The OFFICIAL upgraded steering wheel thread:

[E34 530]

Well, I have become sick of staring at my Laidlaw school bus steering wheel and have been doing some searching for a new one. Well I have narrowed it down to a few choices but really don't know if they will fit or not. I have a few questions.

1) Does anyone know the hub diameter of a 94 (4/93 production date) 530?

Here are the choices and pro/cons to each wheel...

e46 sport wheel:

pros...great looks/should fit fine/no modification to steering column/the easiest to find
cons...have to ditch airbag/finding the middle airbag piece is a bitch; have to be Flava Flav to afford one/have to ditch horn

M tech 3 spoke (Euro)
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a314/ripcurl530/new_wheel1small.jpg

pros...the best looking wheel imo/if I CAN get it to fit, I can retain the airbag and horn

cons...not sure if I can get it fit (although I have seen it on this 95 e34
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a314/ripcurl530/S50001652028Small29.jpg

This link about the fitment of the wheel is very helpful, but I don't know if the e34 and e36 hub dimensions were the same.

http://home.earthlink.net/~frankie66/cars/diy/E36_steeringwheel.html

If I was able to obtain one, would I be able to keep a functional airbag and the horn??

Last but least, the M-tech II with airbag and I know it should be a direct fit, but they are few and far between with the airbag and I like the look of the other 2 wheels better...

If someone can answer any of my questions I would be very appreciative.
Thanks, Andrew

[Brandon J]

I don't know how this thread is the OFFICIAL one as there are lots of information out there. I personally like keeping the stock airbag. Too much at stake if something were to go wrong. That being said, I have an e36 M3 tri-color stitch wheel that many e34 owners use. It has a smaller diameter and the thumb fitment curves are great.

I have also seen other steering wheels where the owners deleted the stock airbag. Besides having to remove the airbag light bulb in the dash, there are more choices. Basically, if it fits the e36, it could fit the ~'91 and later e34. There might have to be some grinding of tabs or what not, but you would really have to look at a picture to determine so.

One word of advice, ALWAYS disconnect the battery before removing the steering wheel. The airbag could go off AND the airbag light will activate. Removing the nuissance of the airbag light is only done at the dealer. Try it with a Peake tool and you will see it does not always work. So don't rush the process and don't lose money to the stealer.

Good luck with your selection.

[angrypancake]

what about us with the pre-91 cars? I've done some searching, but since this is the OFFICIAL thread, I figure it can't hurt to ask here

[rreimund]

lol... ditto

[liquidtiger720]

Brandon.... do you have a picture of the steering wheel?

[E34 530]

Brandon.... do you have a picture of the steering wheel?

It looks almost exactly like the pre-95's. It's just smaller, has the tri-color M stitching, and has the thumb indents. Give me a sec. I'll find you a pic.

[E34 530]

Pretty boring looking imo.

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a314/ripcurl530/IMG_8035Large.jpg

[E34 530]

I don't know how this thread is the OFFICIAL one as there are lots of information out there. I personally like keeping the stock airbag. Too much at stake if something were to go wrong. That being said, I have an e36 M3 tri-color stitch wheel that many e34 owners use. It has a smaller diameter and the thumb fitment curves are great.

I have also seen other steering wheels where the owners deleted the stock airbag. Besides having to remove the airbag light bulb in the dash, there are more choices. Basically, if it fits the e36, it could fit the ~'91 and later e34. There might have to be some grinding of tabs or what not, but you would really have to look at a picture to determine so.

One word of advice, ALWAYS disconnect the battery before removing the steering wheel. The airbag could go off AND the airbag light will activate. Removing the nuissance of the airbag light is only done at the dealer. Try it with a Peake tool and you will see it does not always work. So don't rush the process and don't lose money to the stealer.

Good luck with your selection.

so basically I can fit the e36 Euro 3 spoke on the e34?? Do you know if the e36 Euro 3 spoke is the same as e46 models??

[jjdickm]

http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o18/jjdickm/DSC01072-1.jpg

Here's my e46 alcantara steering wheel with. The horn doesn't work but thats okay because I don't use it anyways. I have almost gotten run off the road twice because honking at someone that cuts me off. I recently got the airbag in I can't find the cable for my camera.

