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BMW 3-Series (E90 E92) Forum > E90 / E92 / E93 3-series Technical Forums > Cosmetic and Lighting Modifications (exterior/interior) > I bought a sew on steering wheel cover...



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      12-16-2016, 06:35 PM   #1
noah.s
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I bought a sew on steering wheel cover...

And it's pretty nice! It cost me $56 shipped off of eBay and arrived 9 days after i ordered. The version i linked, and i bought, is for the sport steering wheel, but they do have covers for the non-sport model.

You can customize the stitching and thread colors. You've gotta be really specific in what you want (What 2 colors on the cover, and what thread color). I asked for black and white stitching and that's what I got! (They gave me black and white on the wheel, and white thread. Not exactly what I had in mind but it looks fine and it's my fault)
You might be able to customize materials. I didn't ask, but if you're curious definitely do ask. I saw they sell alcantra covers and different colored leather inserts for different wheels, so I'm sure they can just cut your pattern on whatever material you want.

Installation took me awhile, probably because i've never done something like this before and I am pretty terrible/inexperienced at sewing. In total it probably took me 3 1/2 to 4 hours. I did an OK job installing it but it's definitely not perfect.

The quality seems pretty great for the price. Leather seems real and i didn't see any flaws in the finish. I did run into some problems but I would say they are due to installer (me) error. I will get into the problems I had later.

Comes with everything you need to install the cover. Thread, needle, a plastic tool to tuck the cover (i loosed the wheel trim to make tucking easier), and double-sided adhesive (which i didn't really use, will get more into that later)



This is what the cover looks like out of the box. Inside and out.



Now pictures of before, and after the install. Will see if I can get better pictures tomorrow. Too dark for my iPhone to get a decent picture. Don't mind the peeling trim, gotta wrap it.



So now to some of the problems I had,
View post on imgur.com
  • Using the tape was a bitch. It was hard to get perfectly lined up, and then the tape seemed to make it impossible to fix any alignment issues. So i took it all off and went tapeless.
  • In the end, the seams on the top and bottom where the leather switches from smooth to perforated, didn't line up. It has to be that my stitching, which I'll admit wasn't the best, caused them not to line up. They seemed to line up before i started stitching.
  • Behind the bottom spoke, the bottom middle piece is scrunched up. Probably my fault again. Going to see if I can try to make it a little better tomorrow.
  • I don't think you can tuck some end pieces in on the spokes. The sides of the bottom spoke don't really have anywhere to go at the back. I will try again to tuck into the small seam but that didn't work out tonight. Same with the other 2 spokes. I don't think I can tuck those triangle flaps in but I'll try. Or i'll find a way to make it look a little better.

A couple tips incase you end up doing this,
  • I followed a stitch pattern where you skip a loop on either side every time. When i neared the spokes i switched to stitching every loop to add strength and keep it tighter. I also did that on the thumb grips (I just went from the spokes all the way to the end of the grips doing every stitch, and did the middle of the top of the wheel skipping one every time)
  • Loosen or remove the trim to make tucking easier.
  • Watch a lot of videos on how to do this!
  • Be patient, it gets better.

