Swapped out Sport Automatic steering wheel for M Sport wheel

[teezee]

Really like the feel of the MSport steering wheel over the standard steering wheel. Didn't really care for the all-black plastic trim around the multi-function switches, so I kept the silver bits off the original wheel as I thought they were a nicer match for the paddle shifters.

[BMWZ4]

Curious about the cost (if you don't mind!) and where you bought it? I'm thinking about doing this with my '11 X3, but so far, cost is prohibitive because I have to replace the air bag (different shape, so can't reuse the existing bag).

Thanks
Dave

[teezee]

The wheel ended up $639. I had the car in for scheduled maint so they didn't charge for labor. Real OEM had the airbag module at $900 so I would definitely not have done this if I could not use the same airbag module, padle shifters and multifunction modules from the OEM stock wheel

[BMWZ4]

Thanks Teezee....still out of the question then for me and my x3!....north of $2kCAD to have it swapped out.

Thanks for that info though.
Dave

[fre2bpowerless]

Lookin' good, how's the feel compared to the stock wheel?

[rfx45]

Be honest, how annoying is the push/pull shifter on the steering compared to the paddle shifters?

[brianh968]

forgive me... but I'm having a hard time understanding the upgrade here... Visually my steering wheel looks identical other than the black plastic slab at the bottom & of course the sticker. The sticker is available on eBay for ~$10. But really - am I missing something?

[48redlands]

Originally Posted by brianh968

forgive me... but I'm having a hard time understanding the upgrade here... Visually my steering wheel looks identical other than the black plastic slab at the bottom & of course the sticker. The sticker is available on eBay for ~$10. But really - am I missing something?

I was just thinking the same thing, it looks identical,

[teezee]

Originally Posted by fre2bpowerless

Lookin' good, how's the feel compared to the stock wheel?

It's such a meatier grip, I really like it!

[teezee]

Originally Posted by rfx45

Be honest, how annoying is the push/pull shifter on the steering compared to the paddle shifters?

I will sometimes prefer to shift the car with the stick, especially when I am looking to shift in a curve whne the wheel is turned and the paddles aren't in the best place. Just seems more natural to use the stick then.

[teezee]

Originally Posted by 48redlands

I was just thinking the same thing, it looks identical,

I know it's subtle to see, but the wheel is actually thicker, noticeably so when you have it in hand. The thumb notches are a little deeper too. The paddles , the multifunction switches and their covers are all from the stock wheel.

here's my stock wheel for comparison. You'll just have to take my word for it or go put your fingers around any other M Sport wheel, you'll feel the difference

[brianh968]

great - thanks for clarifying the differences....

[silverstone_ttlz4]

Could you have also swapped the bottom silver trim piece on the stock steering wheel to the M one?


Having test driven a car with the M steering wheel, I can say that the difference isn't noticeable in pictures, but is definitely so in person. The plastic trim pieces always looked a little cheep to me though to make the switch worth it.

[teezee]

Originally Posted by silverstone_ttlz4

Could you have also swapped the bottom silver trim piece on the stock steering wheel to the M one?

Yes, you could reinstall the bottom silver trim piece. The wheel I purchased only had the bottom all-black trim piece attached, it came without the all-black side trim pieces. I had always planned on keeping the silver side trim pieces from my original wheel.

[lewisracing]

Where can I get the best price for the all black Msport wheel without shifters and no buttons for my '03 Z4?

I have searched this forum and the internet, everyone on the forums are quoting $400 for the wheel and I can't find anyone listing it for under $510 (tried Tischer and RealOEM already).

Like this:

[rfx45]

Anyone else wishes that the M-Sport steering wheel had a flat bottom for the E89?

[Mr. ///M3 RD]

Originally Posted by brianh968

forgive me... but I'm having a hard time understanding the upgrade here... Visually my steering wheel looks identical other than the black plastic slab at the bottom & of course the sticker. The sticker is available on eBay for ~$10. But really - am I missing something?

The feel is a bit more meaty, to see and feel the difference visit your BMW dealer and check out the M3 then feel the wheel and you will not miss a thing

[tranquility]

Ya, the M-wheel is thicker, so depends on your hand size. It would not be a good fit for me since I have small hands.

Good job, OP. I'm wondering why you kept the silver bits (you like the color-matching) but I found that on a sunny day, those areas actually reflected light and had a glare: I though that it was kinda an oversight by BMW to have something glaring, esp in the cockpit.

I also wonder how much would it be to switch to dedicated paddles instead of our silly push/pull sys.

[teezee]

Originally Posted by tranquility

Ya, the M-wheel is thicker, so depends on your hand size. It would not be a good fit for me since I have small hands.

Good job, OP. I'm wondering why you kept the silver bits (you like the color-matching) but I found that on a sunny day, those areas actually reflected light and had a glare: I though that it was kinda an oversight by BMW to have something glaring, esp in the cockpit.

I also wonder how much would it be to switch to dedicated paddles instead of our silly push/pull sys.

Hmm, I've never noticed a glare problem, but typically have on polarizized shades when driving- because the top is almost always down

Never thought about the +/- paddles, I think the push/pull is pretty intuitive and not having used the others, I don't feel any disadvantage.

[silverstone_ttlz4]

Originally Posted by teezee

Yes, you could reinstall the bottom silver trim piece. The wheel I purchased only had the bottom all-black trim piece attached, it came without the all-black side trim pieces. I had always planned on keeping the silver side trim pieces from my original wheel.

If that's the case, then I may look into this mod in the future. The M steering wheel is much thicker and nicer to hold. With the really awful looking black trim pieces off (IMO) and the stock silver ones in their place, it'd be the best combination.

That said, I would love a steering wheel like the one on the Audi TT with the flat bottom and all around higher quality materials.

[javol]

Originally Posted by teezee

Really like the feel of the MSport steering wheel over the standard steering wheel. Didn't really care for the all-black plastic trim around the multi-function switches, so I kept the silver bits off the original wheel as I thought they were a nicer match for the paddle shifters.

Did the same modification on my 2011 35i.

One of the best mods i did, way better looking than stock.

NOTE: it is necessary to see and touch the M steering wheel in person to understand the difference.

[Andrew*Debbie]

Originally Posted by rfx45

Anyone else wishes that the M-Sport steering wheel had a flat bottom for the E89?

Without the sport seats, I had a hard time adjusting things so that my left leg wouldn't hit the steering wheel when shifting.

Not an issue for an automatic and possibly not an issue in LHD cars.

For me, the sport seats made a huge difference. I'm able to set things so that my legs don't hit the wheel.