Brief intro & a steering wheel compatibility question

[SilverThing]

Hi to all -

Name's Mike and I've been a very happy owner of a bright red '93 850ci for over 11 years now. Bought the car with about 17k miles on the clock and just recently rolled over 40k miles (yes, this is a "garage queen").

Been seriously thinking about replacing my stock steering wheel (finally!) with something smaller. I recently found this one on ebay:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/BMW-e...item3ca7063329


The ad states that this will fit an E31 built from 9/94 onward. As my 850 is a '93 - anyone know if this steering wheel can be retro-fitted into a MY '93 8'er? I've done some research, but haven't yet been able to identify a clear answer, so I'm hoping someone more knowledgeable than me can set me straight.

If this wheel can fit in my car, what if any additional parts will I need? (sorry for my noobness on this).

Many thanks in advance.

Mike

[rcrad6653]

That wheel will fit. I may require some slight modification though. Frankie from Texas did a nice little writeup of the various parts and dissimilarities. HERE

[SilverThing]

Thanks!

[revtor]

Here's another topic with detailed information regarding steering wheel swaps: M Technic Steering 2 Wheel

[SilverThing]

Great information - thank you as well.

[Chillax]

Originally Posted by SilverThing

Hi to all -

Name's Mike and I've been a very happy owner of a bright red '93 850ci for over 11 years now. Bought the car with about 17k miles on the clock and just recently rolled over 40k miles (yes, this is a "garage queen").

Been seriously thinking about replacing my stock steering wheel (finally!) with something smaller. I recently found this one on ebay:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/BMW-e...item3ca7063329


The ad states that this will fit an E31 built from 9/94 onward. As my 850 is a '93 - anyone know if this steering wheel can be retro-fitted into a MY '93 8'er? I've done some research, but haven't yet been able to identify a clear answer, so I'm hoping someone more knowledgeable than me can set me straight.

If this wheel can fit in my car, what if any additional parts will I need? (sorry for my noobness on this).

Many thanks in advance.

Mike

Hey ya wouldn't know anything about a (I think) dark red 8 that was sitting for sale along Rt. 110 over in Melville would ya? Had family member asking about it not to long ago...just curious!

[thelostmachine]

am I alone here in liking the stock 4 spoke wheel ?

I find when I am doing some twisties on the back roads here that is often right where my hands like to sit (thumbs out of course)

@Randy: you were correct in saying I may start liking some things as I got more used to the car... I agree the AC spoiler does look nice on (some) of the 8's... but I'm still not putting it back on

[IcemanBHE]

Is it for sale yet Steve?

[olinjohnston1]

That particular one is in pretty bad condition along the rim. I'd hold off...

[thelostmachine]

Originally Posted by IcemanBHE

Is it for sale yet Steve?

damn youns got the hawkeye on me eh?

when it's time I like to barter...

[SilverThing]

Originally Posted by Chillax

Hey ya wouldn't know anything about a (I think) dark red 8 that was sitting for sale along Rt. 110 over in Melville would ya? Had family member asking about it not to long ago...just curious!

Nope, def not mine - sorry, but I can't help you out on this one.

[IcemanBHE]

I think I might have the perfect car for it locally.

This will be a winter project tho to put it back together.

[1chiban]

Originally Posted by SilverThing

Hi to all -

Name's Mike and I've been a very happy owner of a bright red '93 850ci for over 11 years now. Bought the car with about 17k miles on the clock and just recently rolled over 40k miles (yes, this is a "garage queen").

Been seriously thinking about replacing my stock steering wheel (finally!) with something smaller. I recently found this one on ebay:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/BMW-e...item3ca7063329


The ad states that this will fit an E31 built from 9/94 onward. As my 850 is a '93 - anyone know if this steering wheel can be retro-fitted into a MY '93 8'er? I've done some research, but haven't yet been able to identify a clear answer, so I'm hoping someone more knowledgeable than me can set me straight.

If this wheel can fit in my car, what if any additional parts will I need? (sorry for my noobness on this).

Many thanks in advance.

Mike

Hi Mike and welcome. I have this same steering wheel, except with carbon fiber look. It is essentially a direct install, take the slip ring off of your wheel and put it on the back of this and voila. I paid a hell of a lot more for my wheel, alone. The bag was extra. You'll be happy with the extra leg room and aesthetic value.

Cheers,
Thomas

[revtor]

Originally Posted by 1chiban

I have this same steering wheel, except with carbon fiber look. It is essentially a direct install, take the slip ring off of your wheel and put it on the back of this and voila.

That will not work. Your '95 probably already had the newer style of slip ring (BMW started using it in late '94) - hence you could swap it with that of the new steering wheel (which is usually not required, but perhaps the plugs were different in your case). SilverThing's '93 normally still has the old style slip ring.

You can't simply swap the slip rings on the old and newer style. Their mounting base is completely different, and even if you machined the wheel and slip ring to fit, you'd still have to modify (or better replace) the steering column switch bracket.

The best and cheapest way to go from old style slip ring to newer (or vice versa) is by only replacing the steering column switch bracket. Will cost you probably less than $ 10 at the dealer. The horn plug on the new slip ring will probably be different from the old style, but that can easily be fixed. More info in the already mentioned topic M Technic Steering 2 Wheel.

[1chiban]

Originally Posted by revtor

That will not work. Your '95 probably already had the newer style of slip ring (BMW started using it in late '94) - hence you could swap it with that of the new steering wheel (which is usually not required, but perhaps the plugs were different in your case). SilverThing's '93 normally still has the old style slip ring.

Good to know! I was wondering why it was so easy , thanks for the info.

[SilverThing]

Originally Posted by revtor

That will not work. Your '95 probably already had the newer style of slip ring (BMW started using it in late '94) - hence you could swap it with that of the new steering wheel (which is usually not required, but perhaps the plugs were different in your case). SilverThing's '93 normally still has the old style slip ring.

You can't simply swap the slip rings on the old and newer style. Their mounting base is completely different, and even if you machined the wheel and slip ring to fit, you'd still have to modify (or better replace) the steering column switch bracket.

The best and cheapest way to go from old style slip ring to newer (or vice versa) is by only replacing the steering column switch bracket. Will cost you probably less than $ 10 at the dealer. The horn plug on the new slip ring will probably be different from the old style, but that can easily be fixed. More info in the already mentioned topic M Technic Steering 2 Wheel.

Thanks, Revtor for clarifying (was hoping it would be simple, but like most aspects of this car, it's not). As my car is an April '93 build, I'm virually certain it has the old-style slip ring (damnit!). As my tech skills are limited (at best), I've been calling around to some indy shops I know in my area (LI, NY) to see if anyone has the knowledge to do the s-wheel "swap", espec going form old style slip ring to the newer one - so far no takers. I'm also going to try a couple of BMW dealers in the area to see if any of them could/would do it.

If no go w/ any dealers, then I'll just live w/ the ol' stock wheel awhile longer, I guess. If anyone knows of an indy shop on LI that has done this before, would greatly appreciate it if you'd share that knowledge.

Thanks again to all.

Mike