Well, after taking a break Ive decided to just get this over with... First, my car: 325i Sport/Premium packages and non-iDrive. These instructions should be pretty much the same for all sport E90's, but I cant guarantee that it is. The only new part that I needed was the wheel itself. Everything else was reused.
Tools:
One long thin Flat Head Screwdrivers
Torx Driver Set (there are quite a few different size torx screws)
10mm Nut Driver
Ratchet Wrench
6" Wrench Extension
16mm Socket
Torque Wrench (recommended)
Reccomended Time: 1.5 hours. It took me much longer, but that included a few trips to Home Depot and a lunch break.
Difficulty of installation: 2.5 out of 5. If youve used tools regularly before, then this should be rather easy.
Before we begin the DIY, familiarize yourself with what you are about to do. Dont just jump on in...
Images 1 and 2 are of the old wheel (1) and the new wheel (2) to be installed.
Before you begin, make sure your wheel is level. It will be a much more difficult task if it is not.
1st Step: Disconnect the negative terminal to your battery. Go into your trunk and on the right hand side, you will find a black plastic turnkey to open the compartment. Turn the key and remove the panel. (Image 3 shows the panel to be removed). This will reveal your battery (Image 4). Remove the 10mm bolt that holds the negative terminal connector (circled in yellow). As you can see in Image 5, I also removed the brace just for easier access to this point. This step does not need to be done... Place your cable in a position that it will not come in contact with the negative terminal. DO NOT CLOSE THE TRUNK!!! Speaking from experience, dont close the trunk with the battery disconnected. Obviously you cant open it, and your key alone wont work. If this does happen, just jump your car and power it that way (as I had to do).
2nd Step: Remove the Airbag. Go into your cabin, and try to turn on the dome light. Make sure there is no power running in your car. Then, with a flathead screwdriver, insert your screwdriver into the small slit on the backside of your wheel. You may need to feel around with your hands first to find this slit on each side. There is a spring clip on the inside that you need to press in. No need to push up or down, just push inward and that side of the airbag will pop out. Do the same on the other side. (Image 6 shows where the slits are located) The airbag module should pop out (Image 7)
3rd Step: Remove two connectors on the backside of the airbag module. There are two small clips on the backside of the airbag module. They are fragile, so you need to be careful when removing them. (Images 8 and 9). Both of them need to be removed. You might need to use a small flathead screwdriver on the clip to get it to pop up, but again, be careful.
4th Step: Remove the two connectors on the steering wheel. (images 7 and 10) These two clips must be removed from the steering column before you are able to take the wheel off. The one on the left has a clip that needs to be pushed in, and the one on the right slides right out. I had to use pliers on the one on the right, but did it carefully.
5th Step: (also on image 10) Remove the 16mm Hex bolt in the center of the steering column. The image was taken after the hex bolt was removed, but here is where I used a ratchet, 6in wrench extension, and 16mm socket. Bolt should come right off with a little force. Notice at the bottom of your wheel and steering column that there is a line to be used to line up your wheel and the column. Your car will look funny (image 11). This will be helpful with putting your new wheel on. Take your wheel off after this point and head inside with your old wheel and new wheel.
6th Step: Swithcing the controls and plate (not done on the E46, but needed on the E90) Remove the 4 torx screws on the back plate which should free up the plate and wiring for your wheel (Images 12 and 13). Flip your old wheel over. Remove the 3 torx screws on the backside of the wheel releasing the front plate, controls and wiring (image 14). Work backwards through these steps to add the plate, wiring and controls to your new wheel. Your new wheel should look like image 15.
7th Step: Work backwards from step 5 all the way back to one connecting and tightening the pieces you previously worked on. Make sure this is done in the exact opposite order it was done...
*** Before reconnecting your battery, put your key in the slot and turn your lights to the on position. This way you dont send all of the new electric current to your computer and fry it. I know that its only a small, small probability, but it is a precaution to almost guarantee it wont happen. New computers for your car can cost up to $2500, so please do this step...
8th Step: Enjoy your new wheel!!! Take it out for a ride... Then kick back and have a beer. Celebrate!!! :rocks:
PLEASE READ THIS DIY CAREFULLY BEFORE PM'ing ME!!!! If its spelled out here, I wont respond... I got 984795 PM's about the chrome trim DIY and it was right in the flippin directions...