[GoBonesGo]

Originally Posted by skitsvilli

How much harder do you think this will be with the paddle shifters?

Good question. I imagine the paddles are simply mounted to the back and wired in. The paddles are only a $100 option from the factory, which says to me that there shouldn't be too much of a difference in installation complexity.

I'll take pictures of my install and post them here here when I'm done.

[mimi74]

The wheel for paddles is not the same... It must be a special version for paddles

[GoBonesGo]

Originally Posted by mimi74

The wheel for paddles is not the same... It must be a special version for paddles

Correct.

[skitsvilli]

Good question. I imagine the paddles are simply mounted to the back and wired in. The paddles are only a $100 option from the factory, which says to me that there shouldn't be too much of a difference in installation complexity.

I'll take pictures of my install and post them here here when I'm done.

That would be awesome. Thanks.

[Bimmer4Life]

There is something fundamentally missing here from Bavarian's DIY.
I have a European e90; I have upgraded to the M Sport wheel from a non sport standard wheel. After installation I noticed 2 red lights on the dashboard display; one for the airbag and the other for the seat belts; I immediately called the Dealer and their technician says once the airbag is changed (i.e. the circuit is open) the computer has to be reset.
So now I have to take the car to have the computer reset to get rid of those annoying red warning lights...
Hope Bavarian will add this to his DIY for us guys who have Euro E90s.

[mimi74]

There's no problem if you unplug first the minus battery

[Bimmer4Life]

Originally Posted by mimi74

There's no problem if you unplug first the minus battery

Yes, I did disconnect the minus (negative) terminal of the battery before starting the DIY.
Is it that you need to leave the car dead for about 10 minutes before disconnecting the airbag? I dont think so.

[Bimmer4Life]

OK Guys you are all right.
I messed it up; I did disconnect the battery first then I fitted the wheel without the airbag to test the multifunction buttons; then i reconnected the battery. So that is why there are warning lights on my dash. Anyhow not to worry, we all make mistakes; I will have the dealer do a BC Computer reset.

[mimi74]

yes, no problem... we are all making mistake sometime

[itsbrokeagain]

Originally Posted by bavarian19

Thanks. it actually took me about 3 hours or so

LOL it takes me something like 30 minutes or less.

But then again, I do SZL sensors in 5 series like no tomorrow, so pulling off a steering wheel literally takes a minute or two....like second nature

It looks nice..how much did it go for?

[skitsvilli]

GoBones, did you ever get your steering wheel?

[s4iscool]

if you have ever had an alcantara wheel, you will know that aside from the aesthetic beauty, they arent that practical...nor feel that great on the bare hands.

[TTG]

Originally Posted by s4iscool

if you have ever had an alcantara wheel, you will know that aside from the aesthetic beauty, they arent that practical...nor feel that great on the bare hands.

I did have alcatara wheel (partial: half leather & half alcantara) & I will have to disagree with you.

[HRC]

Originally Posted by s4iscool

if you have ever had an alcantara wheel, you will know that aside from the aesthetic beauty, they arent that practical...nor feel that great on the bare hands.

IMO, they are great in the beginning, but if you don't wear driving gloves, the material will wear down and feel gross. Especially if you don't keep your hands clean or don't wear gloves. I will never get another one again.

Danny

[s4iscool]

that i agree with, its said to wear well, but it doesnt. Pills up and then requiring shaving

[bavarian19]

Originally Posted by itsbrokeagain

LOL it takes me something like 30 minutes or less.

But then again, I do SZL sensors in 5 series like no tomorrow, so pulling off a steering wheel literally takes a minute or two....like second nature

It looks nice..how much did it go for?

Well, understand that I had no DIY to work with, and I also needed to test fit some tools... The 3 hours also included a well needed lunch break

When I reinstalled the regular sport wheel prior to selling my E90, I had the install done in about 15 min...



I would like to see the new M3 wheel come without the color stitching... I like everything else about it. If they make the new M3/Msport wheel in full leather (not perforated) and black stitching, Im all over it for my E92...

[GoBonesGo]

Ok, I installed the new wheel on my 335i Step w/paddle shifters. I took pictures along the way, but it's been difficult to find time to post them.

The paddles themselves added just about zero difficulty to the install, though. Each paddle is mounted to the steering wheel with one Torx bolt. There is also a wire connector that needs to be disconnected from each side of the steering wheel cover.

