Wood Steering wheel

**thrawn5499** · 03-14-2017, 01:11 PM

Right now time will be a big issue for any new project. Just picked up a second job again for the summer. When the kids are out for the summer daycare goes up $1000 per month. I wanted to offset that a little. I will be doing 16 hour days now until September. I still have weekends though. I do really like the looks of the Birch anthracite wood. that look will be awesome in my silver 740il I think.

**xboss** · 03-14-2017, 01:35 PM

I hear you. I was making tons of wood parts for forum members last year but it's been on hold due to health and time.

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**thrawn5499** · 03-14-2017, 02:08 PM

That looks really good!

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**thrawn5499** · 03-14-2017, 02:38 PM

Got a big no back from that seller for wood. They say they don't do it because 1. It is not popular enough and 2. It is not soft.
No on heated too..

**xboss** · 03-14-2017, 02:55 PM

Yeah, the elusive wood wheel! I must have heat in mine. Cold hands and cold weather. TY, I have gone deep down the E38 wood parts rabbit hole

**thrawn5499** · 03-14-2017, 02:58 PM

I think I am just going to make something. I can't seem to find what I want, and even getting close is several hundred dollars. I just need to decide how much time I really want to throw at this. I found a cheap one with wood and no heat, but needs some work. I could switch it out for my heated one in the winter time... IDK

**740iSport303** · 03-14-2017, 03:12 PM

I have to give kudo's to Xboss and his woodwork ability! I'm one of the lucky ones to purchase/receive his handiwork.
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**thrawn5499** · 03-14-2017, 03:14 PM

That looks Awesome!

**thrawn5499** · 03-14-2017, 03:35 PM

I just got a quote back from a ebay seller for something like this.
s-l1600 (1).jpg
the front would look something like this, but for the e38.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Mercedes-W22...AAAMXQyURSLs0S

Cost is $645.00 not heat though. Not sure if they can do the gray/black burlwood color I want. I am also not sure I want to spend that kind of money when It still won't be exactly what I want.

**franco90** · 03-15-2017, 03:09 PM

Originally Posted by xboss

I hear you. I was making tons of wood parts for forum members last year but it's been on hold due to health and time.

IMG_0419.jpg

yep got that and the woos sun shade LOL

**thrawn5499** · 03-16-2017, 02:54 PM

Does anyone know if this steering wheel will work in a 2001 740il?
http://www.ebay.com/itm/222395070246...%3AMEBIDX%3AIT
it says it is for 2000-2006 BMW X5 E53 E83 E39 SPOKE HEATED STEERING WHEEL & BOLT OEM 6751179
Some places I read say a x5 wheel will work with an e38. Some say they don't know. If it does work, will my airbag work, or will I have to get a different one? RealOEM does not show they part number interchange, But i read on the forums someone was using the non heated version and they said it worked. For the price, i thought I would get it and see if I could make a custom wheel using it. I don't want to bother though if it won't fit my car. Also if I get a non heated version wheel from a e38 will my airbag and other things fit on it, or will i need to get the parts from a non heated wheel?

**tjpike** · 03-16-2017, 07:09 PM

Originally Posted by thrawn5499

Does anyone know if this steering wheel will work in a 2001 740il?
http://www.ebay.com/itm/222395070246...%3AMEBIDX%3AIT
it says it is for 2000-2006 BMW X5 E53 E83 E39 SPOKE HEATED STEERING WHEEL & BOLT OEM 6751179
Some places I read say a x5 wheel will work with an e38. Some say they don't know. If it does work, will my airbag work, or will I have to get a different one? RealOEM does not show they part number interchange, But i read on the forums someone was using the non heated version and they said it worked. For the price, i thought I would get it and see if I could make a custom wheel using it. I don't want to bother though if it won't fit my car. Also if I get a non heated version wheel from a e38 will my airbag and other things fit on it, or will i need to get the parts from a non heated wheel?

Yep! Will fit. It looks identical to my heated wheel in my 750. Doesn't look like they are including the slip ring though, you might have to buy that separately as the heated wheel slip ring has extra contacts on it that the regular slip ring does not.

