I am thinking of buying a friend's steering wheel from a 2010 997 with PDK for my 2009 C4S however after inspection I saw this weird condensation like thing where launch control light is as well as on the other spokes. I have included the pics below. Dealer says this is a defect but should still work. Since I have an 09 the Launch Control wont work anyway but wanted to know if anyone has an opinion on this or has seen the defect. I am getting a good price but I do want perfection.

Thoughts?

 

HI,

I have the same steering wheel, and yes, the same fading inside the clear plastic sides. I tried to get the steering wheel replaced under CPO when I purchased the car in 2012, but since the steering wheel was installed in 2010 as an aftermarket upgrade purchased from Sun Coast, it was rejected. The steering wheel was only covered with a 1 year parts warranty. I was told by Sun Coast that this was a common problem with early version of this steering wheel and they did replace quite a few under warranty.

As for your question, you will have no problem with the steering wheel mechanically. This is a cosmetic problem and nothing else. I don't particularly like how the steering wheel looks, but I am not willing to drop $1000 on a new replacement. If you want 'perfection' then you will be bothered by the looks regardless of the price you pay for this used wheel.

By the way, what do you mean 'the launch control won't work'? If you have an '09 PDK, you can certainly do launch control. It's fun. :-)

 

Thanks for your response...

you confirmed what I thought, this is most likely a steering wheel that replaced since it was defective cosmetically.

What I meant by Launch control not working is that starting in 2010 there is a launch control light on the steering wheel that lights up. This function does not work on 2009....only 2010 and beyond. Not a functionality I really care about.

The big question is how much do I care about the cosmetic defect....

 

Ah, ok! Now I understand. You can do launch control, but the light doesn't glow. Got it

As for your big question, I will tell you from my point of view, it really does bother me and if you are looking for 'perfection' it will bother you as well.

There were two aspects to my car that I was surprised to see on an otherwise wonderfully accurate representation of a car that I bought sight unseen from the prior owner. The significant amount of minor rock chips on the front windshield and that fading you've photographed on the steering wheel. In both cases, the replacement cost (in excess of $1000 each) to replace to make them 'perfect' isn't justified in my book because they are both cosmetic issues.

Last point. If you have a PDK car and do NOT have this steering wheel, you are missing out on some major fun. PDK, the Paddle Steering Wheel, and SC are all default requirements on a non-manual 911.

 

That would bug the crap out of me. I have to look at the steering wheel every time I drive the car...

 

What would you pay for the steering wheel with that defect. I could just black it out with some black film I guess. Thoughts?

 

Some flat black vinyl would look fine I'll bet.

Something like that would bother me for about 10 mins then i'd forget about it. I'm very ADD, but certain things I just let go. These cars are drivers, not museum pieces and they will get nicked and marked up. Every time I detail mine I see a little nick or whatever, it just doesn't bug me.

Call it patina :-)

DOOR DINGS ON THE OTHER HAND.... Those **** me off. Careless SOBs.

 

I have the same thing on my paddle wheel. As noted the issue fades pretty fast. I don't even think about any more.

 

Haha. I'm very ADD, and it bugs the crap outta me. But, I'm also thrifty, and I'd rather spend the $1000 on new toys rather than fixing those I already have that work just fine.

 

No, I would not put electrical tape over the clear plastic.

What would I pay? I dunno, maybe $500. Somewhere around half the price of a new one.

 

You could purchase a used Rolex with the 'stardust dial' and consider the wheel and watch as a matched pair.

 

I bought my present 2011 C2S PDK new. All three spoke "windows" were fogged, or had some sort of condesation in them. The lights worked normally, but that condensation-like defect was totally unacceptable to me. BTW, I don't think it is actually moisture, but rather some sort of defective adhesive or something. It does not go away. I took it to a Porsche dealer and they replaced it under warranty without a fight. I think it was a known issue to them.
Jim