Steering wheels: suede or smooth leather?

[Howard Nelson]

I am thinking about getting a new steering wheel (Momo Mod 07) and am debating suede vs. smooth leather. Would this also influence my choice of gloves? (suede with suede, etc?) Note that this car's focus is DE and AutoX. Just curious what you guys are using and what your opinions are. Thanks.

[makaio]

Suede! And love it!

[GeorgeM]

If you'll be wearing gloves, suede is the way to go (with either leather or suede gloves), no slipping with great feel. If you don't wear gloves with a suede wheel, it will matt down and get crappy over time from sweat and oil from your hands.

If you drive any reasonable amount on the street sans gloves, go with leather.

[URY914]

Suede-used by all the pros hands down. Ha-ha-ha, I'm cracking myself up!

[stuttgart]

Go Suede

[74911s]

i have the momo 07 in my 911 in suede.



i can tell you this. if you drive without gloves and let the wheel slip through your hands it can be rather uncomfortable.

if the car is mostly track i would go with the suede. this has a very nice feel with gloves.

if the car is mostly street i would go with leather. it will stay nice longer and be much more comfortable.

on the track suede gloves and a suede wheel are an excellent combination.

good luck!

[campbellcj]

In terms of track use w/ racing gloves, what I have heard is:
smooth leather on smooth leather = bad (slippery)
suede on smooth leather = good
suede on suede = best

BUT, definitely, without using gloves a suede steering wheel could get pretty nasty if you drive a lot and/or live in a warm climate and/or have naturally oily/sweaty palms.

[rob justice]

Howard,
I fitted a Momo to my MK 2 Golf GTI about a year ago. The suede looked and felt great but very quickly the suede went 'smooth' - now 1 year on, its almost impossible to tell what part of the wheel was originally suede. I'm going to buy a wheel for my 911 but after whats happened above, i'm going to but all leather.
Just my view but until the suede wore - it felt excellent.

[tobluforu]

If you do a lot of work on your car yourself and don't ware latex gloves, you will ruin your suede wheel. It took me 2 years to mess mine up for good. But, I love the feel of suede. It is the best. MOST race cars have.

[BlueSkyJaunte]

Suede. Not only for the grip, but because it doesn't get as hot in the sun.

Something to consider if you get to see the sun where you live.