26 minutes ago, D.FYLAKTOS said:

This is circus, not a proper steering wheel.

And yours is...?

It's what a steering wheel should be - round, thin spokes that don't obstruct the outer diameter, if there's any feature around resting position, it should be decent, no excessive bumps.

24 minutes ago, Papez said:

 

It's what a steering wheel should be - round, thin spokes that don't obstruct the outer diameter, if there's any feature around resting position, it should be decent, no excessive bumps.

 

NO.

If you check the latest 20 years steering wheels have different shape and we are talking for small cars and of course supercars which can exceed 300+ Km speed.

Pay attention that they have thumb rest position, they are not thin and oriented for better handling in turns.

 

Here are few examples: Ford Ka

 

 

 

KIA Picanto

 

https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/G-cAAOSwZjxfUuex/s-l1600.webp

 

Nissan Micra

 

https://micra-forum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=4690&d=1526333232

 

If you want a thin round steering wheel oriented to visibility here are few examples:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1 hour ago, D.FYLAKTOS said:

If you want a thin round steering wheel oriented to visibility here are few examples:

I didn't say thin rim, but thin spokes that don't obstruct the rim.

 

1 hour ago, D.FYLAKTOS said:

you check the latest 20 years steering wheels have different shape and we are talking for small cars and of course supercars which can exceed 300+ Km speed.

Pay attention that they have thumb rest position, they are not thin and oriented for better handling in turns.

 

Which of those cars require 4 turns going from lock to lock? Once you need to get hands off of the steering wheel, you need a regular shape. Any big variation may cause lose of grip when you change hand position.

Those indents are to make the standard 9:45 position more comfortable, bumps above may help with grip at that position, but they are useless once you need to turn the steering wheel more than 180 degrees.

Here's the only modern Skoda that's meant to drive fast and as you can see, there are only decent bumps on the steering wheel. Not saying that this is a steering wheel that should be in a road car (it shouldn't for many reasons!) but shows what's the most basic, functional shape.

 

Edited 25 October, 20241 yr by Papez

45 minutes ago, Papez said:

but shows what's the most basic, functional shape.

 

Let me remind you that has Alcantara on it and the driver wears grippy gloves.

 

On the other hand take a look a Felicia WRC

 

https://www.racedandrallied.com/sites/default/files/styles/large_watermarked_1920_/public/classified-images/1715964493/p5040317.jpg.webp?itok=eEAQZ-0g

 

another one

 

 

 

and another

 

 

Each one decides what is best for him, what suits to his style.

Even my father's factory Almera has the same ''sport style'' as my after market.

 

 

I use after market steering wheels for about 22 years, all of them the same style which means i have decide that the hard plastic factory does not suit to my needs and these after market help me no matter if i am in Mountain roads or Highway.

WHY should i change this and must suffer every time i drive my car? WHY?

14 minutes ago, D.FYLAKTOS said:

Let me remind you that has Alcantara on it and the driver wears grippy gloves.

This just proves that you don't pay much attention to what I wrote:

1 hour ago, Papez said:

Not saying that this is a steering wheel that should be in a road car (it shouldn't, for many reasons!)

The material is one of them.

 

15 minutes ago, D.FYLAKTOS said:

Even my father's factory Almera has the same ''sport style'' as my after market.

This is closer to the Alfa wheel than the aftermarket one you are using. Also, it's made of proper material instead of cheap plastic.

On 20/10/2024 at 18:08, D.FYLAKTOS said:

I had the factory steering wheel replaced with another after market, it ruined and i have change it and did it another time.

 

30 minutes ago, D.FYLAKTOS said:

WHY should i change this and must suffer every time i drive my car? WHY?

 

Is it really worth to risk safety and having to regularly change cheap steering wheels instead of getting a proper one because of slight discomfort (especially if you never even tried the OEM leather wheel)

5 hours ago, Papez said:

Quality went up after VW takeover.

Initially after the VW takeover the cars seen at my local Škoda Dealership the quality went down, plus VW wanted shot of the likes of the small, friendly, local, customer-focused Dealership I went to which was stupid because at the time in the UK the only people who bought Škoda were basically previous owners of the cars.  Škoda was literally a joke in the UK there was no way VW could shift that perception quickly, same way a good reputation / perception takes a long time to lose (as with VW quality) a bad reputation / perception rakes even longer.  We owned Škoda cars from mid-1980s to early 1990s in the UK so I have some experience of them and the situation in the UK with them, how it was elsewhere I can't say.

 

Edited 25 October, 20241 yr by nta16

37 minutes ago, nta16 said:

the cars seen at my local Škoda Dealership the quality went down, plus VW wanted shot of the likes of the small, friendly, local, customer-focused Dealership I went to

That makes sense. Before the fall of the regime, the cars for export were picked out of the better batches and then inspected and "adjusted" at UKs importer (I even read some report about cars being stripped aut and build again, but that was probably exaggerated). Either Skoda themselves or VW put the end to this practice - the quality didn't drop, you just got to experience the cars how they came out of factory 😁

The 1993 Favorit model was when technical changes by VW came into practice and it was major improvement. 

