james330x
04-23-2003, 07:29 PM
The Backstory:
A few weeks ago I finally broke down and decided to order the M3 steering wheel after two years of hearing about it. I didn’t think it was worth it before especially since it looked more or less the same as the OEM Sport wheel and my very brief experiences with the wheel in an actual M3 didn’t blow me away.
I ordered from Crevier BMW ($325 plus shipping), which was the cheapest I could find it, having received quotes ranging from $350-540 for the wheel. At first, Cutter Motors seemed like the one to order from since their price was $350 and they’d add a 10% BMW CCA Discount, which would make the wheel $315. However, upon calling Ray in the internet orders department, he offered me only a $10 BMW CCA discount, rather than 10%. Alas, the wheel is no longer $285 as it was only a year or two ago. The price has risen perhaps due to its popularity.
The wheel arrived about a week later and even after having read the DYI and thinking it easy enough, I decided against installing it myself because I lacked a torque wrench (essential equipment), which would have set me back another $35. Also I felt a bit skiddish doing my first major self-install around the airbag. My dealer quoted me $6o to do the job, so I let them do it. Waiting for the wheel to get installed was an excruciatingly long mess of magazines, coffee, and an uncomfortable chair, but eventually I was called around and was informed the job was done—by their master BMW tech no less. For some reason, at the dealer they don’t disconnect the battery, and simply clear out any fault codes that may result from installing the new wheel. Whatever. The disconnected battery way is still perhaps the best and safest way to do it at home .
The Review:
Seeing the new wheel installed in the car takes some getting used to. The wheel looks bulkier than the original wheel and seems different, even though I’ve seen many pictures of it. Maybe it’s just that it’s finally in my car that makes it a bit strange. Nonetheless, the wheel feels amazing, mainly due to the thicker and softer padding around the rim. The buttons all look, and operate the same as in the original wheel. There are two big bulges around the 10 and 2 positions that serve as finger or hand rests, and make the wheel more comfortable to grip. The split spoke of the original wheel is replaced with a solid spoke with the M logo, which is perhaps the only thing I miss about my old wheel. I used to like resting a finger their during long drives. The wheel is also a slightly smaller diameter than the original wheel.
A week after the install, the wheel still feels great and in my opinion was entirely worth the upgrade price. The benefits of the new wheel are most apparent when driving long distances, since it’s much more comfortable and there is some give to the padding around the rim, something which old wheel lacked entirely. The bulges are nice to hold and eventually become part of the driving experience. I had the opportunity to sit in another e46, and even after only one week, I was shocked at the difference. The old wheel feels thin and hard by comparison.
If you’re fence sitting about the wheel, and your wife or significant other approves, don’t wait—get the wheel now. It’s a rather small improvement that can make a big difference.
Summary:
Highs: Nice thick padding, similar look and function, great feel!
Lows: High price—should be standard equipment for sport package
A few weeks ago I finally broke down and decided to order the M3 steering wheel after two years of hearing about it. I didn’t think it was worth it before especially since it looked more or less the same as the OEM Sport wheel and my very brief experiences with the wheel in an actual M3 didn’t blow me away.
I ordered from Crevier BMW ($325 plus shipping), which was the cheapest I could find it, having received quotes ranging from $350-540 for the wheel. At first, Cutter Motors seemed like the one to order from since their price was $350 and they’d add a 10% BMW CCA Discount, which would make the wheel $315. However, upon calling Ray in the internet orders department, he offered me only a $10 BMW CCA discount, rather than 10%. Alas, the wheel is no longer $285 as it was only a year or two ago. The price has risen perhaps due to its popularity.
The wheel arrived about a week later and even after having read the DYI and thinking it easy enough, I decided against installing it myself because I lacked a torque wrench (essential equipment), which would have set me back another $35. Also I felt a bit skiddish doing my first major self-install around the airbag. My dealer quoted me $6o to do the job, so I let them do it. Waiting for the wheel to get installed was an excruciatingly long mess of magazines, coffee, and an uncomfortable chair, but eventually I was called around and was informed the job was done—by their master BMW tech no less. For some reason, at the dealer they don’t disconnect the battery, and simply clear out any fault codes that may result from installing the new wheel. Whatever. The disconnected battery way is still perhaps the best and safest way to do it at home .
The Review:
Seeing the new wheel installed in the car takes some getting used to. The wheel looks bulkier than the original wheel and seems different, even though I’ve seen many pictures of it. Maybe it’s just that it’s finally in my car that makes it a bit strange. Nonetheless, the wheel feels amazing, mainly due to the thicker and softer padding around the rim. The buttons all look, and operate the same as in the original wheel. There are two big bulges around the 10 and 2 positions that serve as finger or hand rests, and make the wheel more comfortable to grip. The split spoke of the original wheel is replaced with a solid spoke with the M logo, which is perhaps the only thing I miss about my old wheel. I used to like resting a finger their during long drives. The wheel is also a slightly smaller diameter than the original wheel.
A week after the install, the wheel still feels great and in my opinion was entirely worth the upgrade price. The benefits of the new wheel are most apparent when driving long distances, since it’s much more comfortable and there is some give to the padding around the rim, something which old wheel lacked entirely. The bulges are nice to hold and eventually become part of the driving experience. I had the opportunity to sit in another e46, and even after only one week, I was shocked at the difference. The old wheel feels thin and hard by comparison.
If you’re fence sitting about the wheel, and your wife or significant other approves, don’t wait—get the wheel now. It’s a rather small improvement that can make a big difference.
Summary:
Highs: Nice thick padding, similar look and function, great feel!
Lows: High price—should be standard equipment for sport package
