E46 steering wheel

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Devon Z
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Joined: Thu 20 Nov, 2003 21:39
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  Z3 roadster 2.0
Location: Brixham, Devon

E46 steering wheel

Post by Devon Z »

When I ordered my Zed in 1999 I loved the brochure car so ordered that spec, it showed the car with the three spoke wheel with the bright silver lower trim to match the console/door trims, lovely! Then I was told part what through the build that it wouldn't come with that wheel, gutted! Well now I want to put that wheel on, I know it's been done so my questions are.

1. I believe my car has a two stage airbag at present? It's a June 99 build.
2. Other than the wheel/airbag/loome what other bits do I need? Do I need the E46 slip ring?

Cheers in advance, good to be back.

I'll post pics when I get my photobucket account working!!
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bertiejaffa
Joined: Fri 26 Jul, 2013 09:28
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  M roadster S50
Location: Manchester

Re: E46 steering wheel

Post by bertiejaffa »

do you mean the one where the lowest spoke is split in 2?
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Southernboy
Joined: Thu 07 Oct, 2010 12:39
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  Z3 roadster 3.0i
Location: Johannesburg

Re: E46 steering wheel

Post by Southernboy »

All the Z3's have a similar slip ring. A singe or dual stage airbag is irrelevant - the wiring for the airbag(s) is part of the slip ring. You will just need the preferred Z3 steering wheel and your original slip ring. It is easily removable from your original wheel. (3 small screws).

I assume you're referring to this Z3 steering wheel with the chrome SRS insert at the bottom of the center spoke??

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Devon Z
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  Z3 roadster 2.0
Location: Brixham, Devon

Re: E46 steering wheel

Post by Devon Z »

bertiejaffa wrote:do you mean the one where the lowest spoke is split in 2?
Yes, the standard E46 wheel with the round airbag.

I've got the wheel with trims and airbag loom and airbag but it doesn't look like the slip ring will work from old wheel?
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Southernboy
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  Z3 roadster 3.0i
Location: Johannesburg

Re: E46 steering wheel

Post by Southernboy »

You're referring to this wheel then..
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mrscalex
Joined: Fri 13 Mar, 2015 09:14
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  Z3 roadster 1.9

Re: E46 steering wheel

Post by mrscalex »

Is this wheel a standard Z3 fitment on some models, an option on Z3s or is it from another BMW?

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ImageImage
2001 Z3 2.2 Topaz Blue (Trudy) - Keeper rebuilt from a write-off
2002 Z3 2.2 Titan Silver (Cookies) - Keeper rebuilt having been bought with a seized engine
2002 Z3 3.0 Sapphire Black (Peanut) - Keeper awaiting rebuilding having been bought as an abandoned project
Plus Willy, Kodak & Maycee - All 2.2 Sport projects. Yes, 6 is a lot of Z3s :)
Always happy to try and help with spares :)
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Southernboy
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  Z3 roadster 3.0i
Location: Johannesburg

Re: E46 steering wheel

Post by Southernboy »

Standard early Z3 wheel -circa 1996/7
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Devon Z
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  Z3 roadster 2.0
Location: Brixham, Devon

Re: E46 steering wheel

Post by Devon Z »

Southernboy wrote:You're referring to this wheel then..
Image
That's the one, coloured top trim? never thought about that? Looks good!!
So how did you fit that?
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mrscalex
Joined: Fri 13 Mar, 2015 09:14
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  Z3 roadster 1.9

Re: E46 steering wheel

Post by mrscalex »

Strangely I actually prefer the early Z3 wheel with the chrome SRS badge to either the later M Sport Z3 wheel or the E46.

Let's face it. Any factory Z3 steering wheel is not the best part of the car anyway!
ImageImage
2001 Z3 2.2 Topaz Blue (Trudy) - Keeper rebuilt from a write-off
2002 Z3 2.2 Titan Silver (Cookies) - Keeper rebuilt having been bought with a seized engine
2002 Z3 3.0 Sapphire Black (Peanut) - Keeper awaiting rebuilding having been bought as an abandoned project
Plus Willy, Kodak & Maycee - All 2.2 Sport projects. Yes, 6 is a lot of Z3s :)
Always happy to try and help with spares :)
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Southernboy
Joined: Thu 07 Oct, 2010 12:39
Posts: 6436

  Z3 roadster 3.0i
Location: Johannesburg

Re: E46 steering wheel

Post by Southernboy »

The steering wheel is standard Z3.. My car is a 2001 / 3.0.
The red colour trim on it is leather which I stuck onto the top cover.
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BladeRunner919
Joined: Fri 17 Feb, 2012 20:18
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  Z3 roadster 1.9

Re: E46 steering wheel

Post by BladeRunner919 »

Southernboy wrote:The steering wheel is standard Z3.. My car is a 2001 / 3.0.
The red colour trim on it is leather which I stuck onto the top cover.
I don't think it was standard, but was an optional factory-fit sports steering wheel. It's not that common to see on a Z3 - most have a version of the 3 spoke with the solid lower spoke.
bertiejaffa
Joined: Fri 26 Jul, 2013 09:28
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  M roadster S50
Location: Manchester

Re: E46 steering wheel

Post by bertiejaffa »

I fitted one to my 1st z3, 15 minutes of a job - nice and easy
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Devon Z
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  Z3 roadster 2.0
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Re: E46 steering wheel

Post by Devon Z »

bertiejaffa wrote:I fitted one to my 1st z3, 15 minutes of a job - nice and easy
Great! I've checked your jurnal but no details on the steering wheel swop. Did you buy new parts or second hand from another model?
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bertiejaffa
Joined: Fri 26 Jul, 2013 09:28
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  M roadster S50
Location: Manchester

Re: E46 steering wheel

Post by bertiejaffa »

Devon Z wrote:
bertiejaffa wrote:I fitted one to my 1st z3, 15 minutes of a job - nice and easy
Great! I've checked your jurnal but no details on the steering wheel swop. Did you buy new parts or second hand from another model?
Ha ha- oddly i looked too and I missed it off. Simple 2nd hand off eBay, nothing to change - just fitted it - the only difference is if you ever need to remove it - on the normal wheel there are 2 torx screws holding the airbag in place - on this version there's still 2 holes on the rear of the wheel but you push to release springs to release the airbag.

Honestly, simple job, eBay 2nd hand, 15 mins
Here come the girls.....
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