"M" Wheel Mod/No Chrome

Rugs · 02-28-2008, 11:41 PM

Chrome Is The Enemy.
Since my car has the Brushed Aluminum Trim, I always thought that the Shiny Chrome pieces on my stock Sport steering wheel looked a little out of place.
So while doing the "M" Wheel Paddle Shifter Mod...(Thanks "roadkillrob" for blazing the trail on this one), I decided to go ahead and Scotch-Brite the Chrome Shifter Paddles & the two lower Chrome front trim accents. Unfortunatly, I decided to do this after I installed the paddles so it was a little more tedious, but shows it can be done while they're mounted the wheel. Just used blue painters tape so I wouldn't scratch the leather or trim pieces.

I took tons of pics, so I can do a DIY on changing out the Sport wheel paddle shifters to the non-paddle "M" wheel if there is enough interest.

I'm really happy with the new "M" wheel(much Softer than the sport wheel) and IMO the brushed Aluminum Paddle Shifters & Trim look more sporty, like they belong there unlike the chrome ones...

Stock Sport Wheel w/Paddles.

New "M" Wheel after cutting and installing Paddles (still chrome).

"M" Wheel while Scotch-Briting the Paddles. Right Chrome Paddle (before) you can see the reflection.

Left Paddle after knocking the Chrome sheen off.

Mounted in the car.

Night time shot w/flash.

Also did the Shift knob. Anyone know how to remove the i-Drive knob?

Amir87 · 02-29-2008, 12:04 AM

Wow that looks good!!!

How hard was it to make the M3 wheel with pedals?

Rugs · 02-29-2008, 12:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Amir87

Wow that looks good!!!

How hard was it to make the M3 wheel with pedals?

A lot of measuring & cutting!

I don't recommend it unless you're pretty handy with tools & comfortable with fabricating. If so, just take your time measuring twice & cutting once. Using a template helped.

benny90 · 02-29-2008, 12:32 AM

Damn dude, thats a pretty ballsy move to chop up that steering wheel

I give you props on the fab, looks great! v

ZuerstBMW · 02-29-2008, 12:39 AM

That looks GREAT , nice job

e90-4aj · 02-29-2008, 01:18 AM

SWEET - Great JOB

bsavic · 02-29-2008, 01:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rugs

Also did the Shift knob. Anyone know how to remove the i-Drive knob?

From what I understand you just pull straight up.
Have a look at the following for reference:
http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=23109
http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=60005
http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=47557

And the bushed Aluminum looks great!

-Congrats!

Savicbo

AH · 02-29-2008, 02:05 AM

sick job.....

imaznumkay · 02-29-2008, 02:38 AM

wanna make one for me? >_<
lookin great, i wonder if wetsanding instead of using scotchbright would differ the result

roadkillrob · 02-29-2008, 06:16 AM

Nice Job - the brushed look is sweet - much better match with the rest of the interior and very nice job on paddles (it's worth all the work and fear of ruining the wheel in the end isn't it!)

Rugs · 02-29-2008, 10:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bsavic

From what I understand you just pull straight up.
Have a look at the following for reference:
http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=23109
http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=60005
http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=47557

And the bushed Aluminum looks great!

-Congrats!
Savicbo

Hey Savicbo...Thanks for the i-drive link. Guess I wasn't pulling up hard enough to remove it. I just gave it the Brushed treatment.

Quote:

Originally Posted by imaznumkay

wanna make one for me? >_<
lookin great, i wonder if wetsanding instead of using scotchbright would differ the result

The reason I used Scotch-Brite pads is because it leaves very small marks/scratches on the freshly sanded surface, which gives it that Brushed look. So sanding in the proper direction is important. Then I went over it with a 300 grit super fine foam sanding pad to soften the scratches. The flexible single sided 1/4" foam sanding pads work the best.
But if you just want to take the sheen off the chrome with no brushed marks, you can just use foam sanding pads...

Quote:

Originally Posted by roadkillrob

Nice Job - the brushed look is sweet - much better match with the rest of the interior and very nice job on paddles (it's worth all the work and fear of ruining the wheel in the end isn't it!)

Very Much So!
Thanks again Rob for originating this "M" Wheel/Paddle Shift Mod. http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=110903 And proving it can be done!

