Replacing 'standard' steering wheel on 530d with M Sport?

[gansstraat]

Hi there

I've just picked up a 2004 530d (E60) to use as our family run around and whilst it's generally a great car, the one thing that I don't like is the size (large diameter)/feel (thin rim) of the steering wheel fitted. My wife's new 118d M Sport has a fantastic M Sport steering wheel, and we both agree that the steering wheel on the 530d sort of spoils the driving experience (for her, it makes her feel like she's driving an even bigger than she thinks it is, which is a pain in the a** when trying to make her drive on long journeys.

The question is this: can the standard wheel (which has the multi-function controls) be replaced by the M Sport version (which presumably BMW make for the E60, where can I buy the part and is it a difficult job to do (i.e. will I be able to do it myself or is it heading for the garage)?

All tips gratefully received.

CG

[MK4 Slowride]

Due to the air-bag being present I'd take it to a main dealer. I can find out costs & that for you tomorrow.

[gansstraat]

Cheers.

CG

[MK4 Slowride]

YHM.

[DJFish]

I've read similar threads on the Mcoupe forum as they have the same wheel, you'll find that the two generations of wheel have different fittings and later cars have dual stage airbags that require a bit of fiddling to get them to work properly: http://www.z3mcoupe.com

[gansstraat]

Thanks.

I spoke to the local BMW dealership here this morning (Harry Fairbairn in Irvine) and they confirmed what MK4 Slowride had told me earlier - inc fitting, it's just over £1K to replace the steering wheel (which on a cheap family runabout, is a no go).

Looks like I'll need to scour the scrapyards for a car that's been involved in any kind of career ending accident (but not one that's set off the steering wheel airbag..)

CG

[noneedtolift]

That's strange - been quoted approx. 400 € for a swap on a 3series. It is even offered in BMW's aftermarket catalogue and priced at something like 300 € as far as I remember!

[agent006]

gansstraat said:

it's just over £1K to replace the steering wheel

I presume that includes the replacement airbag?

[gansstraat]

Yes it does (for that price, I'd also expect it to be fitted by naked virginial maidens...)

[gizlaroc]

agent006 said:

gansstraat said:

it's just over £1K to replace the steering wheel

I presume that includes the replacement airbag?

Yeah, the non sport and sport steering wheel on the E60 uses a different shape airbag.

If you are going to do it then source the parts on ebay.de as they are a lot cheaper.

You may want to consider an M5 wheel if you have an auto car, you can then change gear with the paddles, I put one in mine. You will also need a slip ring for £40 from an E46 SMG car and a couple of wires, but worth the extra if going to the expense of changing the wheel and airbag.



If you do go this route give me a yell and I will tell you how to wire it up.

[gansstraat]

Gizlaroc

I did a quick trawl of ebay.de, which turned up the following:-

http://cgi.ebay.de/BMW-E60-M5-E63-M6-Sport-Leder-L...

A bit cheaper than the UK given the strength of the Euro (there's probably around £150 of a saving - which is nice).

It doesn't seem to include the paddles (which I'd be keen to include if replacing the wheel (it is an autobox)) - did you acquire these separately, and is it a complicated job to wire these in where there were no paddles before?

(my autobox doesn't seem to offer a semi-automatic option at the moment (it's either Drive or Sport)...

[DJFish]

Oops! Sorry I thought you were talking about older cars.

[gizlaroc]

I bought a wheel with paddles for €160 delivered, I already had the airbag though as my car was an m-sport.

CA-Automotive do the paddle kit, which consists of a new slips ring and two wires that plug into the gear stick connector for £99 last time I looked. But buy a wheel with paddles if you want to go this route, you can't fit paddles onto a non paddle wheel.