M3 steering wheel?

[tcapone86]

F I want to change my regular 4 spoke steering wheel out of my 98 323is with a 97 m3 3 spoke do I hae to change the slipping too?

[BradR127]

Everything you need to know right here:

http://www.frankies-bmw.com/3series/diy/steering_wheel/bmw_3series_steering_wheel.php

[z25is]

I've done it, and I love it :alright

One of those once you have it, no going back kind of things. The Frankies guide posted just above is exactly where got all my homework done for my 3 spoke swap, great guide.

After that go check out the classifieds section for a 3 spoke, that's where I got mine from.

[tcapone86]

Everything you need to know right here:

http://www.frankies-bmw.com/3series/diy/steering_wheel/bmw_3series_steering_wheel.php

Thx alot

[NLu]

Just did the swap myself.
Your car's a 98, so you don't need to change sliprings. Literally bolt on, 5min job.
I cleaned my M3 wheel with a toothbrush and a little detergent. took about 15min, and worked like a charm.

[318bud]

^ laundry detergent?

[tcapone86]

Just did the swap myself.
Your car's a 98, so you don't need to change sliprings. Literally bolt on, 5min job.
I cleaned my M3 wheel with a toothbrush and a little detergent. took about 15min, and worked like a charm.

So I won't have any problems with the wires and plugs right? Because mine is 98 4spok and has airbag and the m3 3spoke out of 97 has also airbag they should have the same plugs I would think

[NLu]

OP: Yes, the airbag connector is the same, easy swap.
Make sure you disconnect your battery before messing with the airbag.

318bud: yes, I used a bit of Tide in some warm water, and a soft bristle toothbrush to clean the stitching. When I bought the wheel, the stitching was so dirty that in some areas, it might as well have been black thread. After cleaning, the threads look new. Some suggest using a Magic Eraser, but I didn't want to scuff up the leather.

[tcapone86]

OP: Yes, the airbag connector is the same, easy swap.
Make sure you disconnect your battery before messing with the airbag.

318bud: yes, I used a bit of Tide in some warm water, and a soft bristle toothbrush to clean the stitching. When I bought the wheel, the stitching was so dirty that in some areas, it might as well have been black thread. After cleaning, the threads look new. Some suggest using a Magic Eraser, but I didn't want to scuff up the leather.

Ok thx a lot well with the cleaning I'm gonna have it wrapped with alcantara and the m stitching, but again thank you

[Pdwight]

What do the 3 spoke wheels usually go for ?

[tcapone86]

What do the 3 spoke wheels usually go for ?

I just bough mine for 75$ with airbag and it's pretty clean the stitching is clean colors too the guy cleaned it before I bought it

[BadBlkE36]

Mine just bolted on to my car.

[MParallel]

It's an M steering wheel. M airbag sport steering wheel.

There is no such thing as an M3 steering wheel.

That M wheel was an option on all E36's from 96+

[tcapone86]

Ok thx a lot well with the cleaning I'm gonna have it wrapped with alcantara and the m stitching, but again thank you

Look where I have problem! I don't know what kind of slip ring I need I can't find the right slurping

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[Joylove]

Have you bought a dual stage air bag and wheel from a Z3 there?

[tcapone86]

Have you bought a dual stage air bag and wheel from a Z3 there?

I really don't know because the guy lied to me I guess by saying it came off a e36. But is that what's wrong? The airbag is dual stage?

[Joylove]

Too many wires and the wrong connectors by the look of it. I think the coloured inserts only came on the later Z3. See the MFSW link in my sig.

[fahdyehia628]

There are 2 types

Single stage and dual stage

If you post a pic of the steering wheel only without the airbag i can tell the difference

[MParallel]

That pic of that airbag is a dual-stage one.

