E46 steering wheel in an E85

P

PboroRyan

Member
My question is as the title says really. I know that a lot of E46/E85 parts are interchangeable, so was wondering if the steering wheel was one of them or if anyone has done this before (a quick search returned nothing). I know a lot of people retrofit an MFSW from a newer Z4, but what about compatibility across cars? Are the connections for the airbag and stereo the same, is the spindle the steering wheel attaches to the same size?
Thanks in advance!
 
By the looks of these two pictures, it may be possible - both the green (airbag?) and black (multifunction buttons?) cables look the same and I dare say the hole for the steering column spindle is the same. Can anyone confirm this?
s-l1600%201_zpskirmnnsn.jpg

s-l1600_zpsfep1je01.jpg
 
Z4 wheel fits into z3 with no issues including airbag so suspect an e46 which is a closer relation shouldn't be an issue!
 
srhutch said:
I'm sure I've seen it done, but it will look shite.
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I think a standard E46 wheel would look out of place, but considering a reskinned leather and alcantara //M stitched E46 wheel is less than a grubby Z4 MFSW, it's tempting...
 
cables looks similar, but what about the spline in the centre? is it the same size and number of grooves? To me the e85 wheel looks like a hole that is held in place with a nut or something similar? could be wrong though!

Also be interesting to know whether the cruise control on the e46 wheel could be adapted using the OE retrofit for the e85 cruise control. now that would be cool!
 
faz_b said:
cables looks similar, but what about the spline in the centre? is it the same size and number of grooves? To me the e85 wheel looks like a hole that is held in place with a nut or something similar? could be wrong though!
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This is what I was hoping someone would know! May be worth finding the cheapest, tattiest E46 wheel and test fitting before splashing out a couple hundred for a reskinned one M Sport one...
 
PboroRyan said:
faz_b said:
cables looks similar, but what about the spline in the centre? is it the same size and number of grooves? To me the e85 wheel looks like a hole that is held in place with a nut or something similar? could be wrong though!
Click to expand...

This is what I was hoping someone would know! May be worth finding the cheapest, tattiest E46 wheel and test fitting before splashing out a couple hundred for a reskinned one M Sport one...
Click to expand...

If you are going to do that, then you may as well buy the wheel and get a royal wheels steering wheel refurb done to your taste and it will probably still cost the same all in. so long as the e46 trim pieces are in decent condition you would be laughing. a royal wheels refurb will cost you around £140 maximum.
 
I did see a picture of this about a year ago before I had royals recondition mine. It does look pretty shite! Personally I wouldn't bother. You though about reconditioning your existing wheel with royals etc?
 
I guess you would need an e46 slip ring to get cc and probably the other MFSW buttons to work.
 
I tell you what though, I definitely wouldnt want to be the one trying this. cables and connections might look the same but looks can be deceiving. if that airbag is not compatible the consequences do not even begin to bare thinking about!
 
MACK said:
I did see a picture of this about a year ago before I had royals recondition mine. It does look pretty shite! Personally I wouldn't bother. You though about reconditioning your existing wheel with royals etc?
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Any idea where this picture was? I have looked all over but come up empty. I agree the Z4 wheel is a better looking wheel, but i'm not a massive fan of the way it feels, it's very delicate and thin, i'd prefer the spokes to be a bit chunkier. Plus, if it was a straight swap, it would be a good way of getting steering wheel controls on the cheap compared to the astronomical prices of a zed MFSW. I suppose a royal refurb on the Zed's OEM wheel would rectify the feel to an extent but would mean i'd be steering wheel-less for a period of time.
 
the double padding option from royals is great, transforms the feel of the wheel. Not too far off a M Sport wheel in terms of thickness.
I saw it through google, took a bit of finding. I was basically considering something similar to you until I saw it and realised how bad it actually looked. Hence why I went with the royals option. Damn sight cheaper than buying a new M Sport jobbie!
 
Seems like royal wheels definitely have a fan base round here, the zed wheels they've done on their website do look like the dogs danglies to be fair. Still tempted to buy an E46 wheel and test fit, if not I could just re-sell it.
 
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