Steering Wheel Replacement & Safety

octironSmith · 04-20-2012, 02:10 PM

Wondering if anybody has any thoughts from a safety perspective on replacing the stock steering wheel with a more racing oriented one like an OMP or a Sparco.

Clarification - I've been mulling over whether this is worth spending money on. My main concern is loosing the Air Bag. Also looking for Pros of replacing the wheel.

Focusedintntions · 04-20-2012, 02:42 PM

why would you want to lose the steering wheel functions? The stock steering wheel is great for the track as it is. Unless it's a dedicated track car don't do it.

octironSmith · 04-20-2012, 02:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Focusedintntions

why would you want to lose the steering wheel functions? The stock steering wheel is great for the track as it is. Unless it's a dedicated track car don't do it.

My oner is as basic as it gets. It has all the buttons but only the radio functions work.

Dackelone · 04-20-2012, 03:27 PM

Why not get one of the many Performance wheels that BMW makes for our cars!?

octironSmith · 04-20-2012, 03:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dackelone

Why not get one of the many Performance wheels that BMW makes for our cars!?

(a) Price
(b) Not sure it gives me what I'm looking for as far as weight and feel goes.

pixelblue · 04-20-2012, 03:32 PM

oe steering wheel is really nice but if I wanted to upgrade it would be one of these

octironSmith · 04-20-2012, 03:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pixelblue

oe steering wheel is really nice but if I wanted to upgrade it would be one of these

Did you intend to post a link or did you mean one of the BMW performance steering wheels?

pixelblue · 04-20-2012, 04:40 PM

here you go

http://www.europeanautosource.com/pr...g-wheel-yellow

octironSmith · 04-20-2012, 06:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pixelblue

here you go

http://www.europeanautosource.com/pr...g-wheel-yellow

That is pretty nice! Pricey though ..

int2str · 04-20-2012, 06:39 PM

What are you looking for in a steering wheel?
If you don't have a 6pt. harness and HANS device, I would never get rid of the airbag.

I did go with the wheel posted above and really enjoy it, on the road as well as the track.

Pic:

ilikebmxbikes · 04-20-2012, 06:47 PM

The BMW performance steering wheel is one of my favorite upgrades to the car. The feel, look and additional grip from the wheel is something you enjoy every time you drive the car. Its a bit pricey but its a worthy upgrade and it doesn't compromise safety.

As inst2r noted, I would not ditch your airbag without adding additional safety features like a harness/bar etc. and condoning the car to strictly track use.

ilikebmxbikes · 04-20-2012, 07:17 PM

i dont know if anyone has purchased from these guys before, but they offer wrapping for $175 + $200 core charge. Even if you kept your stock wheel and sucked up the core charge you would be getting essentially a bmw performance steering wheel for almost half the price.

octironSmith · 04-20-2012, 11:16 PM

That sounds like a good option. Just to clarify, are you referring to EAS that provides the wrapping service?

04-20-2012, 02:10 PM	#1
octironSmith Private First Class 22 Rep 184 Posts Drives: TiAg 135i, SGM X5 xDrive50i Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Atlanta, GA iTrader: (0)	Steering Wheel Replacement & Safety Wondering if anybody has any thoughts from a safety perspective on replacing the stock steering wheel with a more racing oriented one like an OMP or a Sparco. Clarification - I've been mulling over whether this is worth spending money on. My main concern is loosing the Air Bag. Also looking for Pros of replacing the wheel. __________________ Last edited by octironSmith; 04-20-2012 at 02:57 PM.. Reason: Added clarification.
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04-20-2012, 02:42 PM	#2
Focusedintntions Colonel 105 Rep 2,696 Posts Drives: 2011 135i M-Sport :D Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: NoVA iTrader: (1)	why would you want to lose the steering wheel functions? The stock steering wheel is great for the track as it is. Unless it's a dedicated track car don't do it. __________________ Faster, faster, faster, until the thrill of speed overcomes the fear of death… – Hunter Thompson
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04-20-2012, 03:27 PM	#4
Dackelone European Editor 10528 Rep 22,992 Posts Drives: N54 e82 Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Bayern, Germany iTrader: (1)	Why not get one of the many Performance wheels that BMW makes for our cars!?
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04-20-2012, 03:32 PM	#6
pixelblue Colonel 140 Rep 2,234 Posts Drives: the silver bullet Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: northern virginia iTrader: (2) Garage List 2010 135i [8.90]	oe steering wheel is really nice but if I wanted to upgrade it would be one of these Attached Images __________________ "I would quote everything pixelblue said, but you've already read it. Take it from someone who's put the 1 through its paces"
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04-20-2012, 04:40 PM	#8
pixelblue Colonel 140 Rep 2,234 Posts Drives: the silver bullet Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: northern virginia iTrader: (2) Garage List 2010 135i [8.90]	here you go http://www.europeanautosource.com/pr...g-wheel-yellow __________________ "I would quote everything pixelblue said, but you've already read it. Take it from someone who's put the 1 through its paces"
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04-20-2012, 06:39 PM	#10
int2str Captain 80 Rep 655 Posts Drives: 2008 135i Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: San Diego, CA iTrader: (2)	What are you looking for in a steering wheel? If you don't have a 6pt. harness and HANS device, I would never get rid of the airbag. I did go with the wheel posted above and really enjoy it, on the road as well as the track. Pic:
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04-20-2012, 06:47 PM	#11
ilikebmxbikes Banned 1518 Rep 4,744 Posts Drives: S65 1M Clone & E92 M3 4.6L Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: San Francisco iTrader: (42) Garage List '08/13 1M Clone 4.0L [10.00] '11 e92 M3 4.6L [10.00]	The BMW performance steering wheel is one of my favorite upgrades to the car. The feel, look and additional grip from the wheel is something you enjoy every time you drive the car. Its a bit pricey but its a worthy upgrade and it doesn't compromise safety. As inst2r noted, I would not ditch your airbag without adding additional safety features like a harness/bar etc. and condoning the car to strictly track use.
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04-20-2012, 07:17 PM	#12
ilikebmxbikes Banned 1518 Rep 4,744 Posts Drives: S65 1M Clone & E92 M3 4.6L Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: San Francisco iTrader: (42) Garage List '08/13 1M Clone 4.0L [10.00] '11 e92 M3 4.6L [10.00]	i dont know if anyone has purchased from these guys before, but they offer wrapping for $175 + $200 core charge. Even if you kept your stock wheel and sucked up the core charge you would be getting essentially a bmw performance steering wheel for almost half the price.
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04-20-2012, 11:16 PM	#13
octironSmith Private First Class 22 Rep 184 Posts Drives: TiAg 135i, SGM X5 xDrive50i Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Atlanta, GA iTrader: (0)	That sounds like a good option. Just to clarify, are you referring to EAS that provides the wrapping service? __________________
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