Steering wheel choices....
02-14-2005, 07:10 PM
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My Ride: 2002 M3 Convertible SMG Silver/Black
2005 545i ED Jet Black/Beige
For those of you who have a current order, or for those of you who are about to order, you should be aware that there are several different sizes and types of steering wheels available, depending on the various options you have in your car.
I have a 545 on order. I live in Los Angeles, and I never use my heated seats (though sometimes my passengers, especially women, like them); so I decided to pass on the Cold Weather Package for my 545. Last week I was at the dealer, and I was sitting in a few different cars, and I realized that the steering wheel in cars with the CWP was MUCH thicker. I have an M3, and one of the things I love about it is its juicy, thick steering wheel. Fortunately I was able to change my order, adding the CWP.
I do not know all the different types of steering wheels available for the 5 series, but there seem to be many different styles; and these are not necessarily detailed in any literature or ordering information, but rather are dependant on what equipment you are getting in your car.
I do know of at least 3 different types of steering wheels for a 545 with sport package: 1) Standard wheel with titanium trim 2) Thick wheel with Titanium trim, when you get CWP, same shape and appearance of standard wheel, but considerably thicker 3) Sport wheel, when you get SMG, which is thick, and has a different design that the previous 2 wheels. Additionally, I have also seen a standard steering wheel with no titanium trim, though I do not recall the details of that car.
This may seem like a little thing to some of you, but trust me, once you have driven with one of these beautiful thick steering wheels, it is hard to go back to anything else.
I have a 545 on order. I live in Los Angeles, and I never use my heated seats (though sometimes my passengers, especially women, like them); so I decided to pass on the Cold Weather Package for my 545. Last week I was at the dealer, and I was sitting in a few different cars, and I realized that the steering wheel in cars with the CWP was MUCH thicker. I have an M3, and one of the things I love about it is its juicy, thick steering wheel. Fortunately I was able to change my order, adding the CWP.
I do not know all the different types of steering wheels available for the 5 series, but there seem to be many different styles; and these are not necessarily detailed in any literature or ordering information, but rather are dependant on what equipment you are getting in your car.
I do know of at least 3 different types of steering wheels for a 545 with sport package: 1) Standard wheel with titanium trim 2) Thick wheel with Titanium trim, when you get CWP, same shape and appearance of standard wheel, but considerably thicker 3) Sport wheel, when you get SMG, which is thick, and has a different design that the previous 2 wheels. Additionally, I have also seen a standard steering wheel with no titanium trim, though I do not recall the details of that car.
This may seem like a little thing to some of you, but trust me, once you have driven with one of these beautiful thick steering wheels, it is hard to go back to anything else.
02-14-2005, 07:24 PM
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My Ride: F02 LCI Individual
Model Year: 2013
Originally Posted by fishskis' date='Feb 15 2005, 05:10 AM
Additionally, I have also seen a standard steering wheel with no titanium trim, though I do not recall the details of that car.
[snapback]90264[/snapback]
Beginning March 2005, what is next month, when the new engines and x-drive are having their SOP, all steering wheels have the ruthenium trim.
There are the standard steering wheel and the sports steering wheel and the M steering wheel.
The sports steering wheel is thicker than the regular one.
When you get SMG you'll get the sports steering wheel.
When you get the heated steering wheel it is thicker, no matter which one of them you have.
So, AFAIK, there are:
standard
standard heated (thicker)
sports (thicker than regular steering wheel)
sports with paddles for SMG
M
sports heated (thicker)
sports SMG heated
M heated
Sports and M steering wheels have a smaller diameter than the regular steering wheel.
02-14-2005, 07:38 PM
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My Ride: 2002 M3 Convertible SMG Silver/Black
2005 545i ED Jet Black/Beige
Originally Posted by Iceman' date='Feb 14 2005, 09:24 PM
[quote name='fishskis' date='Feb 15 2005, 05:10 AM'] Additionally, I have also seen a standard steering wheel with no titanium trim, though I do not recall the details of that car.
[snapback]90264[/snapback]
Beginning March 2005, what is next month, when the new engines and x-drive are having their SOP, all steering wheels have the ruthenium trim.
There are the standard steering wheel and the sports steering wheel and the M steering wheel.
The sports steering wheel is thicker than the regular one.
When you get SMG you'll get the sports steering wheel.
When you get the heated steering wheel it is thicker, no matter which one of them you have.
So, AFAIK, there are:
standard
standard heated (thicker)
sports (thicker than regular steering wheel)
sports with paddles for SMG
M
sports heated (thicker)
sports SMG heated
M heated
Sports and M steering wheels have a smaller diameter than the regular steering wheel.
[snapback]90266[/snapback]
[/quote]Wow. Thanks for the explanation. I assume the "ruthenium" is the plastic made to look and feel metallic that I was referring to as titanium.
02-15-2005, 10:12 AM
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Originally Posted by fishskis' date='Feb 15 2005, 05:38 AM
I assume the "ruthenium" is the plastic made to look and feel metallic that I was referring to as titanium.
[snapback]90267[/snapback]
Yep, you're right. It's the piece of plastic that feels and looks a little better... 
02-15-2005, 10:18 AM
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My Ride: '05 545i, silver gray, black leather with anthracite maple wood, sport package, premium sound, navigation, cold weather package, electric rear sunshade, folding rear seat, satellite radio prep, PIAA 4150K fogs, red rear reflectors, hardwired Valentine One
I agree--I have the CWP (honestly wouldn't have ordered it, but the car had it) and the steering wheel is nice and thick.
02-15-2005, 10:18 AM
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My Ride: 545i Mystic Blue/Black Leather Type 124 Wheels
Originally Posted by Iceman' date='Feb 14 2005, 11:24 PM
[quote name='fishskis' date='Feb 15 2005, 05:10 AM'] Additionally, I have also seen a standard steering wheel with no titanium trim, though I do not recall the details of that car.
[snapback]90264[/snapback]
Beginning March 2005, what is next month, when the new engines and x-drive are having their SOP, all steering wheels have the ruthenium trim.
There are the standard steering wheel and the sports steering wheel and the M steering wheel.
The sports steering wheel is thicker than the regular one.
When you get SMG you'll get the sports steering wheel.
When you get the heated steering wheel it is thicker, no matter which one of them you have.
So, AFAIK, there are:
standard
standard heated (thicker)
sports (thicker than regular steering wheel)
sports with paddles for SMG
M
sports heated (thicker)
sports SMG heated
M heated
Sports and M steering wheels have a smaller diameter than the regular steering wheel.
[snapback]90266[/snapback]
[/quote]There is no Heated //M steering wheel ( not even in late E39 M5 )
02-15-2005, 01:08 PM
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Originally Posted by E60Speed' date='Feb 15 2005, 08:18 PM
There is no Heated //M steering wheel ( not even in late E39 M5 )
[snapback]90492[/snapback]
Corrected list:
standard
standard heated (thicker)
sports (thicker than regular steering wheel)
sports with paddles for SMG
M
sports heated (thicker)
sports SMG heated
02-15-2005, 02:33 PM
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Originally Posted by stu' date='Feb 16 2005, 12:23 AM
Hi . Just a small point about the sports wheel .
The diameter is less - and it makes it very hard to see the top ( important bit !!) of the speedo and rev counter . Very frustrating .
The diameter is less - and it makes it very hard to see the top ( important bit !!) of the speedo and rev counter . Very frustrating .
[snapback]90597[/snapback]
I can very clearly see everything!!
