New steering wheel installed (pic) [Archive]

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Interceptor

11-19-2005, 06:52 AM

Finally got the time to take pictures of my newly aquired M-Technic II steering wheel installed:

http://free-st.t-com.hr/interceptor/mtech-ii.jpg

I got it for 73 EUR off of E-bay (100 EUR with shipping from Germany). It's in pretty good shape. In my opinion, the best looking steering wheel you can get for your E34.

I also noticed that steering is a bit firmer due to a smaller diameter of the wheel - it gives your car a sportier steering feel, that's for sure. And it doen't look like a truck anymore. :)

Alan_525i

11-19-2005, 06:57 AM

Interceptor

11-19-2005, 07:06 AM

Very good choice, I have the same wheel and absolutely love it. You got a great price. I got mine when they were on ebay trading for about US$250+ shipping. So I went the slightly more expensive route and bought one new at the dealer from my friend who works there. Was about US$350 but i got a brand new one.
I would like a new one too, but it's around 500 EUR here, so I figured that used one will do the job for 1/5 of the price :)

BTW, if you experience the horn going off randomly its because there is excess metal from the casting process that needs to be ground off that is contacting the column and setting it off. I think you can figure out how I know.
I didn't experience that till now - maybe it affects only new ones? This one is MY 90 - I think the excess material got ground off during 15 years of use :)

And its time to get a nice leather shift knob to match!!!
You are reading my mind! I was planning on getting a nice leather illuminated shifting knob, but I'll probably have to get a new one, and it's not very cheap :/ It will cost me more than the steering wheel, probably :)

GS535i

11-19-2005, 08:53 AM

Interceptor

11-19-2005, 09:00 AM

I recently bought an identical wheel in Germany - not yet arrived. Did you place spacers on both sides of the hub? I know that one is recommended/required on top to cover the exposed splines and to allow the nut to torque against the hub .... but am unsure if one is required on the back side.
There was only the one on top, in my car, so I left it that way. If my previous steering wheel didn't require a spacer on the back, I'm sure this one doesn't either.

Johntee540

11-19-2005, 12:22 PM

Did you use your original Slip ring when you changed out the wheel?

Also - do you have the part # for the wheel?

Looks like a sweet mod. - JT

Interceptor

11-19-2005, 01:06 PM

Did you use your original Slip ring when you changed out the wheel?What is a Slip ring?

Also - do you have the part # for the wheel?The P/N is: 32332226085

Looks like a sweet mod.Indeed it is :)

Jon K

11-19-2005, 01:27 PM

In my opinion, the best looking steering wheel you can get for your E34.

Hehe i have to disagree

Interceptor

11-19-2005, 01:29 PM

Hehe i have to disagreeWell, you are out of my league :) Too much $$$ and too much work to pull off what you did. I was searching for the best looking steering wheel that is Plug'n'Play[TM] compatible with my car and this was the best thing I could find. :)

Jay 535i

11-19-2005, 01:43 PM

Hehe i have to disagree

What am I missing here? What've you got, Jon? Pics?

Very nice choice, Interceptor. It certainly does look NEW! I'd never have guessed that it isn't.

IMVHO, my wheel is the best looking (:)), but I'd love to see pics of others' choices. I'm always open to suggestions.

Interceptor, do you know if your wheel is appreciably smaller than mine (see pic below)? I find what you said about increased steering effort intriguing.

http://www.moniqueandjay.com/bmw/9.jpg

Interceptor

11-19-2005, 01:53 PM

What am I missing here? What've you got, Jon? Pics?

Very nice choice, Interceptor. It certainly does look NEW! I'd never have guessed that it isn't.

IMVHO, my wheel is the best looking (:)), but I'd love to see pics of others' choices. I'm always open to suggestions.

Interceptor, do you know if your wheel is appreciably smaller than mine (see pic below)? I find what you said about increased steering effort intriguing.Thanks!

The wheel diameter is 385 mm where my old wheel was 395 mm. That's 1 cm smaller in diameter - it doesn't sound much, but it sure is noticable in the steering feel, maybe also due to the thickness.

