Msport Steering Wheel DIY

Ph0zenstone · 05-01-2008, 11:58 PM

did mine yesterday...the 16mm nut was a pain in the ass to get off...

x986 · 05-26-2008, 05:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by steaman

The easiest way to loosen and fasten the nut to the steering wheel is to use an electric impact wrench.

WRONG, WRONG! Do NOT use an impact wrench to tighten nut. Use a proper torque wrench, and you will probably need a short extension. (A good practice is to check how much torque it takes to loosen bolts or nuts. Due to friction, it will generally take a bit more torque to loosen than you should use to tighten.)

steaman · 06-03-2008, 01:10 PM

Give a some facts to your statement? I have used impact wrench for tightening the nut on my previous 7 Steering wheels installs. There is no way you can destroy the wheel, nut or the column as long as you use proper force. There is a bigger risk that you destroy the steering look when tightening the nut with brute force!

To measure the torque when loosening the nut is totally pointless, it give you no valuable information.

bavarian19 · 06-03-2008, 07:30 PM

I never thought this DIY would get such a response. Glad everyone is enjoying their new wheels!!!

BTW, I have since added the tricolor stitched wheel to my E92, and I like it much better than even the perforated leather one.

TSM330i · 06-20-2008, 04:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by steaman

Just a reminder! The battery must be disconnected att all times when the Airbag is disconnected. If you connect the battery when the airbag is disconnected you will set an alarm that must be reset by BMW or using Carsoft.

The easiest way to loosen and fasten the nut to the steering wheel is to use an electric impact wrench.

I didn't disconnect the battery at all. I left my door open for 15 minutes and the entire car went into the sleep mode. No alarms and no issues at all upon start-up.

Also, never use an impact wrench to loosen or tighten the nut. Get a quality torque wrench and you won't have any problem.

As for the installation of the steering wheel:
Wow was this easy. Once I figured out where to insert the screwdriver to release the airbag it was a piece of cake. Literally, it took no more than 15 minutes of work, max. I even had to modify one of the clips that goes into the steering wheel because it had a tab on it and the new steering wheel wouldn't accept it. I just cut it off with an exacto knife.

I put a custom covered Alcantara M-tech steering wheel and multi-function cover along with alcantara e-brake, shifter and shifter knob.

Black Bimmer · 06-27-2008, 01:41 PM

What happened to Qalbeli? His ebay store is empty. I'm hoping he's just on vacation as I was looking to do this mod in the next month.

PSUBALL10 · 06-30-2008, 11:06 AM

Did this over the weekend, the DIY made this a pretty easy swap!

Black Bimmer · 07-22-2008, 03:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eldudo

Cheaper here, from qalbeli on ebay:
BMW M3 E90 E91 E92 E93 Airbag M Tech Steering Wheel
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/BMW-M...spagenameZWD1V

What happened to qalbeli???? His ebay store is empty.

willie55912 · 07-23-2008, 06:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Black Bimmer

What happened to qalbeli???? His ebay store is empty.

I think he is history. He has been gone from Ebay for over one month. I have tried to email him, but no luck to get some merchandise. Btw....the new 2009 3 series has a the wheel like in the M3 except it has black stitching and not the tri-color stitching. Nice move...now only if BMW will put in a different shifter for the manual trans.

dchen2 · 07-24-2008, 12:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by willie55912

I think he is history. He has been gone from Ebay for over one month. I have tried to email him, but no luck to get some merchandise. Btw....the new 2009 3 series has a the wheel like in the M3 except it has black stitching and not the tri-color stitching. Nice move...now only if BMW will put in a different shifter for the manual trans.

Ouch... I was planning on ordering his m-tech preforated wheel with the paddle cutouts recently too

. $720 from Tischer is definitely a higher step up than the $450 price that was available a while ago on eBay.

Black Bimmer · 07-24-2008, 12:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dchen2

Ouch... I was planning on ordering his m-tech preforated wheel with the paddle cutouts recently too

. $720 from Tischer is definitely a higher step up than the $450 price that was available a while ago on eBay.

No kidding. Come back Qalbeli!

4times · 07-30-2008, 10:45 AM

Thanks for this post! It only took about 30 minutes...no problems. I had a sport steering wheel to start with, so the airbag matched up fine. I also ordered the M wheel from dealer, so it had all the wires already installed...nothing to change over except steering wheel radio controls

.

bavarian19 · 07-30-2008, 11:07 AM

For those that are trying to get this wheel without the ebay seller, you can order the wheel through your dealer. The parts are available. I can not comment on the pricing though. I think it might be close to $500 at the dealer.

willie55912 · 07-30-2008, 08:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Black Bimmer

No kidding. Come back Qalbeli!

No Kidding!! I got "wheel" envy at the MOA in Minnesota; met one guy a few cars down with a 335i from where I parked. He showed me a wheel he got from him that was the perf.wheel with the tri-color stitching. It was much better than the smooth tri-color. He said it got it about 7 weeks ago. An offer of $400 and he would not sell. The guy also said Qalbeli was selling a perf wheel in tri-color stitching with alcantara leather for about $100 more.....come back Qalbeli!!

