I replaced mine but got them cheap-MPS!
I painted them and they came out ok. I am planning on just getting rid of them with the money comes around. I looked at the aftermarket steeringwheels a long time ago I did lots of research to find the hub needed for the steering wheel.
Momo has one if I remember correctly. Go with something nice, Grant seems readily available but didnt offer anything (especially that I would deem suitable) for our cars.
Also you should check around to see what others have done with their steeringwheel colum. Behind our steeringwheel/airbag is a bulky colum which needs to be tastefully dealt with.
I have a passanger airbag delete panel which I bought from Florida50. I have not put it in yet but it comes with velcro(it does look a little rough...). The nice thing about the velcro is that you can put your ignition box behind it which grants access anytime you want to change parameters (n20, rev limiter, timing...)
Keep our thoughts in mind. Also consider the fact that you may have an airbag dummy light on in your dash if you remove them. I have been told you can use electrical tape to cover the light up though there may also be a way to tune it out with some aftermarket software (I dont know who can do that though). Also keep in mind that removing your airbags poses insurance risks to your passanger riding shotgun. I have no idea if this is true or not but pure common sense tells me that they could sue the pants off you for not replacing the airbag. Afterall you jeapordized their safety. To fight that fact I bought some Sparco Torino 2 seats with 4pt belts. Their head has to pop off to hit the dash.
Keep us updated and post some pics!
I'm sorry about this man, it happened to me on 9/11
I got new headlights, corners, used airbags, and my heat extractor hood out of it. My bumper is still scratched to hell though.
My other advice when it comes to insurance is to have the most expensive shops in your area submit repair estimates to your insurance company. That way they can give you fat check. This can work against you and they could use the estimates to total your car-working in their favor. So in that case get low end shops to re-estimate the damages to your car in a way that it will keep the insurance company from totalling it. Then after they cut you the initial check take your car to the best shop you can find. This is what you pay for, do not feel guilty you are doing nothing wrong. Have the best shop do all the repairs and make sure they give it back to you in better than new condition. Then submit the extra expenses to your insurance company as "supplemental expenses." They have to pay them, its part of your coverage. They may be pissed but thats natural, they are not making money off of you. Take advantage of your situation-if you dont they will and you will lose out.
In a nutshell, thats how to deal with your insurance situation.
PM me with any questions,
-fawcett