Steering wheel cracking and worn

lando_ · 10-07-2021, 07:57 PM

Today I got pretty lucky at the junkyard and was able to pick up an M3 steering wheel for $10. It's in pretty bad shape though since it has cracks at the top and tons of visible wear. Is there any way I could restore the leather to the OEM finish? I would hate to sit down and stitch together a leather wrap over the steering wheel so i'm looking for some alternatives.
Pics:

DoJu3 · 11-01-2021, 12:29 AM

I'm no expert but it looks too far gone for a DIY, I think your choices are to wrap it with one of those stitching kits like you said, or have it professionally restored/rewrapped.

Id' have it redone by these guys.

http://royalsteeringwheels.com/e87e90/

lando_ · 11-11-2021, 11:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DoJu3

I'm no expert but it looks too far gone for a DIY, I think your choices are to wrap it with one of those stitching kits like you said, or have it professionally restored/rewrapped.

Id' have it redone by these guys.

http://royalsteeringwheels.com/e87e90/

I did the diy re wrap kit, and it turned out amazing! It was very cheap, but it did take a few hours and a lot of tedious stitching.

Ali-E90 · 11-15-2021, 03:48 PM

+1 for the diy stitch kit. Long and tedious, but cheap and EXCELLENT results! My non sport wheel looks AND feels much better than before!

TheMidnightNarwhal · 11-15-2021, 03:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lando_

I did the diy re wrap kit, and it turned out amazing! It was very cheap, but it did take a few hours and a lot of tedious stitching.

Wow looks amazing. Which kit did you use? Might have to do mine at one point.

Also FYI I don't think that an M3 wheel rather an M sport wheel. The M3 wheels have a weird notch near the M badge IIRC and are not perforated.

lando_ · 11-18-2021, 08:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheMidnightNarwhal

Quote:

Originally Posted by lando_

I did the diy re wrap kit, and it turned out amazing! It was very cheap, but it did take a few hours and a lot of tedious stitching.

Wow looks amazing. Which kit did you use? Might have to do mine at one point.

Also FYI I don't think that an M3 wheel rather an M sport wheel. The M3 wheels have a weird notch near the M badge IIRC and are not perforated.

I bought it on ebay from the seller mooventsteven.

KhaosKid · 11-18-2021, 11:34 PM

+1 for the diy wrap as well. You could try cleaning it and dying it, but i'm not sure if the results will be worth-while. You got the wheel for a steal (bars), so you could even potentially pay someone to reupholster/wrap it for you.

If you wrap it yourself you could save tons of money. It usually takes 4-5 hours total your first time from what i've heard as well as personal opinion. Lots of people have done it and the results are pretty good. Definitely remove it from the car and remove the trim on the wheel to get a better result and make the process easier on your back/neck if you go that route. You got this.

Edit: if you're scared of doing a bad job on the sewing use black thread. It will blend into the color of the leather and not be noticeable.

10-07-2021, 07:57 PM	#1
lando_ New Member 23 Rep 6 Posts Drives: 2009 328i Join Date: Jun 2021 Location: Kentucky, USA iTrader: (0)	Steering wheel cracking and worn Today I got pretty lucky at the junkyard and was able to pick up an M3 steering wheel for $10. It's in pretty bad shape though since it has cracks at the top and tons of visible wear. Is there any way I could restore the leather to the OEM finish? I would hate to sit down and stitch together a leather wrap over the steering wheel so i'm looking for some alternatives. Pics: Attached Images
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11-01-2021, 12:29 AM	#2
DoJu3 Private 42 Rep 80 Posts Drives: 10' BMW 328i Xdrive Sedan Join Date: Feb 2016 Location: Bossier City LA iTrader: (1)	I'm no expert but it looks too far gone for a DIY, I think your choices are to wrap it with one of those stitching kits like you said, or have it professionally restored/rewrapped. Id' have it redone by these guys. http://royalsteeringwheels.com/e87e90/
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11-15-2021, 03:48 PM	#4
Ali-E90 Colonel 386 Rep 2,375 Posts Drives: 2007 E90 323i (Cdn) Join Date: May 2013 Location: Toronto, Canada iTrader: (3) Garage List 2008 BMW M3 [8.00] 2007 BMW 323i [8.50]	+1 for the diy stitch kit. Long and tedious, but cheap and EXCELLENT results! My non sport wheel looks AND feels much better than before! Attached Images __________________ Check out my Mod Thread Here
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11-18-2021, 11:34 PM	#7
KhaosKid Private 43 Rep 87 Posts Drives: ‘11 323i when it works Join Date: May 2015 Location: Downtown Canada iTrader: (0)	+1 for the diy wrap as well. You could try cleaning it and dying it, but i'm not sure if the results will be worth-while. You got the wheel for a steal (bars), so you could even potentially pay someone to reupholster/wrap it for you. If you wrap it yourself you could save tons of money. It usually takes 4-5 hours total your first time from what i've heard as well as personal opinion. Lots of people have done it and the results are pretty good. Definitely remove it from the car and remove the trim on the wheel to get a better result and make the process easier on your back/neck if you go that route. You got this. Edit: if you're scared of doing a bad job on the sewing use black thread. It will blend into the color of the leather and not be noticeable.
	Appreciate 0 Quote