M Steering wheels too fat???

[Pugsey]

Is it me or is it journos who are wrong? I loved the chunky rim thickness of the steering wheel in all my M3s and, latterly, in my 1M. ALL journos say the wheels are too fat - it's fun seeing how far you can get into the latest test before it's mentioned. Is this just 'lazy' journalism - ie repeating/being influenced by something they've heard - or have they all got short, chubby little digits? Latest offender is Sutcliffe in last weeks Autocar.

Edited by Pugsey on Tuesday 27th March 11:37

[Greedydog]

Nope, I love the feel of mine.

[pilchardthecat]

I agree - i am frequently baffled by this. They even said it about the MINI when it was first released.

I get cramps in my hands if i have to use a spindly thin wheel for any length of time. Love my M wheel.

[greygoose]

I think it's just lazy journalism, the M wheel feels fine to me and I don't possess huge hands.

[BriC175]

My steering wheel looks / feels just right! The same can be said for other BMW steering wheels I've seen!

[Zod]

They feel fine to me, but I prefer the thinner wheel in my Aston.

[Pugsey]

Good oh. It would seem to be them and their chubby little digits wot's wrong and not me then!

[julians]

I prefer the fat M wheel, regular wheels just feel a bit 'lightweight' now.

[swanny71]

Love the fat M wheels also

[Pig Skill]

It's not always been the case though. I think it started off with the e46 M3/E39 M5. My Z3 M steering wheel is the same as my E36 M3 was - quite skinny and hard



My E46 M3 is a smaller diameter and a chunkier grip though.



I actually prefer the thinner wheel despite having hands like shovels

[cragswinter]

Definatly prefer a narrower steering wheel rim, the alcantara one in the csl actually was pretty uncomfortable for me.

However I've got to say I'm pleasantly surprised by the wheel in the Z4M coupe at the moment-just feels right somehow?

[TEKNOPUG]

The diameter is too big - certainly on my E36. Doesn't appear to be another smaller OEM wheel that is an easy fit. Looks like I'll have to dump it, along with the airbag, for something 350mm. I'm aware of the RAID air-bag wheels but they are crazy money. A nice Momo Monte Carlo or Tuner I think.

[Cheib]

One thing is for sure it's not been done by accident....these hings never are.

I am sure it's probably something to do with a thicker steering wheel is in theory supposed to convey greater engineering quality or some such! You can bet the marketing department has had something to do with it.

[steve_n]

I was expecting to see another thread slating the wheels but I was pleasantly surprised as I too really like my M wheel.

My hands fall around it just nicely and of particular note is the contours of the spokes at 09:15. Some sporty wheels like the 350Z the spokes are so wide you can't get your hands around them.

[jonttt]

I changed my Z3m wheel for a raid (from a porsche) and it was the best mod I've ever done to a car. Totally transformed the driving experience:







If you have an older ///M you've got to do it ;-)

[stevesingo]

Perhaps compared to these...



The Missus' E46 sport wheel feels chunky and cumbersome after steeing with one of these.

[Guvernator]

I have a 335i se with the thinner wheel which I thought was fine until I had a go in a friends 330 msport. The fatter msport just felt 10 times better to hold and steer with IMO. So much so in fact that I looked at the cost of changing mine and then discovered that msport wheels go for north of £400 on the bay! Not sure I liked it that much tbh.

[Leins]

cragswinter said:

Definatly prefer a narrower steering wheel rim, the alcantara one in the csl actually was pretty uncomfortable for me

I find the CSL wheel very comfortable. However, I'm nearly certain that the thinner Alpina/Momo wheel in my E30 aids the steering process, in that it doesn't filter the feedback as much. Might just be that the E30 steers in a rawer fashion anyway (if that makes sense). Although it could do with having the CSL's thumb-grips

Edited by Leins on Wednesday 28th March 23:22

[Stingercut]

Another thumbs up for the fatter M3 steering wheel. A rather pathetic journo gripe imo. I play fat grips on my golf clubs too, so do most better players..but I digress.

[cslwannabe]

I really liked the wheel on my E46. I've driven some more recent BMWs, some of which seem to have even thicker steering wheels, and none feel as nice as the E46. In comparison my Boxster steering wheel is quite a bit thinner and hard and definitely not as nice.