2008 M3 has a thicker steering wheel than 2011?

Seattle S65B40 · 08-14-2011, 01:22 PM

Test drove a 2011 E92 M3 with DCT yesterday and the first thing I noticed when I sat in the car is the steering wheel is not as thick as mine?? I told the CA and he felt both and was surprised to see this as well. Noticeably thicker in my car. What do you guys know about that? Was there a change at some point? I'm wondering if it thickens as it breaks in... maybe the stitching is really tight at first or something... or MAYBE DCT gets a thinner wheel than 6MT?

as for the DCT, it's pretty cool. I'm going back on forth on trying to figure out if I should get a 2012 E92 or just keep my car and wait to see what's in store 6-12 months from now. I'll keep you posted.

1sikbmr · 08-14-2011, 01:48 PM

how thick is it.

zing!

rye m3 · 08-14-2011, 01:54 PM

Worthless post without a measurement.

mdosu · 08-14-2011, 03:16 PM

When you grab your wheel, does your wheel ask: "is it in yet?".

but seriously

was the new wheel just softer and the difference small? or was it obviously thinner?

Gesler · 08-14-2011, 03:20 PM

I used to have the M3 steering wheel on my 07 335i. The one in the M3 (2011) is smaller, maybe slightly thinner and the leather is different too ('matt' as against 'glossy' on the older one). I had just assumed that the M3 wheel in my 335i was from the e46 M3 or it was not OEM.

piloto · 08-14-2011, 03:44 PM

It grows as you get the car excited by reving it past 5500 rpm, but if you got the car through ED, it won't have the ability. One of EDs few drawbacks.

AM150 · 08-14-2011, 04:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by piloto

It grows as you get the car excited by reving it past 5500 rpm, but if you got the car through ED, it won't have the ability. One of EDs few drawbacks.

winner!

Seattle S65B40 · 08-14-2011, 04:06 PM

Hahaha. Of course, there are plenty of opportunities to make wise cracks here. The point is that the steering wheel is not the same. Not even close. Trying to see if you guys know why. I wonder if DCT cars get thinner wheels so that it doesn't impede the paddle shifters (serious). Need to compare my wheel with 2011 6MT.

1MOREMOD · 08-14-2011, 04:28 PM

just measured mine, weve all dont it, at 38mm. its a 2008. now someone with a newer one get theres measured we can compare.

sensi09 · 08-14-2011, 04:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gesler

I used to have the M3 steering wheel on my 07 335i. The one in the M3 (2011) is smaller, maybe slightly thinner and the leather is different too ('matt' as against 'glossy' on the older one). I had just assumed that the M3 wheel in my 335i was from the e46 M3 or it was not OEM.

It gets glossy as the dirt and oils accumulate.

piloto · 08-14-2011, 04:36 PM

2011.75 6MT, diameter as measured at 12 o'clock on the wheel is 1.55" (39.4 mm).

Measured again using vernier calipers (sorry, don't have access to a micrometer at the moment), and at the same location, I got a measurement of 38.4 mm.

The wheel is padded quite a bit with foam, unlike most other wheels. You can feel it compress. Controlling dimensions with foam is difficult. The leather wrapped around the wheel is stretched over the foam and then sewn. Depending on the patter of leather cut, and how tightly the leather needs to be pulled to get it to sit right, it could compress the foam more in some cases, which will result in a slightly thinner wheel. That would explain a 1 to 1.5mm variance. Something beyond that is likely attributed to a different factor.

Seattle S65B40 · 08-14-2011, 04:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chriszeh

just measured mine, weve all dont it, at 38mm. its a 2008. now someone with a newer one get theres measured we can compare.

Quote:

Originally Posted by piloto

2011.75 6MT, diameter as measured at 12 o'clock on the wheel is 1.55" (39.4 mm).

Sweet. Now we just need a DCT Measurement. My guess is it comes in at 36mm or less.