It definitely looks good from the front. It adds some thickness and feels nice in the hand. I'll try to clean up some edges tomorrow, but a better installer than me could get this looking near perfect.
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      12-16-2016, 07:33 PM   #2
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Nice. I was looking at this as well. I wish they offered an alcantara option.
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      12-16-2016, 08:09 PM   #3
noah.s
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Quote:
Originally Posted by chau View Post
Nice. I was looking at this as well. I wish they offered an alcantara option.
I saw an alcantra one for the non-sport shell I think. Shoot them an email and ask. I don't see any reason they couldn't do it.
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      12-16-2016, 08:34 PM   #4
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looks good, OP. i emailed the seller for an alcantara options so hopefully they'll notice a demand.
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      12-16-2016, 08:54 PM   #5
noah.s
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I found some of their other options. I see a couple different suede + perforated leather combinations.
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      12-16-2016, 11:58 PM   #6
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good job!
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      12-17-2016, 09:02 AM   #7
noah.s
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Here's a better quality picture in the daytime. You can see on the spoke it's a little loose where you tuck it in, I think that's because I didn't use the tape. I'll see if I can untuck it and put some tape in there later.
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      03-26-2017, 08:53 PM   #8
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So how's it holding up? Considering one of these myself.
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      03-26-2017, 10:34 PM   #9
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Would this allow the heat from a heated steering wheel to pass through?
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      03-27-2017, 09:12 AM   #10
noah.s
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Quote:
Originally Posted by datbimmer View Post
So how's it holding up? Considering one of these myself.
No issues so far. Everything has held up well. I love it because not only does it look much better than my worn out wheel, it gives it a little bit of thickness as well.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Renegadenick View Post
Would this allow the heat from a heated steering wheel to pass through?
It's not that thick so I would think it wouldn't have much of an effect on a heated steering wheel. I don't have a heated wheel so I can't be sure.
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      03-27-2017, 03:04 PM   #11
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I did this on my non-sport wheel. Purchased from Ali express for $35 CAD I believe.

Great outcome, but a major PITA to install.
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      03-27-2017, 03:05 PM   #12
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Closer angle
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      03-27-2017, 09:40 PM   #13
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Nice! You have a link Ali-323i?
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      03-28-2017, 08:46 AM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by tlow98 View Post
Nice! You have a link Ali-323i?
link for non-sport wheel. I think they also make one for the sport wheel, so you can just check the seller's other listings to find that.

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/Blac...329675251.html
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      03-28-2017, 04:31 PM   #15
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OP,may be removing steering wheel and airbag have made it easy installation?
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      03-28-2017, 04:44 PM   #16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by SHEEDI View Post
OP,may be removing steering wheel and airbag have made it easy installation?
I don't think it would've made it easier for me. It's not that the installation is hard, but it takes a long time. I was going to remove the wheel but thought that having the wheel stationary on the car would've been easier.

I think the most difficult part of the installation is really getting everything to line up correctly. I think that's where I ran into my issues. The other weird part is that there are some edges that cannot be tucked in but they aren't a finished edge like the others.
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      03-28-2017, 04:49 PM   #17
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Got it, i am considering this mod, I would remove airbag and trim and leave the wheel on, any other tips would you like to share?
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      03-28-2017, 07:11 PM   #18
noah.s
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Quote:
Originally Posted by SHEEDI View Post
Got it, i am considering this mod, I would remove airbag and trim and leave the wheel on, any other tips would you like to share?
Removing the trim and airbag would be a good idea. I was gong to remove the trim only but couldn't get it off with the airbag on. I was able to tuck the parts under while it was loose though.

I guess my advice would be to do your best lining it up with using the tape. I ended up not using the tape because it made lining it up harder, but it's something I would definitely recommend since it makes the end product much tighter in certain spots.
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      04-09-2017, 10:06 PM   #19
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Quote:
Originally Posted by chau
Nice. I was looking at this as well. I wish they offered an alcantara option.
i did mine in alcantara. pretty much the same procedure as OP. they're called theracingfeel. you can probably find them on fb. heres a sample. ive since retrofitted sport seats, but this should give you an idea.
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      04-14-2017, 06:00 AM   #20
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You guys really like the look of these?
I think it looks really cheap.

Better get it done by a proffesional.
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      04-14-2017, 11:18 AM   #21
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Quote:
Originally Posted by tom3touring View Post
You guys really like the look of these?
I think it looks really cheap.

Better get it done by a proffesional.
I suppose it's all personal preference, but I agree that the alcantara ones can look a bit "DIY" if not done well.

I get a lot of compliments on mine though, and even those with sport wheels say the non-sport with the leather wrap (and added girth/grip) feels very good. In my case, a lot better than paying for the sport swap, as long as you take the time to do the install diligently.
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      04-15-2017, 11:31 PM   #22
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what is that ring does?
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