Weekend Project: 4-spoke to 3-spoke M Steering Wheel

[Qsilver7]

Just thought I'd share my joy with the group...I really haven't done much other than routine maintenance on my e38 for years now...but it seems I'm on my 2nd mod for the old girl this year.

I upgraded the UGDO to the illuminated/rolling code type a few weeks ago(thanks Snitch)...and my latest conquest was a 3-spoke M steering wheel w/single stage airbag (thanks 04sshd/Colin). 8-)

Hopefully I can get-er-dun this weekend..YIPPEE!

From this...
http://memimage.cardomain.com/ride_images/1/1735/1881/4335940418_large.jpg

To this...
http://memimage.cardomain.com/ride_images/1/1735/1881/4335940419_large.jpg
http://memimage.cardomain.com/ride_images/1/1735/1881/4335940420_large.jpg

[pkwon5]

nice man how much was it? its gunna make look so nice im jealous

[Qsilver7]

The wheel + slip ring + airbag cost me 3 Benjamins & 1 Grant...plus 1 Andy J. (S&H). If you look up the cost for new ones...this was an excellent bargain...and all the parts are in great condition. I purchased them from 04sshd (Colin)...he was parting out an e38 in the classifieds. :alright

Look these up on the Euro side of the parts database (like REALoem.com) and you can understand my joy: :D

2-228-234 = 3 spoke steering wheel
1-094-261 = slip ring
2-229-130 = air bag (single stage)


http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/4d/Usdollar100front.jpg/255px-Usdollar100front.jpg + http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/4d/Usdollar100front.jpg/255px-Usdollar100front.jpg + http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/4d/Usdollar100front.jpg/255px-Usdollar100front.jpg + http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/f3/Series2004NoteFront_50.jpg/255px-Series2004NoteFront_50.jpg + http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/81/20dollarbill.jpg/300px-20dollarbill.jpg (S&H)

Another thing I like about this wheel is that the diameter is slightly less (385mm vs 393mm). The fact that my 540iT has the sport pkg with the 3 spoke wheel...made it feel like I was driving a bus when I get into the 7. :stickoutt

[bstar]

sweet wheel!!

[E36M34life]

Very nice. I'll be looking to do this at some point as well.

[cazal740i]

Your welcome Q..........Awesome score. Collin bought that wheel of a low miler 7. I `ve seen that wheel up close and the grain on the leather was NEw like...for a stage 1 sport wheel in that condition is rare
aka Snitch

[Aindriu]

Am I pretty much the only person that prefers the 4-spoke to the 3-spoke? I prefer how all the control buttons are laid out plus those extra spokes means it's easier to steer with your finger.

[pkwon5]

i like the three spoke because it looks more sporty but a 4 spoke wheel with wood trim wood be sweet too.

[Aindriu]

Can you even get a 7-Series without wood trim?

EDIT: I will say that the leather actually looks like it's better quality on the 3-spoke, though.

[pkwon5]

im mean steering wheel with wood not wood trim around the cabin the steering wheel itself like a ls430

[Aindriu]

Now I get you...I wouldn't feel like it would be deserving in my 740iL. It belongs in The Daddy (750iL).

[pkwon5]

yeah i got a 750il and i kinda wanna buy one but i think u lose the heated steering wheel function and the price is pretty steep

[TxDarth]

Victor makes one - not cheap, don't know if still available.

It is a very nice wheel, well made.

[Aindriu]

If you lose the heated steering wheel then I wouldn't see the woodgrain wheel as an upgarde.

[TxDarth]

If you lose the heated steering wheel then I wouldn't see the woodgrain wheel as an upgarde.

All depends on how cold your hands get in winter.....not a problem in Texas!

[Aindriu]

It's one less thing you can brag about to your mates over a pint of lager. You know, to make you feel like you have the biggest cock in the pub.

[cazal740i]

I had the oem 4 sple..hated it..too thin
I had the ///m 3 sport wheel....liked it but mine started to wear..so out it went.
I now have the New OEM Thick wood /leather combo....feels like a DREAM...plus i missed the RECIRC button.. 3 spoke wheels don have it

[04SSHD]

glad it arrived safely! Can't wait to see it installed in your car.

[Qsilver7]

WELL...that was pretty straight forward and easy...it only took about an hour...it took all afternoon to upload the images and build a new CarDomain page than it took to swap the steering wheels.

The only disappointment (if you can call it that) is that the "I/0" cruise control button still functions the same as the "0" button...I was hoping that it would turn the system totally off/on so I wouldn't have to use th redundant cruise control button on the dash. I guess you have to have a build date of 9/97-up. Hmmm, I wonder if you run a wire between the switch on the dash like Cliff (visionbmw7) did to connect the MLF-CM to the steering wheel's MLF buttons...perhaps it would give total control to the "I/0" steering wheel button.

