DIY: Heated Steering Wheel Retrofit to E90 M3

pyhee · 01-23-2022, 11:43 PM

First of all, thanks to the great community.

This project couldn't be done without the information I got from the forum. So I documented the work and share it in the form of YouTube video, hoping to help someone who is also interested in this retrofit.

You can start from Ep. 4 where 1-3 serves as background information and preparation. Enjoy!

Background info:

2008 BMW E90 M3 pre-LCI.
The work referred to BMW WDS of E91 LCI.
All the parts can be purchased online.
I added a fuse to the fuse box for the heater.

Required parts:

Heated steering wheel 32 30 6 795 571
Heater control module 61 31 9 217 864
Heater switch 61 31 9 143 639
Heated switch socket 61 13 6 931 929
Clockspring 61 31 9 169 765
12-Pin socket housing 61 13 6 954 518/Tyco TE1718767-1
Lower trim of steering column 61 31 9 174 346
MQS pin contacts (male) 61 13 1 393 723
MQS pin contacts (female) 61 13 1 393 724
Double flat spring contact 61 13 8 364 583
10A Fuse (small)
Electrical wires (0.35 mm^2, 0.75 mm^2)

Video documentary:

Ep. 1 - Electric Terminals & DIY Power Indicator
-
Ep. 2 - How to add a fuse
-
Ep. 3 - Terminal 15 Extension with Electrical Relays
-
Ep. 4 - Full walkthrough
-

Take-home message:

The feel of the steering wheel cannot compete with that of the original one which is genuine nappa leather. I still prefer the former one.
The heater switch has only one position. We cannot adjust it's power.
Total costed around 600 USD.

ghostENVY · 01-24-2022, 01:45 AM

This is amazing!
Thanks for sharing, I hope to be able to do it one day once I understand more.

Clammy · 04-04-2022, 11:17 PM

There's a temperature sensor in the steering wheel that adjusts the heat level. So, as you use it, you'll notice that the steering wheel is hotter when it's cold inside your car, and it cools down as the interior temperature increases. I found this out from using it. I initially thought that it was on full blast, or off completely using the switch. I was pleased to find out it auto-adjusts the heating.

I can tell you, having had mine for the past 2 winters, now, that it gets quite hot, when it's really cold out. It does take some time to fully heat up, though.

Cheers!

pyhee · 04-07-2022, 09:04 AM

Hi Clammy Thank you for the feedback! The area I am in does not have subzero temperature so I really don't have the chance to see it's full performance.

I believe you are right! I will update the writing

Quote:

Originally Posted by Clammy

There's a temperature sensor in the steering wheel that adjusts the heat level. So, as you use it, you'll notice that the steering wheel is hotter when it's cold inside your car, and it cools down as the interior temperature increases. I found this out from using it. I initially thought that it was on full blast, or off completely using the switch. I was pleased to find out it auto-adjusts the heating.

I can tell you, having had mine for the past 2 winters, now, that it gets quite hot, when it's really cold out. It does take some time to fully heat up, though.

Cheers!

01-23-2022, 11:43 PM	#1
pyhee New Member 29 Rep 23 Posts Drives: BMW E90 M3 Join Date: Feb 2020 Location: Taiwan iTrader: (0)	DIY: Heated Steering Wheel Retrofit to E90 M3 First of all, thanks to the great community. This project couldn't be done without the information I got from the forum. So I documented the work and share it in the form of YouTube video, hoping to help someone who is also interested in this retrofit. You can start from Ep. 4 where 1-3 serves as background information and preparation. Enjoy! Background info: 2008 BMW E90 M3 pre-LCI. The work referred to BMW WDS of E91 LCI. All the parts can be purchased online. I added a fuse to the fuse box for the heater. Required parts: Heated steering wheel 32 30 6 795 571 Heater control module 61 31 9 217 864 Heater switch 61 31 9 143 639 Heated switch socket 61 13 6 931 929 Clockspring 61 31 9 169 765 12-Pin socket housing 61 13 6 954 518/Tyco TE1718767-1 Lower trim of steering column 61 31 9 174 346 MQS pin contacts (male) 61 13 1 393 723 MQS pin contacts (female) 61 13 1 393 724 Double flat spring contact 61 13 8 364 583 10A Fuse (small) Electrical wires (0.35 mm^2, 0.75 mm^2) Video documentary: Ep. 1 - Electric Terminals & DIY Power Indicator - Ep. 2 - How to add a fuse - Ep. 3 - Terminal 15 Extension with Electrical Relays - Ep. 4 - Full walkthrough - Take-home message: The feel of the steering wheel cannot compete with that of the original one which is genuine nappa leather. I still prefer the former one. The heater switch has only one position. We cannot adjust it's power. Total costed around 600 USD. Attached Images __________________ A DIY lover who has done to his 2008 E90 M3: -Heated steering wheel retrofit -Top HiFi to Individual Audio retrofit -HiFi to Logic 7 (Top HiFi) retrofit -OEM backup camera retrofit -E9x M3 M-Drive retrofit Last edited by pyhee; 04-07-2022 at 09:05 AM..
	Appreciate 3 911r889.00 Clammy321.50 Lukaszsok744.00 Tweet Quote

01-24-2022, 01:45 AM	#2
ghostENVY Registered 3 Rep 3 Posts Drives: 328i 2011 e90 Join Date: Jul 2017 Location: LA iTrader: (1)	This is amazing! Thanks for sharing, I hope to be able to do it one day once I understand more.
	Appreciate 1 pyhee29.00 Quote

04-04-2022, 11:17 PM	#3
Clammy Captain 322 Rep 624 Posts Drives: 2006 330i 6MT Join Date: May 2012 Location: Canada iTrader: (2)	There's a temperature sensor in the steering wheel that adjusts the heat level. So, as you use it, you'll notice that the steering wheel is hotter when it's cold inside your car, and it cools down as the interior temperature increases. I found this out from using it. I initially thought that it was on full blast, or off completely using the switch. I was pleased to find out it auto-adjusts the heating. I can tell you, having had mine for the past 2 winters, now, that it gets quite hot, when it's really cold out. It does take some time to fully heat up, though. Cheers!
	Appreciate 1 pyhee29.00 Quote