Replace sport steering wheel with m-sport wheel?

hskode · 12-12-2010, 07:14 AM

Is it possible to replace sport steering wheel with paddle shifters with M-sport steering wheel in 35is? Has anyone tried this?
I checked from realoem that airbag unit and paddle shifters are common. Hence, only the wheel and the multi function switch module need to be replaced. My sport steering wheel is too thin for my hand and I think i need a better grip.

Z4@Phuket · 12-12-2010, 07:29 AM

I am thinking about this small grip too,
but the other inexpensive way is find a good leather shop and cover one extra layer of leather , stitch in Tri-color M style

Rubber Ducky · 12-13-2010, 05:57 AM

Sujit: Have dug into this a bit and believe trying to swap steering wheels lands you in deep kimchi (or whatever is the smelly national dish in Thailand). Talked with a really good tuner shop in Tampa where the owner has himself put an M3 digital steering wheel into his heavily modded M5 ... and they won't touch it: airbags, etc.

There's another thread somewhere where the guy found some alcantara with foam backing and had a leather shop do his wheel with good result. Seem to recall he paid around $200 USC plus the material, but that's obviously a function of where you are.

I'd love to put an M3 steering wheel on my Z4, but it looks like it really is in the 'too hard' category.

(Still wearing those great tee-shirts with pride. Again great thanks.)

hskode · 12-13-2010, 10:03 AM

The wheel on 35is has exactly same functionality as the one in other e89 models, right? Then, swapping the steering wheel and the multi function part with this 35is version will be that difficult?

Constant.S · 12-13-2010, 10:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hskode

The wheel on 35is has exactly same functionality as the one in other e89 models, right? Then, swapping the steering wheel and the multi function part with this 35is version will be that difficult?

It should fit as a direct bolt on as long as the car being installed to is a DCT car because the 35is steering wheel is designed for DCT functionality.

hskode · 12-13-2010, 11:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Constant.S

It should fit as a direct bolt on as long as the car being installed to is a DCT car because the 35is steering wheel is designed for DCT functionality.

That's a good point. Thanks. My car has standard AT so it may be difficult..

Constant.S · 12-13-2010, 12:13 PM

Well actually, comparing the "M sport' steering wheel on the 35is with the the Standard E89 DCT steering wheel, the standard aluminum trim looks better! The only thing about the M sport that is "kinda cool" is the little M badge...

hskode · 12-13-2010, 01:00 PM

Yes, both look beautiful. My only complaint is the thickness and sleek nature of the leather used. If I can get the alcantera job done like in the picture, it'd be a perfect solution.

Constant.S · 12-13-2010, 01:24 PM

Of course you can. The dealer told me i could upgrade to alcantara leather the interior for a fee if i want.

hskode · 12-13-2010, 02:31 PM

Do you mean BMW dealer can replace the wheel with alcantera wheel? Like the BMW performance steering wheel? Or just replace the cover with the alcantera skin?

Constant.S · 12-13-2010, 03:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hskode

Do you mean BMW dealer can replace the wheel with alcantera wheel? Like the BMW performance steering wheel? Or just replace the cover with the alcantera skin?

When my car came i was telling the dealer how i changed my mind and regreting not getting the red leather interior (i got the black instead). He told me that we can change the interior at any time choosing any color or leather type (nappa, alcantara). Of course we were talking about a replace of the covers since replacing the seats and all would be really expensive and dumb IMHO. I remember asking him if the outcome and quality is gonna be "factory like" and he said ofcourse. If your dealer cant do it then go the leather shop route. If things dont turn out as i want them and wont get another car by mid summer, im gonna go for it.

Z4@Phuket · 12-13-2010, 09:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rubber Ducky

Sujit: Have dug into this a bit and believe trying to swap steering wheels lands you in deep kimchi (or whatever is the smelly national dish in Thailand). ...(Still wearing those great tee-shirts with pride. Again great thanks.)

I am so glad that you like those shirts
BTW "Kimchi" is Korean and Japanese food. in Thailand the most world famous dush call "TOM YUM KUNG" spicy prawn soup, you can find this dish in every Thai restaurant around the world

I agree with Constant that Sport wheel looks better than M wheel with silver trim
you can find a small ///M logo to stick on it (Ebay)

Sport sterring wheel for 23i 30i and 35i share the same part, DCT is not the matter, if you have paddle shift

Land_Shark · 12-14-2010, 01:18 AM

I like more the look of the Sport wheel with Al of the Z35i but the feel of the M Wheel is far better... I had the BMW Performance wheel on my E93 and since have a hard time adjusting to the thinner wheel grip...

Mr. ///M3 RD · 12-14-2010, 09:26 AM

I don't know what the fascination is with the ///M Badge. When I drove my M3 and saw a Z8, Z3 and or a Z4 I always considered each and everyone as part of the ///M family. Often we exchanged a Hello (hand wave or tip on the hat) it was always nice to see one, since it was not that often. I often said to myself I might get myself one someday. And I did

It is by chance that I found a set of wheels for my winter set that are ///M replicas. Somehow now each time I get into my Z4 I am reminded of my M3 I traveled nearly 70,000 KM in her. My M3 keychain I still have (I just could not hand it over with my M3 when I sold it), it has been with me coast to coast along some very memorable highways. So to me my Z4 is only 33 HP short of my then 333 HP M3. As far as I am concerned for now the 300 HP are just fine thank you, after all there is no Autobahn in North America.

Perhaps some day when I return to Europe I might just get myself something faster.

