Any other options for the M steering wheel?

G

grannyknot

Member
I'm trying to get use to the M steering wheel but I'm afraid it is just too fat, like a couple of sausages in my hand. I certainly don't want to get one of those aftermarket Grant steering wheels but maybe a wheel from another BMW?
The M sport steering wheel on my old E24 M6 was just perfect.
Thanks
 
You can have the wheel recovered to any thickness at Royals. I had an E85 wheel recovered and got them to make it about 3/4 of the thickness of an MSport steering wheel. Have a look on their website.
 
I'd also rather the M steering wheel wasn't as fat, and if I ever need it to be refurbished I will have it slimmer.

But as you are in Canada Royals in the UK might be a bit of a challenge, unless you can find a firm that can do something similarin your part of the world.

Failing that you might be able to find an SE steering wheel off a different model of Z4 as they are slimmer, then just keep the M one so you can return it to standard when you come to sell.
 
Mr Tidy said:
I'd also rather the M steering wheel wasn't as fat, and if I ever need it to be refurbished I will have it slimmer.
:D
But as you are in Canada Royals in the UK might be a bit of a challenge, unless you can find a firm that can do something similarin your part of the world.


Failing that you might be able to find an SE steering wheel off a different model of Z4 as they are slimmer, then just keep the M one so you can return it to standard when you come to sell.
Click to expand...

Didn’t spot ‘Toronto’ . Just shows how observant I am Iain. The 3/4 thickness one Royals did for me was perfect for my stubby fingers. Plus there are a number of ways Royals will let you customise the wheel.
 
Royals also did my old wheel in alcantara, taking off the old leather etc making it thinner than OEM, its great.
(While I also bought a NEW oem leather, as its nicer on euro-trips etc)
 
I love it too, might take a bit of getting used to but I think the wheel is probably one of the best bits of the interior.
 
I've been pondering the same question as I'm also not a fan of the z4m steering wheel, coming over from owing an the E46 M3 for 8 years.

Having done some research, I believe you can swap to the E46 M3 steering wheel as they share the same clockspring and 2 stage airbag system. Not figured out if I can activate cruise control without spending £100 for a CC stalk, since the M3 steering wheel has CC buttons integrated (I have read M3 CS/CSL owners using the Z4 CC stalk to retrofit CC, so in theory it should be possible)
The only thing to factor is that the M3 steering wheel is marginally larger but shouldn't hamper the dials but only one way to find out I guess.
 
Wassup said:
I've been pondering the same question as I'm also not a fan of the z4m steering wheel, coming over from owing an the E46 M3 for 8 years.

Having done some research, I believe you can swap to the E46 M3 steering wheel as they share the same clockspring and 2 stage airbag system. Not figured out if I can activate cruise control without spending £100 for a CC stalk, since the M3 steering wheel has CC buttons integrated (I have read M3 CS/CSL owners using the Z4 CC stalk to retrofit CC, so in theory it should be possible)
The only thing to factor is that the M3 steering wheel is marginally larger but shouldn't hamper the dials but only one way to find out I guess.
Click to expand...
Exactly, the e46 M wheel is almost perfect in my mind, simple and clean. I picked one up and am just finishing up the restore. Still waiting for a new M badge to show up in the mail. I can't see that I will be using the buttons on the wheel anyway
IMG_0012.JPG
 

Attachments

  • IMG_0013.JPG
    IMG_0013.JPG
    165 KB · Views: 2,872
Yes I'd love to know if/how that worked out too.

I think my E46 Sport had the same wheel as the M3 and TBH I preferred it to the M-Sport on my E86. Although I prefer the CC stalk to the E46 buttons!
 
Wassup said:
Did it work out with the E46 M3 steering wheel?
Click to expand...
The M coupe is in storage for the winter now so won't get to try it out until Spring, but it will fit just fine. I also picked up a standard E85/Z4 steering wheel just in case the smaller Z4 dia. of 350mm feels better, the E46 wheel is 370mm dia.
 
I stumbled across this thread yesterday, 17 pages!
https://www.mcoupe.co.uk/forum/forum/m-coup%C3%A9-technical/knowledgebase/5950-steering-wheel-options
 
grannyknot said:
I stumbled across this thread yesterday, 17 pages!
https://www.mcoupe.co.uk/forum/forum/m-coup%C3%A9-technical/knowledgebase/5950-steering-wheel-options
Click to expand...

I see that someone has used the lovely Raid steering wheel. I had one on my 993C2 and it was lovely. It's the same wheel that Ruf, Morgan, Aston Martin etc use. Lovely size and feel. I would miss the steering wheel controls on the zed though.
 

Attachments

  • 26015422468_42ab0aa69d_b.jpg
    26015422468_42ab0aa69d_b.jpg
    97.7 KB · Views: 2,544
I can confirm the E46 steering wheel works perfectly with the Z4 E85, I even managed to get cruise control to work :driving: It was pretty straightforward, I had to move pin #2 from the cruise control stalk plug (blue/black wire) into the green clock spring plug into position #8.

Result, especially if you don't want to fork out £120 for a CC stalk. Will upload pictures with the E46 wheel in situ when I get a chance...
 
grannyknot said:
I'm trying to get use to the M steering wheel but I'm afraid it is just too fat, like a couple of sausages in my hand. I certainly don't want to get one of those aftermarket Grant steering wheels but maybe a wheel from another BMW?
The M sport steering wheel on my old E24 M6 was just perfect.
Thanks
Click to expand...

I have regular skinny Z4 wheel if you like, In Toronto as well
 
S54 PILOT said:
grannyknot said:
I'm trying to get use to the M steering wheel but I'm afraid it is just too fat, like a couple of sausages in my hand. I certainly don't want to get one of those aftermarket Grant steering wheels but maybe a wheel from another BMW?
The M sport steering wheel on my old E24 M6 was just perfect.
Thanks
Click to expand...

I have regular skinny Z4 wheel if you like, In Toronto as well
Click to expand...
Thanks, but I p/u a coupe of cheap wheels over the winter, an M e46 wheel and a standard e85 wheel.
I just finished a bit of a resto to make them presentable, not sure which one I'll use yet, will have to try them both out for feel.
The M e46 wheel is a 1/2" wider in diameter than than the e85 and also a little thicker but no where near as thick as the e86 M wheel.
IMG_0271.JPG IMG_0272.JPG IMG_0273.JPG IMG_0274.JPG
 
Love the z4///M steering wheel. Perfect for my huge hands. Love the feedback it gives. I just wish, when pushing on and catching small wiggles, that the rack was a bit quicker. :D :driving: :thumbsup:
 
buzyg said:
Love the z4///M steering wheel. Perfect for my huge hands. Love the feedback it gives. I just wish, when pushing on and catching small wiggles, that the rack was a bit quicker. :D :driving: :thumbsup:
Click to expand...

Should have bought a coupe :poke: :wink:
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom