For drivers that chose not to have the added weight of leather seats, various electric motors and heating elements (or those who couldn't afford them ) , but still want a two tone leather steering wheel and protect the factory leather from flaking, I recommend installing Wheelskins two tone leather wraps. They are about fifty dollars.

The install took about an hour and a half of stitching. Quite easy, but time consuming if you're a perfectionist. The install enhances girth and the beefier steering wheel is a joy to drive with. The leather and dyes are premium quality. I had them on my previous Mazda and it looks great now even after 5 years in the sun.

Photo of the new install attached.

 

looks tacky IMO

 

I've heard that the leather on the factory steering wheel flakes off, so it might be worth protecting. Don't you agree though that it's marginally better than the steering wheel covers sold at mega marts?

 

if you like it, thats all that matters

 

kinda weird looking but you will be able to fool many people into thinking it came from the factory like that.

 

the steering wheel gets a very oily shine as one uses it, so i guess protecting it would be a good idea.

 

I love mine, put it on a few months ago. Makes the wheel thicker and just feels better to me.

 

Nice stitching. The yellow complements the yellow car. How long did it take you mjones53?

And yes, I agree with you on the feel. The thick steering wheel feels right to me also. I like the thickness of my brother's GTI MkV's steering wheel, so I had to install this.

The price is inexpensive enough to experiment. The big cost is your time to stitch.

 

it does take some time, about 1 hour I think, and my fingers were pretty sore afterwards, but worth it to me.

 

That's the exception not the rule. I've only read a few posts where people complain of flaking. I use a good quality leather conditioner on the steering wheel. Looks as good if not better than the day it rolled off the assembly line. Those wraps will eventually work themselves loose over time and start slipping.

 

I put a black and gray one on my girlfriend's '01 Volvo S40. It looks ok, not sure if I'd do it in my 8--just because the color tan won't match my tan.

 

Kitsch is the word that comes to mind, but hey you like it and that's all that matters.