Hi all I have an 03 z4 3.0 and have a chance to fit mfsw but I would like to know if I have the wiring and if not how I do I fit it. Someone mentioned there was a way to check for wires without taking the wheel off, but I can't find the post anymore. Cheers all.
Cars built after Sep 2003 came with pre-wired slip rings. If your factory build date was before this you'll probably need the famous 'retrofit cable'. A foot long piece of wire with a couple of plastic plugs that BMW will probably charge twenty odd quid for these days! Still an easy DIY though, have a look in the How To section of the Forum, there is a very detailed guide.
Hi all again have managed to find some Diy instructions on how to change wheel and have seen what the extra wiring I need looks like, but I can't find any descriptions of where the wire needs to be plumbed into so the buttons will work. It may just be the fact I'm new to forum but I just wondered if there is anywhere I can see pictures.
Board Index > E85/E86 How To > Interior > How to retrofit M steering wheel with multifunction control
Loads of pics in the how to thread at the above location sorry on an iPad so cannot post a link ATM.
The retrofit cable simply splices into a couple of wires behind the LCM (the lightswitch on the right of the instrument binnacle). The cable comes with pre-terminated plugs on one end that just push into the slip ring and a couple of little scotchloks you can use to splice into the wires at the back of the LCM.
Now you'll get a few people saying never use scotchloks and always solder then shrink wrap instead but tbh for this application scotchloks are fine as long as you deploy them correctly.
Hi there
I'm intrigued as to which part no. you ordered as I am wanting to do the retro fit as well. I got some conflicting info when I called my local BMW dealer with the part no .65 71 0 304 942/3. The dealer basically said that this kit was only for the Z4 built after Sept '03 and that anything before that the kit would not be suitable for. I take it that your car is built before Sept 03 and that to make this compatible you simply require the addition of the wire sold separately. Interestingly I was quoted a price of £203 from Peter Vardy Edinburgh and £169.17 from Soper BMW Lincoln or £192.59 which I assume is with the addition of the cable/wiring. These were back order items meaning there would be no returns if I ordered incorrectly which is why I'm being so thorough.