[KenAdamsNSA]

Hey guys,

New to these forums and DIY stuff in general, so forgive my newbieness. I was wondering if it's possible to take the F80 steering wheel and retrofit it onto the F30 steering column. I know that you'll need the new steering wheel to come with a US-compatible airbag, but aside from that, are there any other concerns?

Additionally, if I have a steptronic transmission, is it possible to retrofit paddle shifters with the F80 wheel? Not a necessity, but would be pretty neat.

For reference, here's the steering wheel I'd like to try fitting: http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-BMW-M-Te...cf9a66&vxp=mtr

I've seen a few guides on this, and it looks remarkably easy to swap the steering wheels themselves, but I'm curious what I need to be cognizant of when purchasing the F80 wheel.

Thanks in advance!

[xxxjecxxx]

Not sure if you are aware but the airbag in the US is double stage not single stage. If you purchase the one on that link, you will have to modify the cables to get it to work.

[smithf80]

The F80 wheel would work. Its kinda pointless if you already have an f30 msport wheel tho, since its almost exactly the same apart from the stitching and the trim piece that goes down the center (f80 one has that open slit)

[KenAdamsNSA]

I only have the standard 3 series wheel, which looks like this (minus the sport trim, silver inlay, and thumb grips): http://media.ed.edmunds-media.com/bm..._oem_2_500.jpg

[KenAdamsNSA]

Originally Posted by xxxjecxxx

Not sure if you are aware but the airbag in the US is double stage not single stage. If you purchase the one on that link, you will have to modify the cables to get it to work.

Got it, so I'll need to find a double stage airbag for it to be a simple swap?

[xxxjecxxx]

Originally Posted by KenAdamsNSA

Got it, so I'll need to find a double stage airbag for it to be a simple swap?

Yes sir! I've heard that the single stage can be used with some slight modification but I decided to purchase dual stage to not have to mess with it.

[HFW003]

You can always just use the F20 M wheel, direct swap, same airbag

[KenAdamsNSA]

Originally Posted by HFW003

You can always just use the F20 M wheel, direct swap, same airbag

I'm debating it. Could I buy an airbag-less version and swap the stock steering wheel's airbag with it? That would be considerably cheaper than buying the F80 wheel.

[KenAdamsNSA]

Also - any thoughts on the paddle shifting? Is it possible to retrofit that if I don't currently have a wheel with it?

[HFW003]

Originally Posted by KenAdamsNSA

I'm debating it. Could I buy an airbag-less version and swap the stock steering