DYI: BMW Performance Steering Wheel

doba_s · 03-25-2009, 10:16 AM

Hey guys,

Here is DIY on how to install BMW Performance Steering Wheel. It is not very difficult you just need to take your time and pay attention to what you are doing.

Tools:

1. Not very big Flathead Screwdriver
2. 16mm or 5/8 socket with wrench and extensions
3. T15 torx socket ( i think it is T15 but I might be wrong)
4. Very small flathead screwdriver
5. 10mm socket

This DIY is for you just to look/read and get an idea on how it can be done. I am not encouraging you to do this installation. I will not be responsible for anything that might happen to you, your vehicle, or anybody who might be helping you, or anything else.

If you are local ( Bay Area ) I can install it on your car for a $90+ Grande Vanilla Late

Before you start taking everything apart you need to read PDF Instructions in the Post#3 at the bottom and get familiar with it. Make sure you understand what goes where. After you did that, I would recommend to label supplied BMW harness with A1,A2,A3,A4,A5,A6, and A7 tags. It will be easier to figure out what goes where.

1. Disconnect your Battery and make sure your (-) Negative terminal will not be touching battery

2. Remove lower plastic panels on both sides (passenger/driver). I just have picture of the passenger side

Driver side

3. Read PDF instruction and unplug Blue connector

4. Reales the side tabs and pop off the Black/Grey connector that is inside the Blue one.

5. Read PDF installation and remove Blue/Red wire from Pin1 and Red from Pin2. Insert A3 into Pin1 and A4 into Pin2. Now install wires that you removed from Pin1 and Pin2 into Connector E

Pulling out wires from Pin1 and Pin2

Connector E

Wires from Pin1 and Pin2 inserted into Connector E

Wires A3 and A4 inserted into big Black connector into Pin1 and Pin2 and Connector E connecter to A5

6. Now you can install Control Module B and connect A6 to the module

doba_s · 03-25-2009, 10:18 AM

7. Attach module B to the harness using zip-tie like i did or somewhere else ... it is not the best spot because it make a bit hard to install plastic cover at the end.

8. Install the Black connector into Blue connector and then reinstall Blue connector. I used zip-tie to get all those wires together ...

9. Now you need to remove your Airbag. Make sure you have no power going to your car or it can be very bad and dangerous !

Use medium size flathead screwdriver and insert it into very little openings (one on each side)

Insert screwdriver like this

Not like that

Push on it with the moderate force and pull that side of the airbag gently

Then do the other side

Now you can open Green and Black clips/locks with a flathead screwdriver. Take it easy and don't break them

10. Disconnect the connector from the Coil spring cartridge (Grey/Yellow and Black)

11. Now you can remove your old steering wheel by using 16mm or 5/8 socket

12. Now we need to remove upper/lower steering column trim. Pull the upper part first. Pull it up and do one side at a time. You can use a medium size flathead screwdriver and push it up from the inside, but be very careful and don't punch yourself ... it hurts like a B... trust me

Tape the upper part to the dash

13. Remove the lower part by pressing on the tabs (one on each side)

14. Now remove Coil spring cartridge with T15 torx. Unplug Black small connector on the RT side.

Make sure not to pull the whole assembly out of the column. Very Important. Unclip all the clips and remove just the Coil spring cartridge and nothing else. These are the clips that are holding it on the side, so make sure to unclip them

15. Install the new Coil spring cartridge that came with you new PSW. Don NOT connect the Black connector just yet.

16. Now you need to remove the center console to rout the harness to the steering column. I did it this way but you might decide to do it differently.

17. This is how I routed A7

18. Read PDF instruction and remove wires from the Black connector ( the one I told you not to connect to your new Coil spring cartridge) and insert them into A7 white connector. They are numbered 1-6 and you need to insert them the same way ... #1 from Black connector goes to #1 in A7 White connector and so on ...

Now you CAN connect A7 White connector into you new Coil spring cartridge

19. Zip-tie the wires together and put back steering wheel column trim.

20. Transfer everything from your old wheel to your new PSW and install everything back. Read the PDF file. Connect black connector from the new Coil spring cartridge to the Green connector on you new PSW. The rest is the same. In PDF file it says to connect Black connector to Black but it is actually Green and not Black. Just FIY.

It should look like this

doba_s · 03-25-2009, 10:22 AM

21. Since OBDII port doesn't have two needed wire to connect A1 and A2 I decided to use cigaret lighter as the power source. I have something else taped into this power source so don't pay attention to the Red and Black wires. You need to tap A2 Braun wire in to thick Braun wire and A1 Green/Braun into thick Red/Black wire on your cigaret lighter connector.

22. Now you can put everything back together. Connect your battery after you are done with everything, start your car and you should get this

Read the Manual that came with your new PSW to set it the way you like !