BillyV · 08-01-2008, 01:03 PM

Perfect DIY... Just did this today with the new M3 wheel (with the colored stiching) actually had my brother do it as he is a mechanic, took him about 15 minutes, saved tons of time with locating the airbag thanks to everyone else in here who helped with that, i can see why it might be difficult to find the slits!

Bought it from Turner and got it in Toronto within 48 hours, just in time for the long weekend up here, very happy must go driving now!

Black Bimmer · 08-01-2008, 01:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by willie55912

No Kidding!! I got "wheel" envy at the MOA in Minnesota; met one guy a few cars down with a 335i from where I parked. He showed me a wheel he got from him that was the perf.wheel with the tri-color stitching. It was much better than the smooth tri-color. He said it got it about 7 weeks ago. An offer of $400 and he would not sell. The guy also said Qalbeli was selling a perf wheel in tri-color stitching with alcantara leather for about $100 more.....come back Qalbeli!!

He's back!!! Only one up so far:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/BMW-M...1.c0.m14.l1318

I'm waiting for the tri-stitch non-perforated wheel.

g9sBMW · 08-04-2008, 09:46 PM

hes back with more stuff

http://myworld.ebay.com/qalbeli/

willie55912 · 08-05-2008, 01:02 AM

[QUOTE=g9sBMW;3106165]hes back with more stuff

http://myworld.ebay.com/qalbeli/[/QUOT

Black Bimmer · 08-11-2008, 12:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Black Bimmer

He's back!!!

I'm waiting for the tri-stitch non-perforated wheel.

Picked one up for $360 shipped.

TaTaToothy · 08-21-2008, 08:53 AM

Thanks for the DIY! I just installed my new M3 wheel ($285 shipped after rebate from qalbeli using the Microsoft Live rebate program), and it took all of about 45 minutes. I was being especially careful about all the wiring clips. The thing I found toughest was removing the clips from the back of the airbag, but once I figured out how the little black saddles on the back of the clips secures them, I finally figured out to just use a small screwdriver on either end of each saddle to pop them loose. The rest of it was very simple. Maybe I just lucked out, but removing the airbag took me about a minute. I struggled a bit with the spring on the right, so I decided to just move to the left and start there. The left-side one came loose on the first try - the spring isn't nearly as deep as I initially thought - and at that point it was simple to free the right-side spring.

Anyway, thanks!

Black Bimmer · 09-21-2008, 05:00 PM

Just swapped the stock sport e92 wheel for the M3 tri-stitch smooth wheel. As most everyone else mentioned, the hardest part was finding the springs to pop off the airbag. Once that was done, the rest was cake. I did have a tough time loosening and then tightening the 16mm bolt though. It was tough to get the required leverage because the wheel wanted to turn. Took a bit of coordination to hold the wheel with one hand and the torque wrench with the other.

Something else to mention, my M3 wheel is quite a bit fatter than the e92 stock sport wheel. My wife is a bit worried about getting a good grip with her fairly small hands. It is her car, but she said she'd give it a week to try out the new wheel. If she doesn't like it I may have to swap it back.

Personally, I love the fatter and squishier M3 wheel. Though I do think the stock wheel feels more like leather. The M3 wheel feels a bit like vinyl.

Here are some pics comparing the two:

mikeokimster · 09-22-2008, 07:41 PM

I will be installing this on this weekend.

05-01-2008, 11:58 PM	#529
Ph0zenstone Major General 325 Rep 5,370 Posts Drives: 2018 530e X-Drive Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: NY iTrader: (74)	did mine yesterday...the 16mm nut was a pain in the ass to get off...
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06-03-2008, 01:10 PM	#531
steaman Enlisted Member 3 Rep 41 Posts Drives: i3S - 2019 X3 3.0d F25 - 2011 Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Stockholm, Sweden iTrader: (0)	Give a some facts to your statement? I have used impact wrench for tightening the nut on my previous 7 Steering wheels installs. There is no way you can destroy the wheel, nut or the column as long as you use proper force. There is a bigger risk that you destroy the steering look when tightening the nut with brute force! To measure the torque when loosening the nut is totally pointless, it give you no valuable information.
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06-03-2008, 07:30 PM	#532
bavarian19 General 517 Rep 18,858 Posts Drives: Car Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: VA iTrader: (23)	I never thought this DIY would get such a response. Glad everyone is enjoying their new wheels!!! BTW, I have since added the tricolor stitched wheel to my E92, and I like it much better than even the perforated leather one.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

