What steering wheels are we using?

[typed by ben]

One of the mods I have on my list is picking up an aftermarket wheel. I am a big F1 fan and to pay homage to the 80s and 90s glory years I want to get a Personal wheel like this one:



but without the highlight stitching.

Not married to the idea though. Some of the BMW OEM wheels look nice too. I don't particularly care about keeping the airbag.

So what has everybody tried?

[Reprisal]

I've been running the stock 4 spoke since I bought the car, but I recently ordered a rewrapped euro 3 spoke from Anjeas (he also has an ebay store)... Had him swap out the airbag for the traditional roundel. Currently waiting for it to arrive.

wheel1.jpg

[doktor b]

in my M3 i have a Personal just like you pictured except smooth leather and black stitching. i love it. i'd only give it up for a dished OMP or Sparco just to get it a smidge closer to me. (i don't like the look of hub extenders)
i have a Raid 310mm and a Nardi polished/oak that have yet to find their way into the 328i. but it's nice to have options.

[tptrsn]

I'm running a $30 one from eBay and I love it!

SW-8903DP-350-SU-RD.jpg

Let the hate begin! Lol

[typed by ben]

I've been running the stock 4 spoke since I bought the car, but I recently ordered a rewrapped euro 3 spoke from Anjeas (he also has an ebay store)... Had him swap out the airbag for the traditional roundel. Currently waiting for it to arrive.

wheel1.jpg

that looks sick. I like the the "oem option" look and feel of that

in my M3 i have a Personal just like you pictured except smooth leather and black stitching. i love it. i'd only give it up for a dished OMP or Sparco just to get it a smidge closer to me. (i don't like the look of hub extenders)
i have a Raid 310mm and a Nardi polished/oak that have yet to find their way into the 328i. but it's nice to have options.

nardis are so nice but everybody around here has one

I'm running a $30 one from eBay and I love it!

SW-8903DP-350-SU-RD.jpg

Let the hate begin! Lol

how does it feel? 30 is mighty cheap for a wheel

[tptrsn]

It feels really good. It's actual thick suede leather cover material, and the spokes are a nice thick aluminum. If anything the rim of the wheel could have a little bit more padding under the leather, and the cross section of it could be a bit more oval rather than round, but overall I like it (irrespective of price).

The down sides on top of what I already mentioned are that the center cover is some cheap looking plastic stuff with something like a carbon fiber texture molded onto it, and the fact that since it's direct from China via eBay, everyone says it's going break at an inopportune time. So far though, it feels nice and sturdy. I ain't skeeert. Haha

Oh, and it appears the price is up a bit on wheels like this now. Up to $35-39.99 shipped lol.

[Reprisal]

that looks sick. I like the the "oem option" look and feel of that

Yeah, I like that's it's an OEM style, yet has a few custom touches to set it off.

[typed by ben]

Yeah, I like that's it's an OEM style, yet has a few custom touches to set it off.

I found that guy on eBay but there was nothing in his store. Do you have to know somebody that knows him to get in touch? May I ask how much he's charging?

[Reprisal]

Looks like he has a few wheels up...

www.ebay.com/usr/andri-zakus

I'll shoot you his e-mail address via PM. He will probably cut you a little bit of a break if you go via PayPal.

[Baby ///M3]

I also have a custom wrapped euro steering wheel, which has a flat bottom. Really wanted to get a vintage AC Schnitzer steering wheel to complement the rest of the car but the thought of driving a car without an airbag deterred me from doing so.





Jon

[typed by ben]

^^ that looks incredible too. Might have to go with the Euro after seeing these two.

[cpandrewschmidt]

Here's my euro wheel I just ordered from Anjeas!

[MParallel]

I also have a custom wrapped euro steering wheel, which has a flat bottom. Really wanted to get a vintage AC Schnitzer steering wheel to complement the rest of the car but the thought of driving a car without an airbag deterred me from doing so.





Jon



AC Schnitzer did an airbag wheel for the E36, better yet, it used the same base model as the one you're having now.

They did a wood and carbon version.






I personally use my stock M airbag wheel, modified with MFL controls and this summer I want to add paddle shifters.

[VaTechE36]

I have the 3 spoke wheel as well, but no controls. Any write ups on the process you went through to add those? Pretty neat idea!

[MParallel]

I have the 3 spoke wheel as well, but no controls. Any write ups on the process you went through to add those? Pretty neat idea!

Look in the E36 DIY section. This mod has been tried and tested for over 10 years. It's all PnP.

The setup is.

Cruise Control needs more steps and the phone is not used in the US.

On mine all buttons work.

[M52 POWER!]

I wanted the euro 3 spoke but then read that its decently wider than the US 3 spoke, like odd feeling big. Can anyone comment on how the larger size feels?

[SyCK]

Haven't installed it yet.

[Baby ///M3]

Yes. You're exactly correct.

I use what I have now because I couldn't find an AC Schnitzer version. I like the way mine has the extra leather padding, as it's very comfortable to grip.

Jon

I also have a custom wrapped euro steering wheel, which has a flat bottom. Really wanted to get a vintage AC Schnitzer steering wheel to complement the rest of the car but the thought of driving a car without an airbag deterred me from doing so.





Jon



AC Schnitzer did an airbag wheel for the E36, better yet, it used the same base model as the one you're having now.

They did a wood and carbon version.






I personally use my stock M airbag wheel, modified with MFL controls and this summer I want to add paddle shifters.

[MParallel]

I wanted the euro 3 spoke but then read that its decently wider than the US 3 spoke, like odd feeling big. Can anyone comment on how the larger size feels?

It's either smaller or equal, but definitely not larger.

[notMpowered]

how does it feel? 30 is mighty cheap for a wheel

They are cheap because they are pieces of shit that will kill you in a front end collision.


- - - Updated - - -

It's either smaller or equal, but definitely not larger.

US spec is 375mm
Euro spec non-M 3 spoke is 385mm

[pbonsalb]

I like that one.

[MParallel]

US spec is 375mm
Euro spec non-M 3 spoke is 385mm

yeah I'm aware of EU wheel sizes, I had them all. The 3-spoke M airbag wheel is 375mm as well.

[notMpowered]

That wasn't what the person was asking. The euro/US M3 3 spoke is identical. He was talking about the euro only 3 spoke wheel being larger than the M3 (US and euro) 3 spoke wheel.

[tptrsn]

They are cheap because they are pieces of shit that will kill you in a front end collision.

Not to belabor this discussion of cheap crappy steering wheels too much in a thread about nice ones, but mine certainly is not like the one in that video. It feels very strong and solid, and appears to be the same material thickness and shape as that OMP one the dude in the video got to replace his. Mine is more like the one the dork in this video is discussing:

[doktor b]

good enough for sock hat wearing 110lb (50kg) hipsters, good enough for me.

LOL. i kid.

a dished wheel will be stronger than a flat wheel regardless of its manufacturer....unless it's a Grip Royal. i'm pretty sure even the muscle man in that last video could pretzel up one of those janky pieces of poop.