Replacement Airbag Steering Wheel for V8 Esprit.
Discussion
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/turboesprit/files/Airbag%20Steering%20Wheel%20Pics/
I finally got it done! A bunch of pics available on TEL.
Steve
I finally got it done! A bunch of pics available on TEL.
Steve
Ernest, thanks for hosting one of the pictures. I couldn't figure out how to get one uploaded.
Heres the abbreviated story:
The manufacturer is Raid of Germany:
www.raid-rdi.com/cgi-bin/db-e/db.cgi?db=interieur&gruppe=Airbaglenkrad
I'm virtually certain they supply the OEM wheel for Aston Martin. They are also OEM suppliers for Mercedes.
www.autoweek.com/specials/galleries/aston/13.htm
http://a332.g.akamai.net/f/332/936/12h/www.edmunds.com/media/firstlook/02.aston.martin.vanquish/a-m.vanquish.int.500.jpg.
My version is the Freeway - Silver. They have a bunch of other styles and sizes. I really liked the aluminum look and was trying to get the brand new Daytona, but its not shipping yet.
The only importer/retailer I could find in the US was:
http://tuningzubehor.com/ but they were kind of expensive.
I got a very good price of $452 from www.tmtuning.com/ in Germany. Ask for Damian and tell him you're part of the Lotus club. But be warned. It was a b_tch to import an airbag wheel with "explosives" through US customs. It took over 6 months! I think they have got it smoother now.
No matter how I tried, I couldn't get the adapter from Raid directly. Claudius offered to machine one for me if I sent him the wheel. However, I wound up buying the adapter alone from Motoconcepts for $322 delivered. It was expensive, but I thought it was potentially fewer installation problems. I was just happy they sold me the adapter alone.
Though TM told me it was a simple DIY job, I felt alot more comfortable having my Lotus mechanic do the install (with a liability waiver). Plus he could read the instructions which were printed in German. He also realigned the front end to make sure the wheel centered perfectly. His total charge was $315.
So Im into it for a total of $1,089. The look and feel are fantastic and I think well worth the time and expense.
>> Edited by dasspoot on Wednesday 27th August 14:39
>> Edited by dasspoot on Wednesday 27th August 14:41
Heres the abbreviated story:
The manufacturer is Raid of Germany:
www.raid-rdi.com/cgi-bin/db-e/db.cgi?db=interieur&gruppe=Airbaglenkrad
I'm virtually certain they supply the OEM wheel for Aston Martin. They are also OEM suppliers for Mercedes.
www.autoweek.com/specials/galleries/aston/13.htm
http://a332.g.akamai.net/f/332/936/12h/www.edmunds.com/media/firstlook/02.aston.martin.vanquish/a-m.vanquish.int.500.jpg.
My version is the Freeway - Silver. They have a bunch of other styles and sizes. I really liked the aluminum look and was trying to get the brand new Daytona, but its not shipping yet.
The only importer/retailer I could find in the US was:
http://tuningzubehor.com/ but they were kind of expensive.
I got a very good price of $452 from www.tmtuning.com/ in Germany. Ask for Damian and tell him you're part of the Lotus club. But be warned. It was a b_tch to import an airbag wheel with "explosives" through US customs. It took over 6 months! I think they have got it smoother now.
No matter how I tried, I couldn't get the adapter from Raid directly. Claudius offered to machine one for me if I sent him the wheel. However, I wound up buying the adapter alone from Motoconcepts for $322 delivered. It was expensive, but I thought it was potentially fewer installation problems. I was just happy they sold me the adapter alone.
Though TM told me it was a simple DIY job, I felt alot more comfortable having my Lotus mechanic do the install (with a liability waiver). Plus he could read the instructions which were printed in German. He also realigned the front end to make sure the wheel centered perfectly. His total charge was $315.
So Im into it for a total of $1,089. The look and feel are fantastic and I think well worth the time and expense.
>> Edited by dasspoot on Wednesday 27th August 14:39
>> Edited by dasspoot on Wednesday 27th August 14:41
It had better be functional but I dont plan on testing it!
The waiver was pretty standard because 1) it was a customer supplied, non-Lotus part and 2)the wheel is not US DOT approved (though it meets the more stringent German TUV certification)
The one in the Vanquish is the "Daytona" version (with black horn buttons) but it is not available until later this year. I got the "Freeway".
>> Edited by dasspoot on Wednesday 27th August 14:44
The waiver was pretty standard because 1) it was a customer supplied, non-Lotus part and 2)the wheel is not US DOT approved (though it meets the more stringent German TUV certification)
The one in the Vanquish is the "Daytona" version (with black horn buttons) but it is not available until later this year. I got the "Freeway".
>> Edited by dasspoot on Wednesday 27th August 14:44
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