1MOREMOD · 08-14-2011, 04:39 PM

so its a DCT vs 6MT thread now not a new vs old. i also measured at 12 oclock.

Seattle S65B40 · 08-14-2011, 04:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chriszeh

so its a DCT vs 6MT thread now not a new vs old. i also measured at 12 oclock.

HAHA -not intentionally. My first thought was new v. old, but Pilot confirmed that's not it. But as I stated, it is possible it has to do with the paddle shifters. Don't know that this has ever been discussed, but that would be pretty monumental as far as discoveries go, this long after the car has been out.

Seattle S65B40 · 08-14-2011, 04:46 PM

WAIT - How are you guys measuring this? Just wrapped a tape measure around mine at 12 o'clock and it was 11.5 cm - so 115mm.

piloto · 08-14-2011, 04:49 PM

Edited my first post above. Diameter didn't change much, but I think it's just a design and manufacturing tolerance issue, given how the wheel is constructed. I too am curious to see the measurement off of a DCT wheel (just so I can claim superiority over DCT folks that have a smaller wheel.

j/k. C'mon, you all know where this was headed the minute the terms DCT and 6MT were uttered...)

piloto · 08-14-2011, 04:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Seattle S65B40

WAIT - How are you guys measuring this? Just wrapped a tape measure around mine at 12 o'clock and it was 11.5 cm - so 115mm.

That's the circumference. 2(pi)R=Circumference

2*3.14*R=115mm

2R=Diameter=36.62 mm

The difference is likely due to how accurate your and our measurements were, and some manufacturing tolerance.

midwest 340xi 6sp · 08-14-2011, 04:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Seattle S65B40

Test drove a 2011 E92 M3 with DCT yesterday and the first thing I noticed when I sat in the car is the steering wheel is not as thick as mine?? I told the CA and he felt both and was surprised to see this as well. Noticeably thicker in my car. What do you guys know about that? Was there a change at some point? I'm wondering if it thickens as it breaks in... maybe the stitching is really tight at first or something... or MAYBE DCT gets a thinner wheel than 6MT?

as for the DCT, it's pretty cool. I'm going back on forth on trying to figure out if I should get a 2012 E92 or just keep my car and wait to see what's in store 6-12 months from now. I'll keep you posted.

Thicker steering wheel, but the 08 is substantially slower than the 011 with ZCP

Seattle S65B40 · 08-14-2011, 04:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by piloto

That's the circumference. 2(pi)R=Circumference

2*3.14*R=115mm

2R=Diameter=36.62 mm

The difference is likely due to how accurate your and our measurements were, and some manufacturing tolerance.

haha - right. been a while since I had a math class.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Midwest X6

OMG, I actually just read through this thread...

yeah - I'm sure you think this thread is full of fail, but it's hilarious at the same time.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Midwest X6

Thicker steering wheel, but the 08 is substantially slower than the 011 with ZCP

Gesler · 08-14-2011, 05:58 PM

I am sure it does but the material was different to begin with. The older one is more squishy

Quote:

Originally Posted by sensi09

It gets glossy as the dirt and oils accumulate.

1MOREMOD · 08-14-2011, 06:17 PM

im using a caliper gauge. old wheel is better looking.

Kayani_1 · 08-15-2011, 12:23 AM

The wheel on the right looks exactly like mine on a sport pkg E92 335i. Are you sure it is from an old M3

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gesler

I am sure it does but the material was different to begin with. The older one is more squishy

