Update DIY M Performance Spt Heated Alcantara Wheel & Airbag Swap To Spt Airbag Cover

[E70'11]

Welcome to my first DIY so I will apologize now if this DIY isn't as great as many have posted before. I shall do my best to answer any questions you guys might have and hopefully it'll turn out as you like as it did for me.

Reason: I decided to upgrade my E70 2011 heated non sport steering wheel to a M sport heated alcantara steering wheel. I researched a few DIY's on how to do the steering wheel swap and airbag cover swap. What I HAVEN'T seen was how to do an airbag swap to a m sport airbag cover from a non sport steering wheel. So I took it upon myself to figure it out and make this DIY to help others save $400.00 or so.

DISCLAIMER: I do not take any responsibility on the actions you may perform on your own vehicle. Everything you see and follow is at your own risks. The results I believe is worth saving anyone $400 even if it is a little bit on the long side to make this modification work.

Difficulty: 1-10 I would say this is a 5 (you'll see why).

Duration: 3 hrs due to airbag swap

Tools: 10mm socket, socket wrench, breaker bar, torque wrench bar, 16mm 1/2" socket, long flat head screw driver, Philips screw driver, and decent lighting.


Equipment: M sport steering wheel, sport cover, and airbag

Before


After


Let's begin shall we . . .

1. Open the driver door, open the trunk, and lift the floor to get to the battery that sits underneath.

*Do NOT close your trunk or door because once your battery is disconnected you can not open it*


2. This is the cover you'll need to remove to gain access too your battery underneath. This vehicle already had a Philips screw driver, if you do not have one then get one.

3. Remove the (5) screws from the cover to remove



4. This is your battery, remove the negative terminal and make sure it isn't touching anything at all once removed. You will need a 10mm socket and a socket wrench.


5. Go back into the driver side of your car and locate the slits on the steering wheel. This is what mine has so yours might be different but I'm sure the location is the same. You will need a long flat head screw driver for this step. Notice there are a slit on each side, insert the flat head screw driver in those slits.



6. Once you pop off the steering wheel airbag/airbag cover by pushing against the pins. You'll see what's behind and the pins you were pressing against. I want to say you have to insert the flat head at an angel then twist towards yourself to release the airbag cover from the steering wheel.

7. You'll need to disconnect the clips attached from the backside of the airbag from the car. I simply just pulled and it unclipped without breaking so be careful.


8. This is the backside of the airbag, as you see the connectors you'll need to unclip these. There is a plastic piece if you noticed running long ways over the back of the connectors. Lift up so they are up on both sides and then pull to release from the airbag itself.



9. Once fully removed, you'll notice extra wires with clips so make sure you unclip those and pay attention to clip them back on the new wheel. After doing so use the 16mm 1/2" drive socket and break bar to remove the bolt.


10. Once you remove the bolt notice the green marking and literally right underneath it a groove in the rivets that line up. Make sure these LINE UP when assembling this back together. This will make sure your steering wheel is lined up and not off center.


11. Now that you see your old steering wheel and connectors compare the two to the new steering wheel.




12. I transferred over the heating control module to the new steering wheel and connected it like the old steering wheel was.


13. The fun part below is the airbag/airbag cover attached. There is roughly 15 clips that go along the airbag cover. Pry the clips using a flat head screw driver and slide a piece of metal to keep the clips from clipping back. I did this on one side to get it lose and then applied pressure when I separated the two.


14. Below you'll see the separation and be careful because the airbag is packed in a certain way. Once you remove the airbag cover keep the airbag formed the way it comes out.


15. Once completed transfer the sport steering wheel airbag cover onto the airbag and press together to clip.


16. Assemble the steering wheel back onto your car in reverse order when removing and you're done. Once you reconnect the battery the 4x4 warning light will appear. Let your car run for a little bit and then go driving and eventually it'll disappear. It will NOT come back from what I've noticed and now you can enjoy the ease of saving $400 plus the new addition to your car.

