Citroen C5 Steering Wheels, they don't wear well ...

Citroenmad · Unread post by **Citroenmad** » 30 Oct 2010, 22:31

Im guessing im not alone in disliking C5 steering wheels, at least the so called 'leather' wheels. They are not leather, they seem to be wrapped in some kind of rubber coating which comes apart with heat. Ive not seen many C5s with over 50-60K with steering wheels still looking good. LX and SX trims are not affected as they have a much better normal rubber wheel.

Over the summer the steering wheel on my VTR didnt take well to heat, it went very sticky and the 'leather' started to deform. After driving for a while the 'leather' would start coming off on my hands. Now its colder the wheel is not sticky but its starting to look and feel awful.

Has anyone got any remedies for this? I would think the wheel needs replacing, but having heard that a replacement (from an LX/SX, dont want this tackiness again) is around £200 new, im thinking that sourcing a low mileage wheel from a LX or SX from a breakers might be the only way.

Our 05reg C5 with 61K has a slightly better condition steering wheel, though the coating is just starting to come apart and look tatty. Its a shame because otherwise both VTRs are very tidy, the wheel lets them down.

Im planning on taking my C5 to France next summer, so i want this steering wheel gone before then, or ill be pealing my hands off it in 35 degrees heat!

I might price up a wheel at the dealers and see if the above value is right, probably even more shocking now.

frenchcarnut · Unread post by **frenchcarnut** » 30 Oct 2010, 22:53

I'll take a look at mine. Can't say I was that impressed either come to think of it. The feel rather than the look has been the most disconcerting I think

THELABMAN · Unread post by **THELABMAN** » 30 Oct 2010, 23:04

The wheel on my C5 SX is nothing to write home about admittedly though it's done 89.000 miles but a nice leather steering wjeel cover out the cash n carry for a fiver worked wonders.

Unread post by **myglaren** » 30 Oct 2010, 23:12

Mine is rather shabby too.

Citroenmad · Unread post by **Citroenmad** » 30 Oct 2010, 23:15

I can live with an SX wheel, the SX has a normal rubber wheel without the nasty leather-ish cladding.

Our SX has done 126K miles and the wheel is still very good, a little worn but its tidy.

The leather like ones go tatty and nasty to feel.

DickieG · Unread post by **DickieG** » 31 Oct 2010, 07:51

All C5 leather wheels seem to suffer as you describe Chris, however the leather wheels fitted to Picasso's don't suffer but are black in colour so I wonder if its worth getting one of those and applying a dye to match the C5 interior.

Clogzz · Unread post by **Clogzz** » 31 Oct 2010, 11:13

peeling my hands off it in 35 degrees heat

Looks like the opposite here.
The clear coat encasing the fake leather dissolves in our hands.
Read a story of cleaning it with acetone, then re-coat.
Don’t want to know about that, the lot may melt.
Mine will stay as it is, or get worse.
The C5 isn’t worth much pandering to, it won’t pay off.

rabenson · Unread post by **rabenson** » 31 Oct 2010, 15:10

mine looks dreadful - think I may investigate the leather wheel glove...

Ron

frenchcarnut · Unread post by **frenchcarnut** » 31 Oct 2010, 15:38

Here's mine, but I'm with Clogzz. Is it worth it?

Unread post by **CitroJim** » 31 Oct 2010, 16:45

Oh yuk

I'd hate that. I'm very fussy about steering wheels and that would drive me mad.

The leather on the Xantia just wears and wears. My 173K V6 leather wheel is a bit worn now but worm smooth and shiny. Just the way I like it

pug_owner2002 · Unread post by **pug_owner2002** » 31 Oct 2010, 16:58

Reading this thread and seeing the pictures reminds me how bad the steering wheel is in our scenic, seems very sticky and bits come away in your hands, I will change it when I can find one cheap enough.
This problem seems comon on a few cars now. Probably due to manufactures reducing costs at the cost to quality.

Citroenmad · Unread post by **Citroenmad** » 31 Oct 2010, 17:41

Clogzz wrote:
The C5 isn’t worth much pandering to, it won’t pay off.

Well i dont agree with that!

Anyway, weather you like it enough to keep it looking smart or not ... its still not great to feel.

Im going to keep looking for a good wheel from an SX or LX C5, as these are better and wear very well.

When i got my C5 the wheel was very good, but now its getting a bit tatty id like to do somehting about it.

The colour thing is a good point actually Richard, id not thought of that. Our 52 SX is a bit more blue inside with its plastics and trim than the VTRs, my 04 VTR has more black plastic and the steering wheel is darker, our 05 VTR has black plastic and is darker still. Hmm, that makes this harder.

Unread post by **CitroJim** » 31 Oct 2010, 17:45

How about replacing it with one of these Chris...

Citroenmad · Unread post by **Citroenmad** » 31 Oct 2010, 17:54

Well, if i dont end up findning a normal wheel, then maybe!

I wonder if a Xantia wheel would fit!

There are many Xsara ones, but the airbag unit will differ ...

frenchcarnut · Unread post by **frenchcarnut** » 31 Oct 2010, 17:57

....or the alternative could be some Alan Partridge driving gloves: