Is this a Dual Stage or Single Stage Steering Wheel Airbag?

[mdillon]

After twenty years of lusting after the E39 540, I finally bought a 2003 540Ti! Looking to do a heated steering wheel swap, and the removal and install look straight forward, however, I'm having an issue trying to determine if the replacement wheel/airbag are single or dual stage. The guy who has it is not sure what year car it came off...

Also, if I am over-thinking this, and could simply install MY dual stage (for sure) airbag, swap out the steering wheel controls/switches, and mount to the heated wheel regardless of single or dual stage, please let me know that as well.

Thanks so much for the help in advance, here are the pics:

Single or Dual Stage?

[Wojtek79]

Looks to be single. I do not believe they are interchangeable either.

[BMW540san]

It's single and they're not interchangeable. I swapped both 4 spoke steering wheel to M Sport 3 spoke and I did fair amount of research.
The single easiest way to tell is that single stage has almost triangular cutout on wheel base for the wiring.DSCN2342.jpg

[mdillon]

Thank you both very much!

[benjaminearle]

So I'm in the same boat. 3/99 540iTA and unclear what I've got in the car. Would appreciate an expert opinion. If it turns out to be dual than I have a 3-spoke single stage with airbag that needs recovering (already stripped) for sale.

[cnsorial]

So I'm in the same boat. 3/99 540iTA and unclear what I've got in the car. Would appreciate an expert opinion. If it turns out to be dual than I have a 3-spoke single stage with airbag that needs recovering (already stripped) for sale.

That's a dual stage wheel. Luckily for you they're plentiful on eBay/forums/etc.


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[benjaminearle]

FML. Went round and round to find a single stage one. 3/99 ya know!

Anyone need a single stage M-sport wheel (needs recovering)?

[benjaminearle]

so...how about THIS one?

bmw wheel.jpg

[Qsilver7]

Is there an 11 digit BMW part nbr on it? If yes, you can look it up in one of the online part databases like www.realoem.com or www.bmwfans.info or www.etk.cc .

Second, is the airbag "round"? If yes, then there are no "round" single stage steering wheel/airbag used on the e39 or e38. On the e39...the round airbags debuted AFTER the triangular shaped dual stage wheel/bag (3/99-00)...I believe on the facelift models. So that would put it being used from around 2001-up.

{single stage 4 spoke up to 2/99}



{dual stage 4 spoke 3/99-9/01}



{dual stage 4 spoke 9/01-end of production}



{single stage 3 spoke up to 2/99}



{dual stage 3 spoke 3/99-9/01 | D=385mm up to 9/99 then D=379mm 9/99-9/01}



{dual stage 3 spoke w/round air bag from 9/01 to end of production}

[TerraPhantm]

so...how about THIS one?

bmw wheel.jpg

That's a dual stage, but it's also one of the recalled takata airbags.

[benjaminearle]

That's a dual stage, but it's also one of the recalled takata airbags.

Is there a resolution yet and has anyone had luck with retrofitted wheels getting BMWNA to replace them?

[Qsilver7]

Is there a resolution yet and has anyone had luck with retrofitted wheels getting BMWNA to replace them?

You may find good info if you google search "BMW e39 TAKATA air bag recall". There are multiple threads across multiple BMW forums that are discussing this topic. Since I don't have a BMW that is affected...I'm not sure how the e39 is doing...but on some of the model platforms...like the e70 X5...I run across threads where owners are getting letters to come in for replacements (driver & passenger side on the e70 X5 platform).

EDIT: I just googled the phrase above...and the very top result was this video posted June2017:

https://youtu.be/Sj4LoBFoR90

[benjaminearle]

So that works for cars that came equipped with the recalled bags, but what about wheels retrofitted. Anyone have luck getting those bags replaced?

[TerraPhantm]

So that works for cars that came equipped with the recalled bags, but what about wheels retrofitted. Anyone have luck getting those bags replaced?

The couple people I know who tried had no luck. It was something sold as an official retrofit, so you'd think it'd be possible. Perhaps with enough pressure from a lawyer it can be done (as much as I hate how litigious society is)

[benjaminearle]

maybe if I had paperwork showing the stealer installed it not me.