BMW steering wheels

[808@702]

I am thinking about giving myself a Christmas gift by getting either the performance electronic steering wheel or the non electronic with flat bottom and blue stripe. To my knowledge the electronic one isn't made with tri color stitching, cause if it did I would go that route. Does anyone have experience with the flat bottom non electronic version, and if so your thoughts.

Mahalo and Happy Holidays

[1QuikWS6]

I went from std Sport wheel - to MTech Perforated/Smooth w/PS - to M3 Tri-Stitch w/PS - finally to current Performance Flat bottom Blue stripe Tri-Stitch w/PS & Alcantera.

The Performance BS is an awesome wheel - same thick rim like the M3, the Alcantera feels nice & soft with much better grip than smooth leather. The flat bottom not only looks good, but allows easier ingress/egress from your seat without having to tilt the wheel each time




I hear ya on buying your own Christmas present - every year I used to give my wife a printout of items to order me, & every year she never got anything from the list - citing they were all too much $$ (as if I wasn't going to eventually get them anyway)

Now I just buy all my own stuff, & then tell her what she got me

[THE TECH]

I wish my electronic had the M-stitching as well but I wouldn't trade it for a regular wheel either. I love mine.

[MerchantSailor03]

I put the non electronic steering wheel last month and I've been loving it, I definitely recommend it. Install takes 5mins and it's really easy.

[Blindside_137]

Originally Posted by MerchantSailor03

I put the non electronic steering wheel last month and I've been loving it, I definitely recommend it. Install takes 5mins and it's really easy.

Looks great!

I would get this wheel as well. The electric one looks funny to me, and I would only get it if I seriously tracked a car.

[1MOREMOD]

Do you track? I would choose the flat bottom as it makes left foot braking easier. Wheel seems to get in the way on standard round wheel for me.

[peeti]

Love the non-electronic fuzzy wheel - but would trade it for an electronic one in a heartbeat - stitches or not - just for the functionality.

[Yvette]

non elec M blue stripe steering wheel looks good but I went back to M3 OEM. I could not stand its alcantra grip. I prefer OEM leather.

[808@702]

Dealer quoted me 2 hours of labor to do the install. Merchantsailor above said it took him 5 minutes. Hmmmm

[MerchantSailor03]

Originally Posted by 808@702

Dealer quoted me 2 hours of labor to do the install. Merchantsailor above said it took him 5 minutes. Hmmmm

2 hrs is bullshit for the non-electronic steering wheel. Hand tools, minimum wrench turning ability and YouTube to look up the DIY is all you need.

[xiliy]

Originally Posted by MerchantSailor03

2 hrs is bullshit for the non-electronic steering wheel. Hand tools, minimum wrench turning ability and YouTube to look up the DIY is all you need.

I agree, it took me 30 minutes to replace mince in my garage without any previous experience, i did not use youtube but read up here on do it yourself forum.

[808@702]

I had the electronic one on my 1er. I loved the functions and shift lights. Do you guys think an upholstery shop could do the tricolor stitching without butchering a new wheel?

[1QuikWS6]

I'd say 5 min is a slight exaggeration...

I've swapped my wheel 4X now - takes 15 min including battery disconnect/connect, airbag removal/install, wheel removal/install, swapping airbag bracket, trim & MFB, & paddles shifters

[FogCityM3]

Love my electronic wheel, but overall the alcantara wheels add a little more grip and at least for me, improved the sense of control/confidence (though its small). Small incremental improvements can add up and make the overall driving experience more enjoyable. I think these wheels help achieve that (and I get tons of compliments on mine). I chose the e-version simply because I have a MT and really wanted the shift lights for track use, though would prefer it be tri-color stitching as others have said above.

[demonglide]

Originally Posted by THE TECH

I wish my electronic had the M-stitching as well but I wouldn't trade it for a regular wheel either. I love mine.

Where's the best place to get electronic

[Someone?]

Originally Posted by demonglide

Where's the best place to get electronic

Theres one on sale in the classifieds New for $1200, but i dont really see the point, but then again ive never seen one on a DCT in person, but still not sold on it.

[demonglide]

Originally Posted by MerchantSailor03

I put the non electronic steering wheel last month and I've been loving it, I definitely recommend it. Install takes 5mins and it's really easy.

Installs that easy I'm gonna add it to my winter list. Electronic one is probably a job and a half ????
I'd really like the electronic one

[rjd598]

Originally Posted by ibmike

Theres one on sale in the classifieds New for $1200, but i dont really see the point, but then again ive never seen one on a DCT in person, but still not sold on it.

Same I'm satisfied with the OEM one but to each his own

[e-solo]

Are all performance steering wrapped in Alcantera?

[tommy94gt]

Originally Posted by 1QuikWS6

I'd say 5 min is a slight exaggeration...

I've swapped my wheel 4X now - takes 15 min including battery disconnect/connect, airbag removal/install, wheel removal/install, swapping airbag bracket, trim & MFB, & paddles shifters

+1 Yeah I got it down to about 15 mins or so having done it 4 times... Looking for the right size tools and hitting the airbag at just the right angle with the screwdriver is what takes the most time.