I hope this will help

PDF FILE HERE

phattbam · 03-25-2009, 10:37 AM

nice work. I gotta check this out.

lpphreakx06 · 03-25-2009, 12:02 PM

THanks, its very thorough

TheAcAvenger · 03-25-2009, 12:14 PM

I'm glad someone else took the time to write a DIY. I've been getting so many PMs about the install since I'm the only person outside of you that I can confirm did it all from start to finish themselves that I felt bad for not documenting the whole thing.

And if it makes you feel any better. The steering wheel trim drew blood from my hands too. Hahahahah

D_o_S · 03-25-2009, 03:16 PM

Wow, so much work to replace the wheel...

doba_s · 03-26-2009, 11:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheAcAvenger

I'm glad someone else took the time to write a DIY. I've been getting so many PMs about the install since I'm the only person outside of you that I can confirm did it all from start to finish themselves that I felt bad for not documenting the whole thing.

And if it makes you feel any better. The steering wheel trim drew blood from my hands too. Hahahahah

haha ... it was just a warning !

to_riffic · 04-02-2009, 12:52 AM

thanx for the write-up doba_s, this DIY really helped me through the install process tonite

Duffy_SK · 04-07-2009, 03:20 PM

great write up. very good detailed photos.. very helpfull .

thank you

doba_s · 04-09-2009, 07:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ra2fanatic

thanx for the write-up doba_s, this DIY really helped me through the install process tonite

nice ! now drive and enjoy your new wheel !

roadkillrob · 04-09-2009, 09:28 PM

Great DIY - I just followed it and it was perfect (and much better than the BMW PDF which wouldn't be much harder to follow if it was in German!). Especially helpful was the advice on wiring it into the cig lighter since it seems that not many cars have the 2 wires in the OBD II port that they tell you to wire into!

tshpark · 05-09-2009, 12:10 AM

Is it compatible with E90 330i as well? or just only for E9x M3?

FrankoQ · 05-09-2009, 05:57 AM

Great DIY!!! Very detailed.

Dubbedoutbimmer · 05-28-2009, 03:14 PM

how long did this take I am installing mine tonight!

Dubbedoutbimmer · 05-28-2009, 07:02 PM

hey would the OP please call me have a question and wont have Internet in five minutes

I335 · 05-28-2009, 07:03 PM

Excellent work! Actually doesn't look too bad when it's all spelled out like that. I'd guess 2.5 - 3.5 hours for a home mechanic - taking his or her time...

I335 · 05-28-2009, 07:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tshpark

Is it compatible with E90 330i as well? or just only for E9x M3?

Great question... I know it works with the 335 too but not sure about other models. I'm guessing it just may work - why wouldn't it?

vip · 02-22-2010, 04:12 PM

Question.

I may be getting this wheel. However, the performance wheel was on a step e90 335i. Will that steering wheel mount up to a 6 speed 335i?

E90330iS · 02-24-2010, 05:17 PM

awesome!

klipseracer · 03-17-2010, 03:34 AM

I just finished this. Dear god, I hope I never have to do it again. I did three things at once:

OEM To sport wheel upgrade.
Paddleshift Retrofit
Performance Steering Wheel upgrade.

For having never done any of it before, what a confusing mess. Worst of all, when I had it all together I pulled back to adjust the wheel and realized I hadn't put the 16 mm wheel bolt back in and ripped my clock spring apart which I spent another hour fixing. FML. Looks good though, haha.

MFKN3 · 06-22-2010, 07:03 PM

I recently got this wheel and the supplier said it's plug and play on a 6MT 335i. It came with no cables or module. I called the local dealership and they thought the same thing, but that it needs coding once installed.

I am confused now. Anyone shed some light??