Here's a link to the write up...just another DIY to add to other steering wheel swap write-ups: Swapping 4-spoke Steering Wheel to 3-spoke M Sport Steering wheel (http://www.cardomain.com/ride/433594/21)

Here's a few pics:

From this...
http://memimage.cardomain.com/ride_images/1/1735/1881/4335940418_large.jpg

...to this...
http://memimage.cardomain.com/ride_images/1/1735/1881/4335940438_large.jpg

It's only 3 centimeters difference in the total circumference...but the visual impact is amazingly obvious:

http://memimage.cardomain.com/ride_images/1/1735/1881/4335940437_large.jpg


(gratuitous images of a wheel EVERYONE is familiar with) 8-\

http://memimage.cardomain.com/ride_images/1/1735/1881/4335940440_large.jpg

http://memimage.cardomain.com/ride_images/1/1735/1881/4335940439_large.jpg

[Route 66]

Looks great but I still like the 4-spoke.

[mcallister]

Am I pretty much the only person that prefers the 4-spoke to the 3-spoke? I prefer how all the control buttons are laid out plus those extra spokes means it's easier to steer with your finger.
You are not the only person, but me, I have no preference....it's just a steering wheel.

[audiavant]

dont stop, now its time 4 the MB +&- paddles which fit perfectly.....or so im told )))

[Strahan]

Looks good. It's funny, I used to dislike the sport wheel and preferred the four spoker but over the years now I found it's the opposite. If I have to get a four spoke on my next 7, I'd want it to at least be a Victor. Of course, I'd probably have better odds with the Powerball jackpot than finding an E38 with a Victor preinstalled when I go shopping for one, lol.

[04SSHD]

Looks great Q, glad to see my old wheel live on in good hands!

[Edwin NL]

Nice job!!

[pkwon5]

looks great man nice job man i need to save up for sport wheel lol

[willmad]

Are you ever going to return that u-haul pad?:D The wheel looks great!

[imola740i]

i prefer the sport wheels feel and quality. its real leather,not rubber. it looks too small however in an IL.

[Qsilver7]

Are you ever going to return that u-haul pad?:D The wheel looks great!

NO..not my emergency blankee! :lol BTW, I'm not the person that failed to return it. I acquired that blanket when I purchased an old 1972 Toyoto Corollla station wagon back sometime between 1985-1987. It has been a part of my emergency trunk kit (in various automobiles) since that time.

I'm sure that U-Haul probably moving blankets probably have a totally different look by now. :stickoutt

[imola740i]

feels nicer dont it:buttrock

[wilk187]

Q! sell me your radio controls (left side of the steering wheel) !!! i'll pay you and send you my old scratched up ones!!!

[todor]

Do you guys think an E36 M3 3-spoke steering wheel and airbag could be used? I'm pretty sure the steering wheel itself will fit fine, as will the airbag connection.... and if we use the original E38/E39 slip ring, button panels from an E38/E39 sport wheel (or M5) work fine and fit perfectly in the E36 steering wheel (I know because I did this button retrofit in my E36, using an E38 slip ring).

The only question in my mind is whether the airbag will have the same properties in case of an accident. I'm pretty sure it will deploy properly, but since the interior dimensions of the E38 are very different from the E36, maybe it won't cushion the driver as well as it's supposed to... what do you guys think?

The reason to prefer an E36 steering wheel is that its diameter is even smaller than that of the E38/39 sport one, and it's a lot easier to find for sale used. (and also because I have one lying around right now :) that I'd love to put in my E38)

[Splitdog]

I just put this in!

[Qsilver7]

Q! sell me your radio controls (left side of the steering wheel) !!! i'll pay you and send you my old scratched up ones!!!

Sorry for the late reply wilk187...I just saw this post...and my 97 audio/radio/telephone button pod won't work on your later build steering wheel. It's part nbr is 61 31 8 368 971 and is used on the 4-spoke steering wheels from 6/96-3/99.

[Route 66]

Splitdog, was that wheel an E-bay purchase?

[Kristaps5s]

The M steering wheel looks are in good condition

[joes95740]

Q, Just got off the phone with U-Haul and they have a warrant out for you arrest, They will lock you up in a U-Haul for non blanket return.
The 3 spoke looks great!!! Now lets see if you can beat your install time by doing my car!

Joe

[njdjh2o]

Dang the 4 spoke is a big as steering wheel, never notices it until now.

[Qsilver7]

Q, Just got off the phone with U-Haul and they have a warrant out for you arrest, They will lock you up in a U-Haul for non blanket return.
The 3 spoke looks great!!! Now lets see if you can beat your install time by doing my car!

Joe

Thanks Joe...but I swear...I'm not the one who failed to return that blanket to U-Haul. I came into ownership of that blanket when I purchased an old 1982 Toyota Corolla station wagon back in the mid to late 80s. The blanket was already in the car. I've used it every since as an emergency blanket that I keep rolled up in my various daily driver vehicle over the decades. :D


Dang the 4 spoke is a big as(s) steering wheel, never notices it until now.
YEP...in comparison it does appear and feel huge...


http://memimage.cardomain.com/ride_images/1/1735/1881/4335940437_large.jpg