08-14-2011, 01:22 PM	#1
Seattle S65B40 Major 213 Rep 1,395 Posts Drives: 2008 e92 M3 Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: PNW iTrader: (0) Garage List 2008 BMW M3 [0.00]	2008 M3 has a thicker steering wheel than 2011? Test drove a 2011 E92 M3 with DCT yesterday and the first thing I noticed when I sat in the car is the steering wheel is not as thick as mine?? I told the CA and he felt both and was surprised to see this as well. Noticeably thicker in my car. What do you guys know about that? Was there a change at some point? I'm wondering if it thickens as it breaks in... maybe the stitching is really tight at first or something... or MAYBE DCT gets a thinner wheel than 6MT? as for the DCT, it's pretty cool. I'm going back on forth on trying to figure out if I should get a 2012 E92 or just keep my car and wait to see what's in store 6-12 months from now. I'll keep you posted. __________________ Club 6MT 2008 E92 M3 6MT, AW/Blk Ext., brushed aluminum 2006 E46 M3 ZCP 6MT Carbon blk/blk(sold) 2001 E46 325Xi 5MT Jet Blk/Blk (sold) Last edited by Seattle S65B40; 08-14-2011 at 04:39 PM..
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08-14-2011, 01:48 PM	#2
1sikbmr Brigadier General 145 Rep 3,329 Posts Drives: F80 M3 6MT Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: New York iTrader: (16)	how thick is it. zing! __________________ F80 ///M3 6MT Avus Blue ZCP
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08-14-2011, 01:54 PM	#3
rye m3 Lieutenant 33 Rep 489 Posts Drives: 2011.75 E92 M3 Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: New York iTrader: (2)	Worthless post without a measurement. __________________ E92 M3 MR on Red/Black ZCP Sound Carbon 2007 997S - sold 2003 E46 M3 Steel Grey on Red- sold 1997 E36 M3 Arctic Silver on Black- sold
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08-14-2011, 03:16 PM	#4
mdosu Banned 314 Rep 8,496 Posts Drives: Double Vanos'd Civic-M3 Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: San Francisco iTrader: (6)	When you grab your wheel, does your wheel ask: "is it in yet?". but seriously was the new wheel just softer and the difference small? or was it obviously thinner?
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08-14-2011, 03:20 PM	#5
Gesler First Lieutenant 136 Rep 356 Posts Drives: e90 M3 Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: US iTrader: (0)	I used to have the M3 steering wheel on my 07 335i. The one in the M3 (2011) is smaller, maybe slightly thinner and the leather is different too ('matt' as against 'glossy' on the older one). I had just assumed that the M3 wheel in my 335i was from the e46 M3 or it was not OEM. __________________
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08-14-2011, 03:44 PM	#6
piloto Captain 28 Rep 843 Posts Drives: 2011 E90 M3 - AW/FR Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Orange County, CA iTrader: (0)	It grows as you get the car excited by reving it past 5500 rpm, but if you got the car through ED, it won't have the ability. One of EDs few drawbacks.
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08-14-2011, 04:06 PM	#8
Seattle S65B40 Major 213 Rep 1,395 Posts Drives: 2008 e92 M3 Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: PNW iTrader: (0) Garage List 2008 BMW M3 [0.00]	Hahaha. Of course, there are plenty of opportunities to make wise cracks here. The point is that the steering wheel is not the same. Not even close. Trying to see if you guys know why. I wonder if DCT cars get thinner wheels so that it doesn't impede the paddle shifters (serious). Need to compare my wheel with 2011 6MT. __________________ Club 6MT 2008 E92 M3 6MT, AW/Blk Ext., brushed aluminum 2006 E46 M3 ZCP 6MT Carbon blk/blk(sold) 2001 E46 325Xi 5MT Jet Blk/Blk (sold)
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08-14-2011, 04:28 PM	#9
