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Thread: Z4 M steering wheel in a Z3 M

  1. #1
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    Z4 M steering wheel in a Z3 M

    When I got my car, the steering wheel seemed to big and I had to carefully ease my leg under the wheel when getting in and out. The airbag was spread out to far around the center. When I first saw the Z4 M wheel I really liked the smaller diameter and the thicker circumference when you're gripping the wheel. It had a nice subtle look to it and wasn't real flashy. I looked into what it would take to do this project and was taken back. But after talking with Barry (Southern boy) from across the pond at Z Roadsters I thought I would give it a shot. He sent me an email with the CNC instructions for the adapter to be Lazer cut. That and some good info and I was able to get the job done. Here's some pics of the process.
    20220129_155301.jpg
    20220126_141840.jpg
    20220130_123851.jpg
    Screenshot_20220214-184331_Gallery.jpg
    Screenshot_20220214-184443_Gallery.jpg

  2. #2
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    Nice.

  3. #3
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    Nicely done!! I like the chunky Z4 wheel and style made the dash look modern.

  4. #4
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    Nice work. How tall are you and how is gauge visibility?
    Kelvin

  5. #5
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    99 M coupe
    I think this is a very pleasing and complimentary outcome. Well done.
    Can you share a comparison of the diameters of each wheel?
    I wonder if the stalks now feel wrongly placed? Can you comment?

  6. #6
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    Quote Originally Posted by KBH22102 View Post
    Nice work. How tall are you and how is gauge visibility?
    Thanks for the kind words. I'm 6'1" and here is a pic taken from eye level as you would see the gauges.
    Screenshot_20220215-102749_Gallery.jpg

  7. #7
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    Quote Originally Posted by Serena1 View Post
    I think this is a very pleasing and complimentary outcome. Well done.
    Can you share a comparison of the diameters of each wheel?
    I wonder if the stalks now feel wrongly placed? Can you comment?
    Thank you, the gauges on the steering column are adjustable. You lossen the lock screws and the gauges pivot up and down. I just got the steering wheel put on yesterday so I have not had time to play around with adjustments. Here is a pic of the two Wheels for comparison.
    Screenshot_20220215-102832_Gallery.jpg

  8. #8
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    I believe there’s a thread here somewhere about connecting the steering wheel buttons too.

  9. #9
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    Quote Originally Posted by z3forlife View Post
    I believe there’s a thread here somewhere about connecting the steering wheel buttons too.
    I did recently see where I could do that because my HU has that capability. Although I haven't looked into it in depth, I think I would have to use a different clock spring. But doing the 8" subwoofer along with the steering wheel was all I wanted to tackle this winter. If you have any info I would be interested in having it though.

  10. #10
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    For a long time I was considering swapping in the sport wheel from my e39 wagon into my z3 to get the steering wheel buttons, never went through with it. Here's some of the posts I saved, they might help you get started with your buttons

    http://www.bmwdiy.info/msport-wheel/index.html

    https://www.bimmerforums.com/forum/s...audio-controls

    https://www.bimmerfest.com/threads/s...ability.78093/

  11. #11
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    Quote Originally Posted by Serena1 View Post
    I think this is a very pleasing and complimentary outcome. Well done.
    Can you share a comparison of the diameters of each wheel?
    I wonder if the stalks now feel wrongly placed? Can you comment?
    You got me thinking about adjusting the gauges on the steering column, so I went out and made some adjustments. Turns out by lowering then some I was able to improve the sight line for all the gauges. Thanks for bringing that to my attention. Here's a pic of what it looks like now.
    20220215_173635.jpg

  12. #12
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    Help me understand. Was the Z4 airbag compatible with the MY 2000 electronics, etc? I believe 2000 and beyond are stage II airbags? You have peaked my interest. Details forthcoming?

