Flat-Bottom steering wheel flawed?

[RIV]

There is some very odd people about if they have to pretend to own a car, I guess if you gonna do that it might as well be an rs4 I guess

[chunky79]

Er, I sold my 10 year old rs6 one the other month and after cleaning it was not far off looking new.!!!

Dave/Victor. I did say it it was from an rs6. I had to check cause you even got me thinking I hadn't posted it. Really not sure if it would be different material.
Silas, cheers for the support but I' confident and honest in which I have posted. I can hand on heart say that my steering wheel and also gear knob came up very close to new

[chunky79]

why would I come on here and bullsh1t?

Some of the ex-members on here became well known for their ability to bullsh1t (I'm thinking of RussianM3Dude et al), so surely there's no harm in me making sure?

How dare you compare me to him

I actually miss him, there were some good threads with his crap in.

[F@tBoyF@t]

Calm down dear, it's only an internet forum.

You're right Dave - sometimes we all get a bit carried away.

[nij]

I have to agree. It would have been good to keep the RS4 badge too.

I'm considering the option of covering the whole wheel in Alcantara (inc the silver bottom, but keeping the RS4 badge)

How's this? I think you're right with the badge.

[RS4pete]

much better

[chunky79]

That looks really good. Is the silver leather perferated the same as the black?

[scaghead]

You just missed the bullsh1t I have not got an alcantara steering wheel at all!!!

Remembering the spec of everyone's car would be impressive - if I could do it

Just thought chunky could do with some support, give the man a brake he's only stating what he's done!!!

As I said, AFAIK he's the first B7 owner who has posted here that he has successfully restored/cleaned an alcantara steering wheel - so you have to forgive me a note of cynicism.

One ex-member claimed to have done all sorts of mods and had all sorts of problems with his RS4 - except he never actually owned one (long term members will know who I'm referring to...).

are we talking about the famous s_ _s ?? if so, it appears he did own one

[chunky79]

Don't rub salt in the wounds, Victor was wrong only yesterday.

Come on Dave, bit of fun never hurt anyone, unless they got punched on the nose that is

[nij]

That looks really good. Is the silver leather perferated the same as the black?

No, I wanted to keep the OE look, which I like.

[sakimano]

I must admit i do love my flat bottom, i would not swap it for a round one, i guess any thing with a flat bottom is flawed other than the rs4

WTF!!! the flat bottom wheel in the rs4 is cool nothing wrong with it at all, once you start putting parts from a tt in your car your, your admitting to being a hairdresser man up or sell up and buy a tt

I am still waiting for someone to justify the flat bottom wheel. Everyone says 'I love it'...but nobody gives a reason why.

Flat bottom wheels were invented for race cars and supercars where entry/exit were difficult, and where the drivers were crammed in a tiny space. Further, in race applications, they are affixed to cars where steering ratios are far different to those in regular passenger cars. As a result, they are never required to turn the wheel much more than 90 degrees, and lock to lock they probably move about 180 degrees. When you look at the steering ratios on the RS4, where lock to lock, we are turning the steering wheel around 1200 degrees, the flat bottom part starts to be a bit silly.

On a passenger car like a Lamborghini Gallardo, a tight fit, the wheel lets you get in and out a bit better.

On an RS4, what is the benefit? I am 6'5" tall and I have no problems getting in and out of the car. I am not sure if I have EVER heard anyone give an actual reason for liking the flat bottom wheel. They just say they love it. I can only assume there is only one reason people like the flat bottom...

[PetrolDave]

I am still waiting for someone to justify the flat bottom wheel. Everyone says 'I love it'...but nobody gives a reason why.

Speaking personally I like the flat bottom wheel because it wasn't offered on the B7 A4 or B7 S4 - so like the mirrors and the front wings, and the bonnet,etc. it's something else that differentiates the RS4 from the more "cooking" models.

I don't find it impractical, with the direct steering of the RS4 needing to use more than 3/4 of a turn of the steering wheel doesn't happen very often.

[nij]

I am still waiting for someone to justify the flat bottom wheel. Everyone says 'I love it'...but nobody gives a reason why.

Speaking personally I like the flat bottom wheel because it wasn't offered on the B7 A4 or B7 S4 - so like the mirrors and the front wings, and the bonnet,etc. it's something else that differentiates the RS4 from the more "cooking" models.

I don't find it impractical, with the direct steering of the RS4 needing to use more than 3/4 of a turn of the steering wheel doesn't happen very often.

+1

RS4 owners love bucket seats and carbon fibre trims, because A4s don’t have them and Audi made sure the carbon weaves is different to the S4’s. Personally, I think the RS buckets are over the top and not very practical for everyday use, but like most on here, I love them even though I don't have them on mine.

The FBSW is thicker, therefore to me it looks and feels better (just not the feel of the plastic).

[sakimano]

So exclusivity. I understand that.

That's still not a reason in reality though...i.e. Not a reason that makes it better.

Buckets vs A4 seats is no comparison...that's not exclusivity...that's a far superior performing seat. In fact that's one of the greatest seats on earth. You could name elven reasons they are better than standard seats from static bolstering and support to rear seat space preservation to active bolstering with sport mode to design and aesthetic appeal etc.

The flat bottom wheel though...not so much.

In the wheel's defense, it is much thicker isn't it? That's a key benefit I am onside with 100%.

I would love a wheel that
a) retains the MFSW functions
b) is much fatter than the MFSW wheel
c) has a sport button
d) is all leather

Such a wheel doesn't exist to my knowledge. You can get all but the sport button...but then its always a D shape wheel (Ttrs, RS5, RS6) and then you're messing with airbags.


For guys with the OEM B7 RS4 flat bottom wheel, (which is derived from the gallardo wheel isn't it?)...what buttons are on the wheel and that do they control?

[sonny]

If you had purchased a Gallardo would the same question be raised?

Buttons are 'sports' 'set' '-' and '+'.

There are no controls for the Satnav unit and phone. All buttons control the DIS menu functions.