Steering Wheel puncture Holes (Bottom)

xSOJUx · 12-12-2021, 06:46 AM

Hello, just picked up my 2022 X4MC. Wife noticed these about 1 hour after I drove it home. Is this normal?

My friend has a 2022 M3C and has barely noticeable dents in a similar position.

allinon72 · 12-12-2021, 07:26 AM

These holes have to be punctured like that to get the airbag out - you have to stick something in there to release the clips. Unusual for a brand new car but not a defect. I would inquire as to why this was required on a new car.

xSOJUx · 12-12-2021, 07:57 AM

Here is my coworkers cars, 2022 M3C, 2022 X4MC, 2021 X3MC

Both of them have these dents (no holes); I have reached out to my dealer, he said he is making some inquiries.

BMWZ4 · 12-12-2021, 08:25 AM

Normal and I doubt your dealer will get approval to replace the wheel. As others have noted, the indents are there in order to get the airbag off

HoJoRo · 12-12-2021, 08:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by allinon72

These holes have to be punctured like that to get the airbag out - you have to stick something in there to release the clips. Unusual for a brand new car but not a defect. I would inquire as to why this was required on a new car.

Perhaps a fault with Airbag picked up during quality checks, which resulted in needing to be replaced.

Here's a good video that covers the install of new paddle shifters, chap goes into good detail regarding the OEM "dents" that need to be punctured to release the airbag module

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=76ZOK3H203Y

allinon72 · 12-12-2021, 08:27 AM

It's a really poor design by BMW to require these to be punctured.

Max Well · 12-12-2021, 09:11 AM

Took images just now of my wife's LCI after carbon M Performance steering wheel trim and paddles were installed at our Dealer's Svc Ctr (a few weeks ago) and my 2020 without any steering wheel mods.

Suspect there must be a way to do the removal which doesn't lead to such noticeable defects as OP shares, though, as I can't see any obvious puncture holes on hers. Maybe Svc Ctrs have a way of annealing when done so it provides a higher-end result, or OP's was just sloppy workmanship?

xSOJUx · 12-12-2021, 01:30 PM

Simply was shocked to see holes on a new car and not having a BMW before didnt know this is "normal". Wish the wife never pointed it out, lol. Reality is if its normal, i wont push for any type of replacement. Thanks for helping educate me

roadkillrob · 12-12-2021, 02:43 PM

It isn't normal that they have been obviously used to get the aribag off, so question would be why the airbag was removed and whomever did it tore one of the holes a bit (they are a pain in the ass to get off) but something was done to the car before you got it.

Kevin_The_Clean1 · 12-12-2021, 08:39 PM

Interesting subject here.

r33_RGSport · 12-13-2021, 08:37 AM

That holes are normal.
BMW is going cheap by not pre-cutting the hole.
It is cheaper to just wrap it one run and just create a slit.
There is a reason BMW put it down there away from your sight. For cleaner look because it won't be visible under normal use.
I don't think any of you driving with your head on the bottom of the steering wheel.

danniexi · 12-13-2021, 08:46 AM

access holes to get to the airbag. normal.

mine didnt have any at the time (only indent) until i had to get the screwdriver in there and rip it open to change out the trim and paddles.

whatever. i wouldnt stress about it.

10SecGG · 12-13-2021, 09:38 AM

Just dimples on our car… it would annoy the hell out of me on a brand new car. I’d always wonder why it’s got holes on it? Someone knows if it’s been apart or not, and I’d ask why it was tampered with?

12-12-2021, 06:46 AM	#1
xSOJUx New Member 29 Rep 16 Posts Drives: 2022 X4M Comp Join Date: Aug 2021 Location: Germany iTrader: (0)	Steering Wheel puncture Holes (Bottom) Hello, just picked up my 2022 X4MC. Wife noticed these about 1 hour after I drove it home. Is this normal? My friend has a 2022 M3C and has barely noticeable dents in a similar position. Attached Images
	Appreciate 0 Tweet Quote

12-12-2021, 07:26 AM	#2
allinon72 Brigadier General 5042 Rep 3,859 Posts Drives: 20' M2C, 23' X1 Join Date: May 2017 Location: Indianapolis, IN iTrader: (3)	These holes have to be punctured like that to get the airbag out - you have to stick something in there to release the clips. Unusual for a brand new car but not a defect. I would inquire as to why this was required on a new car.
	Appreciate 2 Max Well5003.00 HoJoRo317.00 Quote

12-12-2021, 07:57 AM	#3
xSOJUx New Member 29 Rep 16 Posts Drives: 2022 X4M Comp Join Date: Aug 2021 Location: Germany iTrader: (0)	Here is my coworkers cars, 2022 M3C, 2022 X4MC, 2021 X3MC Both of them have these dents (no holes); I have reached out to my dealer, he said he is making some inquiries. Attached Images
	Appreciate 0 Quote

