Learn me steering wheels...

Need something for the e30. I like alot of the momo wheels, but on a budget most in decent shape with an e30 hub adaptor are nearing $300.

Any thoughts on less expensive alternatives out there? I want something around 350mm-370mm that is reasonably stiff. And that I can make fit the e30.

Late-model Dino wheels are a 6-bolt pattern common with Nardi. They came stock in some GM's including Trans Am's and Corvettes. I was able to snag a wheel and an adapter cheap ($25 and $30 respectively) since it is incompatible with MOMO stuff. Personal and some other Japanese makes are also the same pattern.

Grant is another solution. Their wheels are very nice and affordable new. My dad has a Grant GT that's outlasted about a dozen cars over the last 40 years.

I like the factory Mtech 1 wheel that was used in the 325is and ix, they're not terribly hard to find.

stuart in mn wrote: I like the factory Mtech 1 wheel that was used in the 325is and ix, they're not terribly hard to find.

I thought those were the same diameter as the wheel I have in the car now (385mm, IIRC)? I know they made a "small" MTech1 wheel (370mm) but those seem to be few and far between - most I see for sale are the full-size ones.

Fitti E3. Sometimes you can find a used one for less than a Momo. Alas, the hubs do not interchange.

With the slow steering of an e30 and the high wheel position with no tilt, do you really want a smaller wheel?

I put a 13" on my '88 MR2 and hated how small it was for street driving. Not only was it too narrow (side to side), the lower part of the wheel was higher creating a big gap between my knees and the wheel. The only benefit was that the top of the wheel was lower. The 3 negatives of too narrow on each side and too high on the bottom outweighed the slight benefit of a lower top.
I switched to a 13.5" aftermarket wheel compared to the factory 14" and was much happier.
That wheel was a cheap Grant and I was happy with it. Not leather, rather hard plastic with an inexpensive ebay reproduction TRD horn button.

I don't want something terribly smaller. I'd prefer 14 to 14.5" (the stock wheel is 15"). Not looking for a crazy drift wheel or anything! Also would like a wheel with a bit thicker rim. I just don't like feeling like I'm driving a truck.

I'd swap over my 14.5" WRX wheel if I could, but I can't!

I eventually will switch to an E36 rack with quicker ratio, for what it's worth.

Keep an eye on ebay for used Momo wheels. I got one and an ebay hub adapter for the miata for around $70 total.

EvanB wrote: Keep an eye on ebay for used Momo wheels. I got one and an ebay hub adapter for the miata for around $70 total.

I've had bids on a few, but they went up out of my range before they ended. It's also a bit harder finding used e30 adaptors than used Miata adaptors, I'm betting :)

You're right, I used one of THESE adapters but it looks like they don't have any for e30s. Maybe you could find what other steering wheels have the same spline count as the BMW and see if there is anything cheaper.

Typical cheap Grant:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Grant-GT-Rally-Steering-Wheel-14-Dia-4-Spoke-3-75-Dish-749-/390371915302?hash=item5ae3fab626&item=390371915302&pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&vxp=mtr

Buy a $15-$75 momo wheel used and a new adapter for $75. At worst you will have $150 into it, probably less. I have bought 3 of them for under $20 each.

I bought my JDM Mazdaspeed steering wheel and adapter (made by Momo, not flexy counterfeit crap) for $160 from fleaBay. It's a bit pricey but it's comfy, it's 1" smaller in diameter than the stock transit bus wheel, and it fit my FC with little modification (I think the adapter was made for a Miata). Steering wheel deals do exist on fleaBay, you just need to be careful.

Travis_K wrote: Buy a $15-$75 momo wheel used and a new adapter for $75. At worst you will have $150 into it, probably less. I have bought 3 of them for under $20 each.

damn! the cheapest Momo wheels I've found in that size range are well over $100 since they all have ridiculous shipping costs added on...

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-MOMO-Steering-Wheel-BMW-Type-M38-/280750850293?hash=item415e0e00f5&item=280750850293&pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&vxp=mtr

Edit: $22 for shipping? That is ridiculous.

$1,499 ?????
http://www.ebay.com/itm/BMW-E21-E30-E30-M3-M-TECH-1-Steering-Wheel-NEW-/110676632903?hash=item19c4d76547&item=110676632903&pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&vxp=mtr
Shipping is free!

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-MOMO-Steering-Wheel-BMW-Type-M38-/280750850293?hash=item415e0e00f5&item=280750850293&pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&vxp=mtr#ht_500wt_1287

http://www.ebay.com/itm/JDM-momo-3-spoke-classic-wood-classic-steering-MG-fiat-/360368746664?hash=item53e7a6b0a8&item=360368746664&pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&vxp=mtr#ht_2399wt_1270

I have seen better but those are a few cheap ones.

My Mustang came with a Grant and I replaced it with a different Grant. I can't say anything good about them. I hated both wheels and the horn buttons were crap.

FWIW.

My Momo Prototipo felt like it had just as much flex as my cheap ebay steering wheel that I had for a while.

But damn does that Momo look good.

Woody wrote: Fitti E3. Sometimes you can find a used one for less than a Momo. Alas, the hubs do not interchange.

That's the exact wheel I have in my Scirocco. I picked it up for $60 and found a Nardi/Personal adapter for $40.

My cousin also had this wheel in his 82 911SC. His had red stitching though. It's the reason I bought mine. Always liked that wheel.

The Fitti is made by Nardi/Personal. I think that the suede ones have colored stitching. There's no flex, most likely due to the dishing.

What kid of wheel are you after??

2, 3, 4 spoke?

Leather, suede, wood, rubber?

polished, satin, or painted spokes?

deep dish, or shallow dish?

here is a phot search from Google directed @ Nardi - http://www.google.com/search?q=nardi&rls=com.microsoft:en-us:IE-SearchBox&oe=&um=1&ie=UTF-8&hl=en&tbm=isch&source=og&sa=N&tab=wi&ei=x8n0Tom2EMOeiQLJrdisDg&biw=1280&bih=780&sei=ycn0TuPaF8SSiALczMy2Dg

My choice was a shallow dish, 360mm, brushed aluminum spoked, wood Nardi, with a vintage pot metal (instead of collapsable) hub..

Woody wrote: My Mustang came with a Grant and I replaced it with a different Grant. I can't say anything good about them. I hated both wheels and the horn buttons were crap.

You want old Grant's (at least 80's), not new ones. You can buy new adapters though.

failboat wrote: FWIW. My Momo Prototipo felt like it had just as much flex as my cheap ebay steering wheel that I had for a while. But damn does that Momo look good.

I have a Prototipo in the Miata and love it. I'll also add that the last time I was looking for a used Momo, the deals seemed to evaporate once you factored in shipping. In the end I got a good deal on an older NOS Momo via eBay.

Semi-related, if anyone is looking for a Momo hub for a Miata, let me know. There's new one on my desk. Part number is 5702.