Check out my sport heated steering wheel... (retrofit)

King · #1 10-16-2006, 08:05 PM

Installed the new sport heated steering wheel this weekend. Didn't like this wheel at first, but boy what a difference when you're driving! Nice fat wheel like the 4.8is. At one point I had installed the M3 wheel but took it off right away 'cos it didn't feel right and was too small for the X5. This one's a keeper for sure!

Not a difficult mod to do. I couldn't find any instructions anywhere so I decided to do a full write-up with pics...which I will be posting very soon. Thanks to Zulu95 for your help!

Here's a before and after pic...

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Sudesh · #2 10-16-2006, 08:09 PM

Great Mod and looks well!! I was thinking of putting that wheel on my 4.6is but decided to go with the E46 M3 SMG wheel as I wanted the paddle shift. I was actuallly planning on fitting the new M5 SMG wheel but it was a bit more complicated to fit. Well done King!! Look forward to you write up....

LeMansX5 · #3 10-16-2006, 08:16 PM

Great mod. How difficult it is to add heated wheel option to a sport wheel?

Sudesh · #4 10-16-2006, 08:20 PM

I think the haeted wheel is already setup on the X as, when I done my mod I noticed an additional plug that was not connected to the slipring which would make me think, with the right slipring and wheel it's a simple plug and play item. I could be wrong but I have every other option on my wheel accept heated and that plug I found is definately for the steering......

King · #5 10-16-2006, 09:06 PM

LeMansX5...you can not 'add' heat to a sport wheel. It's a completely new wheel all together!

Sudesh...You're on the right track. Most X5's are pre-wired for a heated wheel but the wire does not have any power from the other end. It is missing a power switch control relay. Also you have to change the steering column switch and airbag, but it's all doable! I put the M3 SMG wheel in my 540i and love it!

Sudesh · #6 10-16-2006, 09:11 PM

Ok!! So I'm pretty close then. The plug at the steering colum that does nothing obviously plugs into the correct steering slipring that is required for the new wheel plus, needs connected at the lower end under the dash to the Power Control Relay you mentioned! Sound like a pretty simple mod with the right parts. Very well done King!! Yeah I love the M3 SMG wheel on my X plus I also had it fitted to an e39 540i about 3 years ago. Another great car by BMW........

LeMansX5 · #7 10-16-2006, 09:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by King

LeMansX5...you can not 'add' heat to a sport wheel. It's a completely new wheel all together!

Thanks. Do you know the part# for heated sports wheel?

nespo_x5 · #8 10-16-2006, 09:26 PM

I have a 06 x5 3.0, but not the sport package. It has a factory heated steering wheel. I thought that the sport wheel didn't have heat? Where is the button? I looked at everyones buttons and do not see the heated steering wheel one? If this is something that I can do, then I must change to the sport wheel, thanks.

Sudesh · #9 10-16-2006, 09:29 PM

I'm looking into this myself but dont think I cant run with heated on an SMG wheel. But I think you will need a few part numbers. 1. for the steering slip ring, 2. for the new wheel, 3. for an airbag if you have the early 03 round airbag, 4. for the heated relay power switch. Also I would first check to see if you have a plug at your steering wheel that is not connected as this is a important item.

King · #10 10-16-2006, 10:15 PM

I am working on a write-up that will answer all your questions!

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