  13. #13
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    Quote Originally Posted by spfd72 View Post
    Help me understand. Was the Z4 airbag compatible with the MY 2000 electronics, etc? I believe 2000 and beyond are stage II airbags? You have peaked my interest. Details forthcoming?
    My original airbag was two stage. You use your original clockspring and the adapter that you have made allows you to screw the original clockspring to the new steering wheel. When you unplug the old airbag, that plug, plugs into the new steering wheels wiring harness on one end and the other end plugs into the new Z4 airbag. When its in front of you it's not hard to see how it goes together. I was a little apprehensive at first, but it's not that bad. In the pic, the plug in the center left is from the original clockspring and will plug into the yellow plug from the new steering wheel. Then the other two plugs, the Green and black, on the other end plug into the new airbag.
    20220131_111723.jpg

  14. #14
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    Nice work! I swapped my non-M OEM wheel out for something more svelte a couple years ago (damaging the clock spring in the process, but otherwise successful), so I understand the desire to trim down the wheel size. The Z4 wheel looks nice in your cockpit...kudos for tackling a project that required having a part made. That's next-level initiative, in my book!
    Brad

  15. #15
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    Nice work! Would you share the Adapter drawing and cnc instructions for steering wheel here please? Sadly I can‘t send you a PM, because I’m to new.

  16. #16
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    [QUOTE=S54b32bla;30843516]Nice work! Would you share the Adapter drawing and cnc instructions for steering wheel here please? Sadly I can‘t send you a PM, because I’m to new.[/QUOT itE]

    Yes I would be glad to, I will need your email address.

  17. #17
    Join Date
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    Z3 Coupe individual
    I would like to do this but I have preproduction coupe 1/98 and it has 1-step airbag. So not straightforward thing to change.
    Also I like thin rims like the original, but the shape is quite horrible in stock M wheel, and I have looked at it already almost 20 years.

    Z3 & E36 RamAir systems, send private message for more information.

  18. #18
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    Nice work! I have a Z4M and love the feel of that steering wheel.

  19. #19
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    Thank you very much, as this is an open forum I will use a temporary email to not get spammed in future. So please excuse this „strange“ email address.
    vireo_spiele.0m@icloud.com

  20. #20
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    Quote Originally Posted by S54b32bla View Post
    Thank you very much, as this is an open forum I will use a temporary email to not get spammed in future. So please excuse this „strange“ email address.
    vireo_spiele.0m@icloud.com
    I will get it sent to you today.

  21. #21
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    @IndianaRoadster did you send it? I didn‘t received it, maybe this mail is not working?

  22. #22
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    ...it depands
    Quote Originally Posted by IndianaRoadster View Post
    I will get it sent to you today.
    I received the email. Thanks so much again.

    BTW, I'm so jealous of your twin-screw setup, Kent! - I think there is another person who recently got his hands on one of them. I forget the gentleman's name but he owns a gray m coupe.
    2000 Z3 M Titanium Silver / Imola Red+Black Nappa
    2011 328i E92 Space Gray Metallic / Leder Dakota+Oyster
    Since 1987 12 euros / 2 kdms / 2 jdms
    - Zach

  23. #23
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    Quote Originally Posted by S54b32bla View Post
    @IndianaRoadster did you send it? I didn‘t received it, maybe this mail is not working?
    I thought I did, but will check and get it to you. Sorry about that, us old dogs have a hard time learning new tricks you know.

    - - - Updated - - -

    Quote Originally Posted by nevan View Post
    I received the email. Thanks so much again.

    BTW, I'm so jealous of your twin-screw setup, Kent! - I think there is another person who recently got his hands on one of them. I forget the gentleman's name but he owns a gray m coupe.
    Your welcome, I think it was robb1887 that just bought one. That will be fun to watch his progress.

  24. #24
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    Quote Originally Posted by S54b32bla View Post
    @IndianaRoadster did you send it? I didn‘t received it, maybe this mail is not working?
    I think that temporary email address is the problem. I PM'ed you with my email address. Just use that to get me your regular email address and I'll send it with that address and we should be good to go.

  25. #25
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    Excuse my ignorance but why do you need that adapter?
    Does it still require any other modification or just the adapter?

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