Sport Steering Wheel for 545i??
11-30-2004, 02:24 PM
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My Ride: 2010 E63 AMG -- Palladium Silver/Black.
Love this car but looking to switch things up to keep things fresh. 2nd AMG in a row, but toying with coming back into the BMW fold!
Has anyone installed a thicker/sportier steering wheel on their E60 yet? If so, which type, at what cost, made by what tuner, etc.
Unfortunately, the stock wheel is pathetically thin and very "un-sporty". What a huge let down on such a cool car. I have the Sport Package, but have to say this an area for some serious improvement...plus, the tame stock exhaust note.
Special thanks to Realtyman for posting pics of his recent installation of a B&B exhaust. I may follow suit for my 545, as well.
Unfortunately, the stock wheel is pathetically thin and very "un-sporty". What a huge let down on such a cool car. I have the Sport Package, but have to say this an area for some serious improvement...plus, the tame stock exhaust note.
Special thanks to Realtyman for posting pics of his recent installation of a B&B exhaust. I may follow suit for my 545, as well.
11-30-2004, 02:44 PM
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My Ride: 2010 E63 AMG -- Palladium Silver/Black.
Love this car but looking to switch things up to keep things fresh. 2nd AMG in a row, but toying with coming back into the BMW fold!
Originally Posted by Iceman' date='Nov 30 2004, 06:34 PM
Welcome aboard, mcorliss 
!
BMW offers a sports steering wheel what is thicker than the regular steering wheel.
!BMW offers a sports steering wheel what is thicker than the regular steering wheel.
[snapback]62658[/snapback]
11-30-2004, 03:09 PM
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My Ride: 2004 545i 6speed
Originally Posted by mcorliss' date='Nov 30 2004, 05:44 PM
[quote name='Iceman' date='Nov 30 2004, 06:34 PM']Welcome aboard, mcorliss !
BMW offers a sports steering wheel what is thicker than the regular steering wheel.
!BMW offers a sports steering wheel what is thicker than the regular steering wheel.
[snapback]62658[/snapback]
[snapback]62663[/snapback]
[/quote]Get the wheel used with heated seats/wheel option. It is noticably thicker and well proportioned.
11-30-2004, 03:20 PM
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I had the heated wheel installed last week. It was less than $400 for the wheel. The airbag and all of the electronics are the same, and move to the new wheel. Heat doesn't work, but that's not the point.
I had my dealer install it - 1 1/2 hours labor.
I will eBay the stock wheel - it sells for $300 new, so I should be out $100 plus labor, assuming I can sell it.
The wheel is not the sport wheel, so it looks exactly like stock, only thicker and padded. The sport wheel is smaller in diameter and has the round airbag cover.
The sport wheel requires the replacement of the airbag and electronics as well, so it's about $800 plus labor, minus whatever you can get for the stock wheel.
I like the look of the stock wheel better, so that's the route I took. the Schitzer wheel is like $1200, and is based on the stock wheel as well. I think it's a little bizarre-looking, though.
I had my dealer install it - 1 1/2 hours labor.
I will eBay the stock wheel - it sells for $300 new, so I should be out $100 plus labor, assuming I can sell it.
The wheel is not the sport wheel, so it looks exactly like stock, only thicker and padded. The sport wheel is smaller in diameter and has the round airbag cover.
The sport wheel requires the replacement of the airbag and electronics as well, so it's about $800 plus labor, minus whatever you can get for the stock wheel.
I like the look of the stock wheel better, so that's the route I took. the Schitzer wheel is like $1200, and is based on the stock wheel as well. I think it's a little bizarre-looking, though.
11-30-2004, 05:04 PM
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My Ride: 2010 E63 AMG -- Palladium Silver/Black.
Love this car but looking to switch things up to keep things fresh. 2nd AMG in a row, but toying with coming back into the BMW fold!
Originally Posted by John W' date='Nov 30 2004, 07:20 PM
I had the heated wheel installed last week.? It was less than $400 for the wheel.? The airbag and all of the electronics are the same, and move to the new wheel.? Heat doesn't work, but that's not the point.
I had my dealer install it - 1 1/2 hours labor.
I will eBay the stock wheel - it sells for $300 new, so I should be out $100 plus labor, assuming I can sell it.
The wheel is not the sport wheel, so it looks exactly like stock, only thicker and padded.? The sport wheel is smaller in diameter and has the round airbag cover.
The sport wheel requires the replacement of the airbag and electronics as well, so it's about $800 plus labor, minus whatever you can get for the stock wheel.
I like the look of the stock wheel better, so that's the route I took.? the Schitzer wheel is like $1200, and is based on the stock wheel as well.? I think it's a little bizarre-looking, though.
I had my dealer install it - 1 1/2 hours labor.
I will eBay the stock wheel - it sells for $300 new, so I should be out $100 plus labor, assuming I can sell it.
The wheel is not the sport wheel, so it looks exactly like stock, only thicker and padded.? The sport wheel is smaller in diameter and has the round airbag cover.
