Steering wheel upgrades

[Clockwork]

I have an 850i for that kind of weather

[Ricky Bobby]

Originally Posted by Clockwork

I have an 850i for that kind of weather

I heart that car <3

[Ricky Bobby]

Resurrecting this thread because if anyone is interested in thickening the steering wheel, perforated leather, thumbrests added, the E90 post guys are raving about a custom shop in Germany:

MeinLenkrad - LederLenkrad

Check out E53 wheels on their German Ebay store, I sent an email yesterday to them ([email protected]), they speak great English and are quick to reply to me. Should only be 130-150 euros plus shipping to redo my pre-facelift steering wheel, thickened all around, added thumbrests, perfed leather on sides and solid on top, and black stitching.

You can also do alcantara, stripe at top, etc. Joanna who I have been speaking with, said return shipping is 34 euros from Germany to US, I am inquiring about pre-paying shipping both ways to see what the cost is.

She said when wheel arrives it is done in 1-3 business days, however you can always check to see if your steering wheel is in stock there, if so, they can modify how you want, and send to you, then they charge you an extra 70 euro for core exchange and supply a return label so you don't have to wait a couple weeks to send to Germany and back.


Hope this is helpful, I most likely will be sending my wheel to them as a birthday present to myself (around 250 USD shipped both ways from my estimates, I will confirm later when I hear back from the company though)

No offense to Dallas Custom Steering Wheels since I was highly considering but I wonder why I can get the same or similar wheel recovering with round trip international shipping for 200 dollars less?


Here is the post on E90 if interested, a member just got his back in the mail:

Got my steering wheel wrapped! - BMW 3-Series (E90 E92) Forum - E90Post.com

[bcredliner]

If you were concerned if I would be insulted, certainly not. Great thread, only thing that is a minus on the e46 m3 paddle wheel is that it is a little slippery. I was not aware there is a place right here in Dallas that does custom work. Good to know!

[XCUSM5]

Originally Posted by bcredliner

If you were concerned if I would be insulted, certainly not. Great thread, only thing that is a minus on the e46 m3 paddle wheel is that it is a little slippery. I was not aware there is a place right here in Dallas that does custom work. Good to know!

Lucky! Dallas Custom Steering Wheel has been nothing short of amazing for me. All the wheels he's done have come out fantastic. Pricing is great and quality is even better.

[MANGO]

RickyB!

Thanks for sharing some great info. I'll hit them up on a wheel wrap as well. I would be curious too if they can bundle in a round trip shipping cost. Please keep us posted on what your contact says.

I've heard shipping charges costing an arm and a leg when sending stuff overseas so I would be curious to see what the eventual cost would be.

In the meantime, here's one for you RickyB, it's the wheel I picked up not too long ago that you were following on the for sale thread.

Thickness added
Tri color stitch
Perforated leather sides
Solid leather bottom strip
Alcantara Upper
12 o' clock ring

Cost: $250.00.

Like you, I felt the same way about Dallas Custom. Just couldn't justify the cost they were charging.



MANGO

[Ricky Bobby]

Originally Posted by MANGO

RickyB!

Thanks for sharing some great info. I'll hit them up on a wheel wrap as well. I would be curious too if they can bundle in a round trip shipping cost. Please keep us posted on what your contact says.

I've heard shipping charges costing an arm and a leg when sending stuff overseas so I would be curious to see what the eventual cost would be.

In the meantime, here's one for you RickyB, it's the wheel I picked up not too long ago that you were following on the for sale thread.

Thickness added
Tri color stitch
Perforated leather sides
Solid leather bottom strip
Alcantara Upper
12 o' clock ring

Cost: $250.00.

Like you, I felt the same way about Dallas Custom. Just couldn't justify the cost they were charging.



MANGO

Did you find a local upholstery place MANGO? Care to share, that wheel came out nice!

I received word back from Joanna @ meinlenkrad yesterday, she is extremely easy to communicate with and answered all questions great.

She cannot supply round trip shipping, I would have to send myself with courier of choice, but to do what I asked on my pre-facelift (E46) sport steering wheel which was thicken wheel, add thumbrests, perfed leather on sides, black leather top and bottom and black stitching, would be 119 euro plus 34 euro for shipping back to USA. So that would be $201 USD, plus my shipping of the wheel to her.

Probably put me right at $250 as well!

Hope that helps MANGO


EDIT: Did you wrap your trim yourself in Dinoc vinyl? Ive been meaning to wrap mine one of these days as well and would like to know how you did on the center console piece, its definitely the toughest!

[MANGO]

RickyB,
Yep, that wheel was done locally. Small mom and pop upholstery shop down the street from me.
If I were to do it again I would probably go with Meinlenkrad since they actually specialize in steering wheels and had it not for the overseas shipping, clearly charge less.
The mom and pop place I went to were able to do it successfully but I don't think can continue to provide the service consistently.
I think the difference between where I had the wheel done and Meinlenkrad is the shorter lead time and instant gratification going local provides versus across the pond. But if Meinlenkrad charges less for steering wheel work which is their staple bread and butter, I'm willing to wait the 3 weeks and go with them.

I posted the price of what it cost me here locally to give everyone a reference of the average (and reasonable!) cost regardless of which side of the pond you're on (as Meinlenkrad further validated with their prices).

Dallas Custom and a few others seems to be charging a whole LOT more, adding the additional charge of a core even though you're already sending them your own wheel plus the services of refurbishing.

One added opportunity for those interested that I happened upon. Cobywheels (BMW Alcantara Steering Wheels, Shft Boots & E Brake Boots) has a special for wheel work plus matching shift boot and hand brake boot included for $225.00. Only difference is they do all alcantara and cannot add thickness at this time. They're in Georgia I think. Another great option regardless.

MANGO

[Ricky Bobby]

Originally Posted by MANGO

One added opportunity for those interested that I happened upon. Cobywheels (BMW Alcantara Steering Wheels, Shft Boots & E Brake Boots) has a special for wheel work plus matching shift boot and hand brake boot included for $225.00. Only difference is they do all alcantara and cannot add thickness at this time. They're in Georgia I think. Another great option regardless.

MANGO

Great reference to Cobywheel, I did look into them but I would only do alcantara on my wheel if I had an iS model, on my 3.0 it doesn't seem right. Very reasonable prices but you are right, no added thickness/thumbrests as I am looking to get that done as well..

My birthday is in August, I probably will send to Meinlenkrad then as a me/X5 birthday present


Joanna @ Meinlenkrad said outside of ebay for the mods I requested price is 120 euro plus 34 euro shipping, which due to current exchange is 200 USD. I should be able to ship to Germany for under $50 I would hope, just need to do a small enough box! Haha.

[bcredliner]

FYI- BMW Accessories Lighting and Carbon Fiber from Bimmian for M3 F30 E90 E92 E46 M5 E60 F10 X5 Z4 offers CF wheels similar to epdarks wheel. Prices range from $899 up to $1,300. They do have an exchange program.