Heated steering wheel on E53

[graemeX5]

Hi, I am thinking about adding a heated steering wheel to the X5 2004 facelift with the facelift steering wheel

I have seen two types

A) an E39 style with four spokes and the heated switch about £300 with airbag or

B) the Facelift E53 three spoke for £300 but WITHOUT the airbag (I guess I could use my existing one) and MISSING the facia and the IMPORTANT switches with heated steering wheel switch on it

Also how much does that facia with switches cost?

Which one should I go for all help appreciated.

[Sanj]

So, firstly either option requires the same additional parts - you will need a new slip ring and a relay. Both totalling about £92 at todays dealer prices as the slip ring is difficult to get hold of.

Then your options:

a) the 4-spoke is from an SE model - sure you want the SE steering wheel on your Sport spec car?

b) the airbag will be the same (assuming you have the Sport wheel) so you can use that again, the switches will come as one complete unit (I think) as they're tied to the same loom. You can re-use the plastic surround too as that's the same, if you don't have that on the new wheel. Gonna have to call the dealership to get a price on them - be seated before you call though. 

I have no German language skills but others will be able to advise - why not stick in a 'saved search' with email alerts on eBay Germany and get the wheel from there for whatever 'Heated Steering Wheel' is?

Cheaper for sure apart from the mandatory slip ring and relay - Jig and Raj went that way.

[graemeX5]

Sanj,

thanks for your help, I know I prefer the 3 spoke wheel and I have the airbag from my existing wheel.

I think ill ring the dealers and find out the price of the slip ring and the facia/switch bits. And then go from there and this is for my weekend toy which did a whole 1600 miles between mots last year, I must be mad ) but I enjoy driving it, it's just different to the daily driver, a rattley smart for two.

Hey hi I could be spending it down the pub if I could drink

Cheers

[Raj]

Graeme,

check out german eBay for sure as more likely to come across a wheel on there.

I'd stick with a sport wheel over the SE so use your existing airbag and source the other required parts.

You can have a look at mine when we meet up in a couple of weeks.

Maybe even sell you mine lol

[graemeX5]

Hi Raj

Thanks for that and I should have known to rely on you having all the toys on your 4.8is -lol.

I will definitely have a look apt German eBay and also price the parts up here

Cheers
Graeme

[nlr74]

I got a replacement OEM facia for £38 from ebay (seller was bmwminiwatford).

Heated steering wheel is good ... first car to have one, and won't be the last!

[petert]

With you on that.  Very nice when it's -25 C here in Canada!!!
Peter T

[Sanj]

This is what I dislike about the E70, the option is VERY few and far between. I can't justify replacing a sub 60k E53 with front, rear, and steering wheel heating, plus the remote heater (and that's just the start of the options) for a new model. I love the heated steering wheel option big time. Prefer not to be without it in the next car.

[Raj]

Have to admit I do like it and have used it quite a bit. But I'm considering going down the paddleshift M3 wheel instead now. I did this on both my old 330d and 530d and loved shifting 'manually'.