The sport wheel requires the replacement of the airbag and electronics as well, so it's about $800 plus labor, minus whatever you can get for the stock wheel.
I like the look of the stock wheel better, so that's the route I took.? the Schitzer wheel is like $1200, and is based on the stock wheel as well.? I think it's a little bizarre-looking, though.
[snapback]62686[/snapback]
Let me make sure I understand...The heated stock wheel from the Cold Weather Package is only $300 plus Labor and it is somewhat padded and much thicker than the Sport Package with Ventilated Seats wheel that I have. The buttons are exactly the same and still completely functional? That is exactly what I am looking for. Do you have a part number? Are you sure that I am not giving up anything? Why in the world would BMW use such a slim wheel on my car in the first place???
Thanks for the insight. I am a real sucker for an thick sport wheel. Somehow to me, the car seems to handle totally different if the wheel is sporty. Thanks again.
Mike
11-30-2004, 07:14 PM
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My Ride: Now Driving a Freakin' Prius!
Was...
2004 545i | SMG | White/Black | Sport | NAV | Logic 7 | PDC | Fold-down Seats | Adaptive Headlights | Cold Weather Pkg | Clear-again Bra | Mud Flaps | Bluetooth | Coat Hangar | Aux Input | All Weather Mats | 18"X8.5" BBS RK w/ Michelin Pilot Alpin's (winter) | New steering rack @ 1.2K & 17K miles| Software V.19.1 | B&B Exhaust (vrrrroooooommm!) <---Click.
Originally Posted by mcorliss' date='Nov 30 2004, 06:24 PM
Has anyone installed a thicker/sportier steering wheel on their E60 yet?? If so, which type, at what cost, made by what tuner, etc.
Unfortunately, the stock wheel is pathetically thin and very "un-sporty".? What a huge let down on such a cool car.? I have the Sport Package, but have to say this an area for some serious improvement...plus, the tame stock exhaust note.
Special thanks to Realtyman for posting pics of his recent installation of a B&B exhaust.? I may follow suit for my 545, as well.
Unfortunately, the stock wheel is pathetically thin and very "un-sporty".? What a huge let down on such a cool car.? I have the Sport Package, but have to say this an area for some serious improvement...plus, the tame stock exhaust note.
Special thanks to Realtyman for posting pics of his recent installation of a B&B exhaust.? I may follow suit for my 545, as well.
[snapback]62657[/snapback]
Welcome to the forum!
Stop by some time.
12-01-2004, 02:24 AM
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welcome aboard, mcorliss ! i don't like my standard, non-sport steering wheel as well <_<. the diameter is somehow too big and if i adjust it a little lower, it'll rub on my right lap and leaves a white mark on my black pants 
. so i have to adjust it a little higher every time i wear a black pants 
.
! i don't like my standard, non-sport steering wheel as well <_<. the diameter is somehow too big and if i adjust it a little lower, it'll rub on my right lap and leaves a white mark on my black pants . so i have to adjust it a little higher every time i wear a black pants .
12-01-2004, 08:02 AM
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My Ride: 2010 E63 AMG -- Palladium Silver/Black.
Love this car but looking to switch things up to keep things fresh. 2nd AMG in a row, but toying with coming back into the BMW fold!
Originally Posted by John W' date='Nov 30 2004, 07:20 PM
I had the heated wheel installed last week.? It was less than $400 for the wheel.? The airbag and all of the electronics are the same, and move to the new wheel.? Heat doesn't work, but that's not the point.
I had my dealer install it - 1 1/2 hours labor.
I will eBay the stock wheel - it sells for $300 new, so I should be out $100 plus labor, assuming I can sell it.
The wheel is not the sport wheel, so it looks exactly like stock, only thicker and padded.? The sport wheel is smaller in diameter and has the round airbag cover.
The sport wheel requires the replacement of the airbag and electronics as well, so it's about $800 plus labor, minus whatever you can get for the stock wheel.
I like the look of the stock wheel better, so that's the route I took.? the Schitzer wheel is like $1200, and is based on the stock wheel as well.? I think it's a little bizarre-looking, though.
I had my dealer install it - 1 1/2 hours labor.
I will eBay the stock wheel - it sells for $300 new, so I should be out $100 plus labor, assuming I can sell it.
The wheel is not the sport wheel, so it looks exactly like stock, only thicker and padded.? The sport wheel is smaller in diameter and has the round airbag cover.
The sport wheel requires the replacement of the airbag and electronics as well, so it's about $800 plus labor, minus whatever you can get for the stock wheel.
I like the look of the stock wheel better, so that's the route I took.? the Schitzer wheel is like $1200, and is based on the stock wheel as well.? I think it's a little bizarre-looking, though.
[snapback]62686[/snapback]
Johnw,One last question: Do you have a picture of your new wheel and old wheel so people can see the difference in thickness. At the same time, I will try to visit my local dealer to find a 545i with the heated wheel.
Thanks again.