1MOREMOD - 11817 Rep 23,187 Posts Drives: Race car-> Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: check your mirrors iTrader: (5)	just measured mine, weve all dont it, at 38mm. its a 2008. now someone with a newer one get theres measured we can compare. __________________ 02 Tiag e46 M3\|6MT\|GC plates\|MCS c.o.\|GC bars\|GC race control arms\|GC bushings\|BW eng. & tran. mounts\|subframe kit\|BW race shifter\|BW Jaffster\|Euro header\|BW exhaust\|K&N c.a.i.\|Epic race tune\|Rouge pulleys\|Seibon CF hood\|CSL bumper\|apr gt 250 & splitter\|ST-40\|XR-2\|SS lines\|half cage\|Recaro profi\|Profi 2 harness\|BMWpedals\|BW studs\|
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08-14-2011, 04:36 PM	#11
piloto Captain 28 Rep 843 Posts Drives: 2011 E90 M3 - AW/FR Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Orange County, CA iTrader: (0)	2011.75 6MT, diameter as measured at 12 o'clock on the wheel is 1.55" (39.4 mm). Measured again using vernier calipers (sorry, don't have access to a micrometer at the moment), and at the same location, I got a measurement of 38.4 mm. The wheel is padded quite a bit with foam, unlike most other wheels. You can feel it compress. Controlling dimensions with foam is difficult. The leather wrapped around the wheel is stretched over the foam and then sewn. Depending on the patter of leather cut, and how tightly the leather needs to be pulled to get it to sit right, it could compress the foam more in some cases, which will result in a slightly thinner wheel. That would explain a 1 to 1.5mm variance. Something beyond that is likely attributed to a different factor. Last edited by piloto; 08-14-2011 at 04:45 PM..
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08-14-2011, 04:39 PM	#13
1MOREMOD - 11817 Rep 23,187 Posts Drives: Race car-> Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: check your mirrors iTrader: (5)	so its a DCT vs 6MT thread now not a new vs old. i also measured at 12 oclock. __________________ 02 Tiag e46 M3\|6MT\|GC plates\|MCS c.o.\|GC bars\|GC race control arms\|GC bushings\|BW eng. & tran. mounts\|subframe kit\|BW race shifter\|BW Jaffster\|Euro header\|BW exhaust\|K&N c.a.i.\|Epic race tune\|Rouge pulleys\|Seibon CF hood\|CSL bumper\|apr gt 250 & splitter\|ST-40\|XR-2\|SS lines\|half cage\|Recaro profi\|Profi 2 harness\|BMWpedals\|BW studs\|
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08-14-2011, 04:46 PM	#15
Seattle S65B40 Major 213 Rep 1,395 Posts Drives: 2008 e92 M3 Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: PNW iTrader: (0) Garage List 2008 BMW M3 [0.00]	WAIT - How are you guys measuring this? Just wrapped a tape measure around mine at 12 o'clock and it was 11.5 cm - so 115mm. __________________ Club 6MT 2008 E92 M3 6MT, AW/Blk Ext., brushed aluminum 2006 E46 M3 ZCP 6MT Carbon blk/blk(sold) 2001 E46 325Xi 5MT Jet Blk/Blk (sold)
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08-14-2011, 04:49 PM	#16
piloto Captain 28 Rep 843 Posts Drives: 2011 E90 M3 - AW/FR Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Orange County, CA iTrader: (0)	Edited my first post above. Diameter didn't change much, but I think it's just a design and manufacturing tolerance issue, given how the wheel is constructed. I too am curious to see the measurement off of a DCT wheel (just so I can claim superiority over DCT folks that have a smaller wheel. j/k. C'mon, you all know where this was headed the minute the terms DCT and 6MT were uttered...)
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08-14-2011, 06:17 PM	#21
1MOREMOD - 11817 Rep 23,187 Posts Drives: Race car-> Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: check your mirrors iTrader: (5)	im using a caliper gauge. old wheel is better looking. __________________ 02 Tiag e46 M3\|6MT\|GC plates\|MCS c.o.\|GC bars\|GC race control arms\|GC bushings\|BW eng. & tran. mounts\|subframe kit\|BW race shifter\|BW Jaffster\|Euro header\|BW exhaust\|K&N c.a.i.\|Epic race tune\|Rouge pulleys\|Seibon CF hood\|CSL bumper\|apr gt 250 & splitter\|ST-40\|XR-2\|SS lines\|half cage\|Recaro profi\|Profi 2 harness\|BMWpedals\|BW studs\|
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