Help. Want to upgrade steering wheel. What options?

[Toronto2011X5]

I currently have a 2011 non sport with heated steering wheel. I want to upgrade!
I would love a fatter heated wheel with paddles.
Can someone tell me if its possible??

[jiggz]

Originally Posted by Toronto2011X5

I currently have a 2011 non sport with heated steering wheel. I want to upgrade!
I would love a fatter heated wheel with paddles.
Can someone tell me if its possible??

You can definitely upgrade your steering wheel...and you should. It's usually one of the first mods I do! If OEM, your options are the Sport, M Sport, or X5M steering wheels, they're all different. And then many aftermarket options that may not be OEM. Don't waste your time with the Sport wheel, go for the M Sport or X5M. If you can find one...

The bad news is, the paddles won't work on your non-Sport model. Many have tried with no success. The good news is, the paddles are pretty much useless given the power band, so you're not missing out on much there. And the wheel itself will feel way better when driving despite the paddles not working.

The hard part is finding one...

[-c-]

Originally Posted by jiggz

You can definitely upgrade your steering wheel...and you should. It's usually one of the first mods I do! If OEM, your options are the Sport, M Sport, or X5M steering wheels, they're all different. And then many aftermarket options that may not be OEM. Don't waste your time with the Sport wheel, go for the M Sport or X5M. If you can find one...

The bad news is, the paddles won't work on your non-Sport model. Many have tried with no success. The good news is, the paddles are pretty much useless given the power band, so you're not missing out on much there. And the wheel itself will feel way better when driving despite the paddles not working.

The hard part is finding one...

You can also go even newer if you want and put an f10 wheel on their, their cheap on eBay running from 375 to well over 1k for the Special Carbon ones.

Just showing you more options.

You will need a retrofit module though, those can be had from the BMW retrofitters on the web.

The scroll wheels are so much nicer to use than the traditional buttons.

[jcm3]

How can you incorporate the m button into the f10 wheels ?

[Toronto2011X5]

[QUOTE=-c-;21151015]You can also go even newer if you want and put an f10 wheel on their, their cheap on eBay running from 375 to well over 1k for the Special Carbon ones.

Just showing you more options.

You will need a retrofit module though, those can be had from the BMW retrofitters on the web.

The scroll wheels are so much nicer to use than the traditional buttons.[/QUOT

Do they make f10 wheels heated without paddles that are worth the swap?

[Deftronix]

Swapped my sport wheel out for a heated E7X gen X5M wheel yesterday. Knew it was going to be an improvement but was still surprised by the difference. The nappa leather and thicker grips feel so much better. It also seems to absorb more road vibration. Go for it, definitely a worthy mod.

Hopefully will get to running the wire from steering column connector to the FEM and code to get the paddles going this weekend. Paddles were the main reason for the upgrade so am determined to get them working.

[Toronto2011X5]

Congrats
I would be ok without paddles i dont want a wheel with paddles and have to explain they dont work if nd when i sell it
Heat is a must though

[Deftronix]

Thanks. I drive steep and whindy roads often and auto can never seem to find the appropriate gear so the paddles will come in very handy.

Keep in mind if you don't currently have a heated steering wheel you will need to swap out the slip ring (61319122381) on the steering column to make it work.

[-c-]

Originally Posted by jcm3

How can you incorporate the m button into the f10 wheels ?

If you go to the website that the pic shows I think it's car systems you can program special buttons on the wheel, so the M button is possible.

Haven't done this yet but it's on my mod bucket list

[Toronto2011X5]

Originally Posted by Deftronix

Thanks. I drive steep and whindy roads often and auto can never seem to find the appropriate gear so the paddles will come in very handy.

Keep in mind if you don't currently have a heated steering wheel you will need to swap out the slip ring (61319122381) on the steering column to make it work.

I do have the heated option on my non sport want to retain it. Paddles is what i dont have

An f10 wheel with no paddles with heat and all the functionality would be nice if possible

[Toronto2011X5]

Would this work?

Look at this on eBay:

https://www.ebay.ca/itm/272503182860

BMW F01 F06 F07 F10 F11 LCI F12 F13 Sport M Multifunction Steering Wheel Heated

[E46_TommyP]

What is needed to make a non equipped heated steering wheel e70 compatible with a heated m sport wheel?

[mlee4984]

Originally Posted by -c-

You can also go even newer if you want and put an f10 wheel on their, their cheap on eBay running from 375 to well over 1k for the Special Carbon ones.

Just showing you more options.

You will need a retrofit module though, those can be had from the BMW retrofitters on the web.

The scroll wheels are so much nicer to use than the traditional buttons.

F10 wheel looks very nice. Looks like airbag needs replacement as well.

[SyL3nTFoRcE]

I saw this and thought i might buy it because of the thickness also looks nice

[Toronto2011X5]

Originally Posted by SyL3nTFoRcE

I saw this and thought i might buy it because of the thickness also looks nice

Id be all over that if it was heated

[SyL3nTFoRcE]

Originally Posted by Toronto2011X5

Id be all over that if it was heated

i think they have heated version, mine is not heated so im happy with it once i buy it there are a few options on ebay just make sure you get it from a good seller

[Deftronix]

Love that wheel silent! I tried to find one of those in a heated/paddled version before going with the regular x5m heated wheel.

Still working on getting the paddles hooked up:

[SyL3nTFoRcE]

Originally Posted by Deftronix

Love that wheel silent! I tried to find one of those in a heated/paddled version before going with the regular x5m heated wheel.

Still working on getting the paddles hooked up:

wait you can hook up smg paddles to work on non m x5's?

might have changed my mind before i buy that other wheel

[BoomerX]

I also wanted to upgrade a steering wheel on my 2012 X5, and I even checked on the options available, but finally I gave up teh idea. To me, too much hassle. But I went and ordered a cool dash kit (real black carbon fiber) and ordered custom steerin wheel accents to match, so totally liek what I got...

[E70'11]

Just ordered an upgraded steering wheel for my 2011 and I'll do a write up on how to swap the steering wheel over PLUS the airbag. I've seen the airbag cover swapped but rarely do you see write ups on the actual bag itself. M sport alcantara without the M logo or red/blue marking at the top with NO paddle shift cuts which is good since I don't feel like coding all that mess

[Toronto2011X5]

Looking forward to it

[E70'11]

Originally Posted by Toronto2011X5

Looking forward to it

Here's what I ordered