Okay so I know this is a girl question, but I have looked everywhere and read the links at X5world about swapping steering wheels and have not found the answer to my question...I currently have an E39 with the heated steering wheel and as ridiculous as it is I cannot give up that feature...sad, I know...I am thinking about buying an X5 and my budget only permits me to look at 2000-2003 model years...my desire for the heated steering wheel REALLY limits my choices, so the question is...IF I were to buy an X5 without a heated steering wheel do I really have to swap steering wheels OR is it possible to change the recirculating button on the boat wheel style to the heated button on the same wheel??? I do not have a tremendous understanding of how these are wired, so I apologize if this is a STUPID question, but I have read that MOST X53 are already prewired for the heated wheel so it seems logical that you could swap out controls and switches instead of remvoing an entire steering wheel...Thanks so much...also any buying advice you might want to add would be appreciated...I have read most of those links already...the primary use for this X5 would be hauling kids to and from school and a grocery getter...It would average around 8k miles per year...Thanks again!

Gloves

Hahahaha...I kind of expected the "gloves" suggestion...and as I said...I KNOW it is a spoiled girl's question, but it would be AMAZINGLY helpful if someone actually knew the answer...Swapping out the steering wheel and messing around with the air bag is a BIT too scary for me! Thanks again!!!

Okay so I THINK I am going to answer my own question after some more research and some time studying the parts diagrams at REALOEM.com. I THINK that the information I was not understanding is that the wheel itself is the heated component and that you cannot simply add a switch to a wheel that does not include a heating element...I guess that only makes sense, if you think it through...Thanks for letting me think this through out loud!

Seems like a lot of X3s have the heated steering wheel .. not sure the need for the X5 ... towing capacity maybe , but the X3 gets better mileage and about the same interior room .

The seem to have a lot of CPO X3s on the lot also , I got one recent and like it .

Hope this helps .

X3's are nice but they don't have that nice big boy look to them. They look small and wimpy compared to X5's

Hahaha...I do mostly local driving so the gas mileage thing is not really a HUGE issue for me...and although I do like the x3, I prefer the x5...as a matter of fact I just bought a 2001 x5 4.4 with 58K on it (no photos yet!)...I specifically bought the v8 but the BF cannot understand why I wanted the big engine...he sarcastically tells everyone I bought a "RACE SUV"...It is a really good thing he is handsome!!!

It has most options including the Cold Weather Package with rear heated seates, but no heated steering wheel...It seems like that may be an upgrade I can actually do...if I do not mind swapping the sports wheel (good looks) for the boat wheel (comfort) I am a little afraid of an exploding air bag, but perhaps a bit more research and I will feel confident enought to MAKE the BF attempt it FOR me...

There is a good write up on how to switch out the steering wheel on x5world.com...for anyone else that is interested in doing this...I would LOVE to hear how it went if anyone else attempts it!!! Thanks!