According to RealOEM, your wheel is also 385 mm:
http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts.do?model=HD51&mospid=47375&btnr=32_0570&hg=32&fg=35

Jay 535i

11-19-2005, 02:06 PM

Thanks!

The wheel diameter is 385 mm where my old wheel was 395 mm. That's 1 cm smaller in diameter - it doesn't sound much, but it sure is noticable in the steering feel, maybe also due to the thickness.

According to RealOEM, your wheel is also 385 mm:
http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts.do?model=HD51&mospid=47375&btnr=32_0570&hg=32&fg=35

Cheers! :)

Jon K

11-19-2005, 02:39 PM

What am I missing here? What've you got, Jon? Pics?

Nothin really.

http://e34.digital7.com/Interior%20and%20Wheel/1.jpg

Jay 535i

11-19-2005, 02:41 PM

Nothin really.

http://e34.digital7.com/Interior%20and%20Wheel/1.jpg

Uh, bu, wha, huh!?

How?

How much?

Do all the buttons work?

Booster

11-19-2005, 03:18 PM

I love Jon's modesty.............. :p What model and year of wheel ??
...............Vinny

Jimbo

11-19-2005, 03:30 PM

In my opinion, the best looking steering wheel you can get for your E34.

Very nice upgrade. In my opinion though, this is the best looking wheel i've seen on an E34.

http://bmwmregistry.com/userimages/2004/01/09/e71e3783f7a118f2953c9760bb452dd9.jpg

I have only seen it on a few late model Euro M5's ( I found this pic on BMW M Registry (http://bmwmregistry.com/detail.php?id=1467)) . I think it has the best blend of modern looks with a style that fits in great with the rest of the E34 interior.

Qube

11-19-2005, 03:31 PM

Nice. Now you need an ///M knob to match ;)

Interceptor

11-19-2005, 03:53 PM

Very nice upgrade. In my opinion though, this is the best looking wheel i've seen on an E34.

I have only seen it on a few late model Euro M5's ( I found this pic on BMW M Registry (http://bmwmregistry.com/detail.php?id=1467)) . I think it has the best blend of modern looks with a style that fits in great with the rest of the E34 interior.That's a standard M-Tech Airbag wheel for M5 3.8. Some E36s have it, too. Since I don't have an airbag, M-Tech II was the sportiest wheel I could fit in.

Interceptor

11-19-2005, 03:57 PM

Nice. Now you need an ///M knob to match ;)I'm planning the following:
- M-Tech sway bars
- M-Tech springs
- M-Tech rear wing
- M-Tech side skirts
- M-Tech illuminated leather shift knob
- 540i brake ducts + paint all the bumbers in car color
- newer style rear view mirrors
- auto-chromatic inner rear view mirror
- Style 5 rims with 235/45-R17 tyres

As you can see, the list is quite long - it will keep me busy for the next few years :)

paul p (chi-town)

11-19-2005, 06:17 PM

Did you use your original Slip ring when you changed out the wheel?
Also - do you have the part # for the wheel?
Looks like a sweet mod. - JTJohn,
http://homepage.interaccess.com/~motria/1108helg_whl3.jpg

Ignore the part number given here; that only applies 89-92/93. Look at the links for the whole story.
http://www.bimmernut.com/wwwboard/e34/messages/82506.html
http://www.bimmernut.com/wwwboard/e34/messages/39869.html

But yes it is a sweet mod. Any e36 wheel will fit, even the airbag ///M will have the smaller diameter and the thumb bumps. They can be rare though and i do like the simple look of the 3 spoke better anyway.

http://homepage.interaccess.com/~motria/rolf_st_wheel.jpg

Here's one on fleaBay
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/BMW-M-Technic-1-EVO-Steering-Wheel-E31-and-E36-BMWs_W0QQitemZ8015362186QQcategoryZ33704QQrdZ1QQcm dZViewItem

This one pops right on. Even though the ad does not mention e34 fitment. No other parts needed.
http://i12.ebayimg.com/02/i/05/7a/8d/ee_12.JPG
If that black plastic tab on the back side breaks in shipment, all you'll lose is the turn signal return. It's a $15 part (maybe $30 i forgot).