[gleech]

pictures not showing up on my end. or is it just me.

[E70'11]

Originally Posted by gleech

pictures not showing up on my end. or is it just me.

It shows on my end, it may be just you I'm not sure man. No one else has chimed in

[Bklynjoker]

no pics for me on app or mac.

[E70'11]

Originally Posted by Bklynjoker

no pics for me on app or mac.

Yeah I can't see them on my phone yet on the computer (not mac) it displays

[Bklynjoker]

Invalid Attachment specified. If you followed a valid link, please notify the administrator

the message when i try to right click and open photos in new page

[E70'11]

Originally Posted by Bklynjoker

Invalid Attachment specified. If you followed a valid link, please notify the administrator

the message when i try to right click and open photos in new page

Okay cool, I'll upload the pics on my MAC and use that link off the desktop instead of the computer I'm on. That way it still looks in order and not just random pics with instructions on top

[E70'11]

Originally Posted by Bklynjoker

Invalid Attachment specified. If you followed a valid link, please notify the administrator

the message when i try to right click and open photos in new page

Just updated it, see if it works now

[E70'11]

Originally Posted by gleech

pictures not showing up on my end. or is it just me.

Just updated it, hopefully it'll show the pics

[Maranello055]

Still can't see on my end... But can't wait for the pics!

[E70'11]

Originally Posted by Maranello055

Still can't see on my end... But can't wait for the pics!

Thanks for the update, I'm not sure why they aren't showing. I'll see if I can fix it

[E70'11]

Originally Posted by gleech

pictures not showing up on my end. or is it just me.

Originally Posted by Bklynjoker

no pics for me on app or mac.

Originally Posted by Maranello055

Still can't see on my end... But can't wait for the pics!

Okay I believe I fixed it, should be able to see now

[Ryan5034]

I see the pics now. looks good.

[E70'11]

Originally Posted by Ryan5034

I see the pics now. looks good.

Thanks, I appreciate it!

[marianoruby]

Nice Job!!!

[E70'11]

Originally Posted by marianoruby

Nice Job!!!

Thanks, hope it helps someone out

[Nexo]

awesome work well done

[E70'11]

Originally Posted by Nexo

awesome work well done

Thanks, it wasn't as hard as I thought it would be until I had to separate the airbag from the airbag cover

[Nexo]

Originally Posted by E70'11

Thanks, it wasn't as hard as I thought it would be until I had to separate the airbag from the airbag cover

I want to do it but the sport wheel is expensive oh why didn't you do the paddle shifter

[E70'11]

Originally Posted by Nexo

I want to do it but the sport wheel is expensive oh why didn't you do the paddle shifter

It can be expensive, this wheel came with no paddle shifters or the cut outs which was fine because I don't really care for them. Nor did I want to code everything trying to make them work plus wire them up. Just my preference I guess

[Nexo]

Yes I see your point... I've had several BMW but I never had anything coded. I guess it's a pain butt.... what you did still kicks ass big time. I did the diesel intake mod and used a K&N it's worked well so far. Have you done anything else

[E70'11]

Thanks, my other bmw's had the paddle shifting so I do understand the enjoyment behind the features when they are already equipped with these cars.

That's good the intake mod works well in your favor, I haven't done anything else minus the simple stuff. Tinted side turning markers, gloss black front bumper reflectors, tinted ALL windows including the front windshield, staggered 22" wheels, custom radar/laser jammers and what not. Performance wise I'm still stock minus the MHD tune, I'm leaning towards some bolt-ons since I've been researching. There aren't many options specified for our cars but other vehicles match up with ours so it's worth a shot

Originally Posted by Nexo

Yes I see your point... I've had several BMW but I never had anything coded. I guess it's a pain butt.... what you did still kicks ass big time. I did the diesel intake mod and used a K&N it's worked well so far. Have you done anything else