I guess changing the steering wheel for the later type would be relatively easy - I just looked at a photo of the later one which looks much better. Thanks for the info about the weight: my brother reckons the weight on the steering of the older +8's would drive me nuts: it is better on the Aero version?
If you find yourself on the A38 to Plymouth, I am only 5 mins off the road so come for a cuppa - I'm mostly home Fri-Mon.