PS3 STD controller vs. Steering wheel controller

[NetDude]

I currently use a STD controller to play NFS. I'm pretty happy with my lap times but some of the laps are super hard. Could you answer any of the following:
1. Does playing with a steering wheel controller improve your lap times - all things kept the same?
2. Recommend any brand & model of a good controller?

 

[HerZeLeiD]

I haven't used a wheel that much, but my opinion on it was:

It's fun in a sim or at least a semi sim racer.
Not so much fun in a arcade racer such as NFS Underground 2.

Back in the day I played against a friend who used a steering wheel in Forza 2 and I used the gamepad and I won 90% of the time. Perhaps he wasn't used to a wheel, dunno.