I've been talking with Performance Products about a 3 spoke Sport steering wheel which does not require buying a new air bag/hub. They had a great 4 spoke design (http://www.performanceproducts4benz....6&dept_id=6312) which did also require a new air bag for those of us with Sport models. And, the beautiful C63 wheel also requires a new air bag, because its a smaller hub. Any of the existing choices were at least about $1,500, about half for the air bag, which seemed such a waste of money.

Here is the prototype of my new steering wheel. With this one, the original air bag is re-used! They will use an original MB 3 spoke wheel, apply the thicker perforated leather wrap (I did not want any type of fabric due to concerns about stains and skin oil effect over time) and notice the flattened bottom. This is essentially a C63 look-alike design for half the price...$799.

When mine arrives, I will post more pics after installation. They aren't actually making or selling them in quantity yet. But, its never too soon to show interest! FYI, I do not work for Performance Products....I'm just really glad that Earl was willing to do the work with his German colleagues to satisfy what I was looking for. It's not on the web site yet, but you can get in touch at earlri@performanceproducts.com

Looks good!

Ugly!

Just to be clear.....the middle does get filled in!

Good job. I like and this is now definitely on the radar. I wonder if he has customization options. Would like to get select portions of it wrapped in CF.

Looks like quality craftsmanship!

Post some pics when you get it installed...

Will defer my ultimate opinion until I see it installed

Not sure about these...too much like a big girl in sweatpants for me...just too much stuff poking out all over the place.

would be even better if it had birdseye maple on the top & bottom! then i'd buy one!

That sounds HOT!

Truly constructive post . .

It's great that we have an alternative to the C63 steering wheel without having to drop $1500.

Post up pictures once you have it installed

Better yet CF.

Just curious...this is a real C63...do you like the C63?

That's what I shot him a message about. matching interior trim or CF wrapped option for top and bottom section. We'll see if they can do it. If so, I'm in.

looks proper...

"stuff poking out" = ergonomically designed

Same surface contours as the four spoke and looks similar to C63 to my eyes.

I like it and and for $799 not a bad deal.
+1 on the interior trim matching

What is the advantage of the flat bottom? When you turn the wheel, it moves around and the bottom is now rounded. So, why have it at all?

Given the changes in how we should position our hands on the wheel, from 10 and 2 to 4 and 8 or so, how does this wheel help? Note our turn signal favours the 8 o'clock position.

I agree that the stock wheel is somewhat suboptimal. I don't know that I would agree with the flat-bottom approach. Sounds too much like a punt.

The flat bottom may be styling (see C63) if you have an automatic. But, most of the time when legs are working clutch and brake, the wheel is fairly straight. Brake and downshift before turns...accel through turns. Therefore, the flat bottom derives from actively driving a manual trans and provides more room.

But, I don't at all understand the 4 and 8 positions you mention. Given human anatomy, that is very suboptimal for steering control. From the typical 10 and 2, or at most, 9 and 3 positions (Indy car fan?), the left hand pinky operates the turn signal very well.

I've a manual in my Jeep and I've had it in many other cars .... I still don't see the advantage.

As to the 4 & 8, you should realize where the gas escapes from the air bag. The RCMP have put out a training video for people to relearn driving position and habits because of the damage to limb when those things go off. And, if you're at 4&8 during a collision, you're far less likely to brace and thus to break your wrists. Again, look where the turn signal stalk is ... In the old days, makers like Volvo placed it high for ease of use in the 10&2 position. Now it's low, suggesting the 4&8 position.

Will it have the paddle shifters?

With the Jeep or any other more upright seating position, you are right, there would be no benefit. And, this may be most similar to spoilers, lips, and other "aerodynamic" parts added for appearance which are only suggestive of a function which does not really occur in daily driving. If you have a chance to try any Formula race car driving, the feature's heritage will be more clear.

Regarding hand position, in my 6 years as Vehicle Safety Manager for a car company, I saw the industry rapidly learn about air bag venting. With the current more dispersive vents and inflators, its not really an issue any longer.

On an overall cost/benefit analysis, driving most of the time with a tenuous grip and reduced arm motion (which occurs at 8 and 4) due to concern about a possible wrist fracture is most definitely outweighed by having better control of the vehicle, and potentially avoiding a crash incident. I have seen no data on correlation of "bracing" related to hand position, nor that any possible wrist fracture is the result of the air bag inflation. With arms that low, you may even create more radial and ulnar fractures as the arm is thrust rearward and the elbow stops at the seat side bolster.

The origin of many of the recommendations (likely including RCMP) to move hands down along the wheel was from early reports of wrist and facial fractures from drivers who held the wheel with one hand at 12, being very casual. OR, this occurred occasionally during the hand-over-hand turning motion, interrupted by a crash. In those low-frequency cases, the hand would be propelled into the face. But, for daily driving, 10 and 2 is still the optimal position to help avoid a crash event.

No paddles

Sportstick, this is a performance product wheel? When you get it, measure from the top of the air bag to the top of the steering hoop to see if it is smaller than the OE wheel. I argue that if they can make a flat bottom, they can take out some of the size from the top too. The diameter of the OE wheel is just too big. The wheel you posted does look smaller, but it may just be because it is thicker.

It starts with an OE C-Class Sport three spoke rim. The thicker wrap may make it seem narrower from inner rim edge to inner rim edge, but the actual diameter should be the same. I understand the real C63 wheel is a smaller diameter, but just slightly.

I think the C63 diameter is around 3" smaller in diameter. I wish someone made a smaller W204 version.