Looking for sportier steering wheel...

[Rick L]

I'm looking for a sportier steering wheel for my 1995 525i. I thought about M-Tech 2 steering but it doesn't offer airbags. Could newer BMW sport steering wheel (1999-2003) fit on 1995 E34? Also, does anyone have M-Tech 2 steering wheel in your E34? How did you disable SRS light if so?

[markus]

most p[eople pull the bulb out. im thinking about swapping 4 spoke one in from the E36 M3, theyre about $100 used and they are a lot thicker than the bus wheen I have in now. Myabe a tad smaller too.

[filip00]

i'd put the e36 m3 airbag wheel in. it is possible to do it.

[LunatiC]

My E34 came with a "Sport" steering wheel package. It's better than the 4 spoke wheel on the later E34s, a LOT better than the "bus" steering wheel of the early E34s, and comes with an airbag too. My E34 is a 1995, so it might fit your car too. The order option for it was "255 SPORTS LEATHER STEERING WHEEL", and if I find the part number I'll let everyone know.

EDIT: According to RealOEM (http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts.do?model=HD62&mospid=47375&btnr=32_0704&hg=32&fg=35), the part number is 32341162097.

I have never seen the wheel on North American E34s, but apparently there are a few sold on european eBay sites such as in the UK.

Here's a photo of my wheel:
http://acherion.com/blog/wp-content/IMG_1024.jpg

[E34 530]

e46 sport wheel, but dad found out I would no longer have the airbag and now I have to find one and they cost about 300-400 each. :(

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a314/ripcurl530/2006_1213Image0006.jpg

[Rick L]

That center piece doesn't have airbag behind it? Is it just the cover? Would E46 steering wheel work on E34??? If so, I would love to get the same as my M3 steering wheel. Of course, the button won't work..


e46 sport wheel, but dad found out I would no longer have the airbag and now I have to find one and they cost about 300-400 each. :(

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a314/ripcurl530/2006_1213Image0006.jpg

[Johntee540]

I have one of those for sale - JT

[Alan_525i]

An E46 Sport wheel airbag will not work on an E34 as the E46 airbags are of a newer design and have a different system. At a minimum, it won't be a safe setup, at the most, it could be very dangerous.

[Denton]

Is that 3-spoke "sport" wheel a smaller diameter than the standard 1995 wheel?

There is the early E36 M3 wheel to fit.

[Barney Paull-Edwards]

That wheel is standard in UK, try scrap yards here for them,Google "Silverlakeautoparts.co.uk or "trents"(local to me) they have loads of E34`s,get one from there and E mail me, can deliver March/April see /"travel in Canada" thread.

[Johntee540]

The 3 Spoke is the same diameter as the stock wheel. I bought one off Ebay and compared it. Did not install it. Though it will work.

I ended up getting an e36 M3 Wheel with the airbag. It is a 4 spoke wheel but is thicker and has the thumb detents at 10/2. I like it. The airbag works - at least the circuit says it works. And it is an ever so slightly smaller diameter than the stock wheel. Not to mention the cool Blue/Red M Stitching. JT

[VentoGT]

I too have fitted the 3 spoker with airbag from the e36 M3. You have to swap slip rings as well as change connectors as the airbag connectors are different, but it is a world of difference in appearance as well as feel. One of the best mods to my car I've done. The instructions on the following link are very close to what you need to do with the e34; just keep in mind the instructions are not specific to the e34--you should be able to tell once you have both wheels off what you need to do.

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

Highly recommended. Searching eBay for "3 spoke M3 wheel" or something of the sort will get you some results. Look around and be patient and you can find a deal--I got mine for $300 complete with airbag, shipped because the seller didn't do a good job describing it and I was the only bidder.