E46 M3 SMG steering wheel installed!! first impressions

**Supabimma** · Mon, Mar-21-2005, 08:46:26 PM

Well guys, its finally done and official. The E46 M3 steering wheel can fit our E36's (granted some modification is required). heres the basic info..

Wheel size: The diameter of the steering wheel is definately much smaller than the stock school bus steering wheel. I compared it to my Z4 wheel and the Z4 wheel is actually smaller (probably one of the smallest OEM steering wheels). But the grip on the E46 wheel is almost double in thickness and for you guys ou there with big hands the E46 M3 wheel is a must. So if you are looking for the smallest possible steering wheel get the Z4, if you want the thicker grip get the M3 wheel.

Feel: the Z4 was a smaller wheel so it did take a little more effort to turn than the M3 wheel but i like that feel b/c compared to stock both are a huge improvement. They aren't MOMO small but still both wheels can fit inside the stock wheels diameter, so its definately noticed. At first i felt the SMG paddles were in the way but now i love them and they are perfect and look very nice and agressive as they peep over the steering wheel but they dont obstruct the view to the gauges so its just right. After I took it on some twisties the wheel feels awesome and the extra thickness really helps when you are trying to grip the wheel and turn close to the limits. Not only that but it looks perfect. This steering wheel honestly should have come on our cars stock.

Upcoming updates: I will be doing the blue LED conversion on the steering wheel in order to match the rest of my interior as well. Most of the functions will be easy to incorporate but the volume control will not be possilbe simply b/c my aftermarket JVC headunit does not have any sort of external control features (some aftermarket headunits do, others don't, simple as that). I will incorporate my indiglo gauge controls into the steering wheel as well.

Sorry for having no pictures but my digital camera was stolen, as soon as I can borrow one I will take pics of the setup.

Anyways look forward to alot of updates

**Supabimma** · Mon, Mar-21-2005, 08:47:38 PM

P.S. My Z4 wheel is for sale if anyone is interested.

95RogueM3 · Mon, Mar-21-2005, 09:05:14 PM

Did you connect the airbag?
I would definitely avoid the SMG paddles...whats the point of having them if they serve no purpose whatsoever. :nixweiss:

**Supabimma** · Mon, Mar-21-2005, 09:53:27 PM

I will make the paddles functional. also when you take them out there is just a big hole on the back side so its actually more comfortable to have them. I will use them to control indiglo or OBC or something like that. I have not had a chance to connect airbag yet but with E46 slipring it will be peice of cake.

2002 · Mon, Mar-21-2005, 10:53:43 PM

I'm sure that's hot. Will wait for the pics.

tgyberg · Tue, Mar-22-2005, 02:15:45 AM

Can't wait for the pics!!!!!!

95blkbimm3r · Thu, Mar-24-2005, 10:36:44 PM

pics?

Blackspeed · Fri, Mar-25-2005, 03:47:47 AM

How hard was it to do the swap? I want to swap for the Alcantra ZCP wheel.

**Supabimma** · Fri, Mar-25-2005, 07:11:13 AM

pics are on the way. Alcantara ZHP wheel and M3 wheel are pretty much identical. the swap is not easy but then again most of my custom mods aren't. it requires some work and alot of patience but if you are willing to take your car apart and do some grinding and cutting then you can do it, but most are afraid to take their modifications to that level.

dpwaters · Fri, Mar-25-2005, 10:40:28 AM

Hey, I'd really like to see some pictures of what you've done. I have always thought the E36 M3's interior is a bit boring and would love to update the look, but don't have the money to try three or four wheels that don't work out in the end. Anyone have pics of the Momo Millenium installed?

