Heated steering wheel from e38/e39
 

Hello guys. I need to replace my steering wheel on my e53 pre-facelift.I had to do it fast so I took one from e38 /e39 wich fitted perfectly with all the buttons working and no errors at all after changing it.For now it does the job but before I get back the sport steering wheel I remembered there are heated steering wheels from e38/e39 just like the one I'm with now but with an extra button for the heat option.So I cheched ebay and found such wheels but half of them say they don't fit e53 and the other half doesn't say anything besides for series 5/7.
So to the question (finally) - if I can mount such this steering wheel without heater and everything works fine - can I mount the same wheel with a heater option?

Yes. The heater shouldnt concern you but the airbag compatibility.

Have you used any of the online part databases to see if there are any other compatible parts between the e38/e39/e53 steering wheel/column/airbag/slipring?

RealOEM.com Online BMW Parts Catalog
Microsoft Internet Information Services 8

I know realoem.com but not sure how to check compatibility

Once you find the part number....click back to the "search feature" (RealOEM.com * Part Cross-reference) and type the 11 digit part nbr in the box.

For example, if you copy/paste the Radio/Telephone Switch's part nbr into the search box at the link above (61316903396)...you will get a list of all the other BMW models that use the same part. Also pay attention to the TO/FROM supplemental columns in the part nbr index...some of the e38/e39 steering wheels only go up to 2001...with the last of the e39s (525/530/540) using different steering wheel part nbrs from 2001-up.

Ok thanks. So basically this wheel is not mounted on e53 therefore there is no compatibility and this part is never found or ment for x5. But it works fine.
Ok - let's say the heater is no problem - but how to check the airbag compatibility since it's never ment for x5 but still fits nicely?

EDIT: I found that they actually have the 'same' wheel for e53 only it's not the same and it's only found and compatible for e53.Everything looks just the same only according to the catalog - it's found only on e53s.I may have a problem only with the airbag as suggested and unfortunatelly this is exactly the part that it's not sold separately.So I can't combine e38 wheel with e53 airbag.And if I take the whole steering wheel from e38 and everything seems to work fine - I can't be sure that the airbag will work right?

+1

Driving that change was production after 05/99 (if I recall- been a while) in the E39 of a dual stage airbag vs the earlier production single stage airbags. I would think that the E53 are all dual stage-with the very early production *possible* but not likely single stage air bags.

Common guidelines in the E39 world are 1997-1999 = Single stage and 2000-2003 = dual stage. You'll want to be certain that any airbag you choose is from later E39 production. This won't guarantee it'll work, but it will go a long way to ensuring it.

Ahhh...I see by your "edit"...you've run across the "tricky slope/slippery slope". :)

BMW's design architecture is interesting...some things can be used for decades across multiple models & generations and is obvious by the parts cross reference list. Then sometimes things may "look" similar, but have something unique to a model...yet one may find that it still works, but may lack the abilities of the "upgrade"...but still performs (ie, the rear tail lights for the 99-01 e38 where designed for the new LCM III and it's replacement lighting and voltage limiting abilities). The bulb holders and bulbs for the 99/upgrade don't work in the older 95-98 rear tail lights and vice versa...but the electrical connector and other parts allows the new tail lights to bolt on & plug in without any modifications. The new tail lights will work normally as before on the 95-98...but they don't perform the new features that came with the 99-01's upgraded LCM .

Then sometimes a part may look the same, but have internal operations that are totally incompatible on other models. For instance, the slip ring on the 2001-up e39s changed and I believe the turn indicator is somehow incorporated into the slip rings function. Then when you pull up the early e53s which has similar looking wheels...but the part nbrs are different...it may take a "trailblazer" to find out if normal functions will work...or if the item is totally incompatible.

You asked about the heated steering wheels...and I do know that the slip ring plays a roll in this features operation. But I don't know that much about the e53's slip ring/steering wheels to give you any definitive answer. Then you have the later e53 steering wheels that could have the heating feature and come with the 3-spoke "sport" steering wheel. None of the e38/e39 heated steering wheels were offered with their 3-spoke sport wheels.

But again, I'm not sure of any compatibility with the e53 steering wheel set-ups with the e38/e39. If you do forge ahead and discover that it will work (with or without some modification)...the e38/e39/e53 forums would truly benefit from your experiment/experience/knowledge etc. :)

Also, have you checked the FAQ/How-Tos/Articles links along the top of the page to see what has been discussed/discovered already? I'm sure that someone has attempted or looked at doing this since the time of these models being on the market.

I will do some more research and if I have something - I'll share :)

There is a good how to on how to add a heated wheel to the E53. Away from my computer so can't link to it at the moment.