[davyk31]

Did this job today, took about an hour and went great until I went to start the car and the horn went off continuiosly. Took it apart again and loosen off the torque screws that hold the back plate that I assume activates the horn. Are these meant to be tightened as far as possible or kept a bit looser. Works fine now I have loosen them a bit.

Great simple modification.

[bavarian19]

Originally Posted by davyk31

Did this job today, took about an hour and went great until I went to start the car and the born went off continuiosly. Took it apart again and loosen off the torque screws that hold the back plate that I assume activates the horn. Are these meant to be tightened as far as possible or kept a bit looser. Works fine now I have loosen them a bit.

Great simple modification.

Glad it works!

[fisherbln]

Wow, was a little worried this was going to take me a while to do, but took me less than 30 minutes to do the entire process from start to finish. Couldn't believe how simple the process was. Thanks for the DIY and thank you for the picture of where the air bag release holes are in the wheel, those helped a TON.

[vlm7]

^+1. Thanks to this DIY and other tips posted in this thread, I just performed the install without incident.

[MIC328i]

This is still the best and most active DIY ever. Going to do mine when I get my car back!

[blackout90]

Good write up. love the way it looks. very clean upgrade.

[rKi]

Great DIY guide, thanks!

[ChasVS]

Oh Yeah! What a GREAT Resource! Just swapped out my E92 Sport Package wheel for an M3 version in a snap!

[BTM]

So far everything was going smoothly until it comes time for me to disconnect my wires for the paddles at the multifunction buttons...I cannot get the clips to unclip? Anyone have any tips?

Ok, I got it...just required a lot more force than I would've guessed and a small pair of needle nose pliars...

Everything works great, no lights, excellent write up and comments. If I had to add a few:

1.) GO SLOW! I have a tendency to make things hard for myself by rushing and forcing things...thank god I was able to be relaxed for this

2.) Screw the 3 screws that hold down the airbag back-plate back as far as you can! I did it until they were "tight" and my airbag had a huge gap between the trim...I immediately took it off and cranked away at those torx screws as hard as I could - it's tough because you're not using a wrench but a driver, but they should be TIGHT

3.) If you're having trouble getting the wires for the paddles out do what I did and use a needle nose pliar to grip the clips and squeeze firm and pull horizontally - don't confuse horizontal "outward" force with applying more pressure to the handles - this will just squeeze the clip together and possibly damage it

All in all very please with the result!

[n54iHPFreaK]

where can I buy one ? or the peroformance one ?

[335Xray]

Just wanted to say thaks again for this! I followed these directions nealy 3 years ago to put my M3 wheel on the car, and I just did it again now in reverse prior to my lease turn in next week. Took me 40 minutes, no problems. Awsome DIY.

Thanks,
X

[ctv]

I ordered a m-tech wheel and I'm planning on doing this. It looks easy, but I just want to get one thing straight.... as long as battery is disconnected, there is no way the airbag can go off right? I don't want to get blasted out of nowhere lol.... And after the wheel is installed has the airbag ever went off out of no where because of swapping steering wheels? I just want to be safe lol.

[woodpecka]

after disconnecting the battery, wait 15-30 min to be sure the airbag power is completely down.

[rferebee]

Does anyone know if the multi-function buttons from the non-sport wheel can be swapped with the m-sport buttons? I ordered the m-sport wheel with airbag and cover but the buttons have different icons on them. I hope that the connectors are at least the same!

[woodpecka]

Originally Posted by rferebee

Does anyone know if the multi-function buttons from the non-sport wheel can be swapped with the m-sport buttons? I ordered the m-sport wheel with airbag and cover but the buttons have different icons on them. I hope that the connectors are at least the same!

I don't think you can do this plug'n play.

[Bimmerforlife]

For 2011 they changed the paddle shifters, if you install the m-sport steering wheel on a 2011 sedan with the sport pkg would you lose the new designed paddle shifters with the m-sport wheel?

[HazChem]

Just installed my M steering wheel.

Props to all, especially the OP, who contributed to making this install so relatively straightforward and easy.

The only challenging part was removing the clips to the paddle shifters. I had to squeeze a small flathead underneath the clip to release it as I pulled out.

[ctv]

i'm trying to install my m-tech wheel and for some reason the left harness won't fit. i came from a non sport wheel and that left plug is black. the m-tech wheel i have is grey and yellow on the left. i had to snap this piece off from the m-tech harness to make it fit. but i got the error lights... so i'm worried

[rferebee]

See post #527 on page 24. Let us know if the lights go out because I'm about to do the same thing this weekend.

[ctv]

Originally Posted by rferebee

See post #527 on page 24. Let us know if the lights go out because I'm about to do the same thing this weekend.

i went to a local shop and they used a bt scanner tool to clear my error lights. now i'm good.

[woodpecka]

I have also cut the same part and I had no error light.

[ctv]

i followed the steps according to the thread. my friend said i didn't disconnect the battery which i did. do you think it's because i didn't let it sit for a few minutes after disconnecting the battery? letting all the power run out before i start? but i did turn on the dome light to see if any power was still running and it didn't turn on. so i dunno...