DeepBlue99

@HydrantHunter You said it perfectly! OEM + is exactly how I would describe this look. I like the curvier, thicker grips on the bottom half and the white stitching (current is offwhite, maybe grey). Design is way racier than OEM but can still pass for OEM which is how I prefer it. I've had a number of cars with flat bottom wheel and it does help with getting in/out which seems to take a bit of effort with IS 500. Not sure why, its doesn't sit that low. Fortunately, none of the downsides you mentioned are in play for me.

Now as far as install goes, it looks pretty simple but I've had some experience with wheel being off center in the past and it was a pain to fix, also took a while. Wondering if maybe I can find a Lexus tech who moonlights a bit on the side... I was fortunate to have that arrangement for a while when I had GTI's. Added a great deal of satisfaction to my ownership experience.

Come to think of it... I wonder what a Lexus dealer would say if I asked them to install it? Besides threaten me with localized warranty outages that is. What can they possibly charge me? An hours worth of labor?

Pandonsf

I might, will definitely take some pics if I do.

ordered from here https://lexusacc.com it was $580

HydrantHunter

Getting out of the IS 500 definitely requires more effort than I would expect. I've found raising the seat helps, and moving it forward a bit so I don't have to work myself around the B pillar helps, too - but I can only get so far up and/or forward before I'm running into the steering wheel (even when it's all the way forward and up). The car needs longer front doors/openings - I'm guessing it's a bit easier with the RC since it's a 2-door which typically means longer doors/openings.

I'm curious what your dealer would quote for the wheel install. My dealer isn't kind and I'd never have them do anything that isn't covered by warranty.

arentz07

Somewhat off-topic to the steering wheel discussion, but are you using the comfort entry/exit feature in yours? i.e., when I get in the car the seat is pretty far back, but then it and the steering wheel move so that I am closer when I turn it on.

HydrantHunter

Yeah, I have that feature enabled - in fact I have it set to the "don't go as far back" setting. I have my seat set about as low as it'll go, and my driveway is slightly angled up, so working my way out of the seat and around the B pillar when I get home requires a bit of oomph even on the less 'aggressive' comfort setting. If I could have my wish, the comfort setting would allow us to adjust and store the entry/exit position.

DeepBlue99

Same issue here and I tried both easy entry settings. No big deal, I can live with it. But, if it can be made a little easier, it would be appreciated.

Still looking around... and from what I can tell, there are lots of people offering these custom wheels fronted by what look like personal accounts on Instagram and Facebook. There are also lots of these available for sale on eBay as well.

Not feeling super comfortable with something like that, as I would prefer a product from a more established shop with a solid reputation albeit at a higher cost. Seems highly probable to me that many of these are coming out of China, as likely production costs and asking prices simply don't align. I'm referring to the common claim that an OEM core is used as a basis, which to my knowledge costs roughly $600 from a discount parts shop. Hard for me to wrap my head around how some guys opt to install something shady like this into their brand new, under warranty car in 60-70k price range.

How would you know how fit, finish, function is... or how it would hold up... or if it will fold in half should the air bag go off. What am I missing?

cp2

iTrader: (1)

there are several sellers on IG and a couple in the IS500 faceschmuck group that have sold plenty of custom steering wheels across most of the lexus models. customer testimonials and feedback are the only guarantee you'll get from the seller. prices are pretty close and with other sellers starting to come up, there is more competition and pricing is negotiable. if you're worried about the air bag portion, you can simply reuse the stock one from your car. R2 air bag to another cover is simple though.

DeepBlue99

I was just looking around on that big IS500 FB group. Lots there as well.

I hear ya... and granted, I may be overthinking this a bit... it just seems to me like a lot of corners are being cut for the price to be at that level. Air bag wise, I was referring to the possibility that base frame on which it will sit has the durability/rigidity of a bent coat hanger for all I know.

Surely there is someone making/selling these at a higher level than this. Would Jay Leno buy one of these from a FB group?