Malek@MRF · 02-29-2008, 11:07 AM

Is the M steering wheel thicker than the stock one by any chance?

Amir87 · 02-29-2008, 11:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Malekreza11

Is the M steering wheel thicker than the stock one by any chance?

It's 25% thicker in girth compared to the sport steering wheel.

Rugs · 02-29-2008, 12:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Amir87

It's 25% thicker in girth compared to the sport steering wheel.

+1, and 1000% Softer!

Hunter399 · 02-29-2008, 12:20 PM

Im jealous....

You really did do an awesome job on this!

Enjoy your new wheel

Meeni · 08-02-2012, 10:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rugs

A lot of measuring & cutting!

I don't recommend it unless you're pretty handy with tools & comfortable with fabricating. If so, just take your time measuring twice & cutting once. Using a template helped.

Anybody ever tried this with the standard (non sport) steering wheel?

Pilot1981 · 12-31-2016, 11:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rugs

Chrome Is The Enemy.
Since my car has the Brushed Aluminum Trim, I always thought that the Shiny Chrome pieces on my stock Sport steering wheel looked a little out of place.
So while doing the "M" Wheel Paddle Shifter Mod...(Thanks "roadkillrob" for blazing the trail on this one), I decided to go ahead and Scotch-Brite the Chrome Shifter Paddles & the two lower Chrome front trim accents. Unfortunatly, I decided to do this after I installed the paddles so it was a little more tedious, but shows it can be done while they're mounted the wheel. Just used blue painters tape so I wouldn't scratch the leather or trim pieces.

I took tons of pics, so I can do a DIY on changing out the Sport wheel paddle shifters to the non-paddle "M" wheel if there is enough interest.

I'm really happy with the new "M" wheel(much Softer than the sport wheel) and IMO the brushed Aluminum Paddle Shifters & Trim look more sporty, like they belong there unlike the chrome ones...

Stock Sport Wheel w/Paddles.

New "M" Wheel after cutting and installing Paddles (still chrome).

"M" Wheel while Scotch-Briting the Paddles. Right Chrome Paddle (before) you can see the reflection.

Left Paddle after knocking the Chrome sheen off.

Mounted in the car.

Night time shot w/flash.

Also did the Shift knob. Anyone know how to remove the i-Drive knob?

You can post again photos?

