[torzeck]

Has anyone installed the M Sport steering wheel on their non M Sport X3?
If so, can you share some pics?

I have a 35i with SAP and I want to do it, but want to make sure there are no unforseen consequences and would like to see what the transplant looks like.TIA.

[xDrive35i]

Originally Posted by torzeck

Has anyone installed the M Sport steering wheel on their non M Sport X3?
If so, can you share some pics?

I have a 35i with SAP and I want to do it, but want to make sure there are no unforseen consequences and would like to see what the transplant looks like.TIA.

You basically have the M-Sport steering wheel apart from the trim piece, the color of the stitching, and the little ///M badge. The SAP and M-Sport wheels are identical otherwise. I wouldn't waste my money on that, if I were you.

[torzeck]

Originally Posted by juddholland

You basically have the M-Sport steering wheel apart from the trim piece, the color of the stitching, and the little ///M badge. The SAP and M-Sport wheels are identical otherwise. I wouldn't waste my money on that, if I were you.

I thought exactly what you're saying above and I could care less about the badging, trim or stitching, but the wheel rim itself is different. It's much thicker and has a different cross section shape. To me, it feels more substantial and more like my previous 3 series with sport pkg wheel which I miss.

[cheesebag]

I thought my MSport Steering wheel felt a lot more chunky than the SE they had in the showroom?

[sfax]

Originally Posted by cheesebag

I thought my MSport Steering wheel felt a lot more chunky than the SE they had in the showroom?

There are three different steering wheels to my knowledge: standard, sport and M sport. Sport and M Sport differ only very slightly. Standard is larger, slimmer and nowhere near as good.

[Fryguy29]

Originally Posted by sfax

There are three different steering wheels to my knowledge: standard, sport and M sport. Sport and M Sport differ only very slightly. Standard is larger, slimmer and nowhere near as good.

This is correct. The MSport steering wheel is significantly beefier than the standard and mildly beefier than the Sport. I really like my Msport steering wheel and I consider it a major benefit.

I know this is not a consideration for the OP, but I was curious how much a replacement like this would cost? For someone ordering a car, would it be cheaper than just upgrading to the Msport package?

[fiddy yen]

Msport also has a different feel as the leather is similar to what you find on the ///M models.

[lbjgh]

I found the Msport steering wheel too thick. It's too bad ya can't get the paddle shifters with the 35i (non-Msport) model.

[Want the thrill]

Originally Posted by lbjgh

I found the Msport steering wheel too thick. It's too bad ya can't get the paddle shifters with the 35i (non-Msport) model.

You can and do get the paddle shifters with the 35i if you get the Sport Activity Package.

[lbjgh]

The Sport Activity Package is not available in Canada.

Originally Posted by Want the thrill

You can and do get the paddle shifters with the 35i if you get the Sport Activity Package.

[bren]

Originally Posted by Fryguy29

...I was curious how much a replacement like this would cost?

The wheel is probably around $650 - assuming the airbag can be carried over from the old one.

[Want the thrill]

Originally Posted by lbjgh

The Sport Activity Package is not available in Canada.

Thats sucks for you guys

[Want the thrill]

Originally Posted by bren

The wheel is probably around $650 - assuming the airbag can be carried over from the old one.

You can get it for $445 here:

http://www.trademotion.com/partlocat...531&startrow=1

[GenX3]

One of the main things I like about the M-Package is the steering wheel. It is definitely beefier and it's a good feel in you hand (hmmmm... wording sounds funny). Anyway, it was something I was looking forward to having driven cars with chunky steering wheels and coming from my 2001 740iL that only had the basic steering wheel (which felt like a 1950 chevy pickup steering wheel that had lost all the plastic and only had the bar left)...

With my 740iL, I had considered getting the wood/leather upgrade since it was bigger... but alas, I decided to purchase an M-Sport steering wheel with the whole car attached to it!

Because your hands are on this all the time. Because it's something you'll probably think about alot... I say, go for it. I think you'll like it.

[sfax]

Still waiting for somone to mention thighs on this thread......

[BMWZ4]

I looked into this b/c my x3 has the "normal" skinny steering wheel. My other bmw has the sports wheel, and I much prefer the latter. Cost is roughly:

Sports steering wheel (non M version): $850
New Airbag (because you cant port the non-sports airbag over to the sports steering wheel - different size & configuration: $1700

So basically you are looking at $2,500CAD....list of course. If I could do it for under $1500 I would, but have not had any luck finding it with that price.

Not sure about the sports activity package, but do know that you can get the M Sport package for the x3-35 version (2012). I think I recall the add-on option(s) being in the $3500 range.

Dave

[GenX3]

Wow - +$2,000... I'm not sure I could do it for that either. I'd probably have a difficult decision at $1,500 and probably an easy decision at $1,000.

There was the link above for getting a supposed BMW-manufactured M-sport steering wheel (w/o airbag) for about $450. So if someone could find an airbag for the sport for less than $1,000... At some point i'd start to wonder about quality of the airbag/steering wheel if it was too cheap. And I'd stay away from aftermarket stuff when it comes to safety.

Anyway, Torzeck at least you have the SAP steering wheel.

[torzeck]

My understanding is it would be about $800 {with a CCA discount} to get the heated and paddle accepting version with the trim piece. Meaning, I would be swapping all the existing components from the SAP wheel. I was quoted another $200 for labor for the transplant from my dealer. If I go to an independent, labor will be much less.

[1sole]

for $640 (i have sap with heated steering) i just might have to pull the trigger. The wheels defiantly feels a lot better than my sap wheels. Anyone know what would be the estimate cost for labor to do a complete switch over?

[fedinand]

This is on my to do list...sometime in the future

[GenX3]

Originally Posted by torzeck

My understanding is it would be about $800 {with a CCA discount} to get the heated and paddle accepting version with the trim piece. Meaning, I would be swapping all the existing components from the SAP wheel. I was quoted another $200 for labor for the transplant from my dealer. If I go to an independent, labor will be much less.

If that is indeed the case, I'd do it.

[Hujan]

Bumping an old, old thread. Just picked up an X3 non-M Sport and looking to upgrade the wheel. Found one for sale with air bag and paddles, but not sure if all of that hardware will correctly port over to the non-M Sport X3.