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Discussion summary
YOUR RESEARCHThree spoke steering wheel vs four?
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Adjust radio volume and station, and aircon fan and temp
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Not as many as in that picture though, just most commonly adjusted radio volume and station, and aircon fan and temp.
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We ran all of the ones you mention, that year (plus Sno*Drift).
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The last time I ran stage rallies was a near-full season of Rally America in 2013.
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Makes no difference to me as long as it's ROUND and it looks/feels "nice." Leather wrapped preferred but not required.
I occasionally see comments that seem to indicate the three-spoke wheel is somehow more desirable than the four.
Please explain to me why I should feel inadequate with the, clearly, inferior four-spoke wheel in my car.
Have you.... looked at a 4-spoke vs 3-spoke?
Anyways, it's all just personal preference. I prefer a 3-spoke over a 4 spoke since a 4-spoke to me looks like a car from the 60's and 70's while a 3-spoke is more modern. To myself. Sounds like you don't agree which is okay.
It's a good question...I do favor three spoke because of what was already said in that it is more aligned with the look of todays sports cars. However, would it effect my buying decision on a car? Absolutely not as long as the car handles and drives the same way.😀
Totally personal preference and easily switched out if you don't like the one in the car.
I like the more padded rim GT2/GT3 three spoke personally. It is an easy bolt on upgrade.
I changed my four spoke for a three spoke. The wheel itself is a little thicker/more comfortable with the thumb bumps at 10:00/2:00. As for the look, I like both and sort of vacillate between the two. The main advantage of the three spoke in this respect is the full color Porsch badge (the 4 spoke just has the badge relief)...
Have not held a three-spoke wheel in my hands. The comments that point out the feel are much more valuable than any that speaks of "looks". All opinions are valid, was just hoping to get objective feedback on a simple question.
Thanks to all.
I recently bought a 996 with a 4 spoke wheel.
Had some vague idea that I�d want to replace it given the clear consensus that a 3 spoke is better.
But having now held both, much prefer the thinner profile of the 4 spoke. Feels lighter and more direct in steering. And since my first Porsche had a four spoke, it looks like it should to my eye.
3 spoke looks great too!
Mine's been trouble free so far.
Clearly this should not be a factor. However, as has been mentioned, the available grip and feel may be better. That is not a trivial matter when it comes to driving satisfaction.
I've been busy at the wheel a number of times. I learned, early on, to keep the hands on the outside of the wheel and never attempt to grab any part of the inside. Not a worry, in my case.
I present exhibit A:
I like my car as much as the next guy, but “gettin’ busy with the wheel”??? That’s just weird!
oh...not that kind of busy!
BTW, I have a 4 spoke. Agree the 3 looks and feels better, but can’t justify the cost to change.
When's the last time you raced? I raced for about 6 years in Rally America/ARA, primarily 100 Acre Wood, STPR, and LSPR. Took a break after a very minor wreck at 90mph.
Ouch! Hope you both came out OK. That's a big hit!
The last time I ran stage rallies was a near-full season of Rally America in 2013. We ran all of the ones you mention, that year (plus Sno*Drift).
I've been at this for a while. I plan to return after I retire and have more time to get T2 up to spec. Might even build a 944. Certainly have plans to build one for RallyCross.
We hold three RXs per year at our farm. I get great enjoyment out of laying out the course for each one. Also, just came off a victorious weekend at the
Press On Regardless (R) Rally.
OK - I’ll be the oddball - I love the four spoke wheel - to me the relatively thin rim and diameter of the wheel feel just perfect. It may be a bit dated looking, but functionally I love mine. And (pure opinion) I think it blends well with the 996 interior.
Daryll
Ha, ha. That's exactly what I was thinking.
I like the look and feel of the three spoke over the four. Switching to a three spoke had the added advantage of helping me in my quest to break up the sea of gray in the interior.
The truth is ...
My first 996 had a 4-spoke wheel and he-men used to kick sand in my face at the beach.
Now my current 996 has a 3-spoke wheel and it's a struggle to fight off the Sports Illustrated swimsuit models who basically stalk me 7 x 24.
I really could give a rip either way, but my first car in high school was a 1983 MK GTI. It had a 4 spoke wheel. It was fun as you know what to drive, and I drove it in ways that were unsafe.
So I like my 4 spoker. Reminds me of simpler times!
I have a 996 with a 4 spoke and a 996 with a 3 spoke. The difference is greatly overstated. I do like the look of the 3 spoke better. Honestly if it weren�t for Rennlist, it wouldn�t be something I thought about. It�s a non-issue in the big scheme of things.
I like that with my four spoke wheel I can drive with my arm in my lap, and my hand hanging off the bottom of the wheel with no effort. I drive from LA to Santa Barbara every other weekend and that�s my go-to cruise position.
