E34 Steering wheel upgrade

[polepositon]

Hi everybody,

I am trying to find the answer to my question for like 5 months in Romania, but nobody seems to know the answer...

Here it goes:

I have a 92' 520i 24v, with the big steering wheel (without air bag) that I am trying to swap with another AIR BAG steering wheel. So far so good, but I don't have any ideea wich will fit. I don't want to spend any more money useless, by ordering from some place and then having the surprise it won't fit.

So , please can you give me some advice in this matter ?:)

Thanks.

P.S. My username should have been "poleposition" not "polpositon" but I misspelled. Sorry about that:D

[Jimbo]

I would assume that the airbag wheel from another 92' E34 would probably fit, but i bet it would be a whole lot of work to wire up all the sensors and electronics to get the airbag to work if your car did not originally come with one. And as for looks, the early airbag wheels like mine are quite big and ugly.

Pic of early 90's US spec airbag wheel (i'm not sure if there is a different euro version)
http://i22.ebayimg.com/03/a/08/23/0b/81_4.JPG

[Yiorgos]

Many UK models also came with the steering wheel that I have in my E34 (even though mine isn't a UK model). This might be easier for you to source, however I am not sure if it will fit on a 92 E34.

Here is a pic of my interior with the steering wheel that I'm talking about.
http://acherion.com/blog/wp-content/IMG_1024.jpg

I see these pop up from time to time on UK and German eBay.

[nixter]

Many UK models also came with the steering wheel that I have in my E34 (even though mine isn't a UK model). This might be easier for you to source, however I am not sure if it will fit on a 92 E34.

Here is a pic of my interior with the steering wheel that I'm talking about.
http://acherion.com/blog/wp-content/IMG_1024.jpg

I see these pop up from time to time on UK and German eBay.

It should fit, the change in steering column design happened in '91 I think. There's only two designs though. The early design has your wheel attaching with a nut, the later with a bolt.

n

[VentoGT]

If you don't have an airbag-equipped car, there is little chance of you wiring it up and making it work I would imagine...the non-airbag wheels are all over the place and available [and look better as well IMO]. The pictured 3 spoker is the wheel that I have purchased for my car, but only because I want to retain the original Airbag functionality. The 4 spoke nasty wheel is what is currently installed.

[Jimbo]

Many UK models also came with the steering wheel that I have in my E34 (even though mine isn't a UK model). This might be easier for you to source, however I am not sure if it will fit on a 92 E34.

Here is a pic of my interior with the steering wheel that I'm talking about.
http://acherion.com/blog/wp-content/IMG_1024.jpg

I see these pop up from time to time on UK and German eBay.

I love that 3-spoke airbag wheel. Probably wouldn't work on my car sice it is a 1990 and US spec.

I really dont know wtf BMW was thinking with their early US airbag wheels. I mean you have this very richly designed, sophisticated looking interior, and then bam, lets throw an ass-ugly oversized hunk of black plastic in there as a steering wheel. Its not like the US didn't account for a significant portion of BMW's sales even in the late 80's/early 90's. Just had to get that off my chest :D

[Qube]

Oh your "P.S. My username should have been "poleposition" not "polpositon" but I misspelled. Sorry about that" ... username is still misspelled :) Right now it's polepositon !!

You have to get an airbag wheel?

Else ...

White m-tech II?

http://www.stephan535ia.de/Bilder/lenkrad1.jpg

Or the original black one...

http://bavarianfalcon.com/images/Mtech%20Steering%20Wheel.jpg

[polepositon]

If you don't have an airbag-equipped car, there is little chance of you wiring it up and making it work I would imagine...the non-airbag wheels are all over the place and available [and look better as well IMO]. The pictured 3 spoker is the wheel that I have purchased for my car, but only because I want to retain the original Airbag functionality. The 4 spoke nasty wheel is what is currently installed.

so now you have an air bag wheel installed, and you want to change it with the 3 spoke ?

Are you going to sell the one you curently have?

[polepositon]

[QUOTE=Qube]Oh your "P.S. My username should have been "poleposition" not "polpositon" but I misspelled. Sorry about that" ... username is still misspelled :) Right now it's polepositon !!

You have to get an airbag wheel?

Else ...

White m-tech II?



Or the original black one...




Well, I guess it would look nice, actualy I tryed to install one from an E36 318is, but it wont fit.

I know it's still misspelled (my username) i don't know how to cahange it:p

[Airborne001]

Anyone know if the 3 spoke would fit a US 1990 535i? I have airbag 4-spoke now, and until about 15 seconds ago did not know I had an option other than losing my airbag entirely.

[polepositon]

Anyone know if the 3 spoke would fit a US 1990 535i? I have airbag 4-spoke now, and until about 15 seconds ago did not know I had an option other than losing my airbag entirely.

look it up on realoem.com, see if that particular 3 spoke was fitted on your model.... if it was then it should work.

My guess is it will work.

[ThoreauHD]

Go to any BMW dealer and they will have an accessories catalogue in full color. There is a burlwood and regular steering wheel replacement from the dealer. Both have air bags and are new. They sell alot of accessories for the E34 besides.

[pundit]

...And as for looks, the early airbag wheels like mine are quite big and ugly...
What do you expect from something that came off a London double decker bus! :D

[91m5]

Get rid of the bag.Thats what I`m going to do very soon.My wheel is large, it looks too BIG.Im going bagless.

[Paul in NZ]

mtech II goodness(no air bag tho)
http://www.bimmer.info/bmw/kiwi535/int.jpg