Already suggested! Too late for these guys!

 

^^^C., DCT is an excellent alternative and is my other choice, but the 2 wheels are NOT the same. Were I to get the DCT, I would most likely ask to fill the groove on the DCT wheel - I assume it's possible? I don't like the groove's odd angle and position (*beneath* the thumb rest, instead of leading into it) and I've not seen such a groove before in any other wheel. But - this is purely personal preference and no one but OCD me has complained about this groove. Another minor point: I would have preferred that the suture line follows upward instead of cutting across the thumb rests in the DCT. Both of these are my personal preference, so if it's not important to users, then yes the DCT would be a better choice because of cost.

I actually would have liked to compare the wheels pre-purchase in person but it wasn't possible. Besides the overall shape, and protrusions and grooves of each wheel, also the quality of leather, grip, and padding underneath, etc., all these things I expect to be different on close inspection. It would take time to be able to compare them head to head, and since I know you can't go wrong with Techart on this important component, I paid the Techart tax :-). Thank goodness it's only 900 difference and not like their $50,000 body kit.


Techart:




DCT:

 

I didn't like the groove either
Had a custom one made without the grip...flat bottom though.
Custom wheels are the best mod you can make, surprised it took you this long! On my 08 I tried 3 different wheels on it in the course of a year! Lucky now to have an 11 with the sport wheel. It is damn near perfect.

 

Great minds think alike . I've been staring at that groove for the longest time - why it's there, what exactly does it do, etc. Kidding aside, DCT *was* able to custom make one without the groove?
This is one reason for why I pulled the trigger on the Techart - I don't have time/energy to try different wheels, want to get it right the first time, and don't want to discover other things that I might not like.

Why I waited so long? I had spent some $ to upgrade the Porsche wheel to the thick version and thought it should be the "best," until I ran into the fantastic M3 wheel. Also, the stock wheel's leather now has become "shinny" and hard and not so nice anymore.

You have 2011 thick OEM wheel? Is it much thicker than my 2008 thick OEM sports wheel - which was thickest available at that time?

 

Yes, dct can make almost whatever you want. And you have a choice of materials. The groove makes for a perfect hand grip, but only for one position.

The "thick" wheel is not that thick, as you know. That is a good question though, I don't even know if a thicker wheel is an option on a .2. I've never seen it on an option list. I have the three spoke sport wheel with paddles. I tell you it is damn near perfect.

 

Thanks. Yes, my thick-optioned 997.1 wheel is really not thick enough. Is 997.2 wheel as thick as M3 wheel?

Another thing I would request were I to get DCT wheel is to get that suture line away from the thumb rest. Both M3 and OEM Turbo wheel, and Techart wheel, keep the cut line above it.

 

FYI There is a TechArt steering wheel catalog online HERE.

I see that MACarbon also has a steering wheel "program" and their stuff looks pretty nice too (in pictures.)

This is on my list as like you guys, I am unenthused by the stock wheel and have gotten used to nice ones on other cars. In fact I like the one on my now-beater-status Audi more than the Turbo's.

 

Glad you like it Cann you definitely can't go wrong with TechArt stuff here's another pic of mine with my stock cf wheel next to it ,you can really tell the difference between the two

 

^^^Thanks guys for helping me spend my "toy" money :-). This is a nice gift for my Turbo baby, tidy "her" up as old age is approaching :-).

campbelltj, thanks for the NICE link! Wow they are all so beautiful. I think I saw a 997.2 wheel when I was at the Techart Center; super nice and with square bottom. I don't believe square bottom is a choice for Techart 997.1 wheel, right?

 

Cannga, When is the new wheel due to arrive?

Check out this extra PHAT wheel I saw on another forum...!!!

 

^^^D., it supposedly takes about 3 weeks, around 5/20. I will update this thread with my impression when it comes. I don't expect any surprise though based on other owners' reviews - should be excellent.

Yep that *is* one fat wheel in that picture! Looking at the vestigial "groove" and the horizontal cut across thumb line between leather and carbon fiber, I assume it is a DCT steering wheel?

Note that all of these after-market wheels have *same overall diameter* as stock wheel, since they use the same core, whereas some of us, including me, might actually want a wheel that is truly smaller in diameter - that will quicken the steering response, while thicker in grip. Such a thing doesn't exist - not with a functional airbag anyway.

 

I like slightly smaller diameter steering wheels too, but they block the driver's view of the guages and also increase steering effort a bit so IMO are not a good choice for street cars.

 

I like this! Now we are getting into a good discussion of steering wheel's in and out's, the nitty gritty!

Regarding above, we have the same thoughts except for the conclusion, obviously due to personal preference: I think a smaller wheel for our Turbo in particular is good because the 997 Turbo's steering ratio is little too slow for my taste, AND the steering has too much assist as is, so heavier would be better. Basically I prefer the 997 GT2's steering feel to the 997 Turbo. But it's a mute point because such a smaller wheel is not available anyway.

Below is article on Motortrend on "Top 10 Coolest Steering Wheel," I am not surprised at all that the M3's simple steering wheel is on the list. It is really one of the best that I have ever felt, among the many cars that I've driven: supple leather, perfect overall diameter, perfect grip diameter.
http://www.motortrend.com/features/c...ls/bmw_m3.html

 

I think you might appreciate this clip and it will explain why I like a consistsnt diameter with the outer perimeter of the steering wheel. Note how I grab and feed the wheel through my hands while driving through the course. All those odd, ergo shapes and indents, would impede the flow of the wheel through the hands and create a choppy line. Smooth and consistent input equals faster lap times. Although you

are not chasing numbers and just looking for tactile pleasure while DD'ing, I think your new wheel will bring you great enjoyment!

Cheers,
VID

 

Is there a core charge? do u keep your factory wheel?