135 and 128 sport steering wheel the same?

[ulrichd]

Except for the perforated rim are they the same or is the 135 wheel rim even thicker?

[lib]

Originally Posted by ulrichd

Except for the perforated rim are they the same or is the 135 wheel rim even thicker?

The 135i M wheel is thicker and comes with both ZSP and ZMP. The 128i only gets that wheel with ZMP.

[RPM90]

Originally Posted by lib

The 135i M wheel is thicker and comes with both ZSP and ZMP. The 128i only gets that wheel with ZMP.

Really? From the look of it all the sport wheels are the same, except that the M wheel has the perforated leather.
Even the stock steering wheel in the 135i I test drove was nice and thick, and had an very nice small diameter.

I reread the brochure and it doesn't say that the M sport wheel is thicker.
Where did you read/see that?

[Tom K.]

Originally Posted by RPM90

I reread the brochure and it doesn't say that the M sport wheel is thicker.
Where did you read/see that?

Go to BMWUSA.com & build a 128i. Set the screen to the steering wheel view, go to the packages page and observe the difference when you check the M Sport Package vs. the regular SP.
Tom

[RPM90]

Originally Posted by Tom K.

Go to BMWUSA.com & build a 128i. Set the screen to the steering wheel view, go to the packages page and observe the difference when you check the M Sport Package vs. the regular SP.
Tom

Good call on the view.

I didn't get a good view with the straight on wheel view. But, use the side interior view and the difference becomes very clear. The M wheel does look a good bit thicker. The reg sport wheel and the standard wheel look the same. Now I wonder if the M wheel might be too thick for my liking?
I really like the stock wheel on the 135i I test drove. It had a nice thickness that was actually a bit nicer in feel than the sport wheel in the 335i sport I drove.

Thanks for the info.

[G5Ti]

My 128 came with the Sport wheel and I added the M-wheel later. The M-wheel is substantially thicker feeling, and the materials are nicer to the touch. The seams aren't as abrasive on your fingers.

You should try to find both and test them out. I definitely prefer the M-wheel, but the Sport wheel is nice in its own right.

[ulrichd]

Originally Posted by G5Ti

My 128 came with the Sport wheel and I added the M-wheel later. The M-wheel is substantially thicker feeling, and the materials are nicer to the touch. The seams aren't as abrasive on your fingers.

You should try to find both and test them out. I definitely prefer the M-wheel, but the Sport wheel is nice in its own right.

That's what I want to do. Were you able to use the 128 center pad with the aluminum trim?

[lib]

Originally Posted by ulrichd

That's what I want to do. Were you able to use the 128 center pad with the aluminum trim?

Yes, that will fit. The top seam seems to be slightly out of alignment but it's so close you'd never notice if you didn't know.

[G5Ti]

Originally Posted by lib

Yes, that will fit. The top seam seems to be slightly out of alignment but it's so close you'd never notice if you didn't know.

Mine fits perfectly, so far as I can tell. I posted pics somewhere in the interior/cosmetic modifications forum, I think.

[Artmasterx]

I did the upgrade as well and agree with the above; the rim is slightly mis-aligned on top (on the back side of trim, not at the spokes), but visually from the driver's seat you can't notice it.

The leather on the M-wheel is also more supple and refined. Also, the extra thickness comes from padding it seems. The stock 128i sport wheel is very firm and has no squish to it. The M-sport wheels seems to have about an 1/8" of padding, which I like. It gives you a bit of something to grip.

Here are pictures from my install comparing the two (not the best picture though, and ignore the pajama pants I am wearing there):

[cagekicker]

hmmmm!