E53 Question on Steering Swapping
 

I know from what I read on this forum the e46 steering wheel will fit how about the e39 M5 steering wheel? Has that been asked? Thought I read the e46 and e39 steering wheel is the same but cant confirm. And yes I know I cant swap the airbag of my prefacelift the wheel I am looking at is complete.

I have a 02 4.6is, pre facelift of course

yes i believe the m5 wheel is the same as the e46 m3 wheel. They should be interchangeable with your e53 but of course you will have to swap to the round air bag if you dont already have one.

Facelift E39 wheel (same as E46) fits our round airbag with no problems. Pre-facelift E39 wheel has a single stage airbag so it wont work.

Thanks RB it came off a facelift m5

The single stage airbag ended with the 2/99 build date...so there are some pre-facelift e38/e39 steering wheels (3/99-up build date) that are dual stage. But these early steering wheels w/dual stage air bag...didn't have the round air bag, though. :)

Thanks Qsilver for the verification, I meant to put a note that my statement applies if you already have the round air bag the late E39 and E46 wheels will work

I have an e39 M5 wheel on my X
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b2...ps7920bcdc.jpg

Prior to going on:
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b2...psc446afcc.jpg

Thanks everyone this helps a lot. Stock piling projects for fall and winter.

OptimusPriM5, ALL E39 M5 steering wheels are dual-stage airbag. Any of them will fit your 4.6iS without issue. Yes, even the big triangle looking airbag one. Remember to disconnect the battery before removing the airbag.

e30cabrio, that's a non-M5, sport pkg facelift E39 steering wheel. The M5 one has tri-color stitching.

It came out if a wrecked e39 that sure looked like an M to me. :dunno: