Will the Heated Steering Wheel Work in my Car?

[Naz24]

Hey guys,

I want to buy a heated sport steering wheel for my 2004 X5, as of right now i have a 4 spoke, non sport, non heated steering wheel.

I called Morristown BMW and they said that i might need a different slip ring for the heated function to work, but are not positive. Has anyone done the conversion?

[sunny5280]

Originally Posted by Naz24

Hey guys,

I want to buy a heated sport steering wheel for my 2004 X5, as of right now i have a 4 spoke, non sport, non heated steering wheel.

I called Morristown BMW and they said that i might need a different slip ring for the heated function to work, but are not positive. Has anyone done the conversion?

I thought about doing this myself and came across the following when researching the practicality of doing so:

Heated steering wheel retrofit project

This is not an X5 steering wheel retrofit but it looks as if the slip ring needs to be replaced.

[Naz24]

saw that, but I also saw another thread on here that said something about a resistor and not the slip ring.

hmmm

[jst2878]

Just get the m steering wheel with paddleshift. You can always rub your hands together like Mr. Miagi and warm the wheel up yourself. Lol, seriously, you will probably need a new collar ring which will power the heat option. You can always install the new wheel first and if it doesn't work just get the ring

[X5 Meister]

Here's one of the best retrofits ever written:

http://www.bmwmotorsports.org/pdf/e5...20retrofit.pdf

Originally Posted by Naz24

Hey guys,

I want to buy a heated sport steering wheel for my 2004 X5, as of right now i have a 4 spoke, non sport, non heated steering wheel.

I called Morristown BMW and they said that i might need a different slip ring for the heated function to work, but are not positive. Has anyone done the conversion?

[papasmurf]

For both the paddle shifter and heated wheel you need a new slip ring, due to the need for additional wires being needed.

[X5 Meister]

Just keep in mind you can't have both. The paddleshift retrofit uses the wiring that is otherwise used for the heating function.

[Naz24]

i called morristown bmw again and talked to parts department, they said that the part number for the slip ring for the non and heated steering wheel are the same, weird

[X5 Meister]

Did you read the write-up? It would have saved you a call.

[djbock]

Originally Posted by X5 Meister

Here's one of the best retrofits ever written:

http://www.bmwmotorsports.org/pdf/e5...20retrofit.pdf

I replaced the non-heated 4 spoke wheel in my 2001 X5 to a heated sport wheel following these instructions and these parts and it works perfectly. So if it works in my 01 I don't see any reason why it will not work in yours.

Also, before I even started I called and spoke with 3 dealerships both parts and service departments and they told me that it was not possible but I went for it anyway! Just goes to show you that sometimes the enthusiasts know more than the dealers.