Swapping steering wheels - possibility and cost?

[jamesgareth]

A very good morning to one and all.

I've posted a bit about this on one of the other threads - but this is now a more specific question that somebody may know the answer to.

I'm in the market for one of these magnificent machines - I've got around £65K which seems more than enough (there are several delivery milage 2024 one's on AT for less than that). But here's the thing. I don't like alcantara steering wheels (each unto his own huh). Yet some of the cars I am looking for - that have all the other bits of spec I want (colour combinations engine etc) - have alcantara wheels.

So what do you think the deal would be for me to simply swap the wheel over after I buy the car?

How hard would that be (not for me to do the labour myself necessarily)?

Like do you think Lotus would sell me a leather steering wheel? How much do you think that would cost and what labour do you think that would be? Seeing as you can swap an F1 wheel in about 3 nanoseconds I'm not thinking it's a major job - but then you've got the airbag set up to consider which may cause complications/delays.

Anybody got any experience here? I will try doing some research and contact Lotus too - but I was just wondering if anybody here had any experience or know-how in this area.

Cheers.

James.

 

[Golden Parrot]

You can order a fully customized wheel from Greg's Racing Parts. It is based off the OEM wheel and you can have it made with any combination of material and colours you want.
There are options to re use your original airbag or have that redone aswell. The price is reasonable and quality is really good.
Once you receive it, the install is quick and simple.
Here's mine:

 

[jamesgareth]

You can order a fully customized wheel from Greg's Racing Parts. It is based off the OEM wheel and you can have it made with the combination of material and colors you want.
There are options to re use your original airbag or have that redone aswell. The price is reasonable and quality is really good.
Once you receive it, the install is quick and simple.
Here's mine:

View attachment 53594

Interesting. Thanks.

 

[netsinah]

I asked Lotus if they’d change my steering wheel on my V6 manual order, to something more like the V4 black steering wheel with red stitch w/o the paddles (to better match my interior), and was told there was zero chance that would happen. I offered to pay more, but my attempted “bribe” to get the red stitch, was a wasted effort.

So I suspect your only option is after-market, and GRP looks to be a reasonable price, especially if you trade in your OEM steering wheel. Good luck!

PS: so far, I’ve “cheaped out” and put red electrical tape at the top center of my steering wheel, to put some red on it. It looks better IMO but still not where I’d prefer to be with the red stitch.

 

[crestima]

A very good morning to one and all.

I've posted a bit about this on one of the other threads - but this is now a more specific question that somebody may know the answer to.

I'm in the market for one of these magnificent machines - I've got around £65K which seems more than enough (there are several delivery milage 2024 one's on AT for less than that). But here's the thing. I don't like alcantara steering wheels (each unto his own huh). Yet some of the cars I am looking for - that have all the other bits of spec I want (colour combinations engine etc) - have alcantara wheels.

So what do you think the deal would be for me to simply swap the wheel over after I buy the car?

How hard would that be (not for me to do the labour myself necessarily)?

Like do you think Lotus would sell me a leather steering wheel? How much do you think that would cost and what labour do you think that would be? Seeing as you can swap an F1 wheel in about 3 nanoseconds I'm not thinking it's a major job - but then you've got the airbag set up to consider which may cause complications/delays.

Anybody got any experience here? I will try doing some research and contact Lotus too - but I was just wondering if anybody here had any experience or know-how in this area.

Cheers.

James.

I'm sure your Lotus dealer would sell you an OEM Leather one, but it's likely not going to be inexpensive. After you take delivery of your Emira, perhaps a more cost effective way (if you prefer the OEM leather steering wheel) is to offer to swap yours with another owner, preferably local to you, who is looking for an Alcantara version. This Forum is a good medium for that.

 

[iatros]

I was told that yes you can order the regular leather wheel, was quoted prices from $1400-4k by two dealers. Not available at the moment and no idea on when to get it.
I went with this instead and quite happy with it from GRP:


easy install. I'll post photos from inside the car in a bit

 

[Six Speed Stephen]

Also waiting on a quote from my dealer on the leather steering wheel. Will update with cost and delivery time when I have it.

 

[jamesgareth]

I was told that yes you can order the regular leather wheel, was quoted prices from $1400-4k by two dealers. Not available at the moment and no idea on when to get it.
I went with this instead and quite happy with it from GRP:


easy install. I'll post photos from inside the car in a bit

Good information thanks. Can you send a link or more details regarding 'GRP' - who they are how to contact them? That would be helpful.

 

[jamesgareth]

Also waiting on a quote from my dealer on the leather steering wheel. Will update with cost and delivery time when I have it.

Great stuff thanks.

 

[Beardedbradley]

Good information thanks. Can you send a link or more details regarding 'GRP' - who they are how to contact them? That would be helpful.

There is a link to GRP at the top of this thread on right hand side also I believe it may be on the homepage

 

[cryptovince]

It's this shop right here in this banner

 

[jamesgareth]

There is a link to GRP at the top of this thread on right hand side also I believe it may be on the homepage

Got it - thanks.

 

[Martylemoo]

 

[Martylemoo]

£886 from Bell and Colvill

I would be interested in swapping my leather wheel for the alcantara wheel.

 

[jamesgareth]

View attachment 53632

Interesting.

 

[jamesgareth]

£886 from Bell and Colvill

I would be interested in swapping my leather wheel for the alcantara wheel.

I've actually bought an Emira today. With a leather steering wheel. So no need to do a swap. Maybe somebody will take you up on the offer.

 

[iatros]

Here is mine:

 

[Six Speed Stephen]

Here is mine:



View attachment 53656

Where did you get this done? How much?

 

[FlyNavy01]

Where did you get this done? How much?

GRP makes custom wheels for under $900. There's already a thread on it and I posted some photos of my install there.