**thrawn5499** · 03-16-2017, 11:17 PM

Originally Posted by tjpike

Yep! Will fit. It looks identical to my heated wheel in my 750. Doesn't look like they are including the slip ring though, you might have to buy that separately as the heated wheel slip ring has extra contacts on it that the regular slip ring does not.

Can I use my slip ring? mine is heated.

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**mooll** · 03-17-2017, 03:15 AM

Originally Posted by xboss

I hear you. I was making tons of wood parts for forum members last year but it's been on hold due to health and time.

IMG_0419.jpg

was wondering y u stopped...

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also OP thats a decent deal on that heated oem wheel

**thrawn5499** · 03-17-2017, 08:35 AM

Originally Posted by mooll

was wondering y u stopped...

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also OP thats a decent deal on that heated oem wheel

Thanks but will my stuff bolt up to it?

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**tjpike** · 03-17-2017, 09:23 AM

Originally Posted by thrawn5499

Can I use my slip ring? mine is heated.

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Yep! If you have the heated wheel, you can use your slip ring no problem!

**thrawn5499** · 03-17-2017, 09:29 AM

Ok thanks! I know that wheel looked the same, just didn't know for sure since it is a different part number then mine. I think I am going to get it and start working on a custom steering wheel. I am debating wood at this point. I was sure I wanted wood, but after driving a car this week with a wood wheel, and a new bmw with a thicker leather sport wheel, I might be leaning away from wood. Not sure if I will ever be happy with my work if I do wood. I don't want it to turn into a project I start and never finish.

**Frankie** · 03-17-2017, 10:04 AM

Some thoughts:

A wood/leather wheel may feel odd to the touch as your hands move between the two materials. Also, wood doesn't absorb oils from your skin like leather. So a slippery, greasy film may accumulate on the wood sections which are handled frequently.

Wood wheels can look beautiful. But are they practical?

**XAlt** · 03-17-2017, 11:28 AM

Originally Posted by Frankie

Some thoughts:

A wood/leather wheel may feel odd to the touch as your hands move between the two materials. Also, wood doesn't absorb oils from your skin like leather. So a slippery, greasy film may accumulate on the wood sections which are handled frequently.

Wood wheels can look beautiful. But are they practical?

Our 955's wood wheel has seen some pretty rough days, barely cleaned. Not slippery at all.

Wipe it down.

**Chief Jimbo** · 03-17-2017, 12:36 PM

Originally Posted by Frankie

Some thoughts:

A wood/leather wheel may feel odd to the touch as your hands move between the two materials. Also, wood doesn't absorb oils from your skin like leather. So a slippery, greasy film may accumulate on the wood sections which are handled frequently.

Wood wheels can look beautiful. But are they practical?

I LOVE my Victor Wood/Leather steering wheel would not give it up! Would love to have a heated version but that is the only downfall.

**pavrom** · 03-17-2017, 11:11 PM

Originally Posted by Frankie

Some thoughts:

A wood/leather wheel may feel odd to the touch as your hands move between the two materials. Also, wood doesn't absorb oils from your skin like leather. So a slippery, greasy film may accumulate on the wood sections which are handled frequently.

Wood wheels can look beautiful. But are they practical?

I put wood steering wheel in my wife's e53 and I love it . It's not even thick like everyone wants it , but I like the feel of wood alot

**E38bimmer** · 03-18-2017, 01:50 AM

Originally Posted by xboss

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.

link

**MKIVJZA80** · 03-20-2017, 01:05 AM

heated wheel with Chinese cover with wood, most people can't tell it has a cover. i'd never put a cover on any car, but this looks pretty good!

750 steering cover.jpg

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feel heat through it nicely and it gives the wheel a little more width

**Qsilver7** · 03-20-2017, 10:22 AM

Just happened to find this pic of an e38 with its original "optional" wood steering wheel in my pic stash when I was answering a question about the DWA LED this morning...just posting for the heck of it since it was about the topic:

**thrawn5499** · 03-20-2017, 01:28 PM

Not sure yet if I am doing wood, or fake wood, or just leather. I ordered the heated steering wheel from eBay, and I got some leather and stuff for it. I will post pictures of my progress on it no matter which way I go.

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