What is too small for a steering wheel?

Picked up a 360mm Nardi off CL just now for $150.

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Just bought this, a Momo marked "3.0 CSI" with long hub. 380 mm and I believe it's perfect for the car.

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There are three ways to answer the original question:

1) Aesthetically.
I think 35 is way too small and looks out of place but some like it. I think 39 is nice considering originals were 41 or so.
I agree with Chris - given the size of an e9's interior, a 35 cm wheel just looks too small. But in a Lotus Super 7, a 35 would seem huge.

2) Driving/performance. A smaller wheel requires less hand motion to provide the same rotational input. And with power steering, there is no need for a large diameter wheel to keep the force reasonable. So if you are doing gymkhanas, a 350 mm (or smaller) wheel might make sense.

3) Ergonomically. As a scrawny guy of average height, I can't speak from experience - my 390 mm Nardi fits me fine, but so did my bus wheel. But if you need a smaller wheel to make driving comfortable, I'll agree that aesthetics become a secondary consideration.
 
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A little size comparison:

Bus Wheel (euro sport version), 40cm, 38cm

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The diameter difference is pretty negligible in my opinion. Neither the factory wheel or the petri feel all that sporty with thin grips compared to the prototipo.
 
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A little size comparison:

Bus Wheel (euro sport version), 40cm, 38cm

31204545553_91c5e0baf4_b.jpg


The diameter difference is pretty negligible in my opinion. Neither the factory wheel or the petri feel all that sporty with thin grips compared to the prototipo.


you raised an important point Markos, the internal diameter
it makes a difference not only for driving purposes, but for aesthetics too,...
 
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This is my $16 350mm Momo that fits very well in my Bav. The price was in line with my $20 bucket seats and the other cheap parts I use. As an added bonus, it has never failed to turn the wheels in the right direction.
 
Momo? Don't you mean Grant?
It's a Momo with a Grant horn button, which is now covered with with a USMC EGA emblem. I found the wheel in the back seat of an E23 in the local boneyard and it was minus the horn button. For $16 I got the wheel and hub and had to re-use my old Grant horn button.
 
have a lovely 380mm Nardi with bmw horn and correct german boss so it fits properly and importantly the indicators work properly.... only selling as I have a 380mm Petri...anyone interested PM me
 
have a lovely 380mm Nardi with bmw horn and correct german boss so it fits properly and importantly the indicators work properly.... only selling as I have a 380mm Petri...anyone interested PM me
i thought nardi made a 390 + a 360 ... as well as a smaller one sized for a 2002 (330)
 
i thought nardi made a 390 + a 360 ... as well as a smaller one sized for a 2002 (330)

Yep like a 390. Newer Nardi wheels have a serial that you can lookup online and get the specs. I'll post the link later. Early ones have a prod month/year only.
 
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