|
View Poll Results: Is your M steering wheel perfect? | |||
Yes | 27 | 71.05% | |
No | 11 | 28.95% | |
Voters: 38. You may not vote on this poll |
Post Reply |
|
Thread Tools | Search this Thread |
09-19-2012, 08:16 AM | #1 |
Private First Class
8
Rep 190
Posts |
G'day from down under
After picking up my 1M almost two months ago I've had a couple of gripes with the leather quality on the seats (I posted a few pics on the Aussie forums) and also a couple of bumps behind the steering wheel, but have come to terms with it since being repeatedly told that it's a "natural material" and will therefore never be perfect by BMW. I was told that I should buy a Rolls Royce if I wanted anything with better quality (Please keep in mind I paid over $100,000k USD for this car though). Being a fairly busy guy, I let it go. I've now done 1000kms in the car, and these bumps on the steering wheel are driving me insane . They're right behind the right spoke of the steering wheel, exactly where I have my third and fourth finger (because I drive properly ) so I'm constantly touching them and so constantly reminded of them. I would have thought that BMW could at least get the steering wheel right. It really detracts from the car, especially on mundane drives to work where there's nothing to distract me from it. I considered just replacing the steering wheel, but that'll cost me at least $1000. Is there any case I can put towards BMW Australia? Is there anything wrong with your M steering wheel? |
09-19-2012, 08:31 AM | #2 | |
Major
33
Rep 1,035
Posts |
Quote:
While I wish BMW had gone with a "sportier" style wheel (flat bottom, alcantara matching the cars trim etc.) it is a really sweet wheel. I have since purchased a BMWPerf (non powered) wheel because well.... Its sweeter |
|
Appreciate
0
|
09-19-2012, 05:32 PM | #3 |
Captain
50
Rep 779
Posts
Drives: 1 Series M Coupe 697/740
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Los Angeles / San Diego, California
|
I got my car with 1 of the blue stitching hanging off. Would they replace or repair? and If they replace... wonder if they'd let me replace with the performance wheel with blue strip... haha I've heard they're the same cost.
Anyone know about this?
__________________
2011 BMW BSM E82 ///1M
L1MTD |
Appreciate
0
|
09-19-2012, 05:36 PM | #4 |
European Editor
10512
Rep 22,992
Posts |
I have a M3 wheel on my 135i. I love it. The leather BMW uses is a bit hard(& rough) to the feel/touch. I used some "leatherique" oil to treat the leather bits on the steering wheel. That really softened up the leather and gave it a "nice" feel to it. I really recommend you guys to buy a bottle of "leatherique" oil - its about $30 but worth it. The leather feels so much nicer now.
__________________
|
Appreciate
0
|
09-19-2012, 06:09 PM | #5 |
Major General
684
Rep 5,069
Posts
Drives: BMW 230i Msport w/LSD
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Astral Projecting: ∞ 23.516 -122 02.625 0242.101 ĕv'rē-hwâr'
iTrader: (16)
Garage List 2009 Porsche 911 997.2 [10.00]
2019 Hyundai N (Sold) [10.00] 2013 BMW M3 (Sold) [10.00] 2011 1M Coupe (Sold) [8.78] 2008 E90 M3 (Sold) [8.60] 2007 Z4 Mcpe (Sold) [9.50] 2005 BMW M3 (Sold) [10.00] |
I vote yes, but is it "perfect"? Maybe not, but it is a damn good wheel though. I thought the wheel on my Z4M Coupe was the best though.
__________________
|
Appreciate
0
|
09-19-2012, 06:16 PM | #6 |
Brigadier General
191
Rep 4,848
Posts |
BMW replaced quite a number of loose stitching items on my 318i out of warranty but that was almost 7 years ago. Their policy might have changed. Show us some pictures on your seat.
The build quality of the 1M is like other 1ers. I do find the 5er are the 3er are built to a higher quality standard. Whilst the X3 was a bit worse and x5 on par.
