Install Sport Wheel Trim piece on 2005?
 

Hi everyone,

I did a search and came up with some great info on what part to replace for the peeling/chipping paint on the sport steering wheel in my 2005 X. FYI, the part number is 32 30-6778412. The cheapest place I found it is at ECS (link here: Steering Wheel Cover) and it should be here soon.

Has anyone actually installed this themselves? I know the dealer can do it, but it doesn't look like there's any screws, and I'm wondering if it can be done without removing the airbag.

Please let me know if you've done this and have any advice. Thanks again,

Rob

Make sure you get the latest one. BMW improved it during the production cycle.

Anyone? Thanks for the help!

Rob

Looks to me from a DIY on the homepage you need to remove the center part with the airbag. Look here:

http://www.xoutpost.com/articles/x5/i...004-style.html

As far removing that piece, I suggest waiting until you get the new part. Once you get it, inspect it for clues on how it's connected. Maybe you can even write up a DIY for this for others. :thumbup:

Hope that helps.

I really don't think you can change it without removing the airbag.

That's what it looks like. Ok, I will wait for the part and post my findings here. If it differs substantially from the airbag-first removal, I will post a new DIY.

Rob

Nice find xrob! I hope you have no troubles with the diy. I went my local stealership to inquire about a cover in titanium finish to match my interior, and apparently you can only get it in black...

It definitely exists, question is how to get it.

yup, it does exist. A friend of mine owned a '06 X5 3.0d with sports package and it came with the matching titanium cover. I wonder if its an "individual" option, I cannot find it on the realoem.com catalog :(

Was his car an 'Individual' edition? Why don't you ask him to get you the part number, or at least his VIN.

bump to jpm4.8is

Bump

Who do you think you are? Bump!

this may help you BMW X5 • View topic - replacing steering wheel trim e53

I didn't know they had an M version of our wheel!? What car is that from? And how much? Definitely a nice mod!

You guys crack me up! My bump was to jpm4.8is, who claims the steering wheel trim in Post # 8 exists as he saw it. I want him to give me the p/n. Still waiting...

To JT///MC, they don't have an ///M version, but this one is pretty close and technically is for the X3, though reportedly it will fit the X5. It also comes in a heated option which is nice and rare for an M wheel. Unfortunately it doesn't have the tri-color thread that some (most?) ///M steering wheels have, and as far as I'm concerned, all should have.

Thats a nice looking wheel but yes, you're right, it doesn't look right unless it has the ///M triple stitching. I think I can get it recovered in Alcantara like this:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/rocknro...7614025641802/

This is a contact I have from the Z3 forums and this is the stuff of my buddie's M Roadster. Its really nice. Since I already have alcantara seats, this maybe the next logical step!

BTW, I think I will just get the $5 ///M sticker and slap it on my wheel instead!

Im trying to find a wood version...anyone know of somewhere to get it?

I dont think it even exist.
Try Lexington furniture.:rofl:

One doesn't exist for the facelift sports steering wheel, but if you have the older style wheel then yes there are several options.

Thia is what I found a wood insert for 2005 e53 sport steering wheel

http://accessories.bmwusa.com/Assets...hlTrim_660.jpg

x3 interior isn't it?

Roveractive says works for 2007+ X3 and 2004-2006 X5...You think?


eBay Motors: BMW X3 2007+ X5 04-06 Poplar & Chrome Steering Trim NEW (item 170148197270 end time Apr-02-09 12:09:26 PDT)

Yeah X3. It's debatable whether or not it will work in an X5. According to BMW, no. According to some vendors, yes.

My question is I wonder if it would match my dark poplar wood color... I know the ash version looks almost like the smoke gray poplar color.....

Already looked into it. It doesn't match. X5 and X3 have no matching wood colors. You might also have an issue with airbag fitment and a new one will run you in the neighborhood of $500-700.

(ouch!)

You hinted on it here, it almost looks like it.

I would say it also comes down to the "cut" of wood and the way it was processed. In my e39 I had Vavona wood trim and I had some pieces that had some scratches in them. Went to the dealership to buy new trim pieces.

Installed the pieces in the car, and the new wood was darker than the rest of the trim in the car, and the grains didn't flow as well. You could notice if you paid attention and followed all of the trim.

But since it is on a steering wheel I don't think you will notice as much. I would ask to see all of the steering wheels with the wood choice you want to see if a particular piece matches the rest of your trim better than another piece.

A little slow in my response...

No prob. Yeah it was something I was interested in since the ETK schematic for the steering wheel is the same one used for the X5 and X3. There are some cases when the p/n's are interchangeable, however many are not. What I do know for certain is that:
1. The wood is definitely different b/w the 2 cars.
2. BMW says the steering wheels are not interchangeable per the ETK.
3. Vendors who claim that they are interchangeable can order the part for you but will not accept returns if it doesn't fit. So unless you have $500-$1,000 you are willing to blow on sheer curiosity. I'd pass.

ditto!

I have a 3.0d Sport 2005 with (until this afternoon) the awful wheel cover that scratches to white with minimum effort. It was chipped and scratched everywhere. Having removed it I can see that it has a really feeble grey coating on what seems to be a white ABS moulding. You can scrape this off to reveal the white without any vigour at all.
The good news is that the replacement which I just bought is solid black plastic, and looks way more durable (p/n B32.30 6 778 412).
The answer to the original technical question is "yes, you can install the cover without removing the airbag". [At your own risk of course - I take no responsibility other than to say I did it on my car - if you repeat and screw up it's your problem, not mine].
Unscrew the five captive T10 screws to release the cover. Put your fingers under the thick bit of the cover at the bottom and apply some pressure to pull it clear of the wheel and also slightly downwards.
Pull the left hand side first away from the wheel. You will be able to release the cover enough to sit fairly snugly around the airbag, about 3/4 inch away from the fitted position. Work the cover away until you free the right hand side. Don't be tempted to pull it away with any force - just get the cover around the airbag. Then reach for the wires on the right hand side behind the cover and release the black wiring connector. You can now move the cover away from the airbag but be careful as the wiring on the right is short, still connected, and doesn't give much room for manouevre. I moved the right hand side through the top of the wheel to allow removal of the screws holding the multi-function switches in place (the inner screws only: the screws left captive in the wheel hold the outer fixings in place). Then unclip the cable and you can replace the cover.
When replacing the cover I suggest you form the nine threads for T10 screws before you start - it will make life easier. Then refit the switch inner screw pairs, route the wiring, refit the black connector and have the cover run snugly around the airbag and press in from the bottom first to seat it. There is a curved lug about 2.5 inches wide which needs to locate below the airbag, once that is done the rest of the cover and switches will snap back in. Work each side in turn to progressively get the cover under the airbag.
Do-able - not pretty, but do-able. Fifteen mins max.
I probably wouldn't do this without removing the airbag if I cared greatly for the cover being taken out, like if I was going to re-use it.
Again - all at your own risk, I take no responsibility. You'll get a bit of a bill if anything happens with the airbag, I would expect... The best thing to do would be to follow the correct procedure and remove power before fishing for the airbag releases.