General MINI Talk Shared experiences, motoring minutes, and other general MINI-related discussion that applies to all MINIs, regardless of model, year or trim.
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

Am I crazy for wanting to do this?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
  #1  
Old 12-28-2015, 07:55 PM
sabjcw's Avatar
sabjcw
sabjcw is offline
2nd Gear
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2015
Posts: 108
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Am I crazy for wanting to do this?

So right now I'm running the suede 320mm Sparco Ring steering wheel. I've run it in 2 other cars, and have always liked it. However, the 320mm size interferes with seeing the gauges! Fairly minor to a certain degree, but even more, I've been REALLY thinking about putting in a Nardi wood steering wheel! I'm actually thinking it may look good in a proper R53.

What do you guys think? Keep the Sparco, or run the Nardi?







 
  #2  
Old 12-28-2015, 10:18 PM
Slave to Felines's Avatar
Slave to Felines
Slave to Felines is offline
6th Gear
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Silly-con Valley
Posts: 2,064
Received 15 Likes on 14 Posts
I think they both look out of place in the very modern MINI interior, actually... But then, it's not my car!
 
  #3  
Old 12-28-2015, 11:31 PM
Minnie.the.Moocher's Avatar
Minnie.the.Moocher
Minnie.the.Moocher is offline
OVERDRIVE
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: earth PNW
Posts: 5,390
Received 571 Likes on 487 Posts
Agree with the above post. I see the mini interior as a hodgepodge of plastic bits and not very many mods work inside. I love the exterior designs, to me it's almost like two teams of designers who never talked to each other made these cars. Save the wood for a more classic vehicle (older).
 
  #4  
Old 12-29-2015, 12:21 PM
sabjcw's Avatar
sabjcw
sabjcw is offline
2nd Gear
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2015
Posts: 108
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Thanks for the input guys. Yea, I definitely have mixed feelings on the Nardi wheel. However, I would not go back to a stock wheel ever again. The difference in feel that a smaller aftermarket wheel provides in feedback is enormous, and I really like that. Kind of like running those little lightweight 15" wheels
 
  #5  
Old 12-29-2015, 01:13 PM
Grip Grip's Avatar
Grip Grip
Grip Grip is offline
4th Gear
iTrader: (2)
Join Date: Nov 2015
Location: Greenbrier, TN
Posts: 315
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
Have the wood wrapped/covered and paint the chrome/silver black, and it will fit much nicer with the interior. Just my 2 cents.

 
  #6  
Old 12-29-2015, 01:43 PM
ECSTuning's Avatar
ECSTuning
ECSTuning is online now
Platinum Sponsor
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Wadsworth, Ohio
Posts: 35,287
Received 2,100 Likes on 1,873 Posts
Unless you get the wood dash w/ wood wheel but its a tad darker.

https://www.ecstuning.com/News/R50_R...002_2003_2004/





More wood dash:

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...you-think.html
 
__________________

MINI Guru/ MINI Owner Since 2004 | NEW Lifetime Part Replacement | Local Pickup
Milltek | Genuine MINI | Forge Motorsport | NM Engineering | ECS Performance | M7 Speed
Customer Service Hours: 8am-8pm EST|Sales Team Hours: 8am-11pm | SAT 10am-7pm 800.924.5172
  #7  
Old 12-29-2015, 02:30 PM
sabjcw's Avatar
sabjcw
sabjcw is offline
2nd Gear
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2015
Posts: 108
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Originally Posted by Grip Grip
Have the wood wrapped/covered and paint the chrome/silver black, and it will fit much nicer with the interior. Just my 2 cents.

RedlineGoods steering wheel padding foam application 1/3 - YouTube
I can't see buying a Nardi wheel and covering up that beautiful craftmanship! That's why I would be buying the Nardi wheel

Cool product though!
 
  #8  
Old 12-30-2015, 03:53 PM
isamin's Avatar
isamin
isamin is offline
4th Gear
Join Date: Feb 2013
Posts: 418
Likes: 0
Received 16 Likes on 16 Posts
Yes, you are crazy loco.
What you should do is get some chain,weld the links, and then get it chromed.
It's just a matter of personal taste or lack thereof.

ISAMIN
 
  #9  
Old 12-30-2015, 03:58 PM
sabjcw's Avatar
sabjcw
sabjcw is offline
2nd Gear
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2015
Posts: 108
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Originally Posted by isamin
Yes, you are crazy loco.
What you should do is get some chain,weld the links, and then get it chromed.
It's just a matter of personal taste or lack thereof.

ISAMIN
I remember my uncle had one of those in an old 60's VW! But eh, not my style

I think I'm definitely leaning towards keeping the Sparco. The FEEL of the Sparco is amazing.
 
  #10  
Old 12-31-2015, 07:34 AM
ECSTuning's Avatar
ECSTuning
ECSTuning is online now
Platinum Sponsor
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Wadsworth, Ohio
Posts: 35,287
Received 2,100 Likes on 1,873 Posts
Originally Posted by isamin
Yes, you are crazy loco.
What you should do is get some chain,weld the links, and then get it chromed.
It's just a matter of personal taste or lack thereof.

