Custom steering wheel to be made (who had done it?).

[NVRL8R8]

Hey fellas,
So I attended a cruise for cancer charity event a couple weeks back, and won a raffle to have a custom wheel made.
The company is local, and has done a lot of custom wheels, and all sorts of parts for many high end exotics. They had a wheel on display at the event, and it is very impressive work, to say the least.

I will start by having the wheel done 4MM thicker, and doing the top and bottom in carbon fiber, with a 3MM 12 0'clock ring in red (to match the red rings on the V10 instrument dials).
I may or may not, have the center of the wheel done in carbon fiber (area around radio control functions). Sometimes, I think it can actually be too much, even though I love my carbon fiber.
The sticking point for me is what to finish the grips in (the side sections of the wheel, where you would "grip" the wheel the majority of the time).
Can be done in leather, perforated leather, or alcantara.
I am leaning towards the perforated leather, but not sure of the pros and cons between that and regular leather.

Alas, for the color of the stitching.... Red, would obviously contrast nicely to the red 12 0'clock ring, and instrument dials, but since there is no other red stitching in the car, would that clash? Hmm.....
Here's a pic of a very nice wheel done for a member here, (with Rtronic paddles) and it is actually for sale. It is brand new, and never even installed, but it was more than I could spend. And then the miracle happened, and I won the raffle to have one done!
So I guess I'm just looking for advice/suggestions on how to finish the wheel in the areas I am undecided on. What better place to ask than right here, on the best car forum around!

[Baer]

Nice win!

The 3m red ring to match the v10 rings sounds like a great thought. Either the perforated leather or the alcantara would look nice. I'd stick with plain stitching to match the interior or it could look too too alien compared to the rest of your interior.

Have fun with it!

[CALBenzo]

Nice win!!! Below is mine. For me, I don't like the center portions in CF as it is a little too much. I like perforated leather as opposed to alcantara, but that is just me of course. I like the ring, but if I were to do it again, I would have it done a little thinner.

[R8Spyderman]

I have Alcantara and though it looks great and feels great, it has already gotten shiny where I mostly hold it on the left side (right hand is half the time shifting the stick so it is less shiny there) after only a few months. I've got to try cleaning and brushing it to restore the original look. So if you want it to look new no matter much it is used, opt for the perforated leather.

[freshmeat]

Mine's only 2mm thicker than oem. Perforated leather. oem stitching. Carbon top and bottom. 0.25in wide white stripe up top.

[NVRL8R8]

Mine's only 2mm thicker than oem. Perforated leather. oem stitching. Carbon top and bottom. 0.25in wide white stripe up top.

Alright now...... is your camera broke?!?!? I want a picture of this mysterious wheel, and pics of this R8 you claim to have! ............

[freshmeat]

It's on L4P:
R8 | Leica D-lux 5

Saw some pics floating around Facebook and 6speedonline as well.

[M3R8]

CALBenzo, awesome looking wheel there! I share your opinion that the center part in CF is just a bit too much.

One thing I don't get is the ring... why have it there at all?

[NVRL8R8]

@M3R8, the ring is a nice touch to add an accent color to the interior (although I prefer the thinner ring like the picture I showed). It can compliment the exterior color of the car, or as in my case, I will be accenting all the red bits I've added. But most importantly, it will accent the red rings around the V10 gauges in my case.

[HawkeyeJim]

One thing I don't get is the ring... why have it there at all?

As I understand it, in race cars it's not so the driver knows where the top of the wheel is (as people often think), but rather to spot a problem with alignment or the steering rack.

Kfab, do you use these in desert racing?

-Jim