Why are the steering wheels different in the U.S. e60 than the Euro edition?

Don't take this the wrong way euro-guys but the U.S edition is sharper looking. I saw the same "big center" type wheel in a US spec 645 today,
sorry but looks rather odd and dated.

Interestingly the M5 pic's floating around show this same bulbous type steering wheel.

What is the difference and why?

 

I don't think I quite understand you. My steering wheel is the same as the M5 except for the M (or SW111 for those who remember the ebay post) symbol of course. And it is US spec.

 

you're comparing standard and sports wheels.

in uk, sports wheel is a small price option .(smg has it as standard)

DD

 

The standard on e60's is:

 

On a 545 the standard is:

 

This one is a sports steering wheel:

 

And this is the SMG steering wheel (what is the sports steering wheel, but including the paddles to shift gears):

 

This one is for the M5 (it's like the SMG, but it has an M-Logo on it):

 

And if you get BMW Individual, then they add the Individual Sign to the steering wheel, whatever steering wheel you get. This steering wheel is a modified sports steering wheel with the Individual sign on it:

 

I'm surprised to see the M5 SMG reverting back to the M3-like SMG paddles (left paddle for downshift, right paddle for upshift).

It seems to me that the way they did it on the current 5 and the Z4 is a simpler, more elegant solution (pull either paddle for downshift, push either paddle for upshift).

Iceman, what's the little ring around the BMW Individual wheel? Is it a wood inlay or something else?