Any Track (circuit) guys with MTECH/M3 Steering wheel?

jeho · 10-03-2008, 01:32 PM

I've read many reviews such as C&D and articles mentioned that the M3 Steering wheel is too thick for HPDE/Circuit?

What do you guys think of the M3 or MTech steering wheel for track compared to the OEM ZSP one?

I've had the new M3 for a week to drive and I totally loved the feeling of the
thicker M3 steering wheel compared to my 335i. Im just not sure would it be a good choice to get the thicker steering wheel for track (circuit) ?

Thanks for your input

satakal · 10-03-2008, 01:35 PM

I'd opt for a thicker steering wheel if it were free.

What reasons do the "experts" have for stating the wheel in question is too thick?

kenneth · 10-03-2008, 02:07 PM

Here, when doing track/hpde instructors do not want you to grip the wheel will all fingers. They teach you to only use the two thumbs 9/3. So no chance of wheel slipping from your hands and you always return to center, without having to look for it.

I guess it wouldn't hurt to have the thicker wheel if you are doing this. Having said that, the thicker wheel is a looker and feels softer to the touch.
These are the only reasons you would want to have one, look and feel.

leftcoastman · 10-03-2008, 02:56 PM

Yeah personally I like the 335i sport wheel - if only it were alcantara to prevent it from getting slick when your hands get sweaty.

I drive with my fingertips a lot of times...to allow me to feel the tire slippage better. My take is that a super thick wheel will make you grab it...which prevents you from driving with all of your senses.

nicknaz · 10-03-2008, 06:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kenneth

Here, when doing track/hpde instructors do not want you to grip the wheel will all fingers.

They prob dont' want you to hook your thumb into the wheel so you don't break em if you stuff the car

Best advice on 'light touch on the controls' i ever received was at a motorcycle track day... he said most users (car and bike' grip the handle bar/steering way way too tight and lose fine motor control when doing so.. best way is to use the minimum pressure that will allow you to hold the control w/o hand slip

kenneth · 10-03-2008, 07:34 PM

You do hookup and steer with both thumbs, but lightly!

nicknaz · 10-03-2008, 07:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kenneth

You do hookup and steer with both thumbs, but lightly!

I'd try to keep your thumb on the front of the wheel rim, and a light touch with your other fingers on the back of the wheel rim

kenneth · 10-05-2008, 12:46 AM

I understand what you are saying and the reason for it, what I am describing is really what instructors are teaching here.

TSM330i · 10-06-2008, 09:16 AM

I have the M-tech steering wheel custom covered in Alcantara. It's VERY comfortable and super grippy. I have large hands and definitely needed the larger wheel. No slipping at all and great for the track or on the street. I love it!

Here's a couple of pics.

325racer · 10-06-2008, 09:34 AM

If I had one of them fancy new E90+ cars I'd be using this BMW Motorsports wheel!!!

http://www.turnermotorsport.com/html...ID=32300443170

It has built in shift lights, tach, lap time, temps, etc, etc.

jeho · 10-06-2008, 09:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AW325xi

I have the M-tech steering wheel custom covered in Alcantara. It's VERY comfortable and super grippy. I have large hands and definitely needed the larger wheel. No slipping at all and great for the track or on the street. I love it!

Here's a couple of pics.

very nice..how much did that run you for the custom alcantara cover

Hedges · 10-06-2008, 10:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 325racer

If I had one of them fancy new E90+ cars I'd be using this BMW Motorsports wheel!!!

http://www.turnermotorsport.com/html...ID=32300443170

It has built in shift lights, tach, lap time, temps, etc, etc.

Wow that thing looks amazing! I wonder if it would get annoying driving with those flashing lights on both sides of the wheel everytime!

TSM330i · 10-06-2008, 05:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jeffE92TT

very nice..how much did that run you for the custom alcantara cover

Too much, but I wanted something different. I had it recovered by Caravaggio Corvettes in Canada. He doesn't usually do BMW stuff, so it was a one-off for him. It was $700 and he matched the shift boot and e-brake boot.

Dascamel · 10-06-2008, 07:36 PM

335i wheel is just fine but I love the M3 steering wheels size and feel. Most articles I've read, the reviewsl have been a positive based on grip, size and feel. Not sure about the MTECH but it looks like a very close match.

kaleb · 10-08-2008, 10:17 AM

I drove an E92 yesterday with the BMW Performance Steering Wheel and it feels VERY good in the hands, I love the alcantara.

