I've done two of them and have never let the car sit for 30 minutes before removing the air bag. My only advice would be to make sure you hook up all the connectors. The first time I missed the horn wire and had to remove it again to fix it. Otherwise, very easy once you get the airbag out. That's a bit tricky but a little persistence will reward you.
This is the best mod I've done to my car. I absolutely love my wheel.
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Nice pickup, don't forget to let us know your impressions of it and the install.
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agranger MINI of the Month June 2009Supporting Member
I did a write-up on how to install the JCW wheel on the R53... perhaps some of it will help: http://www.motoringalliance.com/library/1st-generation-mini-cooper-how-to-3/jcw-steering-wheel-install---r53-73/
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Installed! I think it took an entire 20 minutes.. Only hang up I had was the MFSW wires. It took me a minute or 2 to determine that the airbag retainer had to be removed from both wheels for the wires to be swapped from wheel to wheel. Once I did that it was a breeze! Mini even marks the wheel and the shaft so that you can line it up strait without an issue. Now I will put some miles on it and let you all know how I like it!
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Looking forward to it.
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Pics and impressions?
I've always wanted one of these, but the cost and the fact my wife doesn't like it has kept me from doing it. Maybe she'd be OK with the leather version? -
Tata Steva MINI of the Month - September 2010
- May 30, 2010
- 229
- DOP/stock Photography
- Ratings:
- +229 / 0 / -0
I like the feel, but not thaaaaaaat much so I would "rave" about it like some guys on the forums... For me it's worth it just the price I paid for, and I would never pay the full price at the dealer for something like this.:cornut: -
It does feel good but not sure yet if it is really worth the upgrade from my stock wheel. I am in the middle of going either way of remove and sell or keep. Definitely does not fit the bill of "functional performance upgrade" as did all of my other mods.
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What's keeping it from being a functional performance upgrade?
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I know this is a Noob question, But is the JCW wheel fatter then the stock MCS?
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only slightly larger. When I get my car back from BMW I will measure for you.
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Yes, the JCW wheel is fatter than stock. Visually it looks about the same but the difference is obvious when you grip it. Some people think it also has a smaller diameter but they are the same.
MINI claims that the stock wheel is "genuine leather" but the material has been processed so much that it feels like plastic. The JCW has a softer, thicker and higher quality leather than stock, and it actually feels like leather. When I installed my all-leather JCW wheel, it made my interior smell like leather for a few days.
My R52 steering wheels, stock (left) and JCW (right)
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Thanks for the comparison!
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agranger MINI of the Month June 2009Supporting Member
Yep... On the gen 1 cars, it is thicker and same diameter. If you follow the link to the how-to, above, the first pic gives you a nice closeup where you can see the difference.
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But my theory is not that it's been processed but that BMW bought up all the redundant Mercedes cows that Mercedes used to use to make their leather seats - those old S Class seats would only get decently soft after a minimum of 200,000 miles of use in a Polish taxi. But Mercedes now use ordinary cows for their leather seats, so I'm guessing BMW got a real good deal on those cows and now they want to use them up on Mini steering wheels. Maybe if I took a trip down the scrappers and got the wheel out of a 10-year old Mini, it might be quite nice. -
I may pull this out tonight if I get the car back from BMW. Any one interested? $475+ shipping (my cost) it has been "used" less than a full day.. I will use the money for the repair on my oil line (other thread)
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I swapped out the silver (vinyl wrapped) MFSW controls today for the 2010 flat black versions. I like them a lot!
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Mr. Jim MudsharkLifetime Supporter
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