Another M-Steering wheel retrofit

[boneca]

Once I got all my parts ready I couldn't wait no more, this mod doesn't require nice weather especially if you have a garage.

The job took me around 2 hours (most of the time I spend replacing the Air bag cover)

Parts if you planning to do the same:

$584.55 - 32306795204 - M Steering wheel (brand new from the dealer)
$103.58 - 32307839474 - M Steering wheel cover (brand new from the dealer)
$198.13 - 61319239903 - Multifunctional switch (controls) (brand new from the dealer)
$2.43 - 32306769431 - 3 Saucer-head screws . M4X14MM (brand new from the dealer)
$1.62 - 32306767225 - 2 Saucer-head screws . M4X14MM (brand new from the dealer)
$36.00 - Sport Air bag cover (used mint condition) from eBay

You probably don't need multifunctional switch and screws if you just upgrading from regular sport wheel, I upgraded from the older one.

I used following DIYs:
For Steering Wheel swap:
http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=11825
For Air Bag Cover swap:
http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=743929

[jiggz]

Nice work - huge upgrade from that non-sport steering wheel

I've swapped steering wheels in both my BMWs - one of the best mods there is IMO. You get enjoyment/value out of it every time you drive it.

I see you didn't add the paddles (I don't think they'd work on a non-sport model anyway) but did you notice how much those would have added to your cost! They're about $275....EACH!

[boneca]

Originally Posted by jiggz

Nice work - huge upgrade from that non-sport steering wheel

I've swapped steering wheels in both my BMWs - one of the best mods there is IMO. You get enjoyment/value out of it every time you drive it.

I see you didn't add the paddles (I don't think they'd work on a non-sport model anyway) but did you notice how much those would have added to your cost! They're about $275....EACH!

Thanks, defiantly much better feel than the stock not sport wheel! Yes I didn't add the paddles as I don't think they would work anyway, and the price as you mentioned half of the wheel unless you go used.

[m5 guy]

Nice job, looks good!

[jiggz]

Originally Posted by boneca

Thanks, defiantly much better feel than the stock not sport wheel! Yes I didn't add the paddles as I don't think they would work anyway, and the price as you mentioned half of the wheel unless you go used.

You're not missing much not having the paddles, IMO. I bought an X5M wheel just to get them but I never use them - too much shifting in the LCI with 8 speeds. I do like the tri-stitch though.

[RickM5x3]

Lots of money for a new steering wheel, but I suppose it is the contact point every time you drive the car so I get it. Nice writeup.

[Art in motion]

did you buy from dealer with the multi colored stitching? I have the factory mtech but its just black stitching

[lanbrown]

Originally Posted by Art in motion

did you buy from dealer with the multi colored stitching? I have the factory mtech but its just black stitching

Re-read the first post, it says it was purchased from his dealership.

[Art in motion]

Originally Posted by lanbrown

Re-read the first post, it says it was purchased from his dealership.

it does not say he purchased it from the dealer it lists the part number and dealer price, no where does it mention thats where he purchased it from. You could assume thats where he purchased it from but you know what they say about assumptions. But thanks for trying to be a dick

[lanbrown]

Originally Posted by Art in motion

it does not say he purchased it from the dealer it lists the part number and dealer price, no where does it mention thats where he purchased it from. You could assume thats where he purchased it from but you know what they say about assumptions. But thanks for trying to be a dick

Re-read the first post. He even listed one part he bought from eBay. So, all other parts says the dealer and one said eBay. So, the parts he said from the dealer, came from the dealer. You can even buy BMW from dealers that have an online store as well. So, do your homework and see who has the best price.

Care to guess what you can do with the part numbers? You can plug them into Google and then click shopping and they show you prices and where to buy it.

[boneca]

Originally Posted by Art in motion

did you buy from dealer with the multi colored stitching? I have the factory mtech but its just black stitching

All parts including screws were bought from BMW parts online store (BMW of Bridgewater in NJ), they had best prices at the time I was looking as well everything was available. The shipping charges were not too bad considering that I live in MA and this is pretty close. The delivery times were very good. As I mentioned the only part I had to get on eBay was the air bag cover, it came from Poland in mint condition, I paid $26 + $10 shipping.
Hope this info helps and good luck with u project.

[jiggz]

Originally Posted by Art in motion

did you buy from dealer with the multi colored stitching? I have the factory mtech but its just black stitching

To me this looks like the X5M steering wheel minus the paddles (didn't know that was possible?). It sounds like you have the M Sport? They are the exact same steering wheel (talking the wheel only, not the upper trim piece which is different) in terms of design & thickness, with the only difference being the stitching (I had the M Sport wheel and swapped to the X5M so I've compared them side by side). The only thing I'm not clear on is I thought the X5M wheel had to have the paddles which this one doesn't? I bought mine fully assembled though, not sure how it works when you piece it all together.

[boneca]

Originally Posted by jiggz

To me this looks like the X5M steering wheel minus the paddles (didn't know that was possible?). It sounds like you have the M Sport? They are the exact same steering wheel (talking the wheel only, not the upper trim piece which is different) in terms of design & thickness, with the only difference being the stitching (I had the M Sport wheel and swapped to the X5M so I've compared them side by side). The only thing I'm not clear on is I thought the X5M wheel had to have the paddles which this one doesn't? I bought mine fully assembled though, not sure how it works when you piece it all together.

This is exactly X5M wheel put together piece by piece (except paddles) those can be added later if needed. I didn't care for paddles that much, it would be nice to have but will probably require some codding etc. I wasn't looking for paddles to begin with, but the feel of the wheel is 100 times better than the stock one!

[Gatoferoz25]

If anyone here looking to buy X5M wheel I have one for sell lmk 2016586969
Not trying to hi jack no ones tread just saying thanks a lot

[daltonnnn]

Did switching the airbags swap perfectly?

[boneca]

Originally Posted by daltonnnn

Did switching the airbags swap perfectly?

Yes, it did, no issues.

[P1]

I don't think this upgrade is worth it if you already have a regular M-Sport steering wheel, but from the basic steering wheels it's huge! Nicely done.

[jiggz]

Originally Posted by P1et

I don't think this upgrade is worth it if you already have a regular M-Sport steering wheel, but from the basic steering wheels it's huge! Nicely done.

For the most part I'd agree, though I think it depends on what you'd spend for the ///M wheel vs. what you'd sell the M Sport for. I found a 1 month old ///M wheel on this forum for $500 and sold my M Sport for $325. For $175 I got basically a brand new steering wheel which including the tri-stitching (looks much sharper than the black M Sport stitching), plus paddles. I don't use the paddles much but I'm glad I have them.

*Noted, I'm aware later 2012 & all 2013 Sport and M Sport models have paddles standard. My 2012 is an earlier build and therefore didn't come with them. The ///M paddles are also different than the M sport paddles.

[P1]

Originally Posted by jiggz

For the most part I'd agree, though I think it depends on what you'd spend for the ///M wheel vs. what you'd sell the M Sport for. I found a 1 month old ///M wheel on this forum for $500 and sold my M Sport for $325. For $175 I got basically a brand new steering wheel which including the tri-stitching (looks much sharper than the black M Sport stitching), plus paddles. I don't use the paddles much but I'm glad I have them.

*Noted, I'm aware later 2012 & all 2013 Sport and M Sport models have paddles standard. My 2012 is an earlier build and therefore didn't come with them. The ///M paddles are also different than the M sport paddles.

If it felt different, then I would think about it. But since it's the same steering wheel apart from the stitching, I'm not sure if it's worth it to me.