Changed my 4.6is steering wheel with lower black plastic trim to wood trim, few tips

[bmw540san]

I know it's matter of preference but I wanted the wood trim on steering wheel to match the rest of interior and I consider it better looking than black plastic.

To start with, REALOEM warns you that you can't switch between wood and plastic trim but you have to switch the whole steering wheel. And they're correct as you'll see in one of the pictures.


My original wheel:

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I got a really good deal on this one. Mine is in slightly better condition but now I learned that if I want one in better condition, there are some other out there as long as they have either dark or light wood trim since I need that particular raised shape for wood trim to properly fit.

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Removed the trim thinking I could just swap it to my wheel:

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Nope, I'm pointing to difference in shape, my steering wheel which is on the right has flat area vs the raised one I'm pointing to.

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There are also some differences in types of bolts used between plastic and wood trim but I swaped the bolts as well.


All done. I'm not 100% happy with the slight gap on left where trim and spoke meets but as I mentioned, I can get another steering wheel and come out even or better since I paid next ot nothing for this one:

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Mine is all cleaned up and it's for sale on ebay. PM me for link if interested.

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[X53Jay4.8is]

Originally Posted by bmw540san

I know it's matter of preference but I wanted the wood trim on steering wheel to match the rest of interior and I consider it better looking than black plastic.

To start with, REALOEM warns you that you can't switch between wood and plastic trim but you have to switch the whole steering wheel. And they're correct as you'll see in one of the pictures.


My original wheel:

image hosting over 5mb



I got a really good deal on this one. Mine is in slightly better condition but now I learned that if I want one in better condition, there are some other out there as long as they have either dark or light wood trim since I need that particular raised shape for wood trim to properly fit.

image hosting over 5mb



Removed the trim thinking I could just swap it to my wheel:

image hosting over 5mb



Nope, I'm pointing to difference in shape, my steering wheel which is on the right has flat area vs the raised one I'm pointing to.

image hosting over 5mb


There are also some differences in types of bolts used between plastic and wood trim but I swaped the bolts as well.


All done. I'm not 100% happy with the slight gap on left where trim and spoke meets but as I mentioned, I can get another steering wheel and come out even or better since I paid next ot nothing for this one:
]

Just have the original wood wheel re-wrapped so that it is perfect for your X5

[bmw540san]

Not bad idea.