e39 M sport steering wheel fitment

Yeah that makes no sense. Nothing needs to be coded. Just plug and play! He might be talking about recoding the airbag light? Not sure... I bought my first SMG wheels here. If you find a good seller you'll be fine. Bought my second one locally though. Are you looking specifically for an M3 wheel or just a sports wheel?

Only cars that need anything coded are my99 an early 00 e46s.

Originally Posted by TallSkinnyMatt

Yeah that makes no sense. Nothing needs to be coded. Just plug and play! He might be talking about recoding the airbag light? Not sure... I bought my first SMG wheels here. If you find a good seller you'll be fine. Bought my second one locally though. Are you looking specifically for an M3 wheel or just a sports wheel?

I like the look of the M wheels bottom spoke, Vs the sport wheel that has a split. As far as the airbag light, that shouldn't even pop up if the battery is disconnected? Even if so, I have the tools to clear it.

Originally Posted by TerraPhantm

Only cars that need anything coded are my99 an early 00 e46s.

I feel like the guy was talking out of his ass. Maybe if I had a 99 with a single stage airbag and was upgrading to the dual? But even then, I told the guy I had an 02.

Originally Posted by TallSkinnyMatt

Its not about "wannabe fast"... if you maintenence is up to date, why not upgrade your steering wheel? The M3 wheel is much nicer while driving than a stock wheel. I love my M3 wheel! Probably one of my favorite mods.

i was talking about the bumper and exhaust, not the steering wheel.

Originally Posted by webster

i was talking about the bumper and exhaust, not the steering wheel.

I can see it from your point of view, but anyway, I plan on keeping the car for as long as I can, then later in the future up to a clean M3.

Not trying to look like I have power. Just a clean look in the rear? ._.

Originally Posted by GATORSHOES2

I like the look of the M wheels bottom spoke, Vs the sport wheel that has a split. As far as the airbag light, that shouldn't even pop up if the battery is disconnected? Even if so, I have the tools to clear it.
.

Ah well i'm selling my sport wheel if you want it!

Originally Posted by webster

i was talking about the bumper and exhaust, not the steering wheel.

Oh gotcha! Well even so... OEM Mtech bumpers look nice much better than stock, and everytime I hear my UUC TSE3 its But I can see where you're coming from. I wouldn't do quad exhaust setup like an M3. But I love the Mtech look!

Originally Posted by webster

i was talking about the bumper and exhaust, not the steering wheel.

Your 330ci has the same bumper from the factory and barely makes any more power...

Just wanted to post an update. I got the steering wheel today, guy put it on for me there to verify all was good.

Man.. This wheel is so much more comfortable to drive with, no idea it would be this much of a difference.

Originally Posted by GATORSHOES2

Just wanted to post an update. I got the steering wheel today, guy put it on for me there to verify all was good.

Man.. This wheel is so much more comfortable to drive with, no idea it would be this much of a difference.

Glad you like it Post some pics!

Originally Posted by TallSkinnyMatt

Glad you like it Post some pics!

Looks great!!

(still think you should have done the SMG retrofit though) haha.

Originally Posted by TallSkinnyMatt

Looks great!!

(still think you should have done the SMG retrofit though) haha.

This is just my opinion. But having an automatic, the closest I get is using the stepstonic shifter. So using paddle shifters would take a little away from that.

I mean, regardless, it's still an automatic.. But the paddle shifters do look cool.

Originally Posted by GATORSHOES2

This is just my opinion. But having an automatic, the closest I get is using the stepstonic shifter. So using paddle shifters would take a little away from that.

I mean, regardless, it's still an automatic.. But the paddle shifters do look cool.

True true... but considering almost every new car now a days uses paddle shifters its kinda of nice. Obviously it doesn't compare to a manual... but it makes driving a lot of fun

But everyone has their own opinions. Thats what makes each fanatic unique The wheel looks great regardless!

Originally Posted by TallSkinnyMatt

True true... but considering almost every new car now a days uses paddle shifters its kinda of nice. Obviously it doesn't compare to a manual... but it makes driving a lot of fun

But everyone has their own opinions. Thats what makes each fanatic unique The wheel looks great regardless!

It's definitely a nice retrofit. I probably wouldn't use it though is basically what I was saying. Props to anyone who did it too.

How is it shifting with the paddles VS the shifter? I'd imagine it's much easier.

I can't explain my preference of shifting with the shifter without it getting weird...

Thanks BTW. Done with the interior. Have yet to find a cure for the "mod bug" Time to get ready for a cooling refresh.

Judging from some the replies, am I right in thinking that a Pre Facelift E46 will need wheel coding if it's changed to an M wheel?

My Wheel does not have buttons but I assume that would need coding, if I got a wheel with more buttons?!

Originally Posted by David McMahon

Judging from some the replies, am I right in thinking that a Pre Facelift E46 will need wheel coding if it's changed to an M wheel?

My Wheel does not have buttons but I assume that would need coding, if I got a wheel with more buttons?!

Since you don't have controls, your plugs may be different.

http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthread.php?t=655912

As for coding, I'm pretty sure you will not. UNLESS there is a way to program your car from a single stage airbag to a dual stage? If so, maybe that's what the dealer was talking about. But anything past the year 2000 is a dual stage if I read correctly.

Edit again:


Looks like you can retrofit the controls. But as far as the steering wheel itself, it might just pop in, I'll search through the forums.
Like this thread, I couldn't find anywhere if the steering wheel from the 5er was exactly the same as the 3er. You guys came through though!

Originally Posted by GATORSHOES2

It's definitely a nice retrofit. I probably wouldn't use it though is basically what I was saying. Props to anyone who did it too.

How is it shifting with the paddles VS the shifter? I'd imagine it's much easier.

I can't explain my preference of shifting with the shifter without it getting weird...

Thanks BTW. Done with the interior. Have yet to find a cure for the "mod bug" Time to get ready for a cooling refresh.

Shifting with paddles is much easier for me. Especially when i'm driving up the Napa backroads and then doing some canyon runs... its nice not having to take my hands off the wheel! But like I said... its something that I really really enjoy... other people might not! haha.

Originally Posted by TallSkinnyMatt

Shifting with paddles is much easier for me. Especially when i'm driving up the Napa backroads and then doing some canyon runs... its nice not having to take my hands off the wheel! But like I said... its something that I really really enjoy... other people might not! haha.

Stop making me reconsider! The SMG wheel is completely different correct? There's no "adding" the paddles to mine. I don't think it would make sense if you could add them.

Originally Posted by GATORSHOES2

Stop making me reconsider! The SMG wheel is completely different correct? There's no "adding" the paddles to mine. I don't think it would make sense if you could add them.

Haha no i'm not trying to make you reconsider... the M3 wheel is amazing regardless!! The SMG wheel is completely different. I don't believe you can add them... But even so, with an SMG wheel you need a different clockspring. So you need to change that. As well as get some connectors and wires from the dealer, then extending the wiring and tap it into the steptronic wiring. So it takes some work... haha. You can always do it later if you really want!

Originally Posted by TallSkinnyMatt

Haha no i'm not trying to make you reconsider... the M3 wheel is amazing regardless!! The SMG wheel is completely different. I don't believe you can add them... But even so, with an SMG wheel you need a different clockspring. So you need to change that. As well as get some connectors and wires from the dealer, then extending the wiring and tap it into the steptronic wiring. So it takes some work... haha. You can always do it later if you really want!

Yeah wiring is never a problem for me, unless it's my dynavin clone unit.. >.>
The wheel is amazing, I more than likely will never do the SMG wheel, but it does seem really cool. I'm assuming you can still use the shifter when in manual mode?