Edited 25 October, 20241 yr by Papez

16 minutes ago, Papez said:

then "adjusted" at UKs importer (I even read some report about cars being stripped aut and build again, but that was probably exaggerated).

I don't think that much was done, certainly not a rebuild AFAIK.  I was never saying the cars were great, they had issues but so did the other major brand like Ford at literally twice the price and that's not to mention the local manufacturer, BL.  When a regime marches in and takes over and wants everything done their way before they have fully understood what is actually required or works best things tend to go downward initially.  It was same with the BMW takeover of Rover, things like fitting BMW engines that didn't fit and so on.  VW at least improved things at medium term.

 

For the Estelle 2 the importers (Škoda UK?) changed the wheels and tyres and not much else IIRC.

 

Edited 25 October, 20241 yr by nta16

ETA:

 

22 minutes ago, Papez said:

Either Skoda themselves or VW put the end to this practice - the quality didn't drop, you just got to experience the cars how they came out of factory 😁

Then that would mean the quality of the cars dropped and it was noted here after VW took over allowing for shipping from factory which wasn't long IIRC so VW allowed the quality to be less in a profitable market like the UK, that wouldn't make sense to deliberately do that, it would be a sign of incompetent management, that I can believe. 😆 

@Papez have you served in the Army or have you pistol training? It has to do with the grip.

The

@Thefeliciahacker has not served and does not want to, i know the excuse that he used so for sure does not know.

Brera is 2.2 turns LOCK TO LOCK

1.1 TURN FROM CENTRE TO FULL LOCK EITHER WAY. 

You very rarely need to go hand over hand. 

Steering wheel is thin good material good fill perfect diameter. 

Sport line steering wheel is good material good rim thickness more tuned to leisure driving. 

But both look perfectly in place. 

Brera is 2.2 turns LOCK TO LOCK

1.1 TURN FROM CENTRE TO FULL LOCK EITHER WAY. 

You very rarely need to go hand over hand. 

Steering wheel is thin good material good fill perfect diameter. 

Sport line steering wheel is good material good rim thickness more tuned to leisure driving. 

But both look perfectly in place. 

Brera is 2.2 turns LOCK TO LOCK

1.1 TURN FROM CENTRE TO FULL LOCK EITHER WAY. 

You very rarely need to go hand over hand. 

Steering wheel is thin good material good fill perfect diameter. 

Sport line steering wheel is good material good rim thickness more tuned to leisure driving. 

But both look perfectly in place. 

2 hours ago, nta16 said:

When a regime marches in and takes over and wants everything done their way before they have fully understood what is actually required or works best things tend to go downward initially.

 

By regime, I meant literal political changes - 1989 was fall of communism, subsequent years meant transition from state-owned economy to private owned and it hit economy hard. Since I wasn't born in that time, I can only imagine what effect it had on employees and management, even before VW came in.

2 hours ago, nta16 said:

VW allowed the quality to be less in a profitable market like the UK, that wouldn't make sense to deliberately do that, it would be a sign of incompetent management, that I can believe

 

Question is, whether it was truly profitable. I believe that exported goods were sold at loss, western currency was more important than profit.

 

1 hour ago, D.FYLAKTOS said:

@Papez have you served in the Army or have you pistol training? It has to do with the grip.

The

@Thefeliciahacker has not served and does not want to, i know the excuse that he used so for sure does not know.

 

What has crappy plastic in common with a pistol grip? Nothing.

Leather has much better grip than PUR foam, no matter how many bumps you add.

4 hours ago, Papez said:

This is closer to the Alfa wheel than the aftermarket one you are using.

 

Nothing similar, shape-thumb position-thickness-diameter-weight are different.

 

3 hours ago, Papez said:

Is it really worth to risk safety

 

You feel "safe" with the factory steering wheel (no airbag) and  "unsafe" with an aftermarket?

In case of a crash the factory will absorb the momentum of your head?

 

@Thefeliciahacker how many times in Mountain roads you turn lock to lock and fast?

1 hour ago, D.FYLAKTOS said:

In case of a crash the factory will absorb the momentum of your head?

 

Well, a definitely bit better than thin, sharp piece of metal. At least it won't cut parts of the skull. Another reason why motorsport-like steering wheels shouldn't be in a road car.

1 hour ago, D.FYLAKTOS said:

how many times in Mountain roads you turn lock to lock and fast?

 

Not a question for me, but it happened on a few occasions, didn't even need mountain roads or high speed for that. The Combi likes to throw its rear out.

Edited 25 October, 20241 yr by Papez

1 hour ago, Papez said:

What has crappy plastic in common with a pistol grip? Nothing.

Leather has much better grip than PUR foam, no matter how many bumps you add.

 

As for the record: a plastic grip in a gun is lighter, allows you to make corrections, stands in human sweat better, scrach resistance and repairable if needed.

A wooden grip is heavier, does not allow you to make fast corrections, needs varnish or will absorb water-human sweat, scrtaches easily, costs more and can not repaired.

_______________________________________

 

A steering wheel like a barrel rim 

https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/aJ0AAOSw4xBiOggq/s-l1200.jpg

is tough in feeling, slippery, you can not know immediately if you are 9 to 3 or 10 to 2 or 10 to 3 (that's why in WRC have in the middle a yellow mark), brings vibrations and fatigue in long use (traveling).

A Sport steering wheel is more robust in feeling, has thumb rests and grooves so anytime (even with closed eyes) you know where your hands are, better handling and more comfortable.

Yes you turn from lock to lock the barrel rim steering wheel faster but it's difficult to make precission moves in fast driving, has more trembling, in a panic move you make things much worst, you can not now immediately where your hands are.

In a Sport steering wheel you can drive in Mountain roads much faster, you can make precission moves, no trembling and from 9 to 3 you can go to 10 to 2 in a fraction of a second and vice versa plus looks much better.

3 minutes ago, D.FYLAKTOS said:

 

As for the record: a plastic grip in a gun is lighter, allows you to make corrections, stands in human sweat better, scrach resistance and repairable if needed.

A wooden grip is heavier, does not allow you to make fast corrections, needs varnish or will absorb water-human sweat, scrtaches easily, costs more and can not repaired.

 

Did I talk about hard plastic or wood steering wheel? Are there PUR foam or leather pistol grips?

 

5 minutes ago, D.FYLAKTOS said:

steering wheel like a barrel rim

 

That's not like Felicia wheel at all. Or any other option I've mentioned. Irrelevant, as always.

Alfa Romeo  No ''barrel rim'' steering wheels, robust with thumb rest position.

 

Alfa Romeo 2003-2010

https://s3.eu-west-2.amazonaws.com/doncaster-image-drive/Part/2022/November/c816e968-3a79-47fd-b5b6-f47a08871227_14980689.jpg

 

Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione

https://www.williamloughran.co.uk//media/3386/alfa-romeo-8c-1481-12.jpg?mode=crop&center=,&width=500&height=330

 

Alfa Romeo Giulia Veloce 2018

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/b7/Alfa_Romeo_Giulia_Veloce_2018_Steering_Wheel.jpg

 

Alfa Romeo 4C

https://scontent-prg1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.6435-9/131745316_3607895202627825_3942031051430896655_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg

 

Alfa Romeo Giulieta QV

https://images.platforum.cloud/uploads/20181114/95a25dcf65faa247e02a256050d422c3.jpg

 

Should i continue?

 

 

 

You seem to be fixated on one aspect and ignoring everything else. This is the last thing I have to say and ignore the rest. Be careful

 

5 minutes ago, Papez said:

That's not like Felicia wheel at all.

 

Felicia's factory steering wheel is proper for grandpa-grandma driving, neither a taxi drives in a City would like it.

If you notice the @Thefeliciahacker it's ruined from use and looks ''gypsy'' as we say here in Greece.

Very bad looking, personally i deny to touch a steering wheel like this.

3 minutes ago, D.FYLAKTOS said:

If you notice the @Thefeliciahacker it's ruined from use and looks ''gypsy'' as we say here in Greece.

Very bad looking, personally i deny to touch a steering wheel like this.

Says someone who's on their.. fourth? Steering wheel? Show how it looked liked, how long it lasted and how much did the new one cost? It's just worn out. Better than disintegrating foam. Leather wheels can be repaired and there are plenty of shops who do that.

4 minutes ago, Papez said:

You seem to be fixated on one aspect and ignoring everything else. This is the last thing I have to say and ignore the rest. Be careful

 

I read every post, i pay attention and reply step by step with details.

Looks ''factory'' to me.

 

 

 

 

 

http://zrcadlo.net/obrazky/clanky/2016-08/velky/ne3-2308201611133114716.jpg

 

http://zrcadlo.net/obrazky/clanky/2016-08/velky/ne1-2308201611132524406.jpg

 

The original steering wheel save them?

3 minutes ago, D.FYLAKTOS said:

The original steering wheel save them?

The steering wheel lifts even in lighter, survivable crashes in Felicias without collapsible column. The stock one at least doesn't transform into cleaver.

3 minutes ago, Papez said:

Says someone who's on their.. fourth? Steering wheel? Show how it looked liked

 

You already have seen the 2, the last one have it about 5-6 years and looks extremely good.

The previous yes was a cheap one, bought it in a hurry and i did't want to repair the external surface after some years because i wanted to buy this

https://www.ebay.com/itm/335021559645 

 

https://mycar.gr/product/timoni-kobra-320mm-triaktino-mafro-luisi/

 

is what i have, is 320mm and i bough it in purpose smaller that the usual which are 350mm.

By the way should i have kept the crappy factory plastic gear knob? Would be more ''original look'' the interior huh?

I have change it 2 times with a chrome one, much betetr looking, more practical, non slippery and very helpful in sport driving style.