03-25-2009, 10:16 AM	#1
doba_s Major General 405 Rep 6,107 Posts Drives: X7 l Cayenne l 997.2RS Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Danville iTrader: (26)	DYI: BMW Performance Steering Wheel - Installation Hey guys, Here is DIY on how to install BMW Performance Steering Wheel. It is not very difficult you just need to take your time and pay attention to what you are doing. Tools: 1. Not very big Flathead Screwdriver 2. 16mm or 5/8 socket with wrench and extensions 3. T15 torx socket ( i think it is T15 but I might be wrong) 4. Very small flathead screwdriver 5. 10mm socket This DIY is for you just to look/read and get an idea on how it can be done. I am not encouraging you to do this installation. I will not be responsible for anything that might happen to you, your vehicle, or anybody who might be helping you, or anything else. If you are local ( Bay Area ) I can install it on your car for a $90+ Grande Vanilla Late Before you start taking everything apart you need to read PDF Instructions in the Post#3 at the bottom and get familiar with it. Make sure you understand what goes where. After you did that, I would recommend to label supplied BMW harness with A1,A2,A3,A4,A5,A6, and A7 tags. It will be easier to figure out what goes where. 1. Disconnect your Battery and make sure your (-) Negative terminal will not be touching battery 2. Remove lower plastic panels on both sides (passenger/driver). I just have picture of the passenger side Driver side 3. Read PDF instruction and unplug Blue connector 4. Reales the side tabs and pop off the Black/Grey connector that is inside the Blue one. 5. Read PDF installation and remove Blue/Red wire from Pin1 and Red from Pin2. Insert A3 into Pin1 and A4 into Pin2. Now install wires that you removed from Pin1 and Pin2 into Connector E Pulling out wires from Pin1 and Pin2 Connector E Wires from Pin1 and Pin2 inserted into Connector E Wires A3 and A4 inserted into big Black connector into Pin1 and Pin2 and Connector E connecter to A5 6. Now you can install Control Module B and connect A6 to the module
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03-25-2009, 10:18 AM	#2
doba_s Major General 405 Rep 6,107 Posts Drives: X7 l Cayenne l 997.2RS Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Danville iTrader: (26)	7. Attach module B to the harness using zip-tie like i did or somewhere else ... it is not the best spot because it make a bit hard to install plastic cover at the end. 8. Install the Black connector into Blue connector and then reinstall Blue connector. I used zip-tie to get all those wires together ... 9. Now you need to remove your Airbag. Make sure you have no power going to your car or it can be very bad and dangerous ! Use medium size flathead screwdriver and insert it into very little openings (one on each side) Insert screwdriver like this Not like that Push on it with the moderate force and pull that side of the airbag gently Then do the other side Now you can open Green and Black clips/locks with a flathead screwdriver. Take it easy and don't break them 10. Disconnect the connector from the Coil spring cartridge (Grey/Yellow and Black) 11. Now you can remove your old steering wheel by using 16mm or 5/8 socket 12. Now we need to remove upper/lower steering column trim. Pull the upper part first. Pull it up and do one side at a time. You can use a medium size flathead screwdriver and push it up from the inside, but be very careful and don't punch yourself ... it hurts like a B... trust me Tape the upper part to the dash 13. Remove the lower part by pressing on the tabs (one on each side) 14. Now remove Coil spring cartridge with T15 torx. Unplug Black small connector on the RT side. Make sure not to pull the whole assembly out of the column. Very Important. Unclip all the clips and remove just the Coil spring cartridge and nothing else. These are the clips that are holding it on the side, so make sure to unclip them 15. Install the new Coil spring cartridge that came with you new PSW. Don NOT connect the Black connector just yet. 16. Now you need to remove the center console to rout the harness to the steering column. I did it this way but you might decide to do it differently. 17. This is how I routed A7 18. Read PDF instruction and remove wires from the Black connector ( the one I told you not to connect to your new Coil spring cartridge) and insert them into A7 white connector. They are numbered 1-6 and you need to insert them the same way ... #1 from Black connector goes to #1 in A7 White connector and so on ... Now you CAN connect A7 White connector into you new Coil spring cartridge 19. Zip-tie the wires together and put back steering wheel column trim. 20. Transfer everything from your old wheel to your new PSW and install everything back. Read the PDF file. Connect black connector from the new Coil spring cartridge to the Green connector on you new PSW. The rest is the same. In PDF file it says to connect Black connector to Black but it is actually Green and not Black. Just FIY. It should look like this
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03-25-2009, 10:37 AM	#4
phattbam Major General 180 Rep 5,822 Posts Drives: '17 Protonic Blue i3 REx Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: sf area iTrader: (21)	nice work. I gotta check this out.
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03-25-2009, 12:02 PM	#5
lpphreakx06 Professional Moose Racer 316 Rep 7,509 Posts Drives: SG 335i E92 RIP + 2015 SS M3 Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Bellevue, Wa iTrader: (25)	THanks, its very thorough __________________ Visit my blog anytime: http://www.sfpayments.com BMW Dream Team PNW Chapter, member #1 \|HP Autowerks \| AR DESIGN \| BMW PERFORMANCE \| STOP TECH \| Volk Racing\| AMS \| ARKYM
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03-25-2009, 12:14 PM	#6
