I just drove a 2003 SE a few days ago as I am car shopping. It seemed to me that the SE has a smaller steering wheel than the GLE since I had a lot more leg room without my knee hitting the wheel (I'm 6'4"). It also seemed like it a had a quicker reacting steering rack. Is the smaller steering wheel true or am I imagining things???

 

i think u just imagining things its all the same

 

You're probably onto something. The GLE/SE steering wheel is a different part than the GXE wheel. There could be any number of differences, but if you detected a difference in size, you're probably right.

http://www.courtesyparts.com/kb_sear...1957_2061_2063

Edit: the same is true for the steering linkage.
http://www.courtesyparts.com/kb_sear...1957_2061_2067

 

I was comparing a GLE vs SE. I drove a GLE before and I thought the wheel was bigger, but if its the same part number, then I'm wrong...

 

Wow, I screwed that all up. Take a look at the links for yourself. For some reason, I was looking at the 2000 steering wheels (top of the list). Toward the bottom are the 2003 wheels, and there are some that are GLE only, but a few are GLE+SE. It looks like the 2003 SE and GLE did have the same pinion though.

 

Just to point out the obvious... Did you adjust the steering wheel height to all the way up with the adjustment release under the steering wheel column?

 

Yeah, I adjusted the steering wheel the whole way up. I just came back from looking at a 2003 GLE. It has a hair less knee room than my 96 GLE.
I just also ran to the dealer and sat in a 2007 Altima which has a telescoping steering wheel. With the wheel telescoped it clears my knee, where the Maxima has my knee hitting the wheel if I have my leg and foot straight up.
I've been used to driving my 96 with my foot at a 45 degree angle to the right on the accelerator and the brake, but it is uncomfortable on long trips.

The 6th Gen maximas have no headroom with a sloping roof that leaves less room than the altimas. I have my heart set on 2003, but the knee room is giving me pause for thought about dropping money on that car.