Is there a big difference in the steering wheels? Im considering doing this - the wheel itself isn't too bad but the airbag is like $400. I figure the cover, the wheel and bag will be $700+. Is it worth it?
__________________ Current Toys: 2000 M5 with lots of goodies, 1997 993 Targa mostly stock, 2002 Jeep GC all set for offroad, 2004 Acura TL bone stock
IMO it is well worth it. Much beefier feel, and also the newer steering wheel offers better visual clearance then the 00MY one, which blocks the lower part of your OBD display.
Most economical way is to 'swap' your current M-steering wheel with a friend who's got a E46 330i/325i or X5 Sport option-equipped model. You will only be using his airbag, not his 3-spoke steering wheel which is smaller than the ///M one. You will simply sell his 3-spoke non-M wheel on Ebay
He will be happier because he will find your steering wheel beefier, you sell his 3-spoke non-M (but Sport) steering wheel on Ebay and buy yourself a brand new ///M stitched 2001+ steering wheel. Net cost of upgrade is about $160, well worth it IMO...
__________________ THE WIFE (divorced but with visitation rights) Das Beast:: Carbon Black 2000 E39 M5 Factory Love: PDC, Folding rear seats with ski bag, Black extended leather with Alcantara headliner, aluminum trim (swapped from burlwood) The Looks: Full 2001+ facelift upgrade: Euro AEs, Euro Celis taillights, steering wheel, grey instrument cluster, ACS Rooflid Spoiler The Ride: Dinan Stage III Suspension, Dinan Front Strut Tower Brace, TCD rear sway bar brackets, X5 4.8is thrust arm bushings, 275/35/18 Michelin Pilot Sports all around on rear OEM 9.5” rims SuperSprint Me:Supersprint Headers, Supersprint Magnum exhaust, Supersprint X-pipe Stop-and-Go: StopTech 355mm front BBK (red calipers, cross drilled rotors, Axxis Ultimates pads), Powerchip Gold 93 (v3), Dinan clutch assembly, Dinan lightened flywheel, Cold Air Intake, UFMotorsport IATS SolelyManualGear: Rogue Octane SSK with WSR, Rogue Tranny mounts, Rogue Clutch Stop, UUC illuminated aluminum shift knob The Sound: MB Quart Reference Series component speakers all around, M-Audio subs retrofit, Dension Ice>Link Plus i-Pod adapter The Light:PIAA custom 3-watt Luxeon blue AE LEDs, Xenon/LED Interior Lighting Kit, 6000K fog HIDs, Euro rear fogs activated Tech Gadgets:16x9 widescreen, MKIV DVD Sat Nav, Bluetooth, Valentine 1 Little extras: 35% Tint, M5 Trunk Mat, TEC cupholder, custom ///M5 Ultimate Pedals, extra OEM staggered wheels with Pirelli SnowSport 240 winter gear, Dinan trunk insignia
THE MISTRESS Das 'other' Ubber-Beast:: 2008 Audi B7 RS4
Named "Buffy", the Exotic Car Slayer Factory Love: Sprint Blue, Ivory Leather, Premium Package, Titanium Package Owner Love: Stasis Motor Sport Suspension'ed, MTM 10mm Spacer'ed, Euro RS4 flat steering wheel'ed, JHM Short Shifter'ed, StopTech Stainless Steel Braided, Tinted, Valentine'd, Lamin-X'ed, Lidatek'ed, Clear Bra'd, Milltek'ed de-resonated valved Exhaust, de-badged, and most of all: De-Bangled! Dunlop Wintersport 3Ds on extra set of stock 19's for all-weather FUN courtesy of Quattro GmbH
THE WEEKEND Track ESCAPE Das Mini Beast:: Sparkling Graphite Metallic 2008 135i Factory Love: 6-spd manual, Black Boston leather, ///M Sport Package, Heated Seats Owner Love: JuiceBox 3 PnP, Rear Fogs Retrofit, 255/35/18 non-RFTs, blackened grills, 35% ceramic tint, BavTech Scanner, hardwired Escort 8500ix, various other goodies. Upcoming mods: aFe Dual Cone Intake, Active Autowerke Intercooler, Dinan Oil Cooler, Dinan Stage III Koni Suspension, BMW Performance Exhaust, Macht Schnell Gauges, more to follow...
Go for it without question . Was the first thing i wanted to do when bought the car . Sadly i haven't managed to spare a 1000 for it yet (noone will swap wheels with me) loll
I'll be the first one here by the look of it to prefer the pre-update wheel. I find it does not obscure the outer gauges on the dash. I also felt the 'update' wheel to numb the inputs coming from the front end a little bit more. Probably due to the extra padding.