Mon, Mar-21-2005, 08:46:26 PM	#1
Supabimma Banned Join Date: Jul 2003 Posts: 566 Reputation: 0	E46 M3 SMG steering wheel installed!! first impressions Well guys, its finally done and official. The E46 M3 steering wheel can fit our E36's (granted some modification is required). heres the basic info.. Wheel size: The diameter of the steering wheel is definately much smaller than the stock school bus steering wheel. I compared it to my Z4 wheel and the Z4 wheel is actually smaller (probably one of the smallest OEM steering wheels). But the grip on the E46 wheel is almost double in thickness and for you guys ou there with big hands the E46 M3 wheel is a must. So if you are looking for the smallest possible steering wheel get the Z4, if you want the thicker grip get the M3 wheel. Feel: the Z4 was a smaller wheel so it did take a little more effort to turn than the M3 wheel but i like that feel b/c compared to stock both are a huge improvement. They aren't MOMO small but still both wheels can fit inside the stock wheels diameter, so its definately noticed. At first i felt the SMG paddles were in the way but now i love them and they are perfect and look very nice and agressive as they peep over the steering wheel but they dont obstruct the view to the gauges so its just right. After I took it on some twisties the wheel feels awesome and the extra thickness really helps when you are trying to grip the wheel and turn close to the limits. Not only that but it looks perfect. This steering wheel honestly should have come on our cars stock. Upcoming updates: I will be doing the blue LED conversion on the steering wheel in order to match the rest of my interior as well. Most of the functions will be easy to incorporate but the volume control will not be possilbe simply b/c my aftermarket JVC headunit does not have any sort of external control features (some aftermarket headunits do, others don't, simple as that). I will incorporate my indiglo gauge controls into the steering wheel as well. Sorry for having no pictures but my digital camera was stolen, as soon as I can borrow one I will take pics of the setup. Anyways look forward to alot of updates

Mon, Mar-21-2005, 09:05:14 PM	#3
95RogueM3 Formerly 95 dinan M3 Join Date: Jan 2003 Posts: 2,968 Reputation: 0 Location: Richmond, VA	Did you connect the airbag? I would definitely avoid the SMG paddles...whats the point of having them if they serve no purpose whatsoever. :nixweiss: __________________ '95 M3 - 230whp (Mustang Dyno) '03 996 Turbo - 435whp, 500wtq

Mon, Mar-21-2005, 10:53:43 PM	#5
2002 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2004 Posts: 63 Reputation: 0	I'm sure that's hot. Will wait for the pics. __________________

Tue, Mar-22-2005, 02:15:45 AM	#6
tgyberg Munich Muscle Join Date: Nov 2003 Posts: 318 Reputation: 0 Location: Minneapolis	Can't wait for the pics!!!!!! __________________ 97 Cosmos:Acquired Jan 2001 Un-lux'd lux.

Thu, Mar-24-2005, 10:36:44 PM	#7
95blkbimm3r Registered User Join Date: Mar 2004 Age: 26 Posts: 1,080 Reputation: 0 Location: Maryland	pics? __________________ -Shaun Mods: AA DSB, Gen 3 Exh w/ Track Pipe, AA Radiator; HIOP V2 Header; V1, Kenwood KVT-911DVD, KNA-DV4100 Navigation, Depo Euro w/Xtec 6000k lows, X-brace, homemade Clutch Stop for $1.29... Tint 3M Color Guard 20% all around; MA Shaw Carbon Fiber Hood, Viper 791XV Remote Start, ~SIRIUS SUBSCRIBER FOR LIFE~ Up next: EvoIII SSK My Videos/Homepage

Mon, Mar-21-2005, 08:47:38 PM	#2
Supabimma Banned Join Date: Jul 2003 Posts: 566 Reputation: 0	P.S. My Z4 wheel is for sale if anyone is interested.

Mon, Mar-21-2005, 09:53:27 PM	#4
Supabimma Banned Join Date: Jul 2003 Posts: 566 Reputation: 0	I will make the paddles functional. also when you take them out there is just a big hole on the back side so its actually more comfortable to have them. I will use them to control indiglo or OBC or something like that. I have not had a chance to connect airbag yet but with E46 slipring it will be peice of cake.

Fri, Mar-25-2005, 03:47:47 AM	#8
Blackspeed The Black Speed Racer Join Date: May 2003 Age: 37 Posts: 596 Reputation: 0 Location: North Bay CA	How hard was it to do the swap? I want to swap for the Alcantra ZCP wheel. __________________ Future IP Racer

Fri, Mar-25-2005, 07:11:13 AM	#9
Supabimma Banned Join Date: Jul 2003 Posts: 566 Reputation: 0	pics are on the way. Alcantara ZHP wheel and M3 wheel are pretty much identical. the swap is not easy but then again most of my custom mods aren't. it requires some work and alot of patience but if you are willing to take your car apart and do some grinding and cutting then you can do it, but most are afraid to take their modifications to that level.

Fri, Mar-25-2005, 10:40:28 AM	#10
dpwaters Registered User Join Date: Oct 2004 Posts: 142 Reputation: 0 Location: Sandy Hook, Kentucky	Hey, I'd really like to see some pictures of what you've done. I have always thought the E36 M3's interior is a bit boring and would love to update the look, but don't have the money to try three or four wheels that don't work out in the end. Anyone have pics of the Momo Millenium installed? __________________

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