[Andryuha]

I really don't know because the guy lied to me I guess by saying it came off a e36. But is that what's wrong? The airbag is dual stage?

he didn't lie. Z3 is technically an E36 chasis. 3-spoke wheels were not available on M3's until late '98 IIRC

[MParallel]

he didn't lie. Z3 is technically an E36 chasis. 3-spoke wheels were not available on M3's until late '98 IIRC

The 3 spoke M wheel as fitted to M3 3.2 where available from 1996.

And the non-M sport steering wheel II (3 spoke) was available even earlier.

[tcapone86]

Ok so is there any way I can just use my old slipring and connect the yellow airbag plug to the m steering wheel airbag thats stage too?

[Joylove]

he didn't lie. Z3 is technically an E36 chasis. 3-spoke wheels were not available on M3's until late '98 IIRC
Yes it's an E36/7 and they went dual stage airbag after the facelift for 1999-2002. They also got the M52TU for a bit in 1998 ish then the M54 for the 3.0.

[MParallel]

Yes it's an E36/7 and they went dual stage airbag after the facelift for 1999-2002. They also got the M52TU for a bit in 1998 ish then the M54 for the 3.0.

And lets not forget the S54 for the ///M ones!

[Joylove]

And lets not forget the S54 for the ///M ones!
I understand there were only 79 RHD roadsters made with that engine, a few will have been wrecked so quite a rare beast indeed.

After writing this post it occurred to me that a M52TUB28 dual VANOS and ancillaries might be an unique mod for an E36, rather than the traditional M50 manifold mod.

[MParallel]

I understand there were only 79 RHD roadsters made with that engine, a few will have been wrecked so quite a rare beast indeed.

After writing this post it occurred to me that a M52TUB28 dual VANOS and ancillaries might be an unique mod for an E36, rather than the traditional M50 manifold mod.

Oh was talking in general, not RHD's specific. But 79 made is rare.

If you would go the route of fitting an M52B28TU I would say that is unique but a waste. It's just as easy to fit an M54B30.

[Joylove]

If you would go the route of fitting an M52B28TU I would say that is unique but a waste. It's just as easy to fit an M54B30.

I was thinking more alone the lines of a single to dual VANOS head swap, rather than a full engine. I'm not going to do it, it drives up the insurance greatly for just a few BHP. But if there is 20 BHP in it?...

[MParallel]

Well if it's 20hp then why not the much easier M50 mod?

[sjpgoalie]

I was thinking more alone the lines of a single to dual VANOS head swap, rather than a full engine. I'm not going to do it, it drives up the insurance greatly for just a few BHP. But if there is 20 BHP in it?...

How the hell would you do that??

[tcapone86]

Damn u guys go al crazy lol I asked about my steering wheel and u guys are talking about changing engine lol do guys please help me can I use this steering wheel with my old e36 slip ring or is there a slip ring that I can buy and just pap?

[MParallel]

^^
:rofl

Get the correct slipring. Then some basic wiring and you should be fine. Tons of DIY on the internet.

[fun2drive]

I have the correct slip ring I bought brand new from Tischer which I need to sell.
However I am on travel this week.
You should be able to use your current slip ring, look at it and do a little more searching for some pictures. Unless there is something unusual it should work.

Whoever got one for 75 bucks got the deal of the century because I have never seen one go for less than 200 with the airbag...

[tcapone86]

I have the correct slip ring I bought brand new from Tischer which I need to sell.
However I am on travel this week.
You should be able to use your current slip ring, look at it and do a little more searching for some pictures. Unless there is something unusual it should work.

Whoever got one for 75 bucks got the deal of the century because I have never seen one go for less than 200 with the airbag...
Damn then I really did good with buying it for 75$ !

[tcapone86]

Is this the original slip ring for the steering wheel I have?

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[Joylove]

Yes it looks like a dual stage air bag slip ring. As mentioned on page one, view the MFSW link in my sig to see the correct parts for this mod.

[MParallel]

That will not fit your car. That is the post 3/99 column mounted slipring.

[tcapone86]

That will not fit your car. That is the post 3/99 column mounted slipring.

Fuck that I'm just gonna sell it and have my regular steering wheel re upholstered in swede