E46 Steering Wheel Question - E53

[scz4]

Evening all,

Had my E53 3.0d for 4 days now, really enjoying it despite coming from a 2011 F11 M Sport.

One bug bear though is the sheer size of the steering wheel, makes things awkward around town and parking.

Been reading up quite a bit on this, but all of the threads online are about fitting a E46 wheel with SMG paddles. If I was just to go with a standard E46 wheel, no paddles, do I still need a new slip ring, or is it a direct swap?

G

[stevox5]

Hello mate.

Will be a straight fit .. All you need is the wheel and the airbag if a different shape to the original

You only swap the slip ring for the contacts to control the granola paddle switches

Cheers

Steve

[scz4]

Thanks for confirming Steve, that's what I was hoping  to hear

Paddle conversion would be good, but not worth the hassle for all I'd use it.

Does the E46 wheel obscure the dials at all?

G

[scz4]

Actually, looking into it more, there is just over 1cm difference. Might just get it re-trimmed, mine leather feels more like hard plastic now.

[themoog]

We have two X5's both with the same 3 spoke steering wheel yet mine has a chunky rim but the wife's has a thinner rim and doesn't feel right. I don't know why that would be.
Is the wheel from a later model a straight fit?

[Leeg]

The wheel on wife's x5 has probably been changed in the past, wheel from e46 & e39 are same fitment & style just a bit slimmer. Recently changed mine, also not keen on the slimmer style so on look out for replacement from x5.

[scz4]

In the end, I've decided to have mine re trimmed by Royal Steering wheels, only £125, they'll send a refurbished one out, I'll then send mine back.

I went for printed leather to match the OEM finish.

I'll measure the thickness of mine tonight so you can compare.

[stevox5]

Good choice ,

I fitted an E46 M3 SMG wheel to mine with the paddles and had it retrieved with Royal steering wheels it is an awesome job ... I'm fussy and am very pleased with the job they did.