Suggestions for Steering Wheel and Pipes
 

Ok so a really important thing to me is the steering wheel in a car. When I get in a Porsche the first thing I notice is how does the steering wheel look, feel to touch, move in my hands. I'm probably nuts, but like with my Benz 09/E350/22k miles the wheel is kept like new and every day I get in it I love it, I actually was going to buy a 07 but the steering wheels were all really nasty.
So anyway I got away from my question. My steering wheel is slick on my 2000 Boxster S with 50k miles and actually when I'm driving the heck out of it kind of not safe. I cleaned it for hours and it looks so much better, but still doesn't feel right. I've been looking at used originals a lot but with black ones you never know what you get until it arrives.
Any suggestions on something after market that would still take my airbag (the car is a manual), I've been keeping the car pretty much original porsche but at this point may bend here.
Also for the exhaust pipes, I have the original welded on dual 2000 S pipes, new ones are really pricey, more so then other stuff I think. Any one suggest someplace I can get some decent ones. I assume I would break the weld and put on news ones that screw in place. I assume it isn't possible to clean my up...or is it.
Thanks for any suggestions.

Hi WhipE350,

It is nice to have another Charlottean on the site, welcome.

I'm not familiar with any aftermarket steering wheels that utilize the stock airbags. Does your car have the 3-spoke or 4-spoke wheel? My car is a 2000 base and they came with the 4-spoke wheel. If you have a 4-spoke you may want to upgrade to the 3-spoke. It is a common mod done by me and many others. In addition to getting a new, or newer steering wheel, it looks and feels better. You do need a specific airbag for the 3-spoke wheels.

I kept an eye out years ago on eBay and found a new 3-spoke steering wheel. I then purchased a new airbag for it. Actually I purchased two because I later wanted to change the crest color.

Hope this helps with the steering wheel and I'm sure others will chime in on the pipes.

ddb

Original
http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r...29/014ca-1.jpg

Replacement
http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r...oldclosedb.jpg

Final
http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r...gsilver2db.jpg

Hello, yes nice to see another local. Your car looks awesome, nice colors! Your crest is the colored one too, I hadn't seen that yet. There is also stitching on your airbag.

Ya mine is an 'S' with 3 spoke and I felt my airbag was still ok so the frame would be enough. I was keeping my eye on ebay too for a while, in fact one sold with the original part number on it and looked like the real thing but the guy indicated it was a knock off, it still looked really nice quality. I'll have to see if I can find the email he sent me and ask him where he got it.
I tried to get one from 911pcar.com used and the guy even said he would pull a few down and take a picture, guess it was too much of a bother and he never got back to me. I just didn't want to get a used one that was no better then mine. Thanks for the input, I'll just keep my eye out. If I could find one close to yours in black I would be in heaven.

Are you a member of the local PCA, I was thinking of joining, would be fun to do some of the events. Last year I was at the Waynesville Inn play golf and darn if they didn't have the Porsche show, I was hooked and knew I would be getting one. Hoping to go back this year.

Also I see you have some mods, I might need to pick your brain on some of them.

Another option is to just have a new cover put on. Could do any type of leather or even Alcantara.

Whip,

Pat's suggestion is a good one that I hadn't thought about. If you can find a good craftsman locally or elsewhere having your original wheel covered sounds like a great option.

Already having a 3-spoke is great since you can reuse your existing airbag. Thanks for the compliments on my car. I'm not sure, but I believe my airbag is stitched because it is leather while the non-stitched variants are vinyl.

Just for reference, have a look at the link to Suncoast Porsche in Florida where they have several steering wheels available. I believe a member here, ekam, recently installed the very nice padded steering wheel. Their website isn't as nice, yet, but Sunset Porsche out west has great prices in case you decide to buy new from a dealer (steering wheels or any other parts). So it is worth giving them a call before ordering OE parts.

http://www.****************************************************.com/category/POTEBXCC.html

BTW, I didn't realize there were any aftermarket steering wheels out there that utilized the OE airbag. I guess I should have known they existed.

I am a PCA member. Carolinas Region, Zone 3. I joined a few months ago but haven't attended any events yet. I've been meaning to attend the Charlotte Cars and Coffee events that are held on the first Saturday of each month at North Lake Mall near the Panera Bread. I've been by there a couple of times without my Boxster and the turn out is fantastic with all kind of great cars. As far as I know it is still on for this Saturday, January 1, 2011. I will be out-of-town this weekend but will try to go in February. I read on the Cars and Coffee Forum that the gathering was postponed one week a year ago due to bad weather. I don't know if that was snow or just rain, but there is rain in the forecast for this Saturday so maybe it will be postponed again.

Please feel free to ask any questions about my mods, general maintenance, etc. I'm no expert, but with all of the knowledge on this forum I'm sure we will come up with some answers.

ddb

ddb, here is that wheel that sold on ebay...interesting.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Porsche-Steering-wheel-3spoke-Leather-/250729873481?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories &hash=item3a60aa4049

Maybe I'll see you Northlake sometime. I'll recognize your car.