What steering wheel can I replace the standard (and rather cr*p) one with on my 1.9Tdi Octavia ??

I have seen an Audi TT one with the airbag and centre bit missing for £30, would that work??

I know there is an issue with the airbags etc, but could I re-use my existing one in a Audi TT or Mk4 Golf wheel or would that not work??

Any advice or pics would be nice..

I just dont want to spend a fortune, as its not THAT bigger a deal to me..

Thanks!

Not sure about straight swaps from other VAG cars, but if you are willing to forgoe the airbag then the world is your oyster, so to speak.

If not, what about just getting hold of the Octy vRS wheel?

What don't you like about the standard wheel? There's precious little point in saying "this will fit" and failing to address your problem!

I'm in a similar predicament with my Elegance TDi steering wheel, it just feels thin and cheap to the touch.

The only realistic option i have come up with is a 3 spoke leather one off a Mk4 golf/bora and to source a skoda sticker to cover up the VW badge on the airbag.

Or finding a Octavia Vrs steering wheel, but they are like hens teeth!

I stuck a leather glove on mine; it doesn't look that great, but the bits I actually use feel thicker and leathery.

Best alternate I can suggest for Lofty is an L&K rim (which may re-use the Elegance airbag).

be careful with non airbag aftermarket ones , some insurance companies will refuse to insure you , a mate put a momo on his mondeo and his insurers cancelled his policy , so check first!

The reason I want to get rid of mine, is exactly what Lofty said... It just feels too thin and cheap feeling, and I feel it lets the car down somewhat.

So let's say I get this Mk4 Golf Gti steering wheel, it doesn't come with an airbag... Can I somehow repack my airbag into the new wheel? Would the skoda centre piece fit into the Golf wheel or would I need to find one of those also??

PLEASE HELP !!

Al, I saw your PM. I did get the glove from Halfords.It's about half an inch too long round the circumference of the wheel once laced up, so leaves a wee fold at the top, and quarter of an inch too narrow round the rim section (but is stretching a bit so maybe one day...? ). A photo wouldn't help much because the glove is black grain leather, and I've got the grey interior, with a very dark grey wheel rim. Also I don't own a digicam or a photo-hosting account!

When I'm selling the car I'll can get it off in a couple of minutes, and meantime the wheel rim feels nice and thick and leathery.

From my days of MK 4 Golf ownership I believe that there were only 2 fitments of airbag, i.e. 3 spoke and 4 spoke, if you swapped your steering wheel for a high spec leather one as long as it had the same number of spokes you could re-use your airbag.

I would guess that the skoda models use the same airbag as some VW's, Seat's and Audis but with a skoda badge- personally mine is a 4 spoke .

Please note this is just my opinion I have no practical experience of swapping these wheels

could you not just get the Wheel retrimed in leather??

There are 4 different steering wheel airbags for the Octavia - one for the standard 370mm steering wheel, one for the multifunction steering wheel and 2 for the vRS. The airbag unit is the complete centre trim assembly for the steering wheel rather than something you fit underneath that trim.

3-spoke TT wheel will fit and feels much nicer than any of the skoda ones, but you will need the airbag to suit.

The 3-spoke Skoda/VW bags are a different shape to the 3-spoke Audi ones so not interchangeable.