New M-Sport Steering Wheel

Steved · #1 10-28-2005, 07:23 AM

There's a new kid in town that provides a viable alternative to the M3 Steering Wheel. It's the M-Sport Wheel that BMW have begun fitting to the X3 but I got one of the first in the country and fitted it to my 4.8is.

The part number here in the UK is B32.30.3.415.380 with a description "004183/M strng whhl". It costs £251.06 plus VAT here in the UK.

It's much chunkier than the standard item (perhaps even more so than the M3 wheel) and more attractive IMO. The //M logo is nice and it uses a soft nappa-like leather rather than the more industrial quality material on the OEM Wheel. There's a slightly squared off feel to the rim and the thumb holds are more pronounced.

Anyway here's the pictures...

This is a comparison of the old steering wheel next to the new M-Sport Wheel. Note the chunkier rim, narrower bottom stem and better quality leather

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Rob_ · #2 10-28-2005, 07:30 AM

Very nice upgrade Steved!

SuperGreg · #3 10-28-2005, 07:41 AM

I like it a lot, nice find, and a nice alternative for those with newer models that don't want to have to change the airbag to put on the other M3 wheel.

jpm4.8is · #4 10-28-2005, 10:04 AM

Sweet!!!

Looks like my first mod right there

Thunder22 · #5 10-28-2005, 10:26 AM

I don't see much of a difference between the 2.... am I blind?

pepatrick · #6 10-28-2005, 12:17 PM

Hey...Steved...your steering wheel is on the wrong side of the car....

Steved · #7 10-28-2005, 12:24 PM

It's the same style wheel but with a thicker rim, more prominent thumb holds. It's covered in a nappa like quality leather compared to the hard wearing leather on the standard rim. The rim is slightly rectangular/oblong in cross-section rather than the rounded OEM wheel. The stem (where the //M badge is mounted) is smoother and feels cooler and more metallic than on the OEM wheel. It just feels much nicer to hold and more in keeping with the leather items in the rest of the car, particularly if like me you have Nappa Leather seats and facings.

And unlike the M3 wheel you can re-use your airbag (on post 2004 cars) and therefore the cost to change is much lower.

I had the M3 wheel on my 4.6is but when I got my 4.8is I didn't want to go back to the old style of wheel and therefore make my 4.8is feel like my 4.6is. This is the first BMW wheel (as far as I know) that gives you an option to improve the look and feel of your X5.

adrian.b · #8 10-28-2005, 01:04 PM

To be honest I prefer my wheel which is on my X5 3.0d sport 2003. It has trim that matches the interior and doesnt seem as bulky.. Anyway, what are those buttons to the RIGHT of your wheel, next to the headlight switch with UP and DOWN arrows on them?