[E34 530]

http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o18/jjdickm/DSC01072-1.jpg

Here's my e46 alcantara steering wheel with. The horn doesn't work but thats okay because I don't use it anyways. I have almost gotten run off the road twice because honking at someone that cuts me off. I recently got the airbag in I can't find the cable for my camera.

SWEET. I'm probably going to go with the sport wheel but not alcantera. You're not actually going to hook the airbag up, are you?? Ohh and you got the wheel in fine?? I heard that pre-91 e34's had a different spline and were not able to fit the e46 sport wheel.

[jjdickm]

It had no problems with placing the steering it was really easy. I just bought a blown airbag and put that in. Im kinda scared about not having a airbag but im putting in recaro seats and 4 point harnesses and a small roll bar.

[E34 530]

It had no problems with placing the steering it was really easy. I just bought a blown airbag and put that in. Im kinda scared about not having a airbag but im putting in recaro seats and 4 point harnesses and a small roll bar.

Yeah, I'm kinda scared about losing the bag too, but my 12 year old airbag probably isn't all that effective to begin with.

[Jehu]

Just a few other beauties for consideration both running over $400.00USD new.From what i remember they are each 14 1/2" and obviously non-airbag. I saw them on ebay a while ago and drooled but nearly $500 with shipping from Deutschland they were down on the priority list after bodywork, and rotors.Bodyworks done so after rotors I'll be looking for them again. I like them both ,my mood seems so change like the weather but I'd probably go for the BMW one..
http://img382.imageshack.us/img382/4499/alpinanew0vw1.jpg

http://img245.imageshack.us/img245/4130/blackline0rb6.jpg

[Digita1 Ecstasy]

All the wheels look great. I agree our wheel is boring. 500$ for a new one boring? ****, I don't know. Whats so scary about not having an air bag? Isn't a head on collision so unlikely its next to impossible? Personally I'm so aware/catious driving my E34 (on public roads) I doubt anything will sneak up on me, much less head on.

[Kamil]

Here's my e46 alcantara steering wheel with. The horn doesn't work but thats okay because I don't use it anyways. I have almost gotten run off the road twice because honking at someone that cuts me off. I recently got the airbag in I can't find the cable for my camera.

How much was the airbag and where did you get it?

[E34 530]

How much was the airbag and where did you get it?

The circular airbag for the e46 sport wheel is expensive, it still goes for about $300-400, even on ebay.

[E34 530]

Just a few other beauties for consideration both running over $400.00USD new.From what i remember they are each 14 1/2" and obviously non-airbag. I saw them on ebay a while ago and drooled but nearly $500 with shipping from Deutschland they were down on the priority list after bodywork, and rotors.Bodyworks done so after rotors I'll be looking for them again. I like them both ,my mood seems so change like the weather but I'd probably go for the BMW one..
http://img382.imageshack.us/img382/4499/alpinanew0vw1.jpg

http://img245.imageshack.us/img245/4130/blackline0rb6.jpg

The Alpina reminds me of an e28 sport wheel and I would not even pay $150 for it. The second one is alright, but it wouldn't quite fit my interior, with the wood and everything.

[CharlesAFerg]

It had no problems with placing the steering it was really easy. I just bought a blown airbag and put that in. Im kinda scared about not having a airbag but im putting in recaro seats and 4 point harnesses and a small roll bar.

Hmm scared? You're discriminating against us 89ers! lol I've got the old steering wheel, it's so cool!
http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h9/CharlesAFerg/IMG_0748.jpg


All the wheels look great. I agree our wheel is boring. 500$ for a new one boring? ****, I don't know. Whats so scary about not having an air bag? Isn't a head on collision so unlikely its next to impossible? Personally I'm so aware/catious driving my E34 (on public roads) I doubt anything will sneak up on me, much less head on.

Sorry to say this, but you have the WRONG idea about driving man, it's not you that you should worry about, it's everyone else trying to kill you. It's the guy who ****s up cuz he spilled his coffee and moves into your lane quickly. Possibilities are endless. Come on car wrecks kill the most people out of anything, you know that.

