Thanks to Evan at FVD for the rapid delivery and Brian at AJ USA for helping with the install, I have my Gemballa steering wheel in. Here's the corporate photo:


And my untalented photo skills:


Instructions were in German which is not spoken at AJ USA so it was trial and error. I thought we had it all licked - seemed like everything worked so I came home. Went out later to go for a ride and found the dash lights on - must have a ground short somewhere. Gives me something to do tommorrow.

The wheel is PERFECT. The diameter is about an inch less so I have more room below the wheel and I only lose the top half inch of the tach. The buttons are placed perfectly. The learning curve is that the horn buttons are about where the old shift buttons were so all day coming home in traffic I was beeping people and getting the finger from people because I pressed the wrong button. After 15 minutes I had developed new habit patterns and was doing ok. I've been driving the TIP for a little over two years and can count the number of time the car decided when to rather than me doing it manually. This is much better from a grip standpoint. Beefy wheel with the buttons placed perfectly. If you shift your TIP most of the time - this is the way to go.

Also got rid of the disabled plates - took way too much crap for them - I'll just hobble up from the back of the parking lot. So here's the new plate:


Hope everyone has a great 4th.

 

look'n good Ken!
The stripes are a fun variation

 

cant justify spending over 2G for a steering wheel

 

Hahah That is a cool plate! Nice wheel.

 

If I had to justify stuff I bought I would be in HUGE trouble. Does it add anything to the car? Obviously, I think it added $2K to the enjoyment or I wouldn't have spent the money.

 

No problem!! Glad you like it!! I have to say this is one of the first things I would do if I had a tip...buttons are sooo much cooler than the stock unit IMO. Another member order the Alum. Wheel which should be in next week....can't wait to see how that one looks!!!
Regards,
Evan
PS-Preeth its not OVER 2K

 

and whats wrong with the stock wheel? exactly

 

You asking me???
If so...
From the VERY little experience I have had driving a tip, I think the stock buttons are in a crappy location (at least the way I hold the wheel)... However the Gemballa buttons seemed better placed (still not perfect for me).
Evan
Again on VERY limited Tip experience

 

the shift buttons on a stock wheel require you to take your hand off the wheel to use your thumb to shift or use the meaty part of your hand for shifting. Taking a hand off the wheel is not the brightest thing to do in a car going fast on a track. Using the meaty part of your hand is not that easy and you can downshift by accident which can create some ugly results just like in a manual car.

Taking the buttons and moving them to where your thumbs are when driving makes shifting easy and isolating up shifting to the right and downshifting to the left makes it pretty bullet proof.

The wheel is thicker and more ergonomically correct.

 

Very Nice Ken!!! I love the plate and the wheel!
Happy 4th!!

 

Great job! Now everyone will want a piece of the 560 P-Car.

 

How is the steering wheel going? I am considering picking it up with the carbon on it or the TechArt. Haven't made a decision yet. Looking forward to your response Ken. Thank you.

 

The wheel is GREAT. Really adds to the enjoyment of driving. I have never driven the car in the "auto" mode, I have always ****ed the car like I would a manual. The challenge is in the turns getting the relative up and down of the normal TIP correct - had a couple of very nasty downshifts. Seperating the up and down to left and right works much better. The added plus is the shift button in where your thumb naturally rests on the wheel and the wheel is meatier than the OEM wheel. I'd do it again.

 

The wheel looks great!! I may waste a couple a Gs myself on one.

Evan, what would a carbon fiber non tip wheel cost me?

 

Looks like Raid is making the wheels for Gambella. I wonder if Gambella would sell the cover separately, as the Raid one is too plain.