Three Spoke Wheel Standard for 2005

<p>Terrible news!
If I upgrade to a new MINI one day, I wonder if the old steering wheel can be transferred to the new car?</p>

<p>Geez…I hate that wheel.</p>

<p>I have the wheel and really prefer it to the original two spoke wheel. The center hub of the 3spoke is not as “shiny” as the 2 spoke.</p>

<p>I know it's not as classic but is definately attractive and great to use.</p>

<p>Oh, and I'm not a yuppy, but maybe as 23y.o. first time buyer I do like the sport- the classic look and cues are designed everywhere else as well….</p>

<p>It does remove one more opportunity for differentiation among MINIs.</p>

<p>Yeah if I had my choice I'd probably prefer the three-spoke as well. And that's after 27 months of ownership with the 2-spoke :)</p>

<p>Ugly wheel that must be cheaper to produce. Functionally, why the third spoke? My two spoke wheel doesn't flex and I like resting my hand down at the bottom sometimes. Add it to the list of reasons I'm glad I already have my 2004 Indi Blue MC.</p>

<p>does the center hub perform as the horn?</p>

<p>The three spoke wheel is great….FOR ME TO POOP ON!!!</p>

<p>Ryan – I used to think the same way. However after over two years of driving my MINI in a combative driving enviroment that is Chicago, I've found the two-spoke wheel configuration is designed ideally for evasive maneuvers while using the horn button. Because the design puts the buttons just inside the outer edge of the wheel you're able to both have your right or left hand on the wheel while placing your thumb on the horn button ready for action. Instead with the three spoke you'll have to take one hand off the wheel to activate the horn. </p>

<p>All that being said I still prefer the 3-spoke due to design and materials used.</p>

<p>What a bad move. Now I prefer the 2 spoke but its not so much whats right and whats wrong here, its all about CHOICE.</p>

<p>The two spoke was the wheel the car was DESIGNED with so should be the standard. The three spoke some prefer but most owners who I have met prefer the two.</p>

<p>So why cause a problem when having one standard and one BTO is the best way of keeping everyone happy?</p>

<p>I dont know where MINI get their feedback on what is 'better' but I certainly dont know any MINI owners who were asked by them which wheel they prefer, and we're the ones buying the bloody things.</p>

<p>It seems to me that this is another cost cutting step, and one of many in the 2005 model year at that.</p>

<p>At this rate by the time Im ready to purchase another car all the things I loved about my MINI are going to be gone :-/</p>

<p>At least it has thick
lumps at 10 and 2.</p>

<p>The new steering wheel looks about as much like the old Mini wheel …well I'd better not say…R</p>

<p>Rob
I stand corrected. Didn’t realize they had a stock 2 spoke in the classic – mine was 3 (but it was long ago). And yes, I do play with the buttons all the time :-)</p>

<p>/dan</p>

<p>Down with conformity! Up with options! I like the two spoke better. Less 'bumper car'ish. And I like the seperate horn buttons. It's nice to have well defined, well marked, tactile horns. Not the sensor over the airbag feel.</p>

<p>One way to look at it – in the BMW world, the 3 spoker is the one you want on your car….it means either Sport Package or ///M…..</p>

<p>What about older cars now needing new wheels. I could be wrong, but after an airbag deployment, doesnt the entire wheel need to be replaced? if an '02-'04 needs to be repaired after an accident, will it automatically get the new 3-spoke wheel regardless of what was on it prior?</p>

<p>P</p>

<p>2-spoke, 3-spoke no matter, but why oh WHY the Nintendo buttons?</p>

<p>The thing I love most about the two spoke is the placement of the radio controls and horn buttons.
I don't have to look down because the placement is perfect and easy to use.</p>

<p>The buttons on the face of the wheel are out of reach and awkward.</p>

<p>Is there another car that can get such response to it's steering wheel! How kool is this…R</p>

<p>Hi all, I am a future MCS owner. I've been reading posts for about a month now, and thought I'd make a comment.
About the 3 spoke steering wheel, I see it as both a cost-cuting measure and an incentive for drivers to order the steering wheel controls. As I understand it, for 2004, you can order the 3-spoke wheel without controls. For an extra amount, you can get them. Well, I think that MINI probably has a higher markup or lower costs on the controls, than on a second wheel design, so it saves money by offering one wheel only. People are more inclined to pay for just one extra feature, rather than two (the wheel & the controls).</p>

<p>There are so many reasons that the two-spoke is a superior wheel, I just can't imagine the cost savings to offset the loss in design. The three-spoke is just plain clunky, it's less functional, it's less “designed.” The old wheels with buttons on both sides of the wheel are great, with the most frequently used buttons being exactly where they should be. You can change channels and adjust volume without even moving your hands slightly. This is great for accident avoidance. Also, Gabe is 100% correct: the center of the wheel horn placement is far more dangerous than the convenient thumb buttons. When making evasive maneuvers you still have the ability to honk without losing your grip on the wheel! This is so disappointing. I would definitely attempt a wheel transplant!</p>

<p>In looking at a comparison of the two steering wheels, I can't say that I dislike either one. Both have their positives and negatives. But from a pure design, functionality and historical point of view, one has to like the 2-spoke design…it's just more MINI.</p>

<p>I would have to think that the 3-spoke wheel is a cost saving measure. With all the MFSW controls on the front side of the wheel, it makes for far easier for production and assembly, as opposed to the 2-spoke which has controls on both front and backsides of the wheel. I have always thought that the controls on the 2-spoke wheel are extremely well placed, and they look to be very similarly placed on the 3-spoke, so I couldn't see that being a problem. I agree with Gabe though that moving the horn from the edges of the wheel were it is on the 2-spoke wheel to the middle on the 3-spoke wheel is a bit “more dangerous” (although if anyone has had the experience of being backed into, you'll know it is an adventure to find your horn if it is not placed in the center of the wheel).</p>

<p>It will be sad to see the 2-spoke wheel go, but the one constant is change, and there are surely more changes to come to the MINI that people won't like.</p>

<p>2 spoke! No joke.</p>

<p>So how do the CVT paddle shifters fit on this one? Or have they developed SMG-style flippers behind the wheel?</p>

<p>That sucks.
Anyone for a two spoke option petition??</p>

<p>ok, that wheel sucks! it reminds me of the VW bettle, what the… what was MINI thinking when they came up with that? i think they should keep the old “s” style wheel and come out with the jcw sports wheel instead of the 3-spoke one, its also too small-dont like it</p>

<p>hope 3- spoke stays 2-spoke 2 go first</p>