[Alexlind123]

Well, I have become sick of staring at my Laidlaw school bus steering wheel and have been doing some searching for a new one. Well I have narrowed it down to a few choices but really don't know if they will fit or not. I have a few questions.

1) Does anyone know the hub diameter of a 94 (4/93 production date) 530?

Here are the choices and pro/cons to each wheel...

e46 sport wheel:

pros...great looks/should fit fine/no modification to steering column/the easiest to find
cons...have to ditch airbag/finding the middle airbag piece is a bitch; have to be Flava Flav to afford one/have to ditch horn

M tech 3 spoke (Euro)
http://i1.photobucket.com/albums/a314/ripcurl530/new_wheel1small.jpg

pros...the best looking wheel imo/if I CAN get it to fit, I can retain the airbag and horn

cons...not sure if I can get it fit (although I have seen it on this 95 e34
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a314/ripcurl530/S50001652028Small29.jpg

This link about the fitment of the wheel is very helpful, but I don't know if the e34 and e36 hub dimensions were the same.

http://home.earthlink.net/~frankie66/cars/diy/E36_steeringwheel.html

If I was able to obtain one, would I be able to keep a functional airbag and the horn??

Last but least, the M-tech II with airbag and I know it should be a direct fit, but they are few and far between with the airbag and I like the look of the other 2 wheels better...

If someone can answer any of my questions I would be very appreciative.
Thanks, Andrew

I have always thought that a foot actuated horn button would be cool.

[E34 530]

I have always thought that a foot actuated horn button would be cool.

I'll take care of the no horn problem with a train horn from hornblasters.com :p

[Kamil]

M tech 3 spoke (Euro)
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a314/ripcurl530/new_wheel1small.jpg

pros...the best looking wheel imo/if I CAN get it to fit, I can retain the airbag and horn

cons...not sure if I can get it fit


Just so you know, this wheel (or one damn close to it) came on late-model E36s and on '99 and '00 E46s. Starting with '01, the Sport package steering (and its better M3 verion) replaced it. As far as I know, the only things that do not work well between them are the steering wheel radio controls.

[Yiorgos]

Hmm scared? You're discriminating against us 89ers! lol I've got the old steering wheel, it's so cool!
http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h9/CharlesAFerg/IMG_0748.jpg


Knees fit under there fine? When I was looking for an E34 to buy, I came across an 89 E34, found that I couldn't fit in the car, even with the seat all the way back -- my knees banging against that bus-sized steering wheel :D

[Yiorgos]

Just so you know, this wheel (or one damn close to it) came on late-model E36s and on '99 and '00 E46s. Starting with '01, the Sport package steering (and its better M3 verion) replaced it. As far as I know, the only things that do not work well between them are the steering wheel radio controls.

It also came on the E34 -- I have it on mine.

http://acherion.com/blog/wp-content/IMG_1024.jpg

I didn't put it on there, it came with the car when I bought it. I'm pretty sure it's from the factory, the VIN search that Ausmpower did many months ago returned with a "sports steering wheel package" installed at the factory back in 1995.

[jjdickm]

How much was the airbag and where did you get it?
30 bucks shipped off ebay

[E34 530]

30 bucks shipped off ebay

Blown though.

[jjdickm]

yeah it was blown but i was able to put it back together with some marine rubber and vinal adhesive.

[Kamil]

yeah it was blown but i was able to put it back together with some marine rubber and vinal adhesive.

uhmm, yea, i may not want to do that. :)

[misfortune]

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a314/ripcurl530/S50001652028Small29.jpg
Thanks, Andrew

What wheels are those, I must have them, I love them so much.

[E34 530]

What wheels are those, I must have them, I love them so much.

Not sure what exact style, but I have seen them on extremely late e34's, specifically on the "Olympic Edition" e34 that made it to the U.S. in 1996.

[jjdickm]

uhmm, yea, i may not want to do that. :)
Its not as bad as it sounds it took 5 minutes.