I want a thicker steering wheel. What fits my car?

[zamorskii]

I have an 11/90 built date M5 and want to upgrade my 4 spoke thin steering wheel. I mainly look for greater thickness of the wheel itself and do not care much if it has a square or other style airbag. Can you guys let me know what my options would be?
If possible, I'd like to preserve the airbag for the sake of not staring at SRS light on my dash.

[GumbysE34]

Great question, I'm also in for answers on this...mine is getting pretty worn..

[darrenforeal]

I would search ebay if I was you. there are some pretty nice wheels that have been re-wrapped and had thickness added, but they are expensive!

But your best bet IMO is to have yours professionally re-wrapped and have thickness added. Then you are looking at around $200 to $250. But, you get pretty much a brand new steering wheel.

These guys are top notch but pricey: Around $350 for a re-wrap and thickness added.
http://www.craftcustoms.com/

This guy does good work and will add thickness with a price of $200. You can't really beat this.

http://jvldesigninteriors.carbonmade.com/

[zamorskii]

My steering wheel is actually in remarkably good condition. I would estimate that it has about 10k miles on it at the most, but the thing is just as thin as a wire.
I'd love to get to a feel of either e46 M3 or e 60 LCI wheel if possible.
Is there a decent wheel skin solution that people use?

[sfgearhead]

I have a wheel skin on my Alfa, it's ok, but feels and looks a bit cheap.

I have a Euro 3-spoke wheel on the touring that's nice. Not quite as thick as an M3 wheel, but prettier.

I'm not sure about the wheel spline issues with the earlier cars, but later cars can take an M3 wheel as a direct bolt on.

There are a few steering wheel threads out there already.

[darrenforeal]

ya there are threads an articles regarding wheel swaps. Problem with the E46 and later E36 wheels and the like is that they are two stage airbags and not one like our cars are setup as. So that may not be a good idea. That said, I am sure there may be away around it.

Also if your wheel is the original M5 wheel with the thumb rest etc. and it's in great shape like described, you could probably sell it upwards of $220+ here in a heartbeat.

[zamorskii]

I don't think they had steering wheels with thumb rest area on earlier M5's. I'll have to look into early M3 wheels. Thanks for your input, darren

[PorscheH6]

'95 M3 wheel, < $75, done.

Planning on getting a $300+ three spoke in the future when $$$ allows...

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y225/ip42800ht/DSC_0021-3.jpg

[ClarkWGriswold]

Ebay $34.99 with free shipping =win.:eek:
http://lh5.ggpht.com/_LkcR0qHFuSs/TCFSg2H01tI/AAAAAAAACZI/fsDvV7F_SQQ/s800/iPhoto%20Library.jpg

[ESSSupreme]

Try this: http://hooptedoodle.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8345214b769e201157161e55f970c-800wi

[darrenforeal]

I don't think they had steering wheels with thumb rest area on earlier M5's. I'll have to look into early M3 wheels. Thanks for your input, darren

oh ok, and ya no problem. I got my wheel off you a 93 m5 and it looks exactly like the one Triforce listed.


'95 M3 wheel, < $75, done.

Planning on getting a $300+ three spoke in the future when $$$ allows...

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y225/ip42800ht/DSC_0021-3.jpg

what year M5 did this come on post 93?

[PorscheH6]

3/91 build date, '91 model year.

[darrenforeal]

3/91 build date, '91 model year.


ya that's what I thought. I guess some came with thumb rests and other did not? Like OPs wheel?

[PorscheH6]

No, that's not a stock M5 wheel. That's a '95 M3 wheel pictured.

My stock one looked just like the airbag wheel on standard E34s (before '95), but with tri-colored stitching.

[darrenforeal]

No, that's not a stock M5 wheel. That's a '95 M3 wheel pictured.

My stock one looked just like the airbag wheel on standard E34s (before '95), but with tri-colored stitching.

ooohhhhhhh.....that makes more sense. gottcha. thanks for clearing that up. Well that's what I have too. And yes its a pretty sweet wheel.

[Jbaroli]

http://img37.imageshack.us/img37/4935/dsc01015v.jpg (http://img37.imageshack.us/i/dsc01015v.jpg/)

You need that. Although I´m not sure if it´s compatible.

[ross1]

I have a wheel skin on my Alfa, it's ok, but feels and looks a bit cheap.

I have a Euro 3-spoke wheel on the touring that's nice. Not quite as thick as an M3 wheel, but prettier.

