M sport steering wheel swap

E90hawaii · 01-22-2006, 07:26 PM

Hello,

Has anyone in the US tried swapping our sports package steering wheel with the M sport steering wheel? I found a few DIY threads on the E46 forums but there are a few things that seem different about the E90 steering wheel. For starters, how the heck can I safely remove that airbag without hurting myself or damaging the wheel? Any advice you can give would be helpful.

Thanks!

bavarian19 · 01-22-2006, 07:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by E90hawaii

Hello,

Has anyone in the US tried swapping our sports package steering wheel with the M sport steering wheel? I found a few DIY threads on the E46 forums but there are a few things that seem different about the E90 steering wheel. For starters, how the heck can I safely remove that airbag without hurting myself or damaging the wheel? Any advice you can give would be helpful.

Thanks!

I will be doing this within a week or so. Real easy install, and Ill write up a DIY

Hold on for it... its coming

E90hawaii · 01-22-2006, 07:40 PM

bavarian19, that would be great! Where did you purchase the M sport wheel? I found a few folks in europe selling them, but didn't want to buy one until I was sure that I'd be able to swap it myself. Thanks again!

bavarian19 · 01-22-2006, 07:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by E90hawaii

bavarian19, that would be great! Where did you purchase the M sport wheel? I found a few folks in europe selling them, but didn't want to buy one until I was sure that I'd be able to swap it myself. Thanks again!

I actually got mine on ebay from a seller. Just won the auction this past weekend. Here is the link to the wheel. It has the seller's info if your interested...

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...RK%3AMEWN%3AIT

The item should be here to me by the end of this next week, so it might be something for me to do next weekend...

BMW F22 · 01-22-2006, 08:07 PM

hey I have a 330 non-sport. I really want the sport steering wheel though. can I purchase one and replace the old one???

ksfrogman · 01-22-2006, 08:13 PM

Aside from the M-mark, what's the difference between the M-sport steering wheel and the ZSP one?

Any problem with DVD/Navi controls?

E24 · 01-22-2006, 08:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ksfrogman

Aside from the M-mark, what's the difference between the M-sport steering wheel and the ZSP one?

Any problem with DVD/Navi controls?

Easy swap w/ ZSP - believe it is as close to plug and play as one can get. I have one - from the ebay guy - on my desk. It seems thicker (slightly) than the standard ZSP wheel and has perforations in the leather in sections.

E24 · 01-22-2006, 08:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BMWE90

hey I have a 330 non-sport. I really want the sport steering wheel though. can I purchase one and replace the old one???

Yes you can but it requires a different airbag, trim piece, and cables.

db17k · 01-22-2006, 08:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bavarian19

I actually got mine on ebay from a seller. Just won the auction this past weekend. Here is the link to the wheel. It has the seller's info if your interested...

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...RK%3AMEWN%3AIT

The item should be here to me by the end of this next week, so it might be something for me to do next weekend...

Are the dimensions of the wheel any different do you know? is it a little smaller? or is the preforated leather and thumbrests the only difference?

BTW, I dunno how familiar you are with airbags, but i know that with some airbags if they are disconnected they won't work when reconnected. this was the case with Acura's side airbags in the RSX's seats. just FYI. good luck an post some pics!

make sure to disconnect the battery before attempting this too.

bavarian19 · 01-22-2006, 09:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by db17k

Are the dimensions of the wheel any different do you know? is it a little smaller? or is the preforated leather and thumbrests the only difference?

BTW, I dunno how familiar you are with airbags, but i know that with some airbags if they are disconnected they won't work when reconnected. this was the case with Acura's side airbags in the RSX's seats. just FYI. good luck an post some pics!

make sure to disconnect the battery before attempting this too.

I believe the wheel is the same dimensions with the exception of the thumb rests and it is made with perforated leather in parts...

The steps to remove and replace are as follows:

1. Disconnect negative terminal to battery.

2. Unscrew two screws located on the side of the wheel allowing you to pop out the airbag.

3. Pull out airbag module and unclip the wiring.

4. Unscrew the center bolt holding the steering wheel on.

5. Unscrew front plate from the steering wheel.

6. Work backwards to reassemble...

Should not take more than 30-45 min for the install.

As I said, I will post a DIY with pictures as soon as I get my wheel and have the time to install it. Possibly up by this weekend...

bavarian19 · 01-22-2006, 09:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ksfrogman

Aside from the M-mark, what's the difference between the M-sport steering wheel and the ZSP one?

Any problem with DVD/Navi controls?

