel, more of the time, cruise is a gem on the BMW / Mini range (on steering wheel or stalk depending on model/year).

[ian_c_uk]

I have that wheel on my cooper. Would not be without cruise, the padded outer, or the stereo controls, in that order.

The standard rim feels thin and awful in comparison to the sports wheel, imo.

[lauda]

Cruise control and volume for the stereo are pretty useful. The Ferrari 458 wheel, however, is just ridiculous. The solution to a problem that never existed.

[nottyash]

Id rather have it than not.
It was on our Mini, the thing with them is the Mini interiors feel like they are made in a Chinese xmas cracker factory.
The cruise and radio controls are good though.

[kambites]

I think it's nice if they have the most useful buttons and no more. Some modern wheels have so many buttons on them that it requires just as much concentration to find the one you want on the wheel than to find the button on the dashboard.

[PaulB81]

Very nice to have volume controls, skip song buttons on the wheel. I wonder how many people rear end someone because they are dicking about with the stereo.. Having cruise on the wheel is also very nice, have this on both of my beemers.

[philmots]

Only really make use if the volume controls on the steering wheel. I only ever listen to the radio so don't need to change tracks etc...

Cruise control I've had on the wheel and currently on a stalk. I've not used it on either.!

[anonymous-user]

My Z4 has steering wheel controls but my Golf doesn't. Once you get used to them you will miss them in a car without, I know I do.

[FreeLitres]

I really like them!

On the X-Type, I have cruise and audio controls. it means you can change CDs or radio stations without taking your eyes of the road. I use cruise all the time (need to in order to save fuel on boring journeys!) and I find that when I drive Wifeys car I am always feeling for the cruise control but it isn’t there.

[GAjon]

It tickled me when the salesman for my car said the steering wheel had controls for 18 function, he forgot the 19th, steering the car!

[kambites]

Lots of people saying it's an advantage that you don't have to take your eyes off the road to change volume, etc... can people really not change the volume/track on their car stereo without looking at it?

[FreeLitres]

kambites said:

Lots of people saying it's an advantage that you don't have to take your eyes off the road to change volume, etc... can people really not change the volume/track on their car stereo without looking at it?

OK, "Without taking your hands of the wheel" then.

It just feels less distracting IMO.