Another order for 997TT customer
Extra thick side grips
Smooth/Perforated black leather wrap

 

Requested by owner has 997 with 2 tone interior colors, we made this 997 sport steering wheel with Terracotta on top and bottom to match the color scheme.

 

Great looking wheel. Perfect for a Terra/black interior.

 

Those are great looking wheels. Now if someone would make them at a reasonable price point they would own the market. These are just steering wheels...

Matt

 

I agree with you Matt. The price of custom steering wheels are outrageous.

 

I disagree. If you want an upgraded wheel from, say, a stock "sport" steering wheel, try pricing a new XPA wheel (without airbag) from a Porsche dealer. It will be north of $1300. These wheels by DCT have features you can't get from Porsche.
It may "just be a steering wheel", but IMO, that is the one thing you have your hands on at all times when experiencing your Porsche. I find a huge difference in satisfaction between a plastic feeling thin-rimmed wheel and a thicker leather wrapped wheel.

 

I agree with Jeffrey and Matt.
The argument is not whether the DCT steering wheel or the Vivid Steering wheel or any of the aftermarket Porsche steering wheels provide an improved tactile experience. The answer is unequivocally a resounding YES.

However, the comment abut it being 'just a steering wheel' is not aimed at belittling the improved driving experience, but rather at highlighting the fact that this is just a ring (wood, metal, rubber, whatever) around a base metal hub, with some strategically placed padding to make it feel thicker and to lie nicely in our hands as we grip it. Finally, some alcantara or leather is stitched around and voila: that'll be $1,300-$1,600 please...

I have just ordered such a wheel from Vivid at a decent discount from the numbers listed above. As much as I love the feel etc. of the improved wheel, I too find it hard to justify the price.

 

Anything 'hand-made' is bound to be 'pricey' just because of the labor and skill set involved. I can't tell you how hours are involved but I suspect it's quite a few. You're paying a premium for 'customization' and/or getting it the way you want it. Choice of leathers, carbon fiber, thicker, flat bottom, etc. etc.

I have no connection w/ DCT other than the fact I did recently order one of their wheels and found their pricing to very competitive w/ other non-factory wheels. That and the fact that they are very cooperative and responsive to inquiries, questions, concerns, etc.

 

It is hard to justify the price of most after-market items. Hundreds of dollars for exhaust tips is an example. And they don't even have a tactile benefit . Or $500+ for illuminated door sills. Or tons of money for every item you might order with leather covering. While the steering wheels seem overpriced, at least they contribute more to the driving experience than many other expensive items that are purely aesthetic.
But it is amazing how willing many of us are to spend money trying to improve these expensive and wonderful machines. We're so easy!

 

Sometimes, it is just a steering wheel that change the whole car

 

I agree with DCT. The steering wheel is the main interface between you and your car, so I think it justifies its cost more than many other choices for spending our money on upgrades.

 

Our extra thick sport steering wheel installed on 997TT

 

Is any member on the forum looking for steering wheel conversion with Porsche Cocoa leather?
we are about to order the material, just need to check whether we can justify the cost

Ivan

 

Picture from forum member AP 997S, Before and After pictures

Before:


After:

 

another wheel we made for customer!