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Old 11-16-2012, 03:13 PM   #1
finklejag
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Default New leather steering wheel installed today

I haven't liked the crappy plastic steering wheel that came in my Premium since day one. I decided to fork out the money and buy the leather one. None of the parts depots in the US had one in stock. They had to order it from Japan. The steering wheel is made in Vietnam though.

Total price for the steering wheel was $418.00 installed. I know that's a lot money for just a steering wheel, but it's a part that is used every time you drive. That's how I justified the price.

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Old 11-16-2012, 03:17 PM   #2
Brian Vantana
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Nice little mod that. I did the same on my VW T5 van and installed it myself.

Just makes you smile that little bit more each time you get in the vehicle.

Seats next?
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Old 11-16-2012, 03:25 PM   #3
Commander Keen
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Looks good. I hope you got your old one back.
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Old 11-16-2012, 03:33 PM   #4
gfxguy
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Nice. I installed a Wheelskins leather cover with red stitching (matches the stitching on my shifter knob). Yours looks more professional, but for 1/10th the price I'm very happy with the Wheelskins.
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Old 11-16-2012, 04:17 PM   #5
danstheman7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by finklejag View Post
I haven't liked the crappy plastic steering wheel that came in my Premium since day one. I decided to fork out the money and buy the leather one. None of the parts depots in the US had one in stock. They had to order it from Japan. The steering wheel is made in Vietnam though.

Total price for the steering wheel was $418.00 installed. I know that's a lot money for just a steering wheel, but it's a part that is used every time you drive. That's how I justified the price.

Question, the steering wheel...did it come with the audio controls? or were those part of the original steering wheel. I have the 2.0i base model without audio controls and want them.
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Old 11-16-2012, 04:27 PM   #6
finklejag
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I already had the steering wheel buttons. I just needed the wheel and the little plastic piece on the bottom.
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Old 11-16-2012, 06:41 PM   #7
gt601
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What did just the wheel cost you with out labor?


Paul
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Old 11-16-2012, 06:47 PM   #8
Steve2.5i
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I still don't get why it wasn't included . Premium shouldn't mean plastic steering wheel. Looks great and totally justifiable to me.
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Old 11-16-2012, 09:24 PM   #9
Commander Keen
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Quote:
I still don't get why it wasn't included . Premium shouldn't mean plastic steering wheel. Looks great and totally justifiable to me.
Leather? In a small car? With a manual transmission? Not in my 'murrica!

Note to SOA: Stop forcing the CVT on people who want leather and you'll sell a lot more leather.
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Old 11-16-2012, 10:37 PM   #10
sgoldste01
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I went with the Wheelskins cover too. Installed it using the baseball stitch, so it looks quite nice to me. I also bought a Subaru OEM leather shift knob for my 5-speed Impreza. Got it on eBay for something like $18. I took the $350 I saved and put it toward my Pioneer double-din head unit.

I believe the 2013 Sport Premiums now come with leather steering wheels and shift knobs.
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Old 11-17-2012, 12:05 AM   #11
finklejag
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Quote:
Originally Posted by gt601 View Post
What did just the wheel cost you with out labor?


Paul
$325.00
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Old 11-18-2012, 12:49 AM   #12
pkL
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Looks good, the leather steering wheel really adds heft to the wheel and it feels great in your hand.
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Old 11-18-2012, 06:40 AM   #13
John451
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Quote:
Originally Posted by gfxguy View Post
Nice. I installed a Wheelskins leather cover with red stitching (matches the stitching on my shifter knob). Yours looks more professional, but for 1/10th the price I'm very happy with the Wheelskins.
Could you post a pick of the Wheelskins wheel, it is the one they I think Subaru should not have cheaped out on in the interior.
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Old 11-18-2012, 06:49 AM   #14
sgoldste01
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Quote:
Originally Posted by John451 View Post
Could you post a pick of the Wheelskins wheel, it is the one they I think Subaru should not have cheaped out on in the interior.
Here's my thread:

http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/show...ght=wheelskins
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Old 11-18-2012, 12:14 PM   #15
brapple
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ok, I am alittle confused here at the moment. Is the difference in steering wheel between a 2.0i and a 2.0i Premium?