Nothing wrong with the 4-Spoke functionally, its just less sporty-looking and therefore perceived as the less desirable option. For proof, look at which wheel Porsche used in the Turbo, GT3, GT2, and Carrera GT models. I also don't think there's been a 4 spoke wheel in a 911 since the 996.
It comes down to preferences. I think more people prefer the 3 spoke, but some prefer the 4. To me, the 3-spoke, when combined with full leather, makes a huge difference in the overall look and feel of the interior. My first 996 was 4-spoke and non-full leather and I never liked the interior at all. I was one of those guys who complained about the cheap 996 interior. The 996 I bought 15 years later had 3-spoke and full leather and I like the interior a lot. The combination of those 2 options make a huge difference to me.
It's been too long between 996's to remember the driving differences of 4-spoke vs 3, but I think it feels more open with the 3-spoke. I never liked the embossed crest on the 4-spoke and I think the colored crest of the 3-spoke helps break up the interior (which tends to be a sea of one color on many 996 interiors).
4-spoke seems to have a tiny functional advantage in that you drive with thumbs resting at 10 and 2 o'clock
and
can rest them at positions 7 and 5 o'clock. I have 3-spoke and usually put my hands at 10 and 2, sometimes on the handbumps at 11 and 1, and rarely a single hand at 12 or resting on knee at 5.
3-spoke most persons agree looks better. I wonder if the below beautiful 991 wheel would mechanically and aesthetically fit a 996? I know it would be very expensive with new airbag but other manufacturers recommend new airbags at 15 years so ours are due.
This 911 variation has 2 spokes. Long-term I'm thinking about relocating some controls to steering wheel. Not as many as in that picture though, just most commonly adjusted radio volume and station, and aircon fan and temp. That would make driving safer because less taking eyes off road.
The venerable 993 GT2 and Turbo have the 996 4 spoke steering wheel (I guess in reality the 996 has the 993 4 spoke wheel)...if it's good enough for those cars it's good enough for my 996 C2.
The only problem with my 4 spoke steering wheel is that it is extremely horney (i.e., it suffers from the dreaded air bag frame grommet failure causing the horn to occasionally blow during hard braking).
I replaced my 4 spoke with a 3 spoke wheel. I thought it was a �must have� but looking back it probably wasn�t worth the $1000... the 4 spoke wheel actually feels better in the hands, in my opinion.
If anyone wants a graphite gray 4 spoke wheel, I�ve got one!
Does the 4 spoke have a bigger air bag?
mine has a 3 spoke and now that we are talking about it I'm like that I do. Seems less cluttered and easier to steer when the driving gets spirited.
I had both a spare 4-spoke and 3 spoke wheel. (I gave away the 4-spoke recently)
Uninflated they're different shapes but they're about the same size and weight.
I'd weight them both if I still had the 4-spoke.
If someone can weigh a 4 spoke airbag, I can weight a 3-spoke.
Inflated, who knows what the sizes are.
Currently my 996 doesn't have a steering wheel airbag.
I don't trust airbags, never have never will.
Back in the 90s I knew several people who were injured by the airbags.(broken noses and broken eye socket)
A local girl was killed by a Takata airbag in 2017 or 2018.
I've always said that if race cars don't need airbags, neither does my car.
I'm perfectly happy with just a seatbelt.
let's not forget race cars have 5 and 6 point harnesses plus Hans devices...they don't need airbags for safety. Also, i also believe porsche does not use Takata.
I raced for years (80s and 90s) without a HANS device.
I'd jump back into a car without one now.
But it is a good safety improvement.
A 5-point harness is what I'd want in an accident.
But a 3-point without an airbag is plenty for me.
No, as far as I know Porsche airbags are not from Takata.
I think our cars are too old to be included in any recalls even if they were Takata.
But is a 20 year old airbag still safe?
I doubt they were designed to last that long.
Of course we should probably also replace our seat belts too.
My 5-point harnesses that came with my rollbar are now expired.
Yeah...i always did wonder about what happens to airbags after 20 years...probably not very reliable.
Also, it's safer to be with 3 point and airbag then a 5 point without Hans...
5 point with Hans is the safest.
I tend to like what ever Porsche was using at that point in time. Both cool in there own way. 4 is retro cool IMO and I have a 3.
No bad steering wheels, just bad drivers.
Completely off topic but I had an airbag from a 1993 Toyota T100 deploy while sitting in my driveway... this happened around 2018 and that would've made that truck 25 years old. Never found out why it happened but man that airbag sent my hands into my face.
Same here,I learned the best way to grip the wheel from Bobby Ore Motion picture stunt driving school,BUT an extra spoke is just something to get in the way.
