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This is taken from a post by Christian from MINI2:
“Today I was in the MINI headquater in munich. Just saw the new 3 spoke sports steering wheel for the Cooper S!”
No word on when or if this will be availble but it looks like a finished product to me. I imagine the MFSW buttons would be placed on the silver sections of the wheel to the left and right of the hub and the horn is finally in the middle. What do others think?
I love the look of this new wheel – much nicer and a bit more modern than what's in my MINI currently. It will be interesting to see how they deal with different trim colors and if the differing trim will be transfered to the wheel.
Also of note in this picture is the Cordoba Leather in a Cooper S – something people have been asking for frequently.
<p>The 3 spoke wheel is OK. The only problem with 3 spoke wheels is that you can't comfortably rest both hands at the bottom when 'cruising'.</p>
<p>I, in a way, prefer the looks of the current 2 spoke wheel because it has the charm of the classic car and compliments the interior design extremely wheel. The new 2 spoke “Sport” wheel being offered in the MCS (With the thick thumbs) looks and feels fantastic.</p>
<p>It looks like the new 3 spoke wheel will be made standard fare in the 2004 model year. I am getting a 2004 MCS in October, so maybe there is a chance that my car will come with the new 3 spoke wheel design instead.</p>
<p>Oh, I also like the center MINI clear plastic hub in the current wheel. They just need to improve the quality of the plastics.</p>
<p>UGH! I'm so happy that I have the two-spoke wheel. All the controls fall to place, and the diameter is just right. The only improvement would be a Williams F1 wheel.</p>
<p>This new one looks bloated and ungainly. Blegh.</p>
<p>To me this wheel looks like sort of an aftertought. I am not sure if Frank Stephenson would have approved of it. Based on what I have read about the history of the design of the current MINI, every component was very carefully choosen down to the steering wheel, knobs, toggle switches, etc.</p>
<p>I will reserve final judgement until I get to see it in person.</p>
<p>The Cordoba leather interior looks nice and it seems that it will also be available with the sports seats. The Cordoba leather interior is currently offered only in the MC and requires the Standard seat option.</p>
<p>I'd like to think Frank Stephenson would have kind words for it but noting his original 3-spoke design this is probably not the solution he would have come up with. That being said I don't know if I like his original 3-spoke sketch – one of the few things I've seen him do that I didn't like immediately. I do like the design language I see on this new wheel – the question I'm focusing on is how well it meshes with the current interior design. This probably won't be resolved in my mind until I see it in person.</p>
<p>I prefer the existing steering wheel. This looks
dated & the “center” of the wheel seems too big in proportion.
One thing I like is the Cordoba Leather on the Sport Seats.</p>
<p>OTOH, it would be nice to have a horn in the center (centre?) instead of the little buttons. I have the strangest ability to honk while getting into my MC.</p>
<p>Looks too much like the <a href="http://www.edmunds.com/media/roadtests/firstdrive/2002/02.vw.beetle/02.vw.beetle-s.int.500.jpg">beetle steering wheel</a> in my opinion.</p>
<p>The three spoke wheel looks very bulky. I prefer the one on my 2003 MCS. Just my opinion.</p>
<p>Just an update on this: according to people who have ordered 2004 MINIs the new steering wheel is option 255 and is available in either as the MFSW or without. Also noted the 2003 wheel will be a no cost option (at least in the UK).</p>