Results 1 to 6 of 6

Thread: E36 steering wheel question

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Aug 2015
    Location
    houston
    Posts
    6
    My Cars
    1997 BMW 328i

    E36 steering wheel question

    I had bought this steering wheel in hopes to use to replace my old worn out bus wheel in my 97 328i. And on the little research prior to buying this wheel it seemed like installing it would be a breeze and i would only have to cut and solder some wires but after i did more research before installing it it doesn't seem that simple. I have looked through at least 40 E36 and E46 threads and haven't come up with a good answer of how to install it and even if its possible ( i think that it is because i have seen other e36s have the steering wheel). So im hoping someone will be able to point me in the right direction to install this wheel. I don't care about the wheel controls working that can come at a later date i just want to install the wheel and have the airbag work.

    I hope to install it in my 97 328i

    The steering wheel - It is from a early E46 with the single stage airbag, i also have the matching clockspring and pigtail
    Capture1.jpgCapture.jpgCaptur2e.jpg

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Jan 2015
    Location
    Germany
    Posts
    65
    My Cars
    '04 BMW Z4 Roadster 2,2i
    E46 version doesn't work,you need the E36 version of this wheel,then you can reuse the slip ring (clockspring,as you call it) on your "bus" steering wheel.... (i always wonder why this fourspoke wheel is called buswheel....it has the exact same diameter as the threespoke sports steering wheel pictured here....).

    Problem with the E46 version is that the slip ring isn't mounted on the steering wheel but on the steering column....i don't know of a workaround for that in the E36....


    Greetz

    Cap

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Nov 2013
    Location
    VA
    Posts
    1,156
    My Cars
    E36
    Wrong steering wheel. You need the e36 m technic 1 or 2 version.

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Jan 2015
    Location
    Germany
    Posts
    65
    My Cars
    '04 BMW Z4 Roadster 2,2i
    He can fit the identical looking E36 version of this wheel called "airbag sports steering wheel 2" as i already pointed out....he doesn't need one of the M wheels....

    Click


    Greetz

    Cap
    Last edited by CaptainFuture01; 01-21-2019 at 03:00 PM.

  5. #5
    Join Date
    May 2006
    Location
    The Netherlands
    Posts
    16,707
    My Cars
    DE-spec E36 328i/M3 cab
    Quote Originally Posted by CaptainFuture01 View Post
    ...
    Problem with the E46 version is that the slip ring isn't mounted on the steering wheel but on the steering column....i don't know of a workaround for that in the E36....


    Greetz

    Cap
    People have either machined newer wheels to make the E36 slipring fit, or retrofit the complete E46/E38/E39 later steering column.

    If you want MFL functionality, you want the M airbag wheel.
    1998 BMW M3 3.2 Cabrio • Alpinweiί III on Schwarz • German spec • 1 of 12
    SMG • SRA • PDC • AUC • OBC • GSM • HK • UURS • IHKA • FGR • MFL

    IG:
    https://www.instagram.com/iflok/



  6. #6
    Join Date
    Jan 2015
    Location
    Germany
    Posts
    65
    My Cars
    '04 BMW Z4 Roadster 2,2i
    I responded to the asking users request....

    Quote Originally Posted by aaleeba View Post
    I don't care about the wheel controls working that can come at a later date i just want to install the wheel and have the airbag work.
    ....not to "the People"...


    Greetz

    Cap

Similar Threads

  1. swap e36 m3 4 spoke steering wheel question
    By mattymic in forum 1996 - 2002 Z3 (E36/7, E36/8)
    Replies: 1
    Last Post: 07-13-2012, 08:44 AM
  2. E36 ///M3 Steering Wheel questions
    By 325x in forum 1991 - 1999 (E36)
    Replies: 2
    Last Post: 01-18-2012, 11:15 AM
  3. E36 steering wheel slip rings question
    By Cataldo in forum 1991 - 1999 (E36)
    Replies: 2
    Last Post: 08-13-2011, 09:25 PM
  4. Steering wheel question(e46-e36)???
    By e36jaypark in forum 1992 - 1999 M3 (E36)
    Replies: 4
    Last Post: 03-07-2007, 08:37 PM
  5. E36 OEM steering wheel questions
    By Eghatchy in forum 1992 - 1999 M3 (E36)
    Replies: 19
    Last Post: 12-08-2004, 10:59 PM

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •