Wood Steering wheel

**thrawn5499** · 03-12-2017, 04:50 PM

So I really want a wood steering wheel in my 2001 740il. I have found a few, but not sure exactly which ones interchange with my car, and what I need to make sure I get for it to work. I would love to have a heated wood steering wheel, but I don't think that is going to happen. I would prefer to keep the 4 spoke wheel style, and I kind of like the ones that are a little thicker, and has the ears on them. I think I have the 2 stage airbag, and I think from reading I need a slip ring. I am also thinking since I can't find a heated steering wheel with wood, I might change mine out seasonal. How hard of a job is this? Thanks!!

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**thrawn5499** · 03-12-2017, 04:52 PM

I like this one, but wish it was heated...
https://www.ebay.com/itm/282073417233

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**mooll** · 03-12-2017, 04:57 PM

rare AF dude...good luck .

**XAlt** · 03-12-2017, 04:59 PM

http://www.ebay.com/itm/BMW-Facelift...RYc~l8&vxp=mtr
http://www.ebay.com/itm/00-06-Bmw-X5...3D162426576397

Dual stage

**mooll** · 03-12-2017, 05:04 PM

no buttons on that first one, looks silly imo

**thrawn5499** · 03-12-2017, 05:14 PM

Yeah I know those heated are rare and more then I could probably pay for it.
I do want the buttons on it. And I think I want to stay with a 4 spoke wheel. So E46 and e53 both fit the e38?

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**thrawn5499** · 03-12-2017, 05:16 PM

I know I said I wanted to stay with 4 spoke but this is kind of cool too.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/172545678590 would it work though?

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**thrawn5499** · 03-12-2017, 05:21 PM

Also thought about this one, but not sure if it will work. It says clockspring not included. https://www.ebay.com/itm/322418681167

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**914** · 03-12-2017, 05:53 PM

Did they even make heated wood steering wheels? 750 option, maybe?

You're doing this on the pre or facelift one? Someone mentioned that the pre-facelift are single stage.

**thrawn5499** · 03-12-2017, 06:04 PM

This is for my 2001 facelift one.

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**XAlt** · 03-12-2017, 07:20 PM

Originally Posted by thrawn5499

This is for my 2001 facelift one.

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Anything before 1999 is a no-go.

**thrawn5499** · 03-12-2017, 07:25 PM

Originally Posted by XAlt

Anything before 1999 is a no-go.

Ok that's what I thought but wasn't sure if it was 1999 or 2000. So 1999 until what year? Also looks like E39, E46, E53 all fit the E38. Any others fit? Also about how long of a job is it to change? I am going to do some searching, just wondering what I am getting into. Thanks

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**Qsilver7** · 03-13-2017, 10:27 AM

The generation BMWs that would have compatible 2 stage airbag steering wheels would be the e38/e39 models between 4/99-2003 (build date). These would be plug-n-play.

Off the top of my head...I'm not sure if all the e46 & e53 steering wheels fit...you'd have to do more research.

**thrawn5499** · 03-13-2017, 10:36 AM

Ok thanks!

**mooll** · 03-13-2017, 10:46 AM

e46 wheels fit but look a little small

**thrawn5499** · 03-13-2017, 11:03 AM

I keep looking at steering wheels, and I really think I want to stay with the 4 spoke wheel. I think I like the looks of it better in the 7 series. some of the 3 spoke ones I see do look nice.

I am even playing with the idea about buying a really cheap non-heated non-wood steering wheel and wrapping part of it with wood veneer. If it turns out good, I could put that in my car and then do the same thing to my heated steering wheel. then I would have a wood steering wheel that is heated.

**xboss** · 03-13-2017, 02:30 PM

There is a seller on ebay that makes wood E38 wheels non heated like new. New leather / wood etc. The name is fanaticalart
There is also another seller in Taiwan doing the same. Both wheels look great.

I would suggest hitting them up for a custom job with heated option. A DIY here is incredibly hard to do, you cannot just veneer it, you have to cut the leather and foam down without ruining the heated part then custom fabricate an aluminum wrap with finger bumps and stuff included then you can bond the wood to the metal and cover in resin. I think the ebay sellers doing this are making solid wood finger bumps with milled thick wood parts.

**thrawn5499** · 03-13-2017, 02:38 PM

Thanks M8. I will contact them and see what they tell me. I saw the guy from Taiwan that does them, but they were not heated. I did not think About asking for a heated one lol.

**thrawn5499** · 03-13-2017, 03:13 PM

Got a no back on the heated option.

**xboss** · 03-13-2017, 03:36 PM

I might make one of these some day but I have to catch up my other bmw wood projects first. It's been on my mind for a couple years though. Curved wood blanks need to be cnc milled in matching halfs.

**thrawn5499** · 03-13-2017, 03:39 PM

I was thinking of making a thin shell that can be cut in half and then fitted over the existing leather steering wheel. I just dont want to start experimenting with my wheel on my daily driver.

**xboss** · 03-13-2017, 03:55 PM

Real wood and resin is a huge job. I have considered what you say, maybe a thin plastic mold and then hydrographic dipped with clear coat spray. Plastic modeling with silicone molds is pretty easy. Small parts for a dip tank as well. Some stuff I think is acceptable to fake due to the shape and purpose. The OEM real wood handles and steering wheels in our cars has all cracked up and failed due to how difficult it is to do.

**thrawn5499** · 03-13-2017, 04:03 PM

Originally Posted by xboss

Real wood and resin is a huge job. I have considered what you say, maybe a thin plastic mold and then hydrographic dipped with clear coat spray. Plastic modeling with silicone molds is pretty easy. Small parts for a dip tank as well. Some stuff I think is acceptable to fake due to the shape and purpose. The OEM real wood handles and steering wheels in our cars has all cracked up and failed due to how difficult it is to do.

That's kind of where my thought process is going. I was considering hydrographic dipping, or a even laying a veneer over a shell plastic or aluminum. I can do some modeling and have some parts printed out for test fitting. I could have them machined from there. Or I could try to make a mold from a wheel. depends on how much money and time I want to spend on it I guess. I have seen some covers on ebay from starpurity but they are only a half shell. I would like to enclose the back side of them. Maybe leave off the leather part. IDK I am going to have to think about this a little more. That's why I wanted to buy one

**thrawn5499** · 03-14-2017, 12:06 PM

I asked a ebay seller if they could do something like this. I haven't decided for sure if I like it, but am playing around with some ideas.
s-l1600 4.jpg
I am thinking of refinishing my wood to something like what I put on this steering wheel. I think the color will work good with black and grey interior.

**xboss** · 03-14-2017, 01:06 PM

Awesome that you are into making stuff like I do. There is a grey ash E38 wood type I believe and then there is the uber rare birch anthracite wood that is very grey looking. I'm starting to think I need a light set of wood since I now have dark green and black for an interior, the Nussbaum just blends in.