DIY Alcantara steering wheel trim - BMW 1 Series Coupe Forum / 1 Series Convertible Forum (1M / tii / 135i / 128i / Coupe / Cabrio / Hatchback) (BMW E82 E88 128i 130i 135i)

1zie · 12-02-2010, 07:54 PM

Not sure if this has been posted before, but here it is. It's a seriously easy install.
Pics were taken with my phone so please don't expect SLR quality.

Needed: T20 torx bit, small flat head, small phillips head. 10 min

Step 1: Remove the screws holding the stock trim in place. The three screws can be found on the back side of the three steering pillars. (T20 torx bit)

Step 2: Using your replacement trim, locate the clips found at the top (indicated by the X) Use a right angle tool, or a small flat head screw driver to release the clips

Step 3: Gently remove the trim by pulling down and away slightly from the wheel. DO NOT YANK as the control wires are directly attached to the trim.

Step 4: From the reverse side of the trim, unscrew the remotes from the trim housing (2). The connection wires will be thread downwards from right to left.

Step 5: Reverse previous steps. Attach remotes to new trim, make sure to feed connection wires in the designated housing on reverse side. Once new trim is back in place, screw torx bits a small amount 1 at a time. Do not over torque. enjoy your new found Alcantara.

new128 · 12-07-2010, 10:24 AM

Assume this is to get rid of the chrome Sport Package trim. There are two Alcantara trim options - Multifunction Trim and Non-multifunction Trim (P/N 32300430403 and 32300430403) What's that mean?

1zie · 12-07-2010, 11:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by new128

Assume this is to get rid of the chrome Sport Package trim. There are two Alcantara trim options - Multifunction Trim and Non-multifunction Trim (P/N 32300430403 and 32300430403) What's that mean?

There are two different steering wheel styles that the trim is made for. My wheel (pictured above) have buttons on the wheel; volume, seek, etc.

http://www.trademotion.com/partlocat...catalogid=4462

Notice how the trim pieces have holes cut out on the right and left? non-multifuntion trim would be solid.

new128 · 12-07-2010, 11:27 AM

I was thinking just of the current 128s, which has buttons. Didn't realize the Alcantara trim was for multiple wheels, that might not have buttons. So, multifunction trim it is.

1zie · 12-07-2010, 12:16 PM

Tischer (getbmwparts.com) is where mine came from. Really nice quality and fit.
The carbon fiber looked nice as well.
Post some pics after your install

blingers · 12-08-2010, 06:44 AM

great diy. so you dont need to remove the airbag? thats great news

slade1274 · 12-08-2010, 07:52 AM

Don't know how widely known it is, but allen wrenches can be substituted for a Torx driver in a pinch. I always recommend using the proper tool for the application, but it's nice to have an option in a tight location or an inopportune time.

1zie · 12-08-2010, 08:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blingers

great diy. so you dont need to remove the airbag? thats great news

Nope! The edge of the airbag housing hangs over the wheel trim a shade, which makes you think it needs to be removed. But after the screws are removed from the back, the only thing holding the trim in place is the clips.
Just make sure to pull down slightly, as well as towards yourself to avoid the plastic on the airbag housing.

pinmagic · 12-08-2010, 08:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1zie

There are two different steering wheel styles that the trim is made for. My wheel (pictured above) have buttons on the wheel; volume, seek, etc.

http://www.trademotion.com/partlocat...catalogid=4462

Notice how the trim pieces have holes cut out on the right and left? non-multifuntion trim would be solid.

OT, but holy cow! The M-Sport and M3 versions are an extra $46! $46 just for that tiny logo - that's insane.

I M LEGEND · 12-08-2010, 05:10 PM

That looks much better than I expected - nice work!

1zie · 12-08-2010, 05:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pinmagic

OT, but holy cow! The M-Sport and M3 versions are an extra $46! $46 just for that tiny logo - that's insane.

OT?

Greenkirby21 · 12-08-2010, 05:26 PM

thanks for this! I am most likely going to carbon fiber wrap my metal pieces with this

! did you disconnect the battery? I don't want the airbag to accidentally go off

1zie · 12-08-2010, 06:04 PM

Battery stayed as is. Not sure that's it an easy task to set off the airbag.

R33K128i · 01-26-2011, 02:14 PM

OT= off topic. Nice work OP!

OneThreeFive · 03-03-2011, 08:50 PM

Just used this DIY to install the CF steering wheel trim. Took a little longer than 10 mins, but was a success. Thanks OP!

Bimmer-Bob · 03-04-2011, 03:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OneThreeFive

Just used this DIY to install the CF steering wheel trim. Took a little longer than 10 mins, but was a success. Thanks OP!

Pic?

OneThreeFive · 03-05-2011, 12:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bimmer-Bob

Pic?

Just saw this, will try to get one taken this weekend. I definitely need to get some vinyl for the silver siding from the original sport wheel.

tyorll · 03-05-2011, 11:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OneThreeFive

Just saw this, will try to get one taken this weekend. I definitely need to get some vinyl for the silver siding from the original sport wheel.

Interested in seeing the finished product here. The DIY above is useful, but I'm not sold on the alcantara.

OneThreeFive · 03-06-2011, 10:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bimmer-Bob

Pic?

Snapped a few photos today

Satalite · 03-06-2011, 11:13 PM

The CF interior looks good with the dark interior. I would have a troubled time seeing it in my beige interior!!!

So the Alcantara is a suede material?

Bimmer-Bob · 03-07-2011, 03:08 AM

So the CF trim doesn't get rid of the two little silver strips? That's mainly what I'm interested in.

