I just finished installing my JCW steering wheel, and it is really amazing how much sportier it feels, compared to my old "bus driver" 2-spoke steering wheel. The JCW is about an inch smaller in overall diameter, but with a thicker rim, with padded, higher-quality leather. I like how it has less seams in the leather, and it just feels great! Think about it, this is the one part in your car that you interact with the most.

I have a "how-to" I published, in case you're insane and have plenty of disposeable income to perform this mod. PM me if you have any questions.

Click the following link to see my how-to: http://web.mac.com/jonnieoh/iWeb/My%...%20How-To.html

UPDATE! UPDATE! UPDATE! Due to many circumstances, my "how-to" is offline. I am going to try to get it up again, but in the meantime, I can email you JPEG screen captures of the page as a workaround, if you need them. Just PM me, with your email address... Sorry about that guys...

 

$700 to $1000?! Yowza! I assume the big additional expense is the new airbag for the 3-spoke wheel.

It looks great, though.

 

Fantastic write-up. The question seems to come up about once a month especially concerning the MFSW buttons, and this is finally the first complete description.

 

Thanks for the write up! I actually have the JCW leather/alcantara wheel, the 3-spoke airbag and MF switches ready to be installed. Cant wait to go from this 2-spoke "bus driver" wheel to the 3 spoke JCW

 

Great job jonnieoh! Awsome writeup as well! Maybe someday I'll have the cash to throwdown on something as cool as this, but for now I'm stuck with my bus drivers wheel

 

I would like to do this someday as well.

 

Just did the same mod along with the JCW gearknob & JCW ebrake handle.

 

Nice! That's the same steering wheel in my MY05. Just wondering why it's called a JCW wheel? I thought it was standard with the MCS from that year onwards?

 

There are 2 x different 3 spoke wheels. If your 3 spoke wheel is the original one then it's not the JCW.There is a substantial difference.

 

Ahh. I bought the car OFF someone, so am not sure of exactly what I have, but it looks IDENTICAL to the one in the GIF file on the first post. What is the difference between that and a standard one?

Sorry for sounding so ignorant.

 

The JCW is thicker, softer & is covered in better leather.
The quick way to tell is to look at where the leather is joined.
The standard 3 spoke is joined around the edge like the 2 spoke, whereas the JCW is joined at the 10-2 & 8-4 positions.
If you have the JCW it has been fitted as an option or afterwards & your laughing.

 

Ahh. Thanks Steve. I THINK I understand. I'll have a look when I'm in the car after work.

 

Basically, the standard 3-spoke wheel has more seams, which run around the circumference of most of the wheel. The JCW wheel is thicker, and features better leather, with less seams.

I don't know about you, but I just don't see the point in having more seams than is absolutely necessary. Seams annoy me, so I'd prefer to have as few as possible. That is another nice benefit of the JCW wheel.

 

Quick recommendation: Hold on to your original 2-spoke wheels. They may be "bus driver" wheels right now, but in the future I think everyone will want original 2-spokes again.

 

I just replaced my 04MC which had the two spoke wheel with a 06MC with the three spoke wheel. I wish I still had the two spoke. It felt better and I had a steering wheel cover so the thickness was about what you have in the picture.


Art

 

I probably will keep my 2-spoke, should I ever wish to return it to "stock", but I am really happy with the JCW wheel. It does enhance the driving experience, like I was hoping it would...

 

Here's the standard 3 spoke wheel (left) and JCW (right). The appearance is a subtle change but the feel is very different.

 

And there you have it ^

There is a HUGE difference between the two. I have the 2 spoker, but i have felt a standard 3-spoke, and the jcw looks feels way better. Feeling is beliving! And yes, you can make a 2-spoke thicker by adding a cover etc, but now youre also making the circumferance of the wheel larger, whereas the jcw is thicker and smaller than the standard inproving overall feel. Im sure driving with it will be a blast! I cant wait to get this on, but i forgot to buy that little harness at the Mini dealer ! Good thing i read this thread before i attempted the install!

 

I have an extra wiring harness!!!

I ordered 2 of them, from two different sources, (to see who's harness would arrive quickest).

Save me the hassle of shipping it back to them, and just buy it off me! It is brand new, and hasn't even been opened yet! It is the 3-spoke multi-function connecting line. I will sell it to you for $30.00 INCLUDING shipping.

You will have a long time to wait if you order anywhere else. I was told this was the last one of these in the entire USA when the guy at Classic MINI in Cleveland looked it up for me in his computer. Who knows how long it'll be until new ones arrive here...

Just let me know, by PM'ing me.

 

SO if I correct me IF I am wrong,

I now have a 2spokes MF steering wheel.
I just bought a 3spokes MF steering wheel incl. buttons and airbag.

If I want to make it work I need to order the wiring harnass??? Number 6 in the great write up in the first post?

Please let me know!

Cheers

Coen

 

damn, that's a nice looking steering wheel!

but that price is

 

huh, i thought there would be cutting wires, etc. but they're compatible?
they all connect without any modification to the wiring?

(Just skimmed through the DIY). if so, $700+ might not be a bad deal.

 

so am I right or what??

 

I did the 2 spoke to 3 spoke swap. It is a simple direct replacement. There is a harness in the wheel that connects the MF switches from one side to the other and than to the adapter ring that is on the steering column(has the contacts that allows for the roation with the wheel). If you purchased a complete 3 spoke the small harness should be there. If not than you will need it as the 2 spoke harness is completely different.

 

It should plug straight in to the standard 3 spoke mf harness.
So no you don't need to order anything.