Our 2.0i Premium has a leather steering wheel and shifter for the CVT.
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Old 11-18-2012, 12:34 PM   #16
sgoldste01
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Quote:
Originally Posted by brapple View Post
ok, I am alittle confused here at the moment. Is the difference in steering wheel between a 2.0i and a 2.0i Premium?

Our 2.0i Premium has a leather steering wheel and shifter for the CVT.
I'm guessing yours is a 2013 then. In 2012, the Premiums had the plastic steering wheel and shifters, with only the Limiteds getting leather. I think for 2013 the leather has moved down to the Premiums too.
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Old 11-18-2012, 01:40 PM   #17
gfxguy
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Quote:
Originally Posted by John451 View Post
Could you post a pick of the Wheelskins wheel, it is the one they I think Subaru should not have cheaped out on in the interior.
Quote:
Originally Posted by sgoldste01 View Post
I added pics of my install to that thread.
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Old 11-18-2012, 10:29 PM   #18
brapple
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Quote:
Originally Posted by sgoldste01 View Post
I'm guessing yours is a 2013 then. In 2012, the Premiums had the plastic steering wheel and shifters, with only the Limiteds getting leather. I think for 2013 the leather has moved down to the Premiums too.
Nope, we have a 2012 .... just looked at the window sticker. It seems that the leather wrapped steering wheel and gear selector are part of the wheel package.

Last edited by brapple; 11-18-2012 at 10:37 PM.
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Old 11-18-2012, 11:25 PM   #19
the_dog
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Quote:
Originally Posted by sgoldste01

I'm guessing yours is a 2013 then. In 2012, the Premiums had the plastic steering wheel and shifters, with only the Limiteds getting leather. I think for 2013 the leather has moved down to the Premiums too.
The 2013 Premium without the Alloy Wheel Package (17" wheels, leather shift knob, and leather steering wheel) still has a vinyl steering wheel, as in the 2012 model year. The 2013 Sport Premium now comes standard with the leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob, which was not available on the Sport Premium for model year 2012.

The base models do not have the option of a leather-wrapped steering wheel from the factory.

All Limited trims (including Sport Limited) come standard with a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob.
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Old 11-19-2012, 06:17 AM   #20
sgoldste01
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Yeah, mine's a 2012 Sport Premium, so I went with Wheelskins and an OEM leather shift knob just to keep myself from getting too pissed off at Subaru. I couldn't stand the groove that they molded into the plastic steering wheel. It digs into your palms and gets uncomfortable, especially on long road trips.
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Old 11-19-2012, 01:55 PM   #21
Xarthan
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Comparing the leather with other cars, the subaru seems rougher. Is this true for all of you guys? I guess I thought the leather wheel would be smoother, maybe like the middle part of the seat.
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Old 11-19-2012, 09:22 PM   #22
blzr25x
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Looks good. If it didnt cost so much, I would consider it. I just bought a '13 impreza premium and it came with the vinyl steering wheel. The leather wheel looks so much nicer. Definitely adds an extra touch.
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Old 11-21-2012, 05:53 AM   #23
pkL
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Xarthan View Post
Comparing the leather with other cars, the subaru seems rougher. Is this true for all of you guys? I guess I thought the leather wheel would be smoother, maybe like the middle part of the seat.
It does feel rougher and more textured compare to the one in my dad's RDX.
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Old 11-23-2012, 11:29 PM   #24
Guzzi 1
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Quote:
Originally Posted by finklejag View Post
I haven't liked the crappy plastic steering wheel that came in my Premium since day one. I decided to fork out the money and buy the leather one. None of the parts depots in the US had one in stock. They had to order it from Japan. The steering wheel is made in Vietnam though.

Total price for the steering wheel was $418.00 installed. I know that's a lot money for just a steering wheel, but it's a part that is used every time you drive. That's how I justified the price.

I know how you feel. I just went through changing mine as well. Actually I did a write up on another forum here as I did all the work myself. I also changed the shift knob. I provided detailed instructions for anyone that may want to tackle the job on their own as well as a parts list and link to the Subaru parts diagram.

I agree, the leather is much nicer than the plastic.

John

Last edited by Guzzi 1; 11-23-2012 at 11:43 PM.
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Old 11-23-2012, 11:36 PM   #25
Guzzi 1
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Here is the link to my write up:
http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/show....php?t=2435531

John
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