12-12-2010, 07:14 AM	#1
hskode Enlisted Member 12 Rep 45 Posts Drives: Space grey Sdrive 30i Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: New Jersey, USA iTrader: (0)	Replace sport steering wheel with m-sport wheel? Is it possible to replace sport steering wheel with paddle shifters with M-sport steering wheel in 35is? Has anyone tried this? I checked from realoem that airbag unit and paddle shifters are common. Hence, only the wheel and the multi function switch module need to be replaced. My sport steering wheel is too thin for my hand and I think i need a better grip.
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12-12-2010, 07:29 AM	#2
Z4@Phuket Lieutenant 63 Rep 432 Posts Drives: Z4 E89 Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Bangkok, Thailand iTrader: (0) Garage List 2009 BMW Z4 [8.00] 2004 BMW 525i [0.00]	I am thinking about this small grip too, but the other inexpensive way is find a good leather shop and cover one extra layer of leather , stitch in Tri-color M style __________________
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12-13-2010, 05:57 AM	#3
Rubber Ducky Lieutenant 47 Rep 519 Posts Drives: 2020 M340i Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Cocoa Beach FL iTrader: (1)	Sujit: Have dug into this a bit and believe trying to swap steering wheels lands you in deep kimchi (or whatever is the smelly national dish in Thailand). Talked with a really good tuner shop in Tampa where the owner has himself put an M3 digital steering wheel into his heavily modded M5 ... and they won't touch it: airbags, etc. There's another thread somewhere where the guy found some alcantara with foam backing and had a leather shop do his wheel with good result. Seem to recall he paid around $200 USC plus the material, but that's obviously a function of where you are. I'd love to put an M3 steering wheel on my Z4, but it looks like it really is in the 'too hard' category. (Still wearing those great tee-shirts with pride. Again great thanks.)
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12-13-2010, 10:03 AM	#4
hskode Enlisted Member 12 Rep 45 Posts Drives: Space grey Sdrive 30i Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: New Jersey, USA iTrader: (0)	The wheel on 35is has exactly same functionality as the one in other e89 models, right? Then, swapping the steering wheel and the multi function part with this 35is version will be that difficult?
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12-13-2010, 12:13 PM	#7
Constant.S Resistance is futile... 54 Rep 640 Posts Drives: BMW Z4 E89(N54) Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Greece/Canada iTrader: (0)	Well actually, comparing the "M sport' steering wheel on the 35is with the the Standard E89 DCT steering wheel, the standard aluminum trim looks better! The only thing about the M sport that is "kinda cool" is the little M badge... __________________ An ounce of performance is worth pounds of promises.
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12-13-2010, 01:00 PM	#8
hskode Enlisted Member 12 Rep 45 Posts Drives: Space grey Sdrive 30i Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: New Jersey, USA iTrader: (0)	Yes, both look beautiful. My only complaint is the thickness and sleek nature of the leather used. If I can get the alcantera job done like in the picture, it'd be a perfect solution. Attached Images
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12-13-2010, 01:24 PM	#9
Constant.S Resistance is futile... 54 Rep 640 Posts Drives: BMW Z4 E89(N54) Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Greece/Canada iTrader: (0)	Of course you can. The dealer told me i could upgrade to alcantara leather the interior for a fee if i want. __________________ An ounce of performance is worth pounds of promises.
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12-13-2010, 02:31 PM	#10
hskode Enlisted Member 12 Rep 45 Posts Drives: Space grey Sdrive 30i Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: New Jersey, USA iTrader: (0)	Do you mean BMW dealer can replace the wheel with alcantera wheel? Like the BMW performance steering wheel? Or just replace the cover with the alcantera skin?
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12-14-2010, 01:18 AM	#13
Land_Shark In The Flesh 23 Rep 600 Posts Drives: Z4 sDrive 35i Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Hong Kong iTrader: (0)	I like more the look of the Sport wheel with Al of the Z35i but the feel of the M Wheel is far better... I had the BMW Performance wheel on my E93 and since have a hard time adjusting to the thinner wheel grip...
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12-14-2010, 09:26 AM	#14
Mr. ///M3 RD Happy Camper 613 Rep 7,869 Posts Drives: C63 AMG & 280 SL on Weekends : Join Date: May 2010 Location: GTA, Ontario - Canada iTrader: (0) Garage List 1969 Restored Merce ... [7.50] 2011 M3 Coupe TRADED [7.34] 1987 BMW 535is [1.00] Cars from the Past [6.50] The ///M3 Engine S65 [9.59]	I don't know what the fascination is with the ///M Badge. When I drove my M3 and saw a Z8, Z3 and or a Z4 I always considered each and everyone as part of the ///M family. Often we exchanged a Hello (hand wave or tip on the hat) it was always nice to see one, since it was not that often. I often said to myself I might get myself one someday. And I did It is by chance that I found a set of wheels for my winter set that are ///M replicas. Somehow now each time I get into my Z4 I am reminded of my M3 I traveled nearly 70,000 KM in her. My M3 keychain I still have (I just could not hand it over with my M3 when I sold it), it has been with me coast to coast along some very memorable highways. So to me my Z4 is only 33 HP short of my then 333 HP M3. As far as I am concerned for now the 300 HP are just fine thank you, after all there is no Autobahn in North America. Perhaps some day when I return to Europe I might just get myself something faster. __________________ Cheers, Rolf-Dieter Life will take us to some interesting places, fortunately The ///M3 will too with a many of us know this very well, now my C6.3 AMG with 487 HP does it too ---> Click here for some good stuff I found Last edited by Mr. ///M3 RD; 03-01-2011 at 08:18 AM..
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