Someone explain the appeal of the Flat-bottomed Steering Wheel

[Lazy Dog]

I've read about people sparing no expense to add these to their B8's. I know that the new S4's will come with these from the factory, but I don't see what all the hype is about. I like having a round-bottom steering wheel for normal and "spirited" driving. I can lift my legs slightly to support the steering wheel if necessary. Also, while turning beyond 45 degrees, the round wheel is uniform and tracks through my fingers nicely. Is there a specific reason why these would be preferred for competitive tracking? I'm not trying to intentionally bash anyone who has done this to their car, but what exactly do people like about these things?

[jamesj2k]

I have no idea..I don't get it either

[Blake P]

It transforms the whole look and feel of the cabin. You wouldn't understand unless you've experienced it...

[audinepa]

Not sure either, different tastes create different looks whatever make all of us happy when modding but to each his/her own, ok with stock steering wheel for now.

[Lazy Dog]

It transforms the whole look and feel of the cabin. You wouldn't understand unless you've experienced it...

...so basically looks and not necessarily function.

[helix139]

Slightly easier entry and exit would be my guess.

[CONTROL TWO]

because racecar

[Blake P]

...so basically looks and not necessarily function.

If you're asking whether it will make your car faster or handle better, the answer is NO. If you're asking whether I think it's worth it, the answer is HELL YES. The steering wheel is one of the few things on your car that you are constantly using, and having a nice looking/feeling wheel in your hands makes the driving experience that much better (for me, anyway). It's not necessarily the fact that the bottom is flat, but that just makes it look cooler, IMHO.

[dgszweda]

This falls almost into the same category as to why everyone wants a slammed car with concave wheels.

[Blake P]

This falls almost into the same category as to why everyone wants a slammed car with concave wheels.

You're on the right track... it is the exact reason why we mod our cars in the first place: individual preferences and priorities!

[PsYkHoTiK]

because racecar

This.

Damn, my car is not racecar...

[throwaway1]

It depends on what you value in a car. If you are like me and are incapable of seeing the beauty of an object if it does not serve a useful purpose, then the flat bottomed steering wheel won't appeal to you. The S4 is not a cramped car with very low seating and steering wheel, so the flat bottom serves no purpose. If you value looks more than performance though, then you will like it, along with large rear spacers and staggered heavy wheels.

[Lazy Dog]

Remember, I'm not bashing customization of our cars at all. I mod almost every car I buy. However, I see a lot of people upgrading to BBK's, ECU tunes, Alu Kreuz and other items that are specific performance upgrades. I was just wondering what camp the flat-bottomed steering wheel fell into. I was just wondering if there was some sort of a performance explanation of the flat-bottomed steering wheel from some of our competitive weekend drivers that post here.

[Brick Oven]

For me it's more about the thicker, better contoured wheel that's smaller in diameter than it is necessarily about the flat bottom. The hand feel between it and the stock wheel is a night and day difference. I also like the fact that in spirited driving I have a landmark for my hands to find that tells me the orientation of the wheel. That it looks super cool is a bonus.

I don't think it's quite fair lumping it in with purely aesthetic mods that will in fact hinder your performance. It's more of an experiential thing than something you can quantify with lap times. I'm no faster or slower around a course with the flat bottom wheel but if I enjoy interacting with the car more because of it then it's worth it to me.

[Jupiteraudi]

Slightly easier entry and exit would be my guess.

^^ this. With my seat position a flat bottom would help exit and entry. The flat bottom wheels tend to be thicker than those you see being swapped with the addition of colored stitching/options. Some are also contoured more agressively around the hand postions.

I like them but don't own one as I can't justify the cost as I prefer more of an increase in function than looks. If it added 30 whp, I'd but one in a heartbeat!

[Tifosi]

On the street, it will serve as much purpose as the Supercharge badges does for the car.

[nowclickthis]

I know that the new S4's will come with these from the factory, but I don't see what all the hype is about.

Not in the US they don't.

For me it's more about the thicker, better contoured wheel that's smaller in diameter than it is necessarily about the flat bottom. The hand feel between it and the stock wheel is a night and day difference. I also like the fact that in spirited driving I have a landmark for my hands to find that tells me the orientation of the wheel. That it looks super cool is a bonus.

I don't think it's quite fair lumping it in with purely aesthetic mods that will in fact hinder your performance. It's more of an experiential thing than something you can quantify with lap times. I'm no faster or slower around a course with the flat bottom wheel but if I enjoy interacting with the car more because of it then it's worth it to me.

+1. You have no idea how much more enjoyable the car is to drive compared to the ropey, wide steering wheel that at least the 2010-2012 cars come with. Having the "landmark" on the wheel actually is really nice for handling after you get used to it. I'd find it hard to believe someone wouldn't be able to adjust. For me, the flat bottom was a plus because I can keep the wheel lower without having to raise it for entry/egress and not have to worry about scraping up the leather.

^^ this. With my seat position a flat bottom would help exit and entry. The flat bottom wheels tend to be thicker than those you see being swapped with the addition of colored stitching/options. Some are also contoured more agressively around the hand postions.

+1.

[fatboyj711]

Mostly aesthetic but there are small functional benefits such as a thicker, more contoured wheel and air leather depending on which wheel you choose. With that said, the functional benefits can be achieved at a fraction of the cost of any flat bottom wheel with the RS5 wheel since you can reuse your S4 (or Sline) airbag, but that's where preference kicks in.

[evanstonjohn]

I just think they look cool and different. I may eventually spring for one but am having a hard time justifying it in my mind as it would then become the second most expensive mod for my car second only to the exhaust. It is a good thing we don't have to build our own car using individual parts, it would probably cost over $120,000. I think that is why we get better and better deals on the cars since parts and service are so expensive afterwards.

[NWS4Guy]

On the street, it will serve as much purpose as the Supercharge badges does for the car.

I makes it go faster?

It's because it's something you didn't have and others don't have, so another way to stand out and be different.

[Seinsmeld13]

It transforms the whole look and feel of the cabin. You wouldn't understand unless you've experienced it...

I agree 100%. I have one in my GTI, it looks and feels great. Having said that I wouldn't pay hundreds to replace the stock wheel.

[nowclickthis]

This.

Damn, my car is not racecar...

Right. Just like the R8 and TT RS.

[nick71692]

i think more than just the flat bottom, our wheel in general leaves a lot to be desired. I much prefer the steering wheel in MKVI GTI over ours!

[tryengel]

Slightly easier entry and exit would be my guess.

I did the swap and this is the only real benefit I can see. It does make ingress and egress easier. The feel of the cabin is different with the flat-bottomed steering wheel; not better, just different. Worth it? There are numerous upgrades that would provide more "bang for the buck" but I personally don't regret getting the steering wheel because of the ease of entering the car. I have the OE wheel with less then a 1,000 mi on it, with airbag, if anyone one is interested - really cheap.

[ahcow]

I see some appeal in it, but not enough to make me want to go through the trouble and cost to get it. I tried it on the TT-S, for that car, flat bottom is needed to make it easier to get in and out of car. I don't have that problem with the S4 and if I do make the change, I might go for one that's thicker, but not necessary flat bottom. Thicker feels better on my hands, flat bottom doesn't for me.

[zerinA4]

Had one in my 2008 TT and didn't care one way or another. I don't understand the fascination.

[socfan12]

For me, it's not cosmetic, it's tactile. Flat bottom tend to be thicker than stock. Love the feel of the thicker steering wheel in the hands. Even got it in smooth leather to keep with the understated look of the car. Just wish it was heated for the price!

[MadConan]

Why a flat bottom steering wheel?

• It looks sportier.
• It feels better.
• It leads to better hand position while driving.

I do not have one and probably never will because I'm not about to pay $1000+ for a steering wheel - at least not one of the OEM ones (the BEST professional racing wheels don't cost that much - not including F1 wheels which cost 10x more, but those are more computer than steering wheel). If the prices were more realistic, I'd buy one in a heartbeat.

[tomh009]

For me it's more about the thicker, better contoured wheel that's smaller in diameter than it is necessarily about the flat bottom. The hand feel between it and the stock wheel is a night and day difference. I also like the fact that in spirited driving I have a landmark for my hands to find that tells me the orientation of the wheel. That it looks super cool is a bonus.

I don't think it's quite fair lumping it in with purely aesthetic mods that will in fact hinder your performance. It's more of an experiential thing than something you can quantify with lap times. I'm no faster or slower around a course with the flat bottom wheel but if I enjoy interacting with the car more because of it then it's worth it to me.

Exactly this.

It's the thick wheel with big thumb grips that makes all the difference. The flat bottom looks cool but I would have happily bought the same wheel even if didn't have a flat bottom.

[tomh009]

On the street, it will serve as much purpose as the Supercharge badges does for the car.

You hold the supercharged badges while you are driving?!?!? I certainly grip my steering wheel while I'm driving ...

[ilspazzaneve]

Finally found some solid answers to the question.

...the whole look and feel...You wouldn't understand unless you've experienced it...

....tracks through my fingers nicely....

...so basically looks and not necessarily function.

Slightly easier entry and exit would be my guess.

This falls almost into the same category as to why everyone wants a slam...

...the flat bottom serves no purpose. If you value looks more than performance though, then you will like it, along with large rear spacers...

...The hand feel between it ... I have a landmark for my hands to find that tells me the orientation ...That it looks super cool is a bonus.

...I'd find it hard to believe someone wouldn't be able to adjust. For me, the flat bottom was a plus ...without having to raise it for entry/egress and not have to worry about scraping up the leather.

It does make ingress and egress easier.

I see some appeal in it....I might go for one that's thicker, but not necessary flat bottom. Thicker feels better on my hands, flat bottom doesn't for me.

[svander]

Sportier wheel is definitely a great mod. Worth it IMO, within reason. I wouldn't pay more than $800 for one.

[ENV²]

I want one for the thickness feel. I love /M wheels because they are thicker and smaller in diameter they feel better. Flat bottom or not the thick wheel is better

[Ynnekdude]

because racecar

Yup.

[cNEGOTIATOR]

I always thought it was for the passengers convenience. Easier access when receiving road-head.

[Thomas@TAI-VW]

FASHION

[Psalm40]

I want one for the thickness feel. I love /M wheels because they are thicker and smaller in diameter they feel better. Flat bottom or not the thick wheel is better

I want one, but haven't splurged due to the extreme price tag. Both my wife and I LOVE the M wheel in our 135....which is surprising, because her favorite automotive feature is usually how many kids she can haul on field trips while still being able to park at the tennis center...I digress....I really like the feel of the thicker wheel, the S4 has been a disappointment in the steering wheel category.

[Eweezy27]

I wouldn't trade mine for anything. One of my favorite mods and I am Stage II+ dropped on wheels and all. The wheels looks great with the white sticking and I like the contrast of the air leather with the smooth leather. I like the fact that the wheel is thicker and its now easier to turn once you get used to it I sold my OEM S4 to a guy with a B7 A4 and he loves it. I think he paid $800 which brought the cost down significantly.

All of the people that say it serves as much as the supercharger badge or this or that has no idea what this mod can mean to a person. It was worth every penny IMO. That being said spend your money how you want but if you buy it and really don't like it i'm about positive you can sell i and get most of your total cost. Doesn't matter cause you will love it, that wheel is what comes on the real Audis!

[Chestlock]

Personally not for me. I do like the way too overpriced look of it, but, I dunno, too pretend-a-racecar IMO. You're not sitting in an open-wheel single-seater, or even a tight cockpit. The thickness is huge though - if I modded mine, I'd just get a thicker conventional, and maybe very slightly smaller diameter wheel

[Wah]

It transforms the whole look and feel of the cabin. You wouldn't understand unless you've experienced it...

If you're asking whether I think it's worth it, the answer is HELL YES.

For me it's more about the thicker, better contoured wheel that's smaller in diameter than it is necessarily about the flat bottom. The hand feel between it and the stock wheel is a night and day difference.

+1

The feel of a smaller, thicker wheel is just phenomenal in comparison with the stock wheel. As Blake said, the wheel is the one thing in the car that you are constantly using which imo makes this mod one of the most meaningful mods out there.
When you turn the wheel and grab the flat-bottom part of it - its a cool feeling.

The only way to really get a sense of what it feels like is to actually drive a car with a flat-bottom wheel for a day or two. You will really appreciate it then.

And those wheels are expensive... but OH SO WORTH IT.