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I use two 15" Momo wheels in my XJ, one from Germany, one from Italy. The German Momo I got around 1994, superb quality, black leather. The Italian wood Momo Is absolutely beautiful and matches the dash wood tone but the wood had shrunk in the perimeter so I injected wood glue to stiffen it. It is now fully restored and solid. I also use The XJ-S wheel which is 16" and slightly more comfortable, but still not sold on it.
myself I prefer thick grip, but after countless experiments the ideal wheel diameter would be 15-1/2 inches and nobody makes that size except SAAB in the 1978-1982 Turbo models. I have one but the hub is a crushable mesh attached to the spokes with giant rivets and I've yet to tackle them.
Jaguars used 17" wheels up to 1992. "Liability" they called it.
Jaguar Sports used to sell a smaller wheel in their 1980s catalog, but I've never even seen one.
The truth is with a 15" wheel the car becomes a bit more difficult to park.
I have the 89 XJS wheel as well. I'm not sold on it, either. I like it better than the skinny original....but it's almost too thick, to be honest.
Cheers
DD
I am not sure why the continued reference to this steering wheel is as an "89 XJS" wheel. It is, in fact, an authentic Series III wheel used on the V12 saloons from 1990 through 1992...used ONE year on the XJS and THREE years on the XJ .
it is a direct replacement for the too-thin earlier XJ wheel. I always found it not only more attractive, but far more comfortable.
I am not sure why the continued reference to this steering wheel is as an "89 XJS" wheel. It is, in fact, an authentic Series III wheel used on the V12 saloons from 1990 through 1992...used ONE year on the XJS and THREE years on the XJ .
it is a direct replacement for the too-thin earlier XJ wheel. I always found it not only more attractive, but far more comfortable.
You're correct, of course.
It's most commonly thought of as an "XJS" wheel as a result of Ameri-centric thinking . Here in the 'States, that's the car that used it. And, if seeking one out, it'll be represented as an XJS wheel.
gee I had never heard that before. I have seen a number (at least 3) of the V12 built after 1987 and they all had the horrible XJ-6 steering wheel.
To repeat: this thicker wheel was used in the 1990 to 1992 Series III cars, not earlier. But I have retrofitted this wheel to a number of earlier Series III cars - it is a direct replacement, absolutely no modification necessary; in my experience it significantly improves the driving experience, as well as the appearance of the interior. Best of all, it is an authentic Series III part.
As factory-fitted to my 1992 car (V12 VDP, #92/100):
and as retrofitted to my 1987 V12 VDP:
and by itself:
and this is a photo of the same type of wheel on the VERY LAST V12 Vanden Plas, #100/100, unfortunately too rusted for me to restore- a Montreal car - and not the incorrect grain of the console finisher (yuck...):
Aand on another 1990 car (this one was not mine):
Point made? So, from now on we could perhaps refer to these wheels as "the late Series III wheel" instead of the "89 XJS wheel"? (Pedantic? possibly....)
Many thanks to everyone who responded to this steering wheel question. Still not crazy on the later XJ series wheel. I think I'm hooked on the Momo Zebrano shown by ALYNMURRY. Anyone out there have a used one in good condition?
Momo steering wheel
. Here in the 'States, that's the car that used it. And, if seeking one out, it'll be represented as an XJS wheel.
