Which Steering Wheel is the best

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Crowders or Coupeguy for a Nardi wheel?

Has anyone purchased a Nardi or other items from Crowders.

They claim to be an authorized dealer of Nardi, and are selling new steering wheels, but I can't understand how their price is different than CoupeGuy. I trust Coupeguy and his knowledge of E9s, and want to give him the business, but just trying to understand the difference.

In sum, Crowders wheel is $360 and includes free shipping.

http://shop.vendio.com/crowderscustomizing/item/864093873/index.html

Their website says that they are "Warranty We are a true authorized dealer, so we can give you the full factory warranty and great customer service."

Crowders has 5 stars on Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/gp/aag/detail...D=ATVPDKIKX0DER&isCBA=&seller=A1O3FVCQXGMIO5#

Crowders also seems to have a very good reputation on ebay too http://myworld.ebay.com/crowderscustomizing/?_trksid=p4340.l2559

I asked Crowders about the horn button and adapter, and they said:

"yes, we have both in stock. Hub is $103.60 Horn button is $140.00"

The total through Crowders would be $590, although I haven't asked about the trim ring yet.

Here's the horn button from Crowders: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Nardi-Steering-Wheel-Horn-Button-Double-Contact-BMW-/140524280373?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&vxp=mtr&hash=item20b7e65a35#ht_500wt_1376
Not my favorite look, but perhaps it is period correct. I prefer Coupeguys horn button.

Seems like these are all over the place though. Coupeguy has a nice looking one for just $59. See this one for $200 on ebay: http://www.ebay.com/itm/120797933845?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1438.l2649
and this one for $90 http://www.ebay.com/itm/12080118900...X:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1438.l2649#ht_1028wt_1142

I'd prefer to give the business to Coupeguy. His price for a complete wheel, etc. is $700. I asked him for the breakdown, but he said he only sells it as a complete set.

Any information on which way to go would be very much appreciated. If only $50 or so more, I'd go with Coupeguy, but I am very confused and would appreciate your help.

As an aside, can someone recommend a matching shift knob too? I found this one on ebay http://www.ebay.com/itm/12077134512...AX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1438.l2649#ht_540wt_1376

BTW, I am not sure why this thread is in Cars section. That is my fault. It thought I posted it in the correct place. I am sorry. I wish I could move it.

Scott
 
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the difference from crowders is that the hub is the new style (multi-ring style). the old (period) style is a truncated cone shape my bet is that from coupeguy you will get the truncated cone shape hub. i bought a trim ring (that fits over the machine screws) from crowders - Dan didn't have any more at that time. what they sent exactly what i expected + quickly. i would ask crowders for pix of the horn button, i suspect it will just be the Nardi horn button, and the link says that the hub must be purchased separately (which is another 103.50. the additional bmw horn button is another 140.00 ... so everything totals to 604.00 +/-
 
Nope, the one I sell is designed to collapse apparently, it is accordian like with grooves. It seems to be a good length and has a tang to cancel the turn signals which the old style conical hubs did not (AFAIK).
 
well Dan, at least the one you sent to me with my car had the conical hub ... the signal canceling tab is a removable tab from your existing wheel (factory part) that snaps right into the back of the steering wheel.
 
scottevest said:
As an aside, can someone recommend a matching shift knob too? I found this one on ebay http://www.ebay.com/itm/12077134512...AX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1438.l2649#ht_540wt_1376
Click to expand...

Oh don't install that modern-looking Nardi knob - it will look totally wrong on your vintage e9.

I love the look of the Schaltknopf Holz that Stevehose recommended from ebay Germany.

Another approach would be to find a vintage Amco walnut knob. Here's an image from a current ebay listing (no BMW logo Amco knobs on ebay right now):

8879_1_b.JPG
 
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Crowders answers to my questions below

MY COMMENTS/ QUESTIONS IN ALL CAPS.

The Hub Adapters are sold separately. They are conical in design. The Hub Adapter does not have any turn cancellation. It comes with 3 screws for the base with are generally used to re-install factory parts.

The Hub Adapter is Solid Aluminum, it does not collapse upon impact.

No, the hub adapter does not have any turn cancellation device.

IS THIS SOMETHING I SHOULD BE CONCERNED ABOUT?

I'm not sure what you mean by "the difference from crowders is that the hub is the new style (multi-ring style). the old (period) style is a truncated cone shape my bet is that from coupeguy you will get the truncated cone shape hub" The Hub Adapter is conical in design. It comes from Nardi with 12 holes drilled for both 70mm and 74mm bolt patterns, meaning it will fit other 6 hole steering wheels.

The Hub Adapter comes with a screw kit and some hub base screws for re-installation of OE Parts applicable to some models. The Steering Wheels come with everything included from Nardi which is a Horn Button, Trim Ring, and Hex Head Screws. The Spokes on the Classic Models are Flat and do not use countersunk screws. The Hex Head Screws are used to hold the Trim Ring on, giving the steering wheel a cleaner installation.

The Wood is Mahogany. It looks exactly like the images.

The Shift Knob is universal. As long as your BMW has a 15mm or less shifter shaft diameter and does not have lift-up reverse or any buttons on the factory knob required to change gear, it will fit.

The Horn Button I sent the link to is the only one that Nardi produces with a BMW Logo for the Classic Line Steering Wheels.

The Wood on the Shift Knob is the same Mahogany Wood as used on the Steering Wheels; however, because it is wood, there may be slight differences in shade, grain, etc. Most people generally get the Evolution Shift Knob from Nardi than any other Nardi Shift Knobs we have sold.

As far as the steering wheel, it is a Classic Steering Wheel. We have customers that buy them for Sunbeam Tigers, Early Mercedes, etc.
 
Wheel Hubs

What I see is this....Momo / Alpina wheel hub, 84 mm. Accordian style (rubber sleeve)
100_1907.jpg

Nardi hub, 60 mm and solid....
100_1908.jpg

They are not interchangeable. As I have commented before, although I am uncertain as I have not tried a Nardi wheel as yet (slush fund to more pressing issues) Seems to me the shorter hub would be better, angle of the column, etc.
 
With all of the discussion on Nardi wheels I took some photos of mine since it off of the coupe right now. It is a 390 with the BMW horn button and the solid tapered hub is 80mm deep. On the back of the spoke it says Nardi Torino, Made in Italy. I also saw Murray's today, his Nardi must be a 360 but the wood is much thicker. Hope this helps.
 

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Bought a Nardil through crowders

Great experience buying
Talked to the owner
They are the real deal
Less expensive than coupe guy, and it's seems they really wanted my business
They are an authorized dealer
I will let you know wnen it arrives and send pics
Thanks all for your advise
Celebrating my birthday this weekend
47 seems old
 
i had a leather one, a long time ago, on my bavaria. it was a major PITA to make it fit. honing out the inside to go over the gearshift lever. perhaps they make them in different sizes. but i wouldn't go thru it again.
 
Style

I find that my wife is a good judge of design....I always ask her opinion on style and colour.
At the end of the day, bits like these are personal choices, no wrong or right....preference.
 
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