XSeries-forum

Liking the smaller steering wheel.

If I managed to get one with an airbag already fitted is it still a straight swap?

Personally I am trying to find the dark bamboo wood inserts for the M-Sport steering wheel, so far haven't found any here, only one which is rather expensive in the US. They do exist and it looks really nice. I am also trying to find the wooden shifter as well which, if I find it, means that the driving controls could match the interior trim which would be very nice indeed.

The steering wheel looks really nice, don't understand why BMW stuck on that for the SE of this. On the 6 series, the M-Sport steering wheel is the same as the one for the SE, but without silver inserts and has a M-Sport badge, don't understand why BMW made the SE steering wheel at all!

[quote="Digidick"]
Liking the smaller steering wheel.

If I managed to get one with an airbag already fitted is it still a straight swap?
[/quote]

There's lots of instructions on changing the steering wheel. It's an easy DIY if you have a bit of patience.
You will need to remove the airbag from the new wheel (if attached) to do the swap.

Basically, adjust the wheel to be as close to the driver as possible (and preferably with the wheels pointing straight ahead. Disconnect the battery (v important otherwise you will throw an airbag fault). Remove airbag centre from steering wheel by inserting a screwdriver into the hidden blind holes in the cowl of the steering wheel (they look like small dimples) and gently following the channels until you feel some resistance - this is the locating spring and you have to push it firmly to release it. You have to do it once on each side. Its a bit bizarre but once you see how the inside looks, its obvious how it works.
Disconnect the airbag and the clockspring connectors. Undo main bolt (with a bit of force) and remove the wheel. Replace in the reverse order.

This is the best video I found: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MsqdEeFexHc

Cheers. I happy swapping the wheels over, done it before but I was curious about the airbag compatibility.


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[quote="gileso"]
Thanks for all the positive comments.

One update to report on. The steering wheel has been changed from this:

to this:

from an E90, I think. Completely plug and play, the only difficult bit was repackaging the airbag to fit the new-shape cover. Thicker, slightly smaller diameter and with rests at 10 and 2. Not a full-one M-sport one, but hey, its an SE! Total cost: £25 for wheel / £22 for new cover.

[quote="celica"]
An interesting read

I’ve a 35d/ 3.0sd 7 seat m sport with lots of toys and drove a LCi 3.0d 7 seat m sport for over 6 hours across m4 and into London city and back. So I’ve experienced the lci gearbox, lack of toys.

I agree with the new CIC, it’s not as simple.
The 8 speed was smooth and was better geared on tighter bends and corners I thought


[/quote]

I think your are right about the 8-speed giving more poise (i.e. right revs for right corner), but I still think it is over sensitive...

[quote="celica"]
What 19’s did you run on the 35d, any pics?

I quite fancy trying the newer x5 19’s
[/quote]

It was these (sorry for picture quality):


I bought them as they had new star-marked Michelin Latitudes on them for £400 for the set. Put them on the M-Sport with spacers to fill the arches. For the SE, will probably run current 18s to the winter, swap to (another) set of 19s I have with winter tyres on (another bargain at £200 that have done 2 winters now with plenty of tread still on them) and then back to the black 19s. Yes - that's correct, I have 3 sets of E70 wheels (and limited places to keep the ones not actually on the car...)
[/quote]

About to buy an E70 with the Sport steering wheel which is a bit worn around the buttons. Was considering replacing the plastic with a new one but looks like swapping a wheel isn't that difficult?

The buttons and surround are a complete unit - AFAIK you can’t change the surrounds by themselves.

However - have a closer look. BMW coats these items in a rubberised finish that wears and looks s**t. It can be scraped off (with something plastic, not metal) and cleans up pretty well. Give it a go before diving in for a new wheel...