Steering Wheel Replacement

[JohnD]

My 2001 has the 4 spoke heated stearing wheel - can this be swapped for one out of a sport model - 3 spoke? Do I need anything other than the new wheel and airbag? I understand it would no longer be heated...

Thanks
JD

[zerochief]

Yes you have a few choices. I run a SMG II M wheel w/Paddles (you need an adapter for these steering wheels)

http://www.xoutpost.com/articles/x5/i...003-style.html

http://www.xoutpost.com/articles/x5/i...-wheel-x5.html

[GearHead]

Originally Posted by JohnD

My 2001 has the 4 spoke heated stearing wheel - can this be swapped for one out of a sport model - 3 spoke? Do I need anything other than the new wheel and airbag? I understand it would no longer be heated...

Thanks
JD

Hi John

Though I didn't do it, I did explore swapping a 4 spoke with a 3 spoke. My recollection is a like for like replacement knowingly that a new airbag is needed for the 3 spoke wheel

Hope this helps

[Zulu95]

There actually is a heated 3 spoke now that will fit.

[JohnD]

ZeroCheif,

Thank steering wheel looks awesome... I can only imagine my wifes reaction when I tell her how much it would cost...

JD

[PersonaNonGrata]

If you want to swap to the 3-spoke Sport steering wheel, you will need the round airbag. With that round airbag you could opt for the M Sport or M3 steering wheel. (They're the same except for the color of the stitching and the plastic piece on the bottom spoke.)

If you want the Sport steering wheel that came with the pre-'04 Sports Package I have one that I can sell you. It's practically brand new. It would save you a few hundred dollars as compared with the M Sport steering wheel. PM me if you're interested.

[JohnD]

Is the wiring harness for the 4 spoke the same as the 3 spoke? Has anyone else swapped out a 4 spoke - all the articles on the board are for 3 spoke to M wheel

Thanks
JD

[Zulu95]

Same wiring apart from paddle shift.

[bscarlett]

I swapped my 4 spoke to a 3 spoke SMG wheel on my E39. The procedure is almost the same for X5. Needed a new airbag, wheel and slipring along with 2 hours of time.

[marks89m3]

i have a stock wheel from 2002 4.6is left over from when i did the paddle shift conversion......

let me know if you are interested.....i'm tired of looking at it in the garage.

cheers!