02-28-2008, 11:41 PM	#1
Rugs Lieutenant 46 Rep 502 Posts Drives: E93 335i Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Southeast U.S. iTrader: (2)	"M" Wheel Mod/No Chrome Chrome Is The Enemy. Since my car has the Brushed Aluminum Trim, I always thought that the Shiny Chrome pieces on my stock Sport steering wheel looked a little out of place. So while doing the "M" Wheel Paddle Shifter Mod...(Thanks "roadkillrob" for blazing the trail on this one), I decided to go ahead and Scotch-Brite the Chrome Shifter Paddles & the two lower Chrome front trim accents. Unfortunatly, I decided to do this after I installed the paddles so it was a little more tedious, but shows it can be done while they're mounted the wheel. Just used blue painters tape so I wouldn't scratch the leather or trim pieces. I took tons of pics, so I can do a DIY on changing out the Sport wheel paddle shifters to the non-paddle "M" wheel if there is enough interest. I'm really happy with the new "M" wheel(much Softer than the sport wheel) and IMO the brushed Aluminum Paddle Shifters & Trim look more sporty, like they belong there unlike the chrome ones... Stock Sport Wheel w/Paddles. New "M" Wheel after cutting and installing Paddles (still chrome). "M" Wheel while Scotch-Briting the Paddles. Right Chrome Paddle (before) you can see the reflection. Left Paddle after knocking the Chrome sheen off. Mounted in the car. Night time shot w/flash. Also did the Shift knob. *Anyone know how to remove the i-Drive knob?* __________________ "WorldsQuickest 335i E93" SMART-Top /One-Off Opaque Vinyl EYELIDS / 30% TINT / A.C.SCHNITZER Pedals / "M" Tri-Color Wheel w/Paddles / EIBACH Pro-Kit / AKEBONA F. & EBC RED-STUFF R.Dustless Pads / Drilled & Slotted ROTORS / MIRO M6 Reps / MICHELIN PS2's / U.R.Coated DP's / CYBA-QUAD Exhaust Tips / BMS-TUNED... Last edited by Rugs; 02-29-2008 at 12:38 AM..
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02-29-2008, 12:04 AM	#2
Amir87 Gruppe Titan 262 Rep 2,839 Posts Drives: 08 E92 SG/Coral Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: NC iTrader: (37) Garage List 2008 E92 335i [10.00]	Wow that looks good!!! How hard was it to make the M3 wheel with pedals? __________________
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02-29-2008, 12:32 AM	#4
benny90 Major 55 Rep 1,182 Posts Drives: 2006 E90 330i Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Atlanta iTrader: (24) Garage List 2006 330i [10.00]	Damn dude, thats a pretty ballsy move to chop up that steering wheel I give you props on the fab, looks great! v __________________ 2006 330i E90 \|\| Jet Black on Terra \|\| STEP \| ZSP \| ZPP \| FULL M-tech Kit \| Linea Corse LC818's / 19x8.5 ET30 / 19x10 ET22 / Falken FK452's \| 35% Pinnacle Tint \| Blacklines \| CF Trim & Roundels \| Predator ICE \| Alarm \| Cosmos Fogs \| Smoked Corners w/ X5 Bulbs \| BMW Performance Grills \| BMW Performance Steering Wheel \| M Sport E-Brake \| ACS Roof Spoiler & Pedals \| M3 Spoiler \| Euro Fog Switch \| Paddle Retrofit Kit \| CF Mtech Splitters
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02-29-2008, 12:39 AM	#5
ZuerstBMW ¡Viva España! 373 Rep 7,803 Posts Drives: 2023 230i Mineral White Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Apollo Beach, FL. iTrader: (68)	That looks GREAT , nice job __________________ 23 G42 230i Mineral White Cognac, Aluminum With Mesh Effect Interior Trim MODS Clear Guard, 15% Ceramic Tint, Floating Caps
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02-29-2008, 01:18 AM	#6
e90-4aj Colonel 279 Rep 2,144 Posts Drives: E46-M3, F80-M3, 970 GTS Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: So-Cal iTrader: (8)	SWEET - Great JOB
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02-29-2008, 02:05 AM	#8
AH Major 24 Rep 1,165 Posts Drives: E90 320i Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Indonesia iTrader: (0) Garage List 2006 E90 [0.00]	sick job..... __________________ Mods: Remus, Blacklines, Hartge, ACS, Breyton, Eibach, 20" Lative
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02-29-2008, 02:38 AM	#9
imaznumkay Major 85 Rep 1,104 Posts Drives: 2010 E90 M3 Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: NY iTrader: (2)	wanna make one for me? >_< lookin great, i wonder if wetsanding instead of using scotchbright would differ the result __________________ 2007 E90 335i JB 2010 E90 M3 JRB
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02-29-2008, 06:16 AM	#10
roadkillrob Major General 857 Rep 5,446 Posts Drives: 08 335i,22 X3M, 2012 C63 Black Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Boston iTrader: (15)	Nice Job - the brushed look is sweet - much better match with the rest of the interior and very nice job on paddles (it's worth all the work and fear of ruining the wheel in the end isn't it!)
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02-29-2008, 11:07 AM	#12
Malek@MRF Brigadier General 731 Rep 3,735 Posts Drives: E92 M3, E46 M3, G82 M4 Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Irvine, California iTrader: (5)	Is the M steering wheel thicker than the stock one by any chance? __________________ BMW PERFORMANCE SPECIALISTS. Race Engines. Suspension. F/I. Brakes. Race Preparation. Factory Service. Alignments. OFFICIAL PARTNERS: KW. MOTON. Brembo. AP Racing. BBS Motorsport. iND. HRE. Turner Motorsport. VAC. BMW Motorsport. Facebook \| Instagram \| Yelp! \| Flikr Phone: 949-233-0448 \| E-Mail: info@mrfengineering.com
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02-29-2008, 12:20 PM	#15
Hunter399 Major General 323 Rep 8,091 Posts Drives: F90M5 Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Houston, TX iTrader: (33)	Im jealous.... You really did do an awesome job on this! Enjoy your new wheel
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