You shouldnt have any problems being as you actually reuse the buttons and front plastic plate from your current ZSP wheel...

bavarian19 · 01-22-2006, 09:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BMWE90

hey I have a 330 non-sport. I really want the sport steering wheel though. can I purchase one and replace the old one???

Yes... You do have to buy a few more parts as another member has alluded to. I have mine up for sale... It retails for $360 new, but Ill sell it to you for $100 plus shipping...

PM me if your interested...

bavarian19 · 01-22-2006, 09:29 PM

This is the wheel that I will be installing (minus the M-badge on the front plate)

I will also have the same shifter on about the same time as well...

Seems like its interior mod month

carlosng · 01-22-2006, 09:47 PM

HI

Does it ermove the airbag?

bavarian19 · 01-22-2006, 09:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by carlosng

HI

Does it ermove the airbag?

When installing, you have to remove the airbag to get to the hex nut that holds the wheel on the steering column. It goes back on afterwards and is still fully functionable...

db17k · 01-22-2006, 10:03 PM

I'd be more jealous of the shifter!

hope it lowers the stock shifter that much, but i doubt it

Please post up some pics with a before and after height comparision between the shifters too

YOU DA MAN!

bavarian19 · 01-22-2006, 10:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by db17k

I'd be more jealous of the shifter!

hope it lowers the stock shifter that much, but i doubt it

Please post up some pics with a before and after height comparision between the shifters too

YOU DA MAN!

Ill post plenty of pictures and instructions

I believe the difference in the shifters is about an inch. Not a huge difference, but hopefully noticeable. It is also weighted, and thats what Im more excited about

I swear, I only have 3 mods left after this... NO MORE

(CF splitters, rear spoiler, 19" CSL reps as a summer set)

diesel007 · 01-22-2006, 10:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bavarian19

This is the wheel that I will be installing (minus the M-badge on the front plate)

I will also have the same shifter on about the same time as well...

Seems like its interior mod month

Screw the steering wheel I want those seats.

01-22-2006, 07:26 PM	#1
E90hawaii New Member 1 Rep 28 Posts Drives: E90 sprk graphite Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Temecula, CA iTrader: (0)	M sport steering wheel swap Hello, Has anyone in the US tried swapping our sports package steering wheel with the M sport steering wheel? I found a few DIY threads on the E46 forums but there are a few things that seem different about the E90 steering wheel. For starters, how the heck can I safely remove that airbag without hurting myself or damaging the wheel? Any advice you can give would be helpful. Thanks!
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01-22-2006, 07:40 PM	#3
E90hawaii New Member 1 Rep 28 Posts Drives: E90 sprk graphite Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Temecula, CA iTrader: (0)	bavarian19, that would be great! Where did you purchase the M sport wheel? I found a few folks in europe selling them, but didn't want to buy one until I was sure that I'd be able to swap it myself. Thanks again!
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01-22-2006, 08:07 PM	#5
BMW F22 Major General 3566 Rep 9,788 Posts Drives: ///M235i Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Bay Area iTrader: (8)	hey I have a 330 non-sport. I really want the sport steering wheel though. can I purchase one and replace the old one???
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01-22-2006, 08:13 PM	#6
ksfrogman Major General 574 Rep 6,750 Posts Drives: E90 330i 6MT Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Torrance, CA iTrader: (12) Garage List 2006 330i [0.00] 2006 330i [0.00]	Aside from the M-mark, what's the difference between the M-sport steering wheel and the ZSP one? Any problem with DVD/Navi controls? __________________
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01-22-2006, 09:29 PM	#13
bavarian19 General 517 Rep 18,858 Posts Drives: Car Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: VA iTrader: (23)	This is the wheel that I will be installing (minus the M-badge on the front plate) I will also have the same shifter on about the same time as well... Seems like its interior mod month Attached Images
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01-22-2006, 09:47 PM	#14
carlosng CARLUVKRIS 1 Rep 42 Posts Drives: 2019 M240I m PERFORMANCE Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Canada iTrader: (0) Garage List 2006 330I [0.00] 2006 330i [0.00] 2006 330i [0.00]	HI Does it ermove the airbag? __________________ 2006 330I H & R sport /rear lip spoiler/19" wheels 235f265r :rocks: :
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01-22-2006, 10:03 PM	#16
db17k Chicketeh china the chinese chicken, you have? 34 Rep 790 Posts Drives: 335ci hold out Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: San Francisco iTrader: (0) Garage List 2003 S2000 [0.00]	I'd be more jealous of the shifter! hope it lowers the stock shifter that much, but i doubt it Please post up some pics with a before and after height comparision between the shifters too YOU DA MAN! __________________ "In Soviet Russia car forks you!"
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