12-12-2021, 08:25 AM	#4
BMWZ4 Major General 1924 Rep 5,115 Posts Drives: '23 X1/'23 Allroad Progressiv Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Toronto iTrader: (1)	Normal and I doubt your dealer will get approval to replace the wheel. As others have noted, the indents are there in order to get the airbag off __________________ '11 Z4 30i (retired);'11 X3 28i (retired); '15 M235i Stage 1 Dinan (recalled & crushed); '16 M235i Stage 3 Dinan (retired); '15 X3 28i (retired); '14 328i (retired), 2019 X3M40i (retired); Loaded '18 X1 (retired); Loaded '20 X3MC DG, Black/Tan Merino (retired); Loaded '23 X1 Cape York green and Red/Black interior; '23 Audi A4 Allroad Progressiv
	Appreciate 0 Quote

12-12-2021, 08:27 AM	#6
allinon72 Brigadier General 5042 Rep 3,859 Posts Drives: 20' M2C, 23' X1 Join Date: May 2017 Location: Indianapolis, IN iTrader: (3)	It's a really poor design by BMW to require these to be punctured.
	Appreciate 2 HoJoRo317.00 pluckydks624.00 Quote

12-12-2021, 09:11 AM	#7
Max Well Colonel 5003 Rep 2,627 Posts Drives: '22 BG X3MC, '20 BSM X3MC Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Southeast USA iTrader: (0)	Took images just now of my wife's LCI after carbon M Performance steering wheel trim and paddles were installed at our Dealer's Svc Ctr (a few weeks ago) and my 2020 without any steering wheel mods. Suspect there must be a way to do the removal which doesn't lead to such noticeable defects as OP shares, though, as I can't see any obvious puncture holes on hers. Maybe Svc Ctrs have a way of annealing when done so it provides a higher-end result, or OP's was just sloppy workmanship? Attached Images
	Appreciate 2 HoJoRo317.00 Dim112.00 Quote

12-12-2021, 01:30 PM	#8
xSOJUx New Member 29 Rep 16 Posts Drives: 2022 X4M Comp Join Date: Aug 2021 Location: Germany iTrader: (0)	Simply was shocked to see holes on a new car and not having a BMW before didnt know this is "normal". Wish the wife never pointed it out, lol. Reality is if its normal, i wont push for any type of replacement. Thanks for helping educate me
	Appreciate 0 Quote

12-12-2021, 02:43 PM	#9
roadkillrob Major General 884 Rep 5,469 Posts Drives: 08 335i,22 X3M, 2012 C63 Black Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: NH iTrader: (15)	It isn't normal that they have been obviously used to get the aribag off, so question would be why the airbag was removed and whomever did it tore one of the holes a bit (they are a pain in the ass to get off) but something was done to the car before you got it. __________________ 2025 X5 Msport 2008 E93 335i FBO 2012 Mercedes C63 Black Series Alanite Grey
	Appreciate 1 HoJoRo317.00 Quote

12-12-2021, 08:39 PM	#10
Kevin_The_Clean1 Brigadier General 3867 Rep 4,385 Posts Drives: 2020 X3 MC Join Date: Jan 2016 Location: Campbell, CA iTrader: (12)	Interesting subject here. __________________ 1998 E36 M3 - Totaled 2003 E39 M5 - Gone but not forgotten 2011 E90 335i M-Sport - Daily Driver 2017 F87 M2 - Sold & missed 2020 F97 X3 M Competition - Finally arrived ///
	Appreciate 0 Quote

12-13-2021, 08:37 AM	#11
r33_RGSport General 13511 Rep 19,009 Posts Drives: G09 XM, G05 X5 40, 991.2 T Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: So. Cal iTrader: (6)	That holes are normal. BMW is going cheap by not pre-cutting the hole. It is cheaper to just wrap it one run and just create a slit. There is a reason BMW put it down there away from your sight. For cleaner look because it won't be visible under normal use. I don't think any of you driving with your head on the bottom of the steering wheel. __________________ Email:sales@rgsport.com \| IG:RGSport_USA \| Web:RGSportShop.com PM for Everyday DEAL!! \| Akrapovic 10% Off SALE until Oct 15th 2024 MSS • iSweep • RaceChip • Sterckenn • AutoTecknic • Akrapovic • Vossen Wheels • Eventuri Active Autowerke • KW • H&R • Ohlins • Remus • and more...
	Appreciate 1 Kevin_The_Clean13866.50 Quote

12-13-2021, 08:46 AM	#12
danniexi Brigadier General 3231 Rep 4,439 Posts Drives: 2022 F97 X3M Comp LCI Join Date: May 2008 Location: NJ/NY iTrader: (15) Garage List 2022 BMW X3M Compet ... [10.00] 2016 BMW F80 M3 [10.00]	access holes to get to the airbag. normal. mine didnt have any at the time (only indent) until i had to get the screwdriver in there and rip it open to change out the trim and paddles. whatever. i wouldnt stress about it. __________________ BMW MY22 F97 X3MC LCI - CURRENT BUILD THREAD\| Instagram: @danniexi BMW MY16 F80 M3 - GONE BMW MY08 E92 335XI - GONE BMW MY06 E46 325XI - GONE
	Appreciate 0 Quote

12-13-2021, 09:38 AM	#13
10SecGG Lieutenant 571 Rep 562 Posts Drives: 2023 BMW G82 X-Drive, Join Date: Dec 2021 Location: Texas iTrader: (1)	Just dimples on our car… it would annoy the hell out of me on a brand new car. I’d always wonder why it’s got holes on it? Someone knows if it’s been apart or not, and I’d ask why it was tampered with?
	Appreciate 0 Quote