I'm not sure about the wheel spline issues with the earlier cars, but later cars can take an M3 wheel as a direct bolt on.

There are a few steering wheel threads out there already.

I'm a fan of Wheelskins. depending on how wide the spokes of a given wheel are they can be installed to look nearly original. The wider the spoke the tougher it is to make them look nice.
It's been a while since I've stared at an e34 airbag wheel but I'm thinking it would work pretty well and certainly thicken up the rim.

[Sam Son]

You need that. Although I´m not sure if it´s compatible.
works fine on my 95 car

[JesterMX6]

if all ur worrid about is the srs light then just pull the bulb. get a hub adapter and get whatever aftermarket wheel you like.

[GazM3]

the e36 m3 evo/e39 m5 wheel has airbag and would work. looks nicer than the 4 spoke one, and has the thicker bosters for your hands

[Steve547i]

if all ur worrid about is the srs light then just pull the bulb. get a hub adapter and get whatever aftermarket wheel you like.
Didn't work on my car. There was a secondary bulb built in.

[BigM62]

I found a nice brand new thicker steering wheel on ebay:

http://i292.photobucket.com/albums/mm12/jimmyz2/wheels021.jpg

[JesterMX6]

Didn't work on my car. There was a secondary bulb built in.

hmm. thats odd. i popped my bulb out and havent had aproblem. and i've had 3 different clusters in my car all with the same result. maybe its a post 92 thing? (my car's a 1990)

[sfgearhead]

http://img37.imageshack.us/img37/4935/dsc01015v.jpg (http://img37.imageshack.us/i/dsc01015v.jpg/)

You need that. Although I´m not sure if it´s compatible.

I also have this wheel on our '95, was plug and play, but not sure it will work on earlier models.

It's only slightly thicker and smaller than stock, so you might want to check the M3 wheels first.

[mottati]

if you want to run a non airbag wheel (m tech 2 would work nicely) just unplug the SRS module under the dash, orange box. No power to srs module, no srs light.

[bmwhiteman]

no airbag to save your life either lol. wheel skin on mine worked great. People think it looks brand new

[darrenforeal]

no airbag to save your life either lol. wheel skin on mine worked great. People think it looks brand new


ya, there is no way I will go without an airbag on any car i own now. The airbag, and seatbelt obviously, saved my life when my F-150 was totaled.

[Boogieboy]

Airbags are for sissy's!;)


This ACS steering wheel is one of the best that I've driven with. It's small diameter and thickness is perfect imo.
http://i610.photobucket.com/albums/tt190/djrockit01/driverssidewindow.jpg

[darrenforeal]

Airbags are for sissy's!;)


This ACS steering wheel is one of the best that I've driven with. It's small diameter and thickness is perfect imo.


yes that does look nice and thick.




























that's what she said.

Sorry I had to.

[Boogieboy]

yes that does look nice and thick.




that's what she said.

Sorry I had to.Ha! Don't worry I'm used to hearing that.:naughty

[zamorskii]

Nice wheel. Where did you get it and how much was it?

[NedMW]

Can you retrofit a later SRS wheel into a car without airbags and such? 'Cause I like the look of 4-spokers better than the sketchy lil' ones provided on earlier cars. Would this require the installation of an Airbag/SRS system? If so, is this possible?

[blkd3]

Zamorski - my '91 e34 535i just bought it. I had my original wheel custom wrapped and padded (thickened, with thumb rests) with dark grey alcantra by Alan Gunn leather. It cost me $400. It's very nice. It should replace your wheel directly. If you're interested, let me know and make an offer. Mark

[5mall5nail5]

http://jonkensy.com/gallery/albums/userpics/10001/IMG_0019.jpg

But I just ordered this:

http://www.turnermotorsport.com/image/interior/interior_E46_M3_steering_wheel_m_stitching_330i_33 0ci_325i_325Ci_32342282020_1.jpg

[Paul G]

LOL!!

http://i45.tinypic.com/2a4w93s.jpg

The E39 that I owned had the M package, which included a wheel very much like the 2nd one that 5mall5nail5 posted. It felt great, and I'll probably be upgrading to something similar in my E34.

[jimoreno]

Wouldn't it be nice if we could "upgrade" to a heated steering wheel (for us in the northeast)? That's about the only thing that I miss from the X3 that I had on a lease (that and the additional cargo space!).

[JesterMX6]

for those with no airbag system and sick of the light you COULD cut the srs wire i believe. i'm goign to try it on mine. since i switched clusters now i'm getting the SRS light again.