So my 01 XJ8 was totaled Wednesday, and I found an identical 03 today. She looks like the old gal in any repects, although my old one was perfect - without a single blemish..

Anyhow, the new one has the leather steering wheel, and I would love to upgrade it to the JAGUAR wood/leather one. Just wonder how much of a project this is - with the airbag and all the electrical interfaces in the wheel. I am sure that with the airbag it would be foolhardy to attempt this myself, but I wonder if anyone else have done this and what I should expect to pay for the labor of the conversion.

BTW, my wife could not understand why I pulled up with a "new"car that was also silver and black and looked just like my old one.... I tried to explain that once you have something you love just the way it is you hang on to it. (Which is why she is also still around..:-) )
I looked long and hard at the next generation, but I just cannot bring myself there yet. The looks of this generation is just the prettiest by far in my book.

Reposted this as I posted it mistakenly in the XK8 section

 

Its easy, unplug the battery for 30 minutes before you do(i never do) to be on the safe side with the air bag. Use a t35? Tork through the 2 holes behind the wheel the you access turning the wheel to 9 then 3 oclock. Disc the air bag connectors and the button controll connectors. Take off the center wheel bolt then screw it back is a couple turns. Rock the wheel while pulling towrds you to loosen(you did striaghten the wheel and mark it first didnt you?) once loose take off the center bolt, feed out the connectors and reverse install with the new wheel.
Note 2 steering wheel are seldom close enough to have a straight steering wheel when done. You can try and reposition but it many times too far the other way. In which case you can start the car and turn the wheel all the way it needs to go to straighten. With it cranked against the lock tug real hard a couple times, this shifts the rack in its mount slightly to correct a wheel off a few degrees. Or live with it till your next alignment

 

Boy are you quick! Thank so so much for the info. This is not the first time you have been helpful!

BTW, I STILL love the HID inserts you made. COOL!!!