10-03-2008, 01:32 PM	#1
jeho ig: jeffersonho 148 Rep 2,182 Posts Drives: E90M3.E36M3 Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: PNW iTrader: (6)	Any Track (circuit) guys with MTECH/M3 Steering wheel? I've read many reviews such as C&D and articles mentioned that the M3 Steering wheel is too thick for HPDE/Circuit? What do you guys think of the M3 or MTech steering wheel for track compared to the OEM ZSP one? I've had the new M3 for a week to drive and I totally loved the feeling of the thicker M3 steering wheel compared to my 335i. Im just not sure would it be a good choice to get the thicker steering wheel for track (circuit) ? Thanks for your input __________________ E36 M3 on TE37SL E90 M3 on TE37SL http://instagram.com/jeffersonho
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10-03-2008, 01:35 PM	#2
satakal Major 95 Rep 1,476 Posts Drives: e46 Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: socal iTrader: (2)	I'd opt for a thicker steering wheel if it were free. What reasons do the "experts" have for stating the wheel in question is too thick?
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10-03-2008, 02:07 PM	#3
kenneth Major General 125 Rep 8,745 Posts Drives: 335i Sedan Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Montreal iTrader: (16)	Here, when doing track/hpde instructors do not want you to grip the wheel will all fingers. They teach you to only use the two thumbs 9/3. So no chance of wheel slipping from your hands and you always return to center, without having to look for it. I guess it wouldn't hurt to have the thicker wheel if you are doing this. Having said that, the thicker wheel is a looker and feels softer to the touch. These are the only reasons you would want to have one, look and feel. __________________ SB, Terra, 6MT. Only a few mods here and there.....nothing extreme!
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10-03-2008, 02:56 PM	#4
leftcoastman Lieutenant Colonel 52 Rep 1,714 Posts Drives: 335i Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Near some canyons iTrader: (1)	Yeah personally I like the 335i sport wheel - if only it were alcantara to prevent it from getting slick when your hands get sweaty. I drive with my fingertips a lot of times...to allow me to feel the tire slippage better. My take is that a super thick wheel will make you grab it...which prevents you from driving with all of your senses.
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10-03-2008, 07:34 PM	#6
kenneth Major General 125 Rep 8,745 Posts Drives: 335i Sedan Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Montreal iTrader: (16)	You do hookup and steer with both thumbs, but lightly! __________________ SB, Terra, 6MT. Only a few mods here and there.....nothing extreme!
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10-05-2008, 12:46 AM	#8
kenneth Major General 125 Rep 8,745 Posts Drives: 335i Sedan Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Montreal iTrader: (16)	I understand what you are saying and the reason for it, what I am describing is really what instructors are teaching here. __________________ SB, Terra, 6MT. Only a few mods here and there.....nothing extreme!
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10-06-2008, 09:16 AM	#9
TSM330i 2006 330i, TSM, Black, manual, sport 878 Rep 3,699 Posts Drives: '17 C2, GTI, Z4 3.0si Racecar Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Chester Springs, PA iTrader: (2)	I have the M-tech steering wheel custom covered in Alcantara. It's VERY comfortable and super grippy. I have large hands and definitely needed the larger wheel. No slipping at all and great for the track or on the street. I love it! Here's a couple of pics. Attached Images __________________ 2017 Porsche C2 - manual of course 2015 GTI S 2008 BMW Z4 3.0si Coupe - because racecar
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10-06-2008, 09:34 AM	#10
325racer Private First Class 1 Rep 103 Posts Drives: 92 325is Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: San Diego iTrader: (0)	If I had one of them fancy new E90+ cars I'd be using this BMW Motorsports wheel!!! http://www.turnermotorsport.com/html...ID=32300443170 It has built in shift lights, tach, lap time, temps, etc, etc.
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10-06-2008, 07:36 PM	#14
Dascamel Lieutenant Colonel 48 Rep 1,664 Posts Drives: 2008 e92 M3, 2010 e91 328i Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Bakersfield, CA iTrader: (0)	335i wheel is just fine but I love the M3 steering wheels size and feel. Most articles I've read, the reviewsl have been a positive based on grip, size and feel. Not sure about the MTECH but it looks like a very close match. __________________ 2008 E92 M3 Jerez Black,DCT,Fox Red ext,Prem,Tech,19", ipod/usb, CF roof and trim 2010 E91 328i Space Gray,Black int, M sport, most options 2007 Montego Blue 335i (retired)
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10-08-2008, 10:17 AM	#15
kaleb Second Lieutenant 25 Rep 294 Posts Drives: '12 X5 35d Join Date: May 2008 Location: Dallas, TX iTrader: (0)	I drove an E92 yesterday with the BMW Performance Steering Wheel and it feels VERY good in the hands, I love the alcantara. __________________ 2012 X5 35D - Platinum Gray / Cinnamon Options: Sport, Tech, Cold Weather, comfort seats, leather dash, high beam assist, lane-departure warning, soft-close doors, two-row, self-leveling suspension, hi-fi stereo Tracks driven (in any car): Nürburgring Nordschleife (05/2011), LeMans (ok, just the public part), Eagles Canyon Raceway, MotorSport Ranch Cresson, COTA Austin
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