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MarkE · Joined: 17 Jan 2006 Posts: 49 Location: Covington, Ky

It's been bugging me from day one, but I can't seem to find a replacement for my torn up '85 325e steering wheel.

I gather that anything after June '86 won't fit. I'm actually December of '84, I think.

Does anyone have a line on a decent 3 spoke pre 6/86?

Thanks,
Mark

Quincy56 · Joined: 03 Jan 2002 Posts: 2634 Location: San Marcos, CA

I have a standard 4 spoke from Otis
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92 325ic - Isabelle
91 318i - Oscar - RIP
89 325i - Otis - RIP

MarkE · Joined: 17 Jan 2006 Posts: 49 Location: Covington, Ky

Thanks Quincy, but doesn't the wheel have to come from pre 6/86 in order for the splines to line up?

Mark

wazzu70 · Joined: 26 Jul 2005 Posts: 838 Location: Issaquah, WA

As far as I know the splines are the same, however using a pre facelift wheel on a facelift car requires some kind of a spacer. I just picked up a 3 spoke sport wheel from a 535is so I will let you know if it is compatable. They are for sale on ebay all the time. I REALLY like the ergonomics of this wheels as the spokes at 3 and 9 slope back and are a nice place to rest your thumbs on longer trips. It also make it easier to see more of the dash.

This is the kind I am talking about.
ebay wheel

I also think it compliments the interior well since its OE. Thats just my opinion though. I prefer these 100x more than Mtech I & II
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-Nick

1984 BMW 325e
1991 BMW 325i
1976 Honda CB400F Super Sport
"The bitterness of poor quality is remembered long after the sweetness of low price is forgotten"

MarkE · Joined: 17 Jan 2006 Posts: 49 Location: Covington, Ky

I was actually looking at that ebay wheel. It "LOOKS" identical to the one I have, save the nice leather.

What type of a spacer does it need?

Mark

wazzu70 · Joined: 26 Jul 2005 Posts: 838 Location: Issaquah, WA

dont know. I was going to get the wheel and determine once I had it on the car! I should be able to let you know shortly as it shoudl be here in the next few days.

Everyone always says there needs to be a spacer but I am not sure if it goes on teh back of the wheel to prevent the wheel from rubbing on teh column, or on the front so teh center nut can contact the surface. Either way I figure it should be very obvious once I compare the two.
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-Nick

1984 BMW 325e
1991 BMW 325i
1976 Honda CB400F Super Sport
"The bitterness of poor quality is remembered long after the sweetness of low price is forgotten"

85-325e · Joined: 30 Jun 2002 Posts: 4712 Location: Southampton, NY

I may or may not be able to answer this tomorrow! I bought a wheel on eBay... 3 spoke leather and looks exactly like the one in the car. But I didn't read the ad carefully enough, and he mentioned something about the splines being small, and it had changed after 08/85. My car was made in 06/85, but it has the same wheel part number as a car made in November, on the other side of his cutoff, so when it comes, and it looks REALLY nice, I'll see if it fits. If not, I'll have a great wheel to sell to someone or to sell on eBay...
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Cosmo - 1985 BMW 325e, Single Owner, 265,000+ ORIGINAL miles and still going strong! But now on the East Coast and the salt air corrosion is eating my beautiful car alive... Sad

weberer · Joined: 02 Aug 2002 Posts: 484 Location: Salt Lake City, UT

It seems like I read somewhere (Bentley or another forum) that all the different steering wheels will fit all E30s, but some require a spacer. It will still fit without the spacer, but it will squeek and be annoying unless the spacer is installed.

DaveCN · Joined: 02 Mar 2003 Posts: 59 Location: KY, USA

The spacer is to fit a non-airbag wheel on an airbag equipped car.

I have done that swap - its easy.

I have a 3 spoke sport steering wheel in the garage - no tears or rips.

I'd let it go for $30 plus shipping.
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wazzu70 · Joined: 26 Jul 2005 Posts: 838 Location: Issaquah, WA

Where does the spacer go? in front of the wheel or behind? No one ever answers this so if you know that would be really helpful. Im assuming you can just stack up some washers until the clearance is correct, is this right? Thanks.
_________________
-Nick

1984 BMW 325e
1991 BMW 325i
1976 Honda CB400F Super Sport
"The bitterness of poor quality is remembered long after the sweetness of low price is forgotten"

weberer · Joined: 02 Aug 2002 Posts: 484 Location: Salt Lake City, UT

Yeah, the spacer goes behind the wheel.

wazzu70 · Joined: 26 Jul 2005 Posts: 838 Location: Issaquah, WA

danke.
_________________
-Nick

1984 BMW 325e
1991 BMW 325i
1976 Honda CB400F Super Sport
"The bitterness of poor quality is remembered long after the sweetness of low price is forgotten"

roly · Posted: Wed Jul 12, 2006 8:11 pm Post subject:

I had that kind of wheel on mine as well. The leather was pretty bad and I replaced it with a M-Tech 1 from a 91 318is.
I like the look, but it's still a huge steering wheel!
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"The Bavarian Falcon"
84 E30 323i Manual sedan,3.46 LSD.
Bronzitbeige-metallic.240k KM.