Help me pick a new steering wheel

[Jay 535i]

I used to really like the one I have, but now I'm not sure. Take your pick from the ones below.

Also, please tell me something about sizes. Would all these wheels be the same size? What size is my wheel (first one pictured)? I'd like something a little smaller.

I don't have an airbag, but I would consider using an airbag wheel anyway.

Note that all my choices are three-spoke designs. That's my preference.

1.

http://i5.ebayimg.com/01/i/05/be/d8/a1_1_b.JPG

2.

http://i6.ebayimg.com/04/i/06/05/4a/b6_1_b.JPG

3.

http://i24.ebayimg.com/02/i/06/03/71/67_12.JPG

4.

http://www.moniqueandjay.com/833512_39.jpg

5.

Suggest your own. Post a pic.

[Anthony (M5 in Calgary)]

I picked 3 but I'm biased...

[E34 530]

3 or 4. 5 looks like an old camry steering wheel

[onewhippedpuppy]

Are 2 and 5 airbag wheels? What are they, and how much? I'd love to be rid of my bus wheel.

[Jimbo]

Are 2 and 5 airbag wheels? What are they, and how much? I'd love to be rid of my bus wheel.


There is no 5, the 5 option is to post a pick of a different wheel that you like.

I really like #2, by the way, it just looks much more modern than the others.

[Paul in NZ]

i would pick( and i have) no #3 Mine is 383mm dia(15 in)
http://www.bimmer.info/bmw/kiwi535/int.jpg

[onewhippedpuppy]

Oops, 2 and 4. Same question though.

[Jay 535i]

383mm is really big.

I was thinking in the region of 320-340mm.

[McWatters]

anyone else think that number 4 is just disgusting.

cheers

J.Mcwatters

[Blitzkrieg Bob]

Just right for any BMW owner (in east L.A.)

[MTV]

I've always been partial to the Alpina.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v514/77Toy/Alpina.jpg

[ILoveMPower]

i say mtech

[darron525]

i say mtech
ditto #3.
I have one available if you want it.

darron

[Derek A.]

http://www.opus45.com/pics/e34_interior.jpg

That is what I am currently running - I am alo partial to this one:

http://i6.ebayimg.com/04/i/06/0a/02/a0_3.JPG

[Jon K]

http://e34.digital7.com/Interior%20and%20Wheel/8.jpg

[Jay 535i]

i say mtech

It just looks so BIG!

Is there another OE BMW wheel that might have a small diameter? From an M3 or Z3, maybe?

[Alan_525i]

I have number 3 and I absolutely love it. Might be nice if it were a little smaller but everything else is perfect.

Number 4 is a really nice wheel and allows you to reuse your factory airbag. They are kind of pricey though.

[Jay 535i]

Thanks for all the feeback, guys.

Can anyone suggest a nice wheel that's a little smaller?

[Lennyz525i]

#2 is a nice wheel but I don't think it will fit early E34s. I have the 385mm M-Tech2 myself, I think the shorter version (pic #3) is 365mm or 370mm (not sure).

[Jay 535i]

Are there any OE BMW wheels in the region of 320-340mm? Or do you guys think that's ridiculously small?

[Jon K]

Are there any OE BMW wheels in the region of 320-340mm? Or do you guys think that's ridiculously small?


Alan thinks me E46 wheel is smaller than his M tech

[emw525E34]

OMgosh, #4 is an ALPINA airbag wheel ?. Looks real chunky and very different.

I would say #3 is the nicest of the non-airbag wheels. For 94-95 models of M50 motor, the E36 M 3-spoke airbag wheel is rather nice.

I have a four spoke E46 330i wheel retro-fitted to my 94 stock airbag. Its definitely smaller. Maybe 330mm diameter compared to the stock "bus" wheel.

[t_marat]

Can't understand why you find those wheels to be more attractive than the stock one. I think stock wheel is the best. Apart from Jon K's, his is really beautiful.

[Jay 535i]

OMgosh, #4 is an ALPINA airbag wheel ?. Looks real chunky and very different.

No, it's not an Alpina wheel. The owner of that car just stuck an Alpina badge on it :(


Can't understand why you find those wheels to be more attractive than the stock one.

I'm not sure that I do. That's why I'm asking for opinions. The community, though, certainly doesn't think much of my stock wheel, judging from this thread and others.

I like the look of my stock wheel. I just wish it was smaller. I may have to look at newer wheels (e.g. E46) to find something smaller, but those wheels are too modern looking for the E34, IMHO. Sigh...

[Sam-Son]

what's #1 and where can I get one

[hakwuzhere]

Saw this one last night on Ebay... if I had wood trim that matched, this would be hot..

http://people.freenet.de/krull-77.de/woode30/holz1.jpg

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1,1&item=8034004265&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWA%3APIC

[pmlmotorsports]

Well 2 won't fit w/o making the airbag nonfunctional...........I myself am using that wheel (#2) on my 95 540i/6 and I know it won't fit my 92 535im or my 90 535im .... so I think you are limitied to non airbag wheels or a rare wheel that resembles number 2, but has an LED built-in..........that wheel is the only other option I am familiar with for pre-94 E34s. HTH.


I used to really like the one I have, but now I'm not sure. Take your pick from the ones below.

Also, please tell me something about sizes. Would all these wheels be the same size? What size is my wheel (first one pictured)? I'd like something a little smaller.

I don't have an airbag, but I would consider using an airbag wheel anyway.

Note that all my choices are three-spoke designs. That's my preference.

1.

http://i5.ebayimg.com/01/i/05/be/d8/a1_1_b.JPG

2.

http://i6.ebayimg.com/04/i/06/05/4a/b6_1_b.JPG

3.

http://i24.ebayimg.com/02/i/06/03/71/67_12.JPG

4.

http://www.moniqueandjay.com/833512_39.jpg

5.

Suggest your own. Post a pic.

[t_marat]

I'm not sure that I do. That's why I'm asking for opinions. The community, though, certainly doesn't think much of my stock wheel, judging from this thread and others.

I like the look of my stock wheel. I just wish it was smaller. I may have to look at newer wheels (e.g. E46) to find something smaller, but those wheels are too modern looking for the E34, IMHO. Sigh...
The wheel on the 5th pic is your stock? If it is, then definitely any of the other would be better. The one in the 5th looks like it is from a generic car.
Mine stock is completely different.

[Jay 535i]

Going to try to answer a few questions here:

Sam-Son, #1 is stock on many E34s and E30s. Search on ebay for "BMW steering wheel" and you'll find some.

PMLMotorsports, I know that #2 won't have a functioning airbag, but I don't care since I don't have an airbag as things are.

Hakwuzhere, yes that is hot. But I think it would be a bit silly being the only Alpina component on the car.

T-marat, no, #1 is my stocker. As I said in my first post :)