keelaw

How easy is it to change from the standard SE steering wheel (which has the multion function buttons for stereo, phone and the 2 hot keys) to an M Sport one?

I'm thinking that the same buttons will be present also.

I know that I need to buy the steering wheel and the airbag separately, but how easy is it to fit myself?

Guidance on how to do it would be welcome also!

westside

easy to do look under your air bag the (backside) your see a split put a screw driver in their and then push up this will release the airbag, then your see the nut undo the nut and remove the steering wheel, your also need to disconnect your airbag to get the wheels, off swap over the MFSW button bolt up the new wheel connect the air bag and then your done, bear in mind your have ot get your airbag light reset.

smarty156

By the way, don't do anything until you've disconnected the battery first!
And don't shut the boot with the battery disconnected or you'll have a job trying to open it again.
Also, you shouldn't have to get anything reset. I changed my SE wheel for an M5 wheel with paddle shifts and it didn't need any resetting. Worked straight away.
The Sport wheel has different shaped trim around the Multi Function buttons so make sure you get a wheel with the trim on.

westside

that strange when we have done ours we had the air bag light come on and we had to reset the active stearing

bruce_miranda

You can shut the boot if you want but if you have the Finisher then it will be pain. Just use the key hidden inside your key fob to do the job the 'old' way i.e. turn key solution

Bahabishoo

would the gear shifters on the M Steering wheel work then?

smarty156

They will if you buy the paddle shift kit from Fred ("my530i").

smarty156

I've got an E61 so I think the boot locking may be different i.e. it's electronic on the E61 and there's no key hole!
Had to put the rear seats down, climb in the back, re-connect battery and then get out and open the boot!

keelaw

Cheers guys for the advice... i just need to take the plunge and buy the wheel now!

I don't get though why the boot is affected?! I mean, if I disconnect the battery (just take the cables off the battery right?) why do i need the boot open? So should I just keep it closed or open at all times whilst changing the wheel?

Just slightly concerned as mine is a saloon, so no other way into the boot!


How do I reset the air bag light?


To bruce_mirander: What's a "finisher"?

Brit_in_NJ

The battery is in the boot/trunk and the boot/trunk release is electronic. So if you have the battery disconnected you have to manually use the key to open the trunk/boot. If you have the M5 trunk finisher that makes the back end of the car flush, it covers the keyhole so you will not be able to open the trunk with the key.