How to retrofit M Steering Wheel with Multi Function Control
- Thread starter sideshowbob
- Start date
I've done this before and will be doing it again soon. Essentially you need to check you have the green block with MFSW cable first before doing anything (underneath the wheel, remove cowling). If you have the wires present its a straight swap. If not then you need to order a retrofit wire too and install using the full how-to guide.
No coding needed. Just be aware that's one times this job trips the airbag light and you may need an Indy to clear the error for you.
No coding needed. Just be aware that's one times this job trips the airbag light and you may need an Indy to clear the error for you.
the cueball
Senior member
good guide...
Finally got round to retrofitting the MFSW controls I bought from Mark-Z4. Thanks to Mark and also sideshowbob for the excellent instructions. 
I did the cruise control retrofit at the same time - the MFSW job was pretty simple in comparison, although I did have a false start because my 2006 2.5si needed a retrofit cable, which I hadn't initially expected (it was £19.90 inc delivery and VAT from Sopers). The only issue I had was trying to undo the torx screw inside the instrument cluster - was totally stumped by this since a torx screwdriver is too long, but luckily I was able to disassemble a torx multi-tool I have and that did the trick:
The other tricky bit was splicing in the cruise control and MFSW at the same time. Got there in the end, with the help of several cups of strong coffee:
:headbang:
Love the controls - definitely worth it as I am always fiddling with my knob (wahey!).
I did the cruise control retrofit at the same time - the MFSW job was pretty simple in comparison, although I did have a false start because my 2006 2.5si needed a retrofit cable, which I hadn't initially expected (it was £19.90 inc delivery and VAT from Sopers). The only issue I had was trying to undo the torx screw inside the instrument cluster - was totally stumped by this since a torx screwdriver is too long, but luckily I was able to disassemble a torx multi-tool I have and that did the trick:
The other tricky bit was splicing in the cruise control and MFSW at the same time. Got there in the end, with the help of several cups of strong coffee:
:headbang:
Love the controls - definitely worth it as I am always fiddling with my knob (wahey!).
Many thanks to the OP for the very concise instructions, I did print off the BMW 12 page document but found I only referred to this thread for fitment.
Anyway, I had a free afternoon today so decided to fit my newly acquired ///M MFSW today, I used the official BMW retrofit lead as of course my car needed it :roll:
I dislike scotchlocks & wanted to make proper solder connections, at the lightswitch end I popped the permanent connectors out of the blue socket (pins 21 & 27 - very easy to do), I then carefully bared approx 8mm of the original wires insulation with a Stanley blade & twisted the ends of the retrofit wires around the newly stripped insulation before soldering.
By undoing the connectors out of the blue socket this enabled me to slide on some heatsink sleeving covering the soldered joint and making a decent strain free connection too - an added bonus of no bulky scotchlocks to try & tuck away as well, if you look closely you can see the other connection is already made.
I did one wire at a time so that I couldn't accidentally reverse them when refitting into the blue socket.
below is a photo just before putting a heatgun on to shrink down the sleeving - note the old rag to protect the inside of the dash against any damage from the heatgun.
Total time to swap old SW to new MFSW one was 2.5 hours (excluding the 30 min wait after disconnecting the battery), but I wasn't rushing it.
One unexpected feature is that the buttons light up with the dash
Anyway, I had a free afternoon today so decided to fit my newly acquired ///M MFSW today, I used the official BMW retrofit lead as of course my car needed it :roll:
I dislike scotchlocks & wanted to make proper solder connections, at the lightswitch end I popped the permanent connectors out of the blue socket (pins 21 & 27 - very easy to do), I then carefully bared approx 8mm of the original wires insulation with a Stanley blade & twisted the ends of the retrofit wires around the newly stripped insulation before soldering.
By undoing the connectors out of the blue socket this enabled me to slide on some heatsink sleeving covering the soldered joint and making a decent strain free connection too - an added bonus of no bulky scotchlocks to try & tuck away as well, if you look closely you can see the other connection is already made.
I did one wire at a time so that I couldn't accidentally reverse them when refitting into the blue socket.
below is a photo just before putting a heatgun on to shrink down the sleeving - note the old rag to protect the inside of the dash against any damage from the heatgun.
Total time to swap old SW to new MFSW one was 2.5 hours (excluding the 30 min wait after disconnecting the battery), but I wasn't rushing it.
One unexpected feature is that the buttons light up with the dash
cj10jeeper
Lifer
Always nice to see a job being done properly with solder and shrink wrap
Hope you enjoy the results
Hope you enjoy the results
Just curious, i have a 2007 coupe 3.0 with a "M" on steering wheel. I dont think its the top model, looks like this http://i.ebayimg.com/00/s/MTA2NlgxNjAw/z/en4AAOSwm8VUv5Cz/$_57.JPG
Now the retro fit kit from bmw seems to be for standard wheel
Ive found plastic covers for the M but not the switches, could some one advise which parts i would need
thanks
Carl
Now the retro fit kit from bmw seems to be for standard wheel
Ive found plastic covers for the M but not the switches, could some one advise which parts i would need
thanks
Carl
Panta Rhei
Member
Yesterday, I spent 1 hour picking my screwdriver throug the holes with no effect. Then my dad came and lighten up the hole so he could see spring left and right arm. With help of my dad and this knowledge, I removed my air bag in 15 seconds. Now I am sure I can remove this problematic air bag every time with no much effort. I used flat-head screwdriver.
Fitted mine today using this guide. Fantastic how-to. Cheers sideshowbob. Mine is a 09/03 and I needed the cable but got it from Sopers for £11. Only two issues - 1. Airbag light came on when I was finished and I had to talk nicely to a mate to reset it for me, and 2. The airbag fits "ok" but it seems to sit a little proud of the wheel and as such rests on the bottom spoke and if I press on the top of the airbag it will move about 5mm and if I let it go it will rest again on the bottom spoke. Anyone else experience this? I took it off again to make sure it was seated properly and it seems to be.
Hi all,
New from the forum, put the mutil function steering wheels but , mutil button not working, vehcile was not fit this equipment, already turn on the vehcile function list, vehicle is 05 build, it's looks like this case will need the retrofit cable
Will update once later on
Cheers
New from the forum, put the mutil function steering wheels but , mutil button not working, vehcile was not fit this equipment, already turn on the vehcile function list, vehicle is 05 build, it's looks like this case will need the retrofit cable
Will update once later on
Cheers
Ducklakeview
Lifer
Fred, youu can't tell by just looking when the wheel is off.
I fitted an M MF wheel to mine last night to replace the M wheel I had and the controls don't work., my car is an aug 03 build.
I believe the retrofit cable goes from the back of the wheel connector to the loom, so I think you need to remove the column cover to see.
I have the loom and will be fitting it later.
Mike
I fitted an M MF wheel to mine last night to replace the M wheel I had and the controls don't work., my car is an aug 03 build.
I believe the retrofit cable goes from the back of the wheel connector to the loom, so I think you need to remove the column cover to see.
I have the loom and will be fitting it later.
Mike