Good luck with your planned upgrade. The airbag is not cheap as I believe there is additional shipping procedures required because it is a 'pyrotechnic' device... or that could be a load of garbage ;
__________________
1999 Imola Red M5. Extended Caramel Interior Mods on my pre-update beast:Eisenmann "Race" exhaust (76mm tips), 19" Hamann PG2's, AACAI, Clear Angel Eyes, MK4 Nav, GC's M5 Coilover kit w/front camber plates, Dinan Front and rear sway bars, D/A swaybar mounts, Dinan front and rear strut brace, Braided brake lines, Eibach 3mm wheel spacers, Rogue Engineering underdrive pulleys, IATS Relocation, Powerchip, Xenon foglights & Lower engine covers w/Brake duct cutout
2008 Volkswagen Golf GTI. The wifes new car
2005 Ford Territory Ghia. The wifes car. (Sold)
1986 Toyota Landcruiser HJ75. The farm ute.
Go for it without question . Was the first thing i wanted to do when bought the car . Sadly i haven't managed to spare a 1000 for it yet (noone will swap wheels with me) loll
As mentioned in my post above, if done 'prudently', the cost of the upgrade is less than $200... :p
__________________ THE WIFE (divorced but with visitation rights) Das Beast:: Carbon Black 2000 E39 M5 Factory Love: PDC, Folding rear seats with ski bag, Black extended leather with Alcantara headliner, aluminum trim (swapped from burlwood) The Looks: Full 2001+ facelift upgrade: Euro AEs, Euro Celis taillights, steering wheel, grey instrument cluster, ACS Rooflid Spoiler The Ride: Dinan Stage III Suspension, Dinan Front Strut Tower Brace, TCD rear sway bar brackets, X5 4.8is thrust arm bushings, 275/35/18 Michelin Pilot Sports all around on rear OEM 9.5” rims SuperSprint Me:Supersprint Headers, Supersprint Magnum exhaust, Supersprint X-pipe Stop-and-Go: StopTech 355mm front BBK (red calipers, cross drilled rotors, Axxis Ultimates pads), Powerchip Gold 93 (v3), Dinan clutch assembly, Dinan lightened flywheel, Cold Air Intake, UFMotorsport IATS SolelyManualGear: Rogue Octane SSK with WSR, Rogue Tranny mounts, Rogue Clutch Stop, UUC illuminated aluminum shift knob The Sound: MB Quart Reference Series component speakers all around, M-Audio subs retrofit, Dension Ice>Link Plus i-Pod adapter The Light:PIAA custom 3-watt Luxeon blue AE LEDs, Xenon/LED Interior Lighting Kit, 6000K fog HIDs, Euro rear fogs activated Tech Gadgets:16x9 widescreen, MKIV DVD Sat Nav, Bluetooth, Valentine 1 Little extras: 35% Tint, M5 Trunk Mat, TEC cupholder, custom ///M5 Ultimate Pedals, extra OEM staggered wheels with Pirelli SnowSport 240 winter gear, Dinan trunk insignia
THE MISTRESS Das 'other' Ubber-Beast:: 2008 Audi B7 RS4
Named "Buffy", the Exotic Car Slayer Factory Love: Sprint Blue, Ivory Leather, Premium Package, Titanium Package Owner Love: Stasis Motor Sport Suspension'ed, MTM 10mm Spacer'ed, Euro RS4 flat steering wheel'ed, JHM Short Shifter'ed, StopTech Stainless Steel Braided, Tinted, Valentine'd, Lamin-X'ed, Lidatek'ed, Clear Bra'd, Milltek'ed de-resonated valved Exhaust, de-badged, and most of all: De-Bangled! Dunlop Wintersport 3Ds on extra set of stock 19's for all-weather FUN courtesy of Quattro GmbH
THE WEEKEND Track ESCAPE Das Mini Beast:: Sparkling Graphite Metallic 2008 135i Factory Love: 6-spd manual, Black Boston leather, ///M Sport Package, Heated Seats Owner Love: JuiceBox 3 PnP, Rear Fogs Retrofit, 255/35/18 non-RFTs, blackened grills, 35% ceramic tint, BavTech Scanner, hardwired Escort 8500ix, various other goodies. Upcoming mods: aFe Dual Cone Intake, Active Autowerke Intercooler, Dinan Oil Cooler, Dinan Stage III Koni Suspension, BMW Performance Exhaust, Macht Schnell Gauges, more to follow...
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