Thicker Steering Wheel Option XPA

[ENK1]

Does anyone out there in Renntech land happen to know the circumference (taken at several different spots) of the rim of the Option XPA "Thicker Steering Wheel" for the 997?

I just received one from Porsche parts and it appears to be the same as the original wheel on my C4S.

Thanks. Ed

[berty987]

I measured up a number of wheels on dealership cars , before I bought my Techart item , they all come in at about 370mm Diameter. The sport wheel, the standard wheel and the thicker padded wheel all end up with the same overall diameter. The difference is that the sport and extra padded wheels are slightly smaller in the frame , but after the thicker padding end up the same overall diameter as standard. Even my Techart wheel (which is a thicker profile still , than the option from Porsche) , is still 370mm diameter. The only difference on the wheel options is the girth of the wheel rim increasing in size on the padded wheel from about 9.5 cm (on a standard wheel) to somewhere closer to 11 (on the extra padded wheel) or 12 cm if you have the finger grips on the sport wheel. If you are not happy with the porsche extra padded wheel and want something weightier , the techart option is the only OEM airbag option left open to you , aside from a custom retrim. When you look at the extra padded plain wheel (triangular airbag without finger grips at 10 to and 10 past positions)) in comparison to the standard wheel the difference is very subtle, the thing to look out for is a softer feel to the leather and an increased girth to about 11mm all the way round. The standard sport wheel (round airbag) with finger grips at 10 to and 10 past positions is a thicker wheel as standard compared to the triangular airbag version and is about 10cm circumference /girth at the bottom , increasing to about 11.5 at the finger rests. I've not seen an extra padded sport wheel ,but would expect this to invrease to somewhere close to 11.5 cm and 13cm accordingly. Hope this helps.

Edited May 22, 2008 by berty987

[ENK1]

I measured up a number of wheels on dealership cars , before I bought my Techart item , they all come in at about 370mm Diameter. The sport wheel, the standard wheel and the thicker padded wheel all end up with the same overall diameter. The difference is that the sport and extra padded wheels are slightly smaller in the frame , but after the thicker padding end up the same overall diameter as standard. Even my Techart wheel (which is a thicker profile still , than the option from Porsche) , is still 370mm diameter. The only difference on the wheel options is the girth of the wheel rim increasing in size on the padded wheel from about 9.5 cm (on a standard wheel) to somewhere closer to 11 (on the extra padded wheel) or 12 cm if you have the finger grips on the sport wheel. If you are not happy with the porsche extra padded wheel and want something weightier , the techart option is the only OEM airbag option left open to you , aside from a custom retrim. When you look at the extra padded plain wheel (triangular airbag without finger grips at 10 to and 10 past positions)) in comparison to the standard wheel the difference is very subtle, the thing to look out for is a softer feel to the leather and an increased girth to about 11mm all the way round. The standard sport wheel (round airbag) with finger grips at 10 to and 10 past positions is a thicker wheel as standard compared to the triangular airbag version and is about 10cm circumference /girth at the bottom , increasing to about 11.5 at the finger rests. I've not seen an extra padded sport wheel ,but would expect this to invrease to somewhere close to 11.5 cm and 13cm accordingly. Hope this helps.

BERTY987

Thanks for the quick reply, the measurements are very helpful.

My 2007 C4S has a standard wheel with finger grips, but I wanted a thicker one and ordered the Porsche option to replace the wheel on the car. Unfortunately, it looks relatively the same to me (haven't measured it yet) and requested that the Parts department call Porsche to confirm that they shipped the right "Thicker Wheel", despite what the number on the box indicated. If they accurate, this was a lot of $$ for a miniscule difference.

The pictures I've seen on the net of the Porsche factory "Thicker Wheel" really appear to be a substantially thicker wheel than standard and they all have the finger grips.

I'll try to attach a comparison picture and hope I'm doing it correctly (If you can't see it I screwed up!).

Thanks again. Ed

[berty987]

You did well to order the extra padded wheel as a spare part, I was told by my local dealer it was an exclusive programme option and therefore not listed as a spare part. Not sure how much porsche charge for the thicker wheel , but the techart item is about 2000 USD if you buy a complete wheel or 1600 USD if you get your wheel modified. From the pictures you posted it should look significantly different. I wonder if they have just sent a soft leather trimmed wheel by mistake ?