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      10-31-2021, 03:21 PM   #1
grannyknot
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Any other options for the M steering wheel?

I'm trying to get use to the M steering wheel but I'm afraid it is just too fat, like a couple of sausages in my hand. I certainly don't want to get one of those aftermarket Grant steering wheels but maybe a wheel from another BMW?
The M sport steering wheel on my old E24 M6 was just perfect.
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      10-31-2021, 04:08 PM   #2
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grannyknot

How about a non M wheel?
I got one to trade.
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      10-31-2021, 06:01 PM   #3
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Are you kidding me (us)? I own 3 BMWs and this is by far the best steering wheel in all autodom! My hands are large but it feels substantial when throwing the car around. Im totally shocked ...
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      10-31-2021, 06:07 PM   #4
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Quote:
Originally Posted by garz747 View Post
Are you kidding me (us)? I own 3 BMWs and this is by far the best steering wheel in all autodom! My hands are large but it feels substantial when throwing the car around. Im totally shocked ...
Sorry, it just feels wrong.
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      10-31-2021, 06:11 PM   #5
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Originally Posted by dbarton62 View Post
grannyknot

How about a non M wheel?
I got one to trade.
Not sure about a trade as it is stock to this car so would keep it on the shelf for the next owner. Is it a wheel from e85?
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      10-31-2021, 06:22 PM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by grannyknot View Post
Not sure about a trade as it is stock to this car so would keep it on the shelf for the next owner. Is it a wheel from e85?
Yes it is.
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      10-31-2021, 11:52 PM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by garz747 View Post
Are you kidding me (us)? I own 3 BMWs and this is by far the best steering wheel in all autodom! My hands are large but it feels substantial when throwing the car around. Im totally shocked ...
1000% agree! And my hands are not large
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      11-01-2021, 07:42 AM   #8
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Personally, I'm a big fan of the M wheel, I think it's perfect for the car. But if you want to change it out, your best option is a wheel from a regular Z4. Just make sure it has the same buttons and it will be a direct swap.

Physically, E46 steering wheels will fit, but the buttons won't function.
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      11-01-2021, 02:59 PM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by bwright657 View Post
Personally, I'm a big fan of the M wheel, I think it's perfect for the car. But if you want to change it out, your best option is a wheel from a regular Z4. Just make sure it has the same buttons and it will be a direct swap.

Physically, E46 steering wheels will fit, but the buttons won't function.
Thanks, that widens the field of selection, I don't use the steering wheel buttons anyway.
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      11-02-2021, 04:27 PM   #10
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Get a non-m wheel and send it to Coby Wheel to fatten it up (still won’t be as thick as M but might be what you’re looking for), get it wrapped in alcantara while you’re at it
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      11-02-2021, 10:43 PM   #11
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grannyknot You're the first person I've heard of that didn't like the feel of the ///M wheel, but everyone is different.

Many people have swapped out their non-m wheel for a m one so they may have their old one laying around. Maybe place a WTB ad in the classified section for a non-m wheel, who knows, you may get lucky and find one. Definitely hold onto your stock wheel.

Last edited by pungo; 11-06-2021 at 11:23 PM..
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      11-06-2021, 08:08 PM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 3002 tii View Post
Get a non-m wheel and send it to Coby Wheel to fatten it up (still won’t be as thick as M but might be what you’re looking for), get it wrapped in alcantara while you’re at it
Coby will be my fall back plan, they look like they do beautiful work.
I picked an E46 M sport wheel in pretty good shape, just a bit of worn leather here and there so I have ordered the Rub&Restore kit and I`ll see if that will do the trick.
If it doesn`t work out well then I`ve only wasted $24
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      11-15-2021, 04:25 PM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by grannyknot View Post
Coby will be my fall back plan, they look like they do beautiful work.
I picked an E46 M sport wheel in pretty good shape, just a bit of worn leather here and there so I have ordered the Rub&Restore kit and I`ll see if that will do the trick.
If it doesn`t work out well then I`ve only wasted $24
There is shop in Toronto https://colorglogta.ca/ try them they done amazing job with two steering wheels that I done with them, leather and plastics restoration cost me $250
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      03-08-2022, 08:34 AM   #14
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So as it turned out I p/u a couple of cheap wheels over the winter, an e46 M wheel and a standard e85 wheel.
I just finished a bit of a resto to make them presentable, not sure which one I'll use yet, will have to try them both out for feel.
The e46 M wheel is a 1/2" wider in diameter than than the e85 and also a little thicker but no where near as thick as the e86 M wheel.
Stripping the flaking chrome off of the e85 plastic trim was a real chore, multiple baths in chlorine bleach but eventually I got it all off.
The e46 M wheel trim was covered with a rubberized paint, that was easy to remove with a bit of wood alcohol, methyl hydrate.
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      03-08-2022, 10:27 AM   #15
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Have a non M wheel 2007 e86 if interested. No switches.
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      03-08-2022, 12:09 PM   #16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by grannyknot View Post
So as it turned out I p/u a couple of cheap wheels over the winter, an e46 M wheel and a standard e85 wheel.
I just finished a bit of a resto to make them presentable, not sure which one I'll use yet, will have to try them both out for feel.
The e46 M wheel is a 1/2" wider in diameter than than the e85 and also a little thicker but no where near as thick as the e86 M wheel.
Stripping the flaking chrome off of the e85 plastic trim was a real chore, multiple baths in chlorine bleach but eventually I got it all off.
The e46 M wheel trim was covered with a rubberized paint, that was easy to remove with a bit of wood alcohol, methyl hydrate.
Thanks for the tips on cleanup! I liked the thinner wheel in my E86 3.0si and I like the thin wheel in my 996 Porsche too. They fit the characters of the cars; both have a very light steering feel. While I agree that the standard E84/6 M wheel is almost comically fat, I have grown to rather like it. Once again I think it fits the character of the car and the weight of the steering. Finally there is the wheel in my E93 which has M Sport option. I'm thinking that might be similar to your E46 wheel. It is nice too.

Damn I'm no help am I.

Please keep us updated on your experiences.
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      03-08-2022, 02:52 PM   #17
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Quote:
Originally Posted by wdb View Post
While I agree that the standard E84/6 M wheel is almost comically fat,
That is a good description, it makes me think of a pool noodle.
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      03-08-2022, 04:11 PM   #18
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Just to chime in again..Id rather have my hands made bigger than give up the Z4M fat bratwurst of a steering wheel! I installed an M3 wheel in my E46330i and its nice but doesnt compare- not as much padding and the steering in that car is much lighter than the M.
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      03-19-2022, 02:49 PM   #19
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Swapped mine for a std. E85 wheel. I like the reduced size and it feels more responsive because its not as squishy. Keeping the original so I can swap back anytime.
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      03-19-2022, 03:06 PM   #20
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Originally Posted by Sergio19 View Post
Swapped mine for a std. E85 wheel. I like the reduced size and it feels more responsive because its not as squishy. Keeping the original so I can swap back anytime.
Same here, on the shelf for the next owner.
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      03-22-2022, 11:24 AM   #21
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Quote:
Originally Posted by garz747 View Post
Are you kidding me (us)? I own 3 BMWs and this is by far the best steering wheel in all autodom! My hands are large but it feels substantial when throwing the car around. Im totally shocked ...

for me, probably one of the best wheels ive had the pleasure to use, it feels fantastic and really high quality, i LOVE it!
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