TheAcAvenger Brigadier General 134 Rep 3,132 Posts Drives: 2018 R35 GTR / 2007 E92 335i Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: 757 > Nova > Denver iTrader: (1)	I'm glad someone else took the time to write a DIY. I've been getting so many PMs about the install since I'm the only person outside of you that I can confirm did it all from start to finish themselves that I felt bad for not documenting the whole thing. And if it makes you feel any better. The steering wheel trim drew blood from my hands too. Hahahahah __________________ 2018 R35 GT-R Cicio800 \| 2007 E92 335i - RB Turbos, TC Kline DA Coils, HPA M3 Suspension, Quaife LSD, Stoptech BBK, JB4, FuelIT, AR Downpipes, RDSport Quads, Stett OC, Helix IC, Volk TE-37, Vorsteiner V-35, OSS Headlights \| Retired - 2015 F82 M4
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03-25-2009, 03:16 PM	#7
D_o_S LCI'd 256 Rep 819 Posts Drives: 335i LCI Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Home iTrader: (1)	Wow, so much work to replace the wheel...
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04-02-2009, 12:52 AM	#9
to_riffic Lieutenant General 3024 Rep 13,760 Posts Drives: rwd Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: SoCal iTrader: (38)	thanx for the write-up doba_s, this DIY really helped me through the install process tonite __________________ ~loud noises~
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04-07-2009, 03:20 PM	#10
Duffy_SK e92 lover 51 Rep 813 Posts Drives: e92 Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Europe iTrader: (1)	great write up. very good detailed photos.. very helpfull . thank you __________________
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04-09-2009, 09:28 PM	#12
roadkillrob Major General 857 Rep 5,446 Posts Drives: 08 335i,22 X3M, 2012 C63 Black Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Boston iTrader: (15)	Great DIY - I just followed it and it was perfect (and much better than the BMW PDF which wouldn't be much harder to follow if it was in German!). Especially helpful was the advice on wiring it into the cig lighter since it seems that not many cars have the 2 wires in the OBD II port that they tell you to wire into! __________________ 2022 X3M Brooklyn Grey 2008 E93 335i FBO 2012 Mercedes C63 Black Series Alanite Grey
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05-09-2009, 12:10 AM	#13
tshpark Enlisted Member 2 Rep 47 Posts Drives: e46 330i -> e90 330i Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: VA iTrader: (0)	Is it compatible with E90 330i as well? or just only for E9x M3? __________________ 2006 330i Fully Loaded - Silver
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05-09-2009, 05:57 AM	#14
FrankoQ Deny everything 217 Rep 11,378 Posts Drives: 2006 330i; 2015 X6, S1000RR Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Beautiful MD iTrader: (5) Garage List 2015 BMW X6 [0.00] 2006 330i [0.00]	Great DIY!!! Very detailed. __________________ I need a drink
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05-28-2009, 03:14 PM	#15
Dubbedoutbimmer Banned 43 Rep 1,310 Posts Drives: 335XI Coupe Loaded w/body kit Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Boston iTrader: (-1)	how long did this take I am installing mine tonight!
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05-28-2009, 07:02 PM	#16
Dubbedoutbimmer Banned 43 Rep 1,310 Posts Drives: 335XI Coupe Loaded w/body kit Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Boston iTrader: (-1)	hey would the OP please call me have a question and wont have Internet in five minutes
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05-28-2009, 07:03 PM	#17
I335 Brigadier General 123 Rep 4,249 Posts Drives: '08 335i Coupe Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: New England iTrader: (11)	Excellent work! Actually doesn't look too bad when it's all spelled out like that. I'd guess 2.5 - 3.5 hours for a home mechanic - taking his or her time...
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02-22-2010, 04:12 PM	#19
vip Major 159 Rep 1,136 Posts Drives: 2001 Alpine White M5 Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Fremont, CA iTrader: (1)	Question. I may be getting this wheel. However, the performance wheel was on a step e90 335i. Will that steering wheel mount up to a 6 speed 335i?
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02-24-2010, 05:17 PM	#20
E90330iS Major General 143 Rep 6,333 Posts Drives: BMW M4 Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Arcadia, California iTrader: (56) Garage List 2006 330i [0.00]	awesome! __________________ 2017 BMW M4 DCT Lease Transfer: https://f80.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh...8#post23736398
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03-17-2010, 03:34 AM	#21
klipseracer Banned 219 Rep 3,012 Posts Drives: 2007 E90 335i, 05 E46 330i Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Arizona iTrader: (27) Garage List 2007 335i [0.00] 2005 330i [0.00]	I just finished this. Dear god, I hope I never have to do it again. I did three things at once: OEM To sport wheel upgrade. Paddleshift Retrofit Performance Steering Wheel upgrade. For having never done any of it before, what a confusing mess. Worst of all, when I had it all together I pulled back to adjust the wheel and realized I hadn't put the 16 mm wheel bolt back in and ripped my clock spring apart which I spent another hour fixing. FML. Looks good though, haha.
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06-22-2010, 07:03 PM	#22
MFKN3 Colonel 127 Rep 2,224 Posts Drives: supercharged 4.4L stroker E92 Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Australia iTrader: (2)	I recently got this wheel and the supplier said it's plug and play on a 6MT 335i. It came with no cables or module. I called the local dealership and they thought the same thing, but that it needs coding once installed. I am confused now. Anyone shed some light??
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