Looks good, though, esp. with the rest of the CF trim pieces. Thanks for the pic.

OneThreeFive · 03-07-2011, 09:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Satalite

So the Alcantara is a suede material?

Yup. The OP swapped his for the alcantra trim. BMW also sells an alcantra shift boot too.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bimmer-Bob

So the CF trim doesn't get rid of the two little silver strips? That's mainly what I'm interested in.

Nope, the silver strips come off the old trim piece and install with the CF trim. I am planning to pick up some matte black vinyl to wrap the silver strips.

12-02-2010, 07:54 PM	#1
1zie Enlisted Member Drives: 2008 128i Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Newfoundland Posts: 40 iTrader: (0)	DIY Alcantara steering wheel trim Not sure if this has been posted before, but here it is. It's a seriously easy install. Pics were taken with my phone so please don't expect SLR quality. Needed: T20 torx bit, small flat head, small phillips head. 10 min Step 1: Remove the screws holding the stock trim in place. The three screws can be found on the back side of the three steering pillars. (T20 torx bit) Step 2: Using your replacement trim, locate the clips found at the top (indicated by the X) Use a right angle tool, or a small flat head screw driver to release the clips Step 3: Gently remove the trim by pulling down and away slightly from the wheel. DO NOT YANK as the control wires are directly attached to the trim. Step 4: From the reverse side of the trim, unscrew the remotes from the trim housing (2). The connection wires will be thread downwards from right to left. Step 5: Reverse previous steps. Attach remotes to new trim, make sure to feed connection wires in the designated housing on reverse side. Once new trim is back in place, screw torx bits a small amount 1 at a time. Do not over torque. enjoy your new found Alcantara.
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12-08-2010, 05:26 PM	#12
Greenkirby21 Vrooom :) Drives: BMW 128i Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Dream Land Posts: 1,742 iTrader: (1)	thanks for this! I am most likely going to carbon fiber wrap my metal pieces with this ! did you disconnect the battery? I don't want the airbag to accidentally go off __________________ 2009 128i Coupe Crimson Red MODS: -Injen Intake-Magnaflow Exhaust-Carbon Fiber Spoiler - Carbon Fiber Grilles - OZ Ultraleggeras - CF Mirrors

01-26-2011, 02:14 PM	#14
R33K128i 1b4d128 Drives: 2009 BMW 128i Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Philly, PA Posts: 214 iTrader: (1)	OT= off topic. Nice work OP! __________________ 2009 BMW 128i

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12-07-2010, 10:24 AM	#2
new128 First BMW Drives: 2011 128i Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: NJ Posts: 87 iTrader: (0)	Assume this is to get rid of the chrome Sport Package trim. There are two Alcantara trim options - Multifunction Trim and Non-multifunction Trim (P/N 32300430403 and 32300430403) What's that mean?

12-07-2010, 11:27 AM	#4
new128 First BMW Drives: 2011 128i Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: NJ Posts: 87 iTrader: (0)	I was thinking just of the current 128s, which has buttons. Didn't realize the Alcantara trim was for multiple wheels, that might not have buttons. So, multifunction trim it is.

12-07-2010, 12:16 PM	#5
1zie Enlisted Member Drives: 2008 128i Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Newfoundland Posts: 40 iTrader: (0)	Tischer (getbmwparts.com) is where mine came from. Really nice quality and fit. The carbon fiber looked nice as well. Post some pics after your install

12-08-2010, 06:44 AM	#6
blingers Private First Class Drives: 2005 E87 120i 5dr Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: WA, Australia Posts: 140 iTrader: (0)	great diy. so you dont need to remove the airbag? thats great news

12-08-2010, 07:52 AM	#7
slade1274 Private Drives: 08 135i Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: St. Petersburg, Fl Posts: 52 iTrader: (1)	Don't know how widely known it is, but allen wrenches can be substituted for a Torx driver in a pinch. I always recommend using the proper tool for the application, but it's nice to have an option in a tight location or an inopportune time.

12-08-2010, 05:10 PM	#10
I M LEGEND Private Drives: M Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Cali Posts: 71 iTrader: (0)	That looks much better than I expected - nice work!

12-08-2010, 06:04 PM	#13
1zie Enlisted Member Drives: 2008 128i Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Newfoundland Posts: 40 iTrader: (0)	Battery stayed as is. Not sure that's it an easy task to set off the airbag.

03-03-2011, 08:50 PM	#15
OneThreeFive Lieutenant Drives: 2009 AW 135i Join Date: May 2009 Location: NoVA Posts: 566 iTrader: (10) Garage List 2009 BMW 135i \| SOLD [5.00] 1999 BMW M3 \| CURRENT [0.00]	Just used this DIY to install the CF steering wheel trim. Took a little longer than 10 mins, but was a success. Thanks OP!

03-06-2011, 11:13 PM	#20
Satalite Colonel Drives: 128i Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Georgia Posts: 2,824 iTrader: (9) Garage List 2009 128i [5.00]	The CF interior looks good with the dark interior. I would have a troubled time seeing it in my beige interior!!! So the Alcantara is a suede material?

03-07-2011, 03:08 AM	#21
Bimmer-Bob ! Drives: 2010 128i Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 1,964 iTrader: (1) Garage List 2010 BMW 128i [5.00] 2012 Ford Focus SE ... [0.00]	So the CF trim doesn't get rid of the two little silver strips? That's mainly what I'm interested in. Looks good, though, esp. with the rest of the CF trim pieces. Thanks for the pic.