I'm digging the new wheel, once again. The thumbrests don't even come close to interfering with the paddles. I don't know why the stock sport wheel doesn't have them like on my '06 330i.

Anyway, I'll get pics up as soon as I can - maybe tonight.

[skitsvilli]

Originally Posted by GoBonesGo

Ok, I installed the new wheel on my 335i Step w/paddle shifters. I took pictures along the way, but it's been difficult to find time to post them.

The paddles themselves added just about zero difficulty to the install, though. Each paddle is mounted to the steering wheel with one Torx bolt. There is also a wire connector that needs to be disconnected from each side of the steering wheel cover.

I'm digging the new wheel, once again. The thumbrests don't even come close to interfering with the paddles. I don't know why the stock sport wheel doesn't have them like on my '06 330i.

Anyway, I'll get pics up as soon as I can - maybe tonight.

Sweet, I am glad to hear that the install isn't that hard. Cant wait to see the pics.

[zamboni]

Originally Posted by TTG

This is the one I am waiting for......

A few E46 M3 people complain to dealer on this wheel due to wear & tear so they have to replace them with the leather version instead.

[ilshim]

Originally Posted by skitsvilli

Originally Posted by GoBonesGo
Ok, I installed the new wheel on my 335i Step w/paddle shifters. I took pictures along the way, but it's been difficult to find time to post them.

The paddles themselves added just about zero difficulty to the install, though. Each paddle is mounted to the steering wheel with one Torx bolt. There is also a wire connector that needs to be disconnected from each side of the steering wheel cover.

I'm digging the new wheel, once again. The thumbrests don't even come close to interfering with the paddles. I don't know why the stock sport wheel doesn't have them like on my '06 330i.

Anyway, I'll get pics up as soon as I can - maybe tonight..

Wow, diy post are dangerous to my wallet!

1) to confirm, the smooth leather multi color stiched ///M wheel does work for the e92 335i with paddle shifters. (not the older poriferated wheels)

2) also, on a scale form 1 to 10, one being likeley, ten being not likely, what are the chances of messing up the airbag? i mean, this would me my most hard core diy. I am knowledgable with tools, but im still afraid of messing up the airbag part and screwing myself over if i ever get in a serious car crash. what do you guys think?

thanks in advance.

[Sparky66]

Originally Posted by GoBonesGo

Ok, I installed the new wheel on my 335i Step w/paddle shifters. I took pictures along the way, but it's been difficult to find time to post them.

The paddles themselves added just about zero difficulty to the install, though. Each paddle is mounted to the steering wheel with one Torx bolt. There is also a wire connector that needs to be disconnected from each side of the steering wheel cover.

I'm digging the new wheel, once again. The thumbrests don't even come close to interfering with the paddles. I don't know why the stock sport wheel doesn't have them like on my '06 330i.

Anyway, I'll get pics up as soon as I can - maybe tonight.

GoBonesGo,

Did you have paddles previously on your old removed wheel or did you add them in with the install of the new M Sport wheel ?
If so, is the the wiring there for cars that don't come with paddles ?
Very interesting if it is !!

[GoBonesGo]

Originally Posted by ilshim

Wow, diy post are dangerous to my wallet!

1) to confirm, the smooth leather multi color stiched ///M wheel does work for the e92 335i with paddle shifters. (not the older poriferated wheels)

No, the multi-colored stitching version isn't available for use with the paddle shifters (at least it wasn't a few weeks ago when I ordered mine). The wheel I have looks the same as the one installed in the first post of this thread, with the exception of allowing for the shifting paddles. I'll probably switch it out again once the multi-colored version becomes available. The perforated version is plenty worth it, though.

Originally Posted by ilshim

2) also, on a scale form 1 to 10, one being likeley, ten being not likely, what are the chances of messing up the airbag? i mean, this would me my most hard core diy. I am knowledgable with tools, but im still afraid of messing up the airbag part and screwing myself over if i ever get in a serious car crash. what do you guys think?

thanks in advance.

I'd say the chance of messing up the airbag is very low. Just remember to disconnect the negative terminal on your battery and you'll be fine. This one was my second steering wheel install on an E90 and it's not very difficult. The hardest part is finding the clips to release the airbag, but even then I don't see how you'd harm your airbag unless you're jamming a screwdriver really hard into the slot.