06-27-2008, 01:41 PM	#534
Black Bimmer Private 7 Rep 63 Posts Drives: 2008 335 coupe Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: LA iTrader: (0)	What happened to Qalbeli? His ebay store is empty. I'm hoping he's just on vacation as I was looking to do this mod in the next month.
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06-30-2008, 11:06 AM	#535
PSUBALL10 Second Lieutenant 27 Rep 285 Posts Drives: 2018 X5 Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Pittsburgh, PA iTrader: (5)	Did this over the weekend, the DIY made this a pretty easy swap!
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07-30-2008, 10:45 AM	#540
4times Private 8 Rep 76 Posts Drives: '14 Audi S4 MT Join Date: May 2008 Location: Indy iTrader: (2)	Thanks for this post! It only took about 30 minutes...no problems. I had a sport steering wheel to start with, so the airbag matched up fine. I also ordered the M wheel from dealer, so it had all the wires already installed...nothing to change over except steering wheel radio controls.
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07-30-2008, 11:07 AM	#541
bavarian19 General 517 Rep 18,858 Posts Drives: Car Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: VA iTrader: (23)	For those that are trying to get this wheel without the ebay seller, you can order the wheel through your dealer. The parts are available. I can not comment on the pricing though. I think it might be close to $500 at the dealer.
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08-01-2008, 01:03 PM	#543
BillyV Registered 0 Rep 3 Posts Drives: 2008 335i Coupe Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Toronto iTrader: (0)	Perfect DIY... Just did this today with the new M3 wheel (with the colored stiching) actually had my brother do it as he is a mechanic, took him about 15 minutes, saved tons of time with locating the airbag thanks to everyone else in here who helped with that, i can see why it might be difficult to find the slits! Bought it from Turner and got it in Toronto within 48 hours, just in time for the long weekend up here, very happy must go driving now!
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08-04-2008, 09:46 PM	#545
g9sBMW Lieutenant 23 Rep 517 Posts Drives: 2007 BMW 328i Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Los Angeles iTrader: (8) Garage List 2007 328i Sedan [0.00]	hes back with more stuff http://myworld.ebay.com/qalbeli/ __________________ [2007 328i\|Black Sapphire\|Terra Leather\|6 MT\|Xenon headlights\|BMW Alarm\|Clear Bra\|Stainless Steel Pedal Pads\|Black Line Tails\|MTEC V3.0 Angel Eyes\|HUPER OPTIK 30 Ceramic TINT\|GPThunder Fogs\|LED License Plate mod\|Sport Shocks/Springs upgrade\|ZHP Shift Knob\|//M Dead Pedal\|Matte Black Grill\|Aluminum Strut Bar\|Cyba Air Scoops\|Rear Fog Switch\|Perforated Mtech Wheel\|Miro 935s\|Hankook v12 evo Tires\|BMW SSK]\| BMW PE
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08-05-2008, 01:02 AM	#546
willie55912 Private First Class 48 Rep 128 Posts Drives: 2021 M850xi gran coupe Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Minnesota iTrader: (0)	[QUOTE=g9sBMW;3106165]hes back with more stuff http://myworld.ebay.com/qalbeli/[/QUOT
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08-21-2008, 08:53 AM	#548
TaTaToothy First Lieutenant 11 Rep 327 Posts Drives: 2006 330i and 2002 M3 Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Minneapolis, MN iTrader: (1)	Thanks for the DIY! I just installed my new M3 wheel ($285 shipped after rebate from qalbeli using the Microsoft Live rebate program), and it took all of about 45 minutes. I was being especially careful about all the wiring clips. The thing I found toughest was removing the clips from the back of the airbag, but once I figured out how the little black saddles on the back of the clips secures them, I finally figured out to just use a small screwdriver on either end of each saddle to pop them loose. The rest of it was very simple. Maybe I just lucked out, but removing the airbag took me about a minute. I struggled a bit with the spring on the right, so I decided to just move to the left and start there. The left-side one came loose on the first try - the spring isn't nearly as deep as I initially thought - and at that point it was simple to free the right-side spring. Anyway, thanks! __________________ 2006 330i - 6MT - Monaco Blue over black and burl walnut - Sport, Premium and Cold Weather packages and Comfort Access 2002 M3 - 6MT - Jet Black over black leather - Xenon, power seats and H/K - no sunroof
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09-21-2008, 05:00 PM	#549
Black Bimmer Private 7 Rep 63 Posts Drives: 2008 335 coupe Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: LA iTrader: (0)	Just swapped the stock sport e92 wheel for the M3 tri-stitch smooth wheel. As most everyone else mentioned, the hardest part was finding the springs to pop off the airbag. Once that was done, the rest was cake. I did have a tough time loosening and then tightening the 16mm bolt though. It was tough to get the required leverage because the wheel wanted to turn. Took a bit of coordination to hold the wheel with one hand and the torque wrench with the other. Something else to mention, my M3 wheel is quite a bit fatter than the e92 stock sport wheel. My wife is a bit worried about getting a good grip with her fairly small hands. It is her car, but she said she'd give it a week to try out the new wheel. If she doesn't like it I may have to swap it back. Personally, I love the fatter and squishier M3 wheel. Though I do think the stock wheel feels more like leather. The M3 wheel feels a bit like vinyl. Here are some pics comparing the two: Attached Images
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09-22-2008, 07:41 PM	#550
mikeokimster Lieutenant Colonel 205 Rep 1,699 Posts Drives: e90 jerez m3 Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: North Seattle, WA iTrader: (10)	I will be installing this on this weekend.
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