ISAMIN
This ?


 
__________________

MINI Guru/ MINI Owner Since 2004 | NEW Lifetime Part Replacement | Local Pickup
Milltek | Genuine MINI | Forge Motorsport | NM Engineering | ECS Performance | M7 Speed
Customer Service Hours: 8am-8pm EST|Sales Team Hours: 8am-11pm | SAT 10am-7pm 800.924.5172
  #11  
Old 12-31-2015, 09:19 AM
PelicanParts.com's Avatar
PelicanParts.com
PelicanParts.com is online now
Vendor
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Harbor City, CA
Posts: 7,187
Received 62 Likes on 59 Posts
I vote no because that Sparco wheel looks so good and goes well with your interior right now. If you did decide to switch, I'd recommend doing some wood accents (similar in color with the wheel) in the car to help tie it in with the rest of your interior.
 
__________________
Your Trusted Source For DIY and Parts
FREE SHIPPING over $99 click here
MINI Parts | DIY Help | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | YouTube | Promos
888.280.7799 | 6am - 5pm PST
  #12  
Old 12-31-2015, 04:03 PM
isamin's Avatar
isamin
isamin is offline
4th Gear
Join Date: Feb 2013
Posts: 418
Likes: 0
Received 16 Likes on 16 Posts
Si! Is no mini,no?
ISAMIN
 
  #13  
Old 12-31-2015, 04:39 PM
sabjcw's Avatar
sabjcw
sabjcw is offline
2nd Gear
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2015
Posts: 108
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Originally Posted by PelicanParts.com
I vote no because that Sparco wheel looks so good and goes well with your interior right now. If you did decide to switch, I'd recommend doing some wood accents (similar in color with the wheel) in the car to help tie it in with the rest of your interior.
Definitely kind of what I'm thinking with the Sparco. I love the Sparco Ring. I ran it in my M3, VW's,....such a nice feeling wheel.

I just kept looking at the Nardi thinking the wood would be just different enough that it would actually look good....kind of a throwback with the R53. Plus the poised spokes matches the **** perfectly as well. Trying to justify!
 
  #14  
Old 12-31-2015, 06:09 PM
bavmotors's Avatar
bavmotors
bavmotors is offline
6th Gear
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: Near Buffalo NY
Posts: 3,387
Likes: 0
Received 12 Likes on 12 Posts
If you add wood trim I think it could work, swear I've seen a factory r53 wood wheel...edit found it
Wood, Jerry...wood
 
Attached Thumbnails Am I crazy for wanting to do this?-image-3847798451.jpg   Am I crazy for wanting to do this?-image-2221609209.jpg  
  #15  
Old 01-04-2016, 01:48 PM
ECSTuning's Avatar
ECSTuning
ECSTuning is online now
Platinum Sponsor
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Wadsworth, Ohio
Posts: 35,287
Received 2,100 Likes on 1,873 Posts
Yep. Matches that factory MINI dash above.

https://www.ecstuning.com/Mini-2005-...rior/Steering/

32306765391

32306769734



 
__________________

MINI Guru/ MINI Owner Since 2004 | NEW Lifetime Part Replacement | Local Pickup
Milltek | Genuine MINI | Forge Motorsport | NM Engineering | ECS Performance | M7 Speed
Customer Service Hours: 8am-8pm EST|Sales Team Hours: 8am-11pm | SAT 10am-7pm 800.924.5172
  #16  
Old 01-04-2016, 09:17 PM
sabjcw's Avatar
sabjcw
sabjcw is offline
2nd Gear
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2015
Posts: 108
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Originally Posted by bavmotors
If you add wood trim I think it could work, swear I've seen a factory r53 wood wheel...edit found it
Wood, Jerry...wood
Thanks for the photo. I'm just not that much of a fan of an entire wood dash. I like the contrast of the modern interior, with JUST the real wood Nardi wheel. I think I'll stay with the Sparco at this point though.
 
  #17  
Old 01-06-2016, 03:57 PM
Slave to Felines's Avatar
Slave to Felines
Slave to Felines is offline
6th Gear
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Silly-con Valley
Posts: 2,064
Received 15 Likes on 14 Posts
Originally Posted by bavmotors
Wood, Jerry...wood
Hey, I know Jerry Woods!

Oh, wait....
 
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
embiggenedmini
MINI Parts for Sale
10
01-03-2016 03:11 AM
Brian Mangold
1st Gen Countryman (R60) Talk (2010-2015)
5
01-01-2016 02:08 PM
watchluvr4ever
MINI Parts for Sale
1
12-29-2015 11:44 AM
actualsize37
R50/R53 :: Hatch Talk (2002-2006)
3
12-28-2015 12:17 PM
MothAudio
Tires, Wheels, & Brakes
21
12-28-2015 07:15 AM



Quick Reply: Am I crazy for wanting to do this?



All times are GMT -7. The time now is 05:56 PM.