__________________
Macan S Diesel - Carrera White
Macan Turbo - White 1///M - Valencia Orange |
Appreciate
0
|
09-19-2012, 06:39 PM | #7 |
Second Lieutenant
25
Rep 260
Posts |
the "boss" always nags me for wasting too much on my cars but even she said the money spent on the square bottomed suede m sport wheel was money well spent.
i think its the best mod ive ever done on any car, even if it does ad .1% on to the amount the car owes you-its well worth it. M sport wheel tranforms the driving experience especially on the boring low speed drives to work.. just my 2pence worth |
Appreciate
0
|
09-19-2012, 06:41 PM | #8 | |
Colonel
374
Rep 2,388
Posts
Drives: M2 Competition
Join Date: May 2011
Location: East Bay, CA
|
Quote:
Both were "good will" repaired. Wear and tear items are not covered under a normal warranty but most SAs are nice so just be nice and request it. Don't demand it, I can't stress this enough. I am my SA's favorite client simply because I don't demand anything but he has goodwill repaired multiple items that I would normally be SOL for. |
|
Appreciate
0
|
09-20-2012, 03:34 AM | #9 |
Second Lieutenant
16
Rep 242
Posts |
I have the optional suede flat bottomed wheel and I love it!!! Feels great and at first I was like "flat bottomed wheel are such a gimmick" but I actually like it now because it's not very much so you can still let the wheel turn by itself while leaving your hand on its and because of it you actually can feel where the wheel is at even without looking. Would definitely recommend the upgrade.
|
Appreciate
0
|
09-20-2012, 05:22 AM | #10 |
Private First Class
8
Rep 190
Posts |
Thanks for the feedback fellas, much appreciated
Ian, I'd say I'm definitely one of the more/most particular owners haha. The alcantara/flat bottomed wheel sounds tempting though! |
Appreciate
0
|
09-20-2012, 06:18 AM | #11 |
Major
33
Rep 1,035
Posts |
Well its kind of a given that soft to the touch alcantara is not going to have the same wear characteristics as regular leather. Just saying
|
Appreciate
0
|
09-20-2012, 07:30 AM | #12 |
Moderator
28918
Rep 13,048
Posts |
As Metak correctly pointed out, the question should have been phrased differently, because "perfect" is indeed quite a stretch. IMHO "Living up to expectations of an ///M car" or "///M worthy" would have been a better wording, or, more generally, "fit for purpose".
Anyway, I do not dislike it, so I voted "perfect". Smooth transition when coming over from an M3. In general, the thickness of ///M steering wheels has been hackled by some journalists. Though, Chris Harris considers it a requirement for an ///M car, but doesn't want it to be overdone. Check the video below about his expectations before getting behind the wheel of a 1M test mule in late 2010: 01:26-01:31 and 03:06-03:14: "[An ///M car should have] A different steering wheel, but not too thick please, because it got a bit crazy over the last few years."
__________________
///M is art ↔ Artemis
|
Appreciate
0
|
09-20-2012, 07:42 AM | #13 |
Moderator
28918
Rep 13,048
Posts |
Further to my previous post: Evo journalist Henry Catchpole regrets BMW M's choice for continuing to use "the chunky steering wheel".
Check 01:54-02:01 in the video below:
__________________
///M is art ↔ Artemis
|
Appreciate
0
|
09-20-2012, 03:15 PM | #14 |
Major
33
Rep 1,035
Posts |
I agree somewhat. I always liked my 1M's wheel, but the Performance stripe wheel is Slightly smaller and really is a perfect fit! Made me realize how damn large the stock wheel was.
|
Appreciate
0
|
09-20-2012, 08:38 PM | #15 |
Lieutenant
83
Rep 562
Posts
Drives: 2011 1M VO
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Chicago
|
So far (5K miles) I love my wheel and my seats. Only better I've had was 997 GT3. My only complaint about interior is the hard plastic dash and slapdash alteration between hard plastic and the nice alcantara. Very tight build so far.
|
Appreciate
0
|
09-27-2012, 06:17 AM | #16 | |
Private First Class
8
Rep 190
Posts |
Quote:
That Chris Harris video reminds me... what happened to our M3 seats and illuminated gear knob??? That said, I've grown quite fond of the stock ones I think our interiors are much nicer than the M3's too, I had a sit in one yesterday and thought it was a bit... boringggggggggggggg I'll admit that "Perfect" probably isn't the best description, perhaps I should've put "Up to your expectation quality-wise for the money you paid". As a driving wheel I think it's great, it feels purposeful and really feels like a car that takes skill to drive (I'm a bit delusional ). Sometimes I feel like I'm pulling at the seams when holding the car in the bends though. I suppose I just felt that after all the cars I've had the pleasure of driving, I've never had anything like this before and it's just a bit disappointing that it has on such a special car. Last edited by Convert; 09-27-2012 at 06:22 AM.. |
|
Appreciate
0
|
09-27-2012, 07:16 AM | #17 |
39
Rep 247
Posts |
Just add the performance wheel Electronic
like we did its much thicker and such a joy
__________________
2011 1M VALENCYA
- OEMplus Performance Mods CF Spoiler w/the IND Touch.Elec Perf Wheel V2.6K Angel.Meisterschaft GT Gloss Black.AR DP.SLEK CF Front Spoiler.N55 Mid.Cust Mirror Caps.12mm Spacers.20%3M Tint.Clear Bra.IND Side Markers.OEM Perf Grills. Cobb AP Stage 2 |
Appreciate
0
|
09-27-2012, 08:06 AM | #18 | |
Brigadier General
115
Rep 3,070
Posts |
Quote:
On the other hand, if we could have some seats a la Z3 M seats, in bi-color scheme plus half-alcantara half-leather, then yes I would feel more special about the interior of our cars. I don't mind a bit that the gear box is not illuminated since I know where to put my gear lever without looking at it! Plus would it come in VO? I even found it juvenile these details in former M cars, like the lights showing you if you are at the green or yellow or red zone of revs or the shift knob. I am glad that 1M was considered more grown up than that. It is the focused and pure M, remember? We are supposed to drive it first and foremost.
__________________
"The mark of a great car is one whose overall competence exceeds what you should expect from its individual components and the 1M does just that", Chris Harris.
BMW 1M-SOLD-: TECH: Evolve Race+N55mids, Evolve IC, Michelin PSS, ER cp, aFe filter, CDVx, Vorshlag camber plates, BMS OCC EXTERIOR: trunk spoiler, blacklines, black grills, IND goodies INTERIOR: Alcantara steering wheel, steel pedals, custom mats, MPower e-brake. |
|
Appreciate
0
|
09-27-2012, 08:27 AM | #19 | |
Private First Class
8
Rep 190
Posts |
Quote:
I didn't know about the M division's comments about the seats, but that'll be one to keep in the armory should an M3 driver bad mouth my car in any way haha I found that the extra "bits" on the M3 seat didn't give me much extra support around the thighs and shoulders, PLUS I found the side bolsters didn't inflate to the same extent as those in the 1M, i.e. not hugging enough! I suppose that I would've liked some thing extra to differentiate the seats between the 1M and the standard 1 series, although the orange stitching does help quite a bit. (I'm not feeling the 2 tone Z3M seats though) You're right about the gear knob though, it'd just add wank-factor (but I'd still think it'd be awesome if they did it haha). The reflection it gives from the ambient lighting makes it looks pretty cool at night (when I have time to admire it). Can't argue with that |
|
Appreciate
0
|
09-27-2012, 09:02 AM | #20 |
New Member
0
Rep 7
Posts |
I'm pretty finicky as well and I've got one annoying bump on my 1M's wheel. It's up at 12 O'Clock though, so doesn't bother me too much. I will be very interested to see how the leather wears - mine is 7.5 months and 10500kms old and I've got the slightest change in the feel of the leather in the areas of the wheel that I hold on to most. I think it's all going to be about good maintainence of the interior to keep it all pretty!
|
Appreciate
0
|
Post Reply |
Bookmarks |
Thread Tools | Search this Thread |
|
|