Multi Function steering wheel as option?

[DeejayGti]

Should I spec my ED30 with a multi function steering wheel? Manual car.
What do all the buttons do? I assume you can control sat nav if fitted and radio?

Any advice and expansion of how it works would be appreciated...

Thanks.

[Teutonic_Tamer]

Should I spec my ED30 with a multi function steering wheel? Manual car.
What do all the buttons do? I assume you can control sat nav if fitted and radio?

Any advice and expansion of how it works would be appreciated...

Hmmm . . .

Firstly, what it does:  the left spoke has buttons which control the ICE (radio/SatNav) and/or factory fit telephone, but ONLY does volume up/down, mute, and answer/end fone call.  The right spoke buttons simply control the combi-instrument display, including the highline comp.  If you didn't have the MF wheel, these would be controled from the wiper stalk.  The highline comp can ONLY be accessed when the car is stationary, so having this function on the wheel is as much use as a chocolate teapot!  .  The right spoke buttons also cycle between the different displays, such as the trip computers (x2), the radio/CD display, and the SatNav display.  Finally, it also allows you to "confirm" any priority 1 or 2 warnings.  With the exception of the HL comp, all the remaining functions are controllable on "the fly".

Should you go for one . . . . personal preference, innit!  If you are used to steering wheel mounted audio controls, like the excellent ones on Vauxhalls, then maybe yes.  If you've never bothered with them previously, then don't bother.

I have the MF wheel on SWMBOs GTI, but if I were to spec the car again, I wouldn't bother - as you cant actually change tracks on the CD, or change presets on the radio, nor scan the frequencies, nor fast-skip through CD tracks - we were never actually told of these limitations when we ordered the car  .  The two main reasons why we did spec it:  the ICE volume control is on the left edge of the unit (tailored for Fritz, Pierre, et al, who drive on the wrong side of the road  ); we previously owned Vauxhalls, and found the much greater scope of audio controls from the wheel; and finally, we were told we MUST order the MF wheel if we wanted paddles for the DSG, which we subsequently found to be horse $h!t, as you can get the paddles WITHOUT ordering the MF wheel 

Have I helped, or thrown you into a quandry? 

EDIT:  Oh, BTW, SWMBO never uses the buttons on the MF wheel, but then she hardly uses the flappy paddles either! 

[ReDBull]

Take it you don't like the paddles then? I think there fantastic and would not buy a DSG car with out them. However I would not bother with MFS on a manual.

[Teutonic_Tamer]

Take it you don't like the paddles then?

Oh no, I love 'em . . . if God were a car part, he'd be DSG paddles! 

I think there fantastic and would not buy a DSG car with out them.

Agreed, that is exactly my opinion.  However, you don't need to order the MF wheel to get the paddles!

However I would not bother with MFS on a manual.

Absolutely, the limited function of the MF wheel makes it a rather expensive white elephant for a manual.  OK, if you have the VW phone prep, then maybe - but I doubt the MF wheel would be able to access the phone book, so again . . . nah, waste of money!

[wantmygti]

Personally, given all the laws about tuning your radio whilst driving etc i think they should be included (and more functional)

i would of liked it, but not £300 odd so gave them a miss.

[Cass]

Personally, I like it and yes, it could be more functional but, it controls my radio/iPod volume, mutes it, changes the MFD computer menu displays, changes iPod playlists and tracks and, when I get round to it, I will be able to activate the telephone button to control my Parrot bluetooth and give me aftermarket fucntionality to a (currently) redundant factory option (phone preparation) which I didn't specify at order time. IMHO, it also looks better too

Cass

[Teutonic_Tamer]

Personally, I like it and yes, it could be more functional

Exactly my opinion too!

but, it controls my radio/iPod volume, mutes it,

But it doesn't change CDs in the changer, nor CD tracks.  It doesnt swap between the presets on the radio.  It can't even change the display on the SatNav unit

IMHO, it also looks better too

Again, I agree.  But that is simply down to "perspectives" - if you are happy with the standard GTI wheel, and have not seen the MF wheel, then that facet would be pointless.

It's like trying to compare 1970s Playboy centre-folds with those of today - todays burds have silcone enhancements everywhere, and make the 70s burds look flat chested, yet when you were actually living in the 70s, I'm sure you wouldn't have complained about their "assets" at the time!     

[flywalker]

For info on my Gti ,  which I took delivery of 4 weeks ago,  you can change the preset radio stations &  cd tracks from the mfsw . Although an expensive option I m glad I got it.
 .

[Teutonic_Tamer]

For info on my Gti ,  which I took delivery of 4 weeks ago,  you can change the preset radio stations &  cd tracks from the mfsw . Although an expensive option I m glad I got it.

OK, what ICE do you have - the standard RCD300?

I have the factory fit SatNav, an the MF wheel only alters the volume up/down, and mute! 

[flywalker]

Yup , RCD 300.  Thinking of upgrading though.  The rcd 500 & VW sat nav did nt seem to offer much if any improvement on sound quality or ipod integration. Planning to  install  a Becker 7995 unit which offers track/artist id  for the ipod with the added bonus of bluetooth for the phone.  I am told that I can get a wiring harness to connect the Becker unit to the MFSW  so I dont lose these  functions.  Although the factory unit will be hard to beat aesthetically.  Anyone else fitted a Becker unit recently ? Any info gratefully received