Jon K's is from an e46 and i'm not sure if all the buttons the airbag or even the horn werk (horn probably). The airbag from an e36 ///M3 should be totally compatible........again, good luck finding one used.

”Hang up & Drive!” (http://homepage.interaccess.com/~motria/pablosgarage.html)
94 530iT&A 125K, ‘Helga’ (for sale *sniff*...almost )
92 325i 120K, ‘Rolf’ (blown clutch *rolleyes* )
91 Volvo 745T 191K, ‘Thor’ (13 psi beater *biggrin*)
93 NX2000 151K ‘Carla’ (she’s alive...WOOT )
"Those who would give up essential liberty to purchase a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety." -- Benjamin Franklin. Kinda makes the ‘Patriot Act’ an oxymoron, eh.......

Johntee540

11-19-2005, 09:55 PM

I just picked one of these up off of Fleabay with Airbag for $250. I also got one from a 99 M Roadster with Airbag for $680. Wasnt sure it was going to fit. May have to re-auction that one. JT

emw525E34

11-19-2005, 10:34 PM

John, the 99 M wheels will fit physically but its airbag cannot be used as thats dual stage firing compared to 540's single stage. Unless you wanted to use that like JonK did on his, without the airbag.

Mine was an E46 330i wheel but I re-used my original airbag. Looks slightly bigger with some polyurethene cutting inside the wheel base. Works for me with functional airbag. Does not look that great being a 4-spoke wheel but smaller diameter means it turns and feels great. Does the job for me.

Paul in NZ

11-20-2005, 01:45 AM

those mtech 2 wheels look good even on rhd cars...planning on a new illuminated leather shift knob soon too.....:)
http://www.bimmer.info/bmw/kiwi535/int.jpg

zygoteer

11-20-2005, 03:31 AM

...planning on a new illuminated leather shift knob soon...I am sure you already instinctively know the location of the gear stick both day & night, so I fail to understand why an illuminated item is worth adding on, isn't this just more bling, which is more at home on ricer-type cars than the E34 ?

Interceptor

11-20-2005, 05:16 AM

I am sure you already instinctively know the location of the gear stick both day & night, so I fail to understand why an illuminated item is worth adding on, isn't this just more bling, which is more at home on ricer-type cars than the E34 ?Well, you also probably know the position of the A/C dials instinctively, too - but I doubt you'll take the bulbs out of them because of that! :) Same goes for center console 4-way window switch, etc... You got my point... :)

Jay 535i

11-20-2005, 09:14 AM

I am sure you already instinctively know the location of the gear stick both day & night, so I fail to understand why an illuminated item is worth adding on, isn't this just more bling, which is more at home on ricer-type cars than the E34 ?

It's not needless ricer bling, IMHO -- it's adding to the genuine BMW ambiance of the interior.

Interceptor

11-20-2005, 09:55 AM

It's not needless ricer bling, IMHO -- it's adding to the genuine BMW ambiance of the interior.Anyway, I think it's not possible to pimp your car by retrofitting genuine BMW parts - maybe cheap ass chinese plastic parts, but not OEM stuff.

kyleN20

11-20-2005, 02:09 PM

looks great

Paul in NZ

11-21-2005, 03:21 AM

in a way the dashboard is already bling isnt it...i mean how many buttons do we need?IMO a illuminated gearknob will be the period at th end of the sentence.

casurfer911

11-21-2005, 03:46 AM

in a way the dashboard is already bling isnt it...i mean how many buttons do we need?IMO a illuminated gearknob will be the period at th end of the sentence.

with a little bit of work and about 3 dollars, you can make your own illuminated gear knob. Go to radioshack and buy a red superbright led, pop off the shift pattern and unscrew the plastic plate. with a thumbtack scratch out some of the silver paint inside the pattern. Then drill a hole down into the shaft and run two very thin wires and mount the led underneath. Hotglue the pattern back on, tap the wires along with a 600 ohm resistor into the hazard switch light and your good to go. It takes a little more work than that, but i looks just as good as the one you buy from the factory.