Awful steering Wheel, later D3 cars

[matt5791]

As I mentioned in another thread, I'm currently about to change my D2 3.7 Qu. sp. for a 4.2TDI D3 (if I can find the right one!).

One thing that really bugs me about the facelift D3 cars - it sounds silly - but the steering wheel is just pig ugly, and the centre boss where the airbag is, it's just cheap and nasty plastic. Indeed, the shape looks like a codpiece, quite frankly.

My 1996 P plate A6 has a higher quality feel, as does my current D2.

However I noticed that the earlier D3's have a rather attractive wheel with a round centre boss - Here is the question:

Does anyone know if there is any way of putting this earlier D3 wheel on the later D3 car???

PS

(Also, I think the D2 is a better looking and generally better proportioned car - but I've got to change because the D2 is getting long in the tooth now)

[mikael]

Looks like you are wanting to do what I did 18 months ago. I used to have a 1999 A8 3.7 Quattro, and I switched to a 2006 A8 4.2 TDI LWB which really is fully loaded with just about every option. Finding one was the hardest part, and I found one by chance in Autotrader, as I spotted it had the Adaptive Cruise control sensor in the grill. Being a rare option, I thought it may well have lots of other toys too, and it did. However, I do think the D2's were built a little better. I had quite a few things put right under warranty, although they were small things which the average person would probably not notice. Since all the things have been done, it has been very good, and with a fully loaded example, you do get many more electronic gizmos. The 4.2 TDI engine is a stormer, and the best bit of the car!

With regard to the steering wheel, I agree the first generation D3 wheels look better, but it did not bother me enough to want to change it. I would imagine that the spindle and electic contact points may well be the same, so then you would just have to get the wheel, the airbag and cover. Depending upon spec, the wheel may cost quite a bit. My one is the 4 spoke multi function with paddles and heating. The heating was changed for the facelift I believe. Before the facelift the heated wheel went on with the heated seat. After the facelift there is a small switch on the left lower spoke. This could mean there would be a control unit to change/replace/upgrade if you had heating. Also, it may well be that you would need to calibrate the ESP system after changing the steering wheel, as it uses a steering wheel position sensor to detect which direction would actually want to be driving in, if the car looses adhesion. I'm sure it could be done if you really wanted to though.

Edited January 12, 2010 by mikael