Planet 9

the "Thicker Steering Wheel in Leather" option for $1,050.00?

Are they identical except for the thickness?

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2008 Cayman S Design Edition 1 #407

I have the normal $250 sport wheel on my Cayman and I had a chance to do an extended drive in a Cayman with the $1K thicker wheel.

The wheel is a little thicker but the leather material on the wheel feels much nicer and grippier. In fact, I don't even think the material on my sport wheel is leather. That was the main difference for me, the nicer material.

Is it worth the extra $700? Only you can decide...

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Pete
2008 Meteor Grey Cayman S
2007 Blue Slate Infiniti G35s 6-speed

The lesser priced sport steering wheels provide about 80% of the benefit for 25-75% of the cost of the XPA wheel. But if you're going for a full leather interior, especially with the leather steering column and/or natural leather, the XPA wheel wins hands down with the most matching leather. I've got the XPA wheel in natural leather and it feels worth every penny of that $1050. Well, that's my story, and I'm sticking to it.

Good point blueone.

If I had the full leather interior, that wheel would be a perfect match!

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Pete
2008 Meteor Grey Cayman S
2007 Blue Slate Infiniti G35s 6-speed

my friend has it in his 997S, and it's beautiful. He has full leather, but if I could afford it I would definitely get it, even if you don't have full leather. Your hands will be on it every time you're in the car.

When I ordered my '06 with the full leather interior, the XPA option was $960, and I got it because I wanted the thicker wheel becasue I knew I'd be using the car for AX and DEs, and I also wanted it to match the rest of the interior - worked for me... it was worth the price, imo.

brad

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22-year PCA Member
PCA DE Instructor

I also have the thicker steering wheel and it does look great with the leather. For me the important point was it was thicker. I didn't like the standard wheel because it was too thin and didn't feel good in my hands. If you have the money and the thickness or the leather are important to you, go for it.

I have the $250 sport steering wheel - it's awesome. I also have full leather (worth every penny, IMO), and think the basic sport steering wheel is absolutely fine with it.

If I had to choose between putting $700 towards the thicker wheel or full leather interior, I'd choose full leather hands down. There are so many other options I'd put the extra $700 towards.

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2008 Porsche Boxster - X1 Arctic Silver Metallic, V9 Black Top, P77 Leather Sport Seats, 342 Heated Front Seats, AT Black Full Leather, 403 19" Carrera S Wheels, 475 Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM), 435 Sport Steering Wheel, XSC Porsche Crest in Headrest, 490 Sound Package Plus, 551 Porsche Windstop (Deflector), 584 Storage Box

this is what i also bought and i am very happy--full leather with the $250 sport wheel--my msrp was $75k--if i were to spend $700 more i would have got auto climate control instead

I have the carbon fiber wheel. It is thicker and it only has leather where the spokes meet. It was added to my car by mistake when I ordered it. In turn I didn't have to pay for it. It is the multifunction wheel also. They also added a pcm2.1 nav system to the car, supposedly by mistake, I didn't pay for that either.

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BLU CROC
08 Cayman; climate control; bi-zenons; full electric seats; carbon fiber steering wheel; 2.1 NAVI system; heated seats; Venture Shield clear bra; rain sensor wipers; colored center caps

Wow...excellent posts. Thanks for all of the information.

I really like the full leather and prefer a thicker steering wheel, so I guess I will buck up for it in a couple years when it is time to order a new Cayman S.

I like the car so much, that I am already planning for my next one.

In the mean time, I will have to enjoy my thin Alcantara sport steering wheel!

Mike

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2008 Cayman S Design Edition 1 #407

According to dealer price sheet (and online P C C), thicker wheel is cheaper than regular wheel. For example, mutlifunction leather is $990, but thicker multifunction leather is only $930.

P.S. For someone with arthritis or other joint problems in their hands, like myself, the thicker wheel is more comfortable. Seen those OXO kitchen utensils? Same idea.

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2009 Cayman S, Malachite Green Metallic, Sand Beige full leather, power seats w/ heat AND ventilation, PDK, PASM, Sports Chrono Plus, BOSE, XM, PCM 3.0, iPod/USB, ACC, bi-xenons, rear wiper, luggage partition, self-dimming mirrors, illum stainless steel door sills, stock 18" wheels, multi-function steering wheel, LED door storage lighting. Mod(s): ceramic window tint, clear bra, clear side markers, Das Schild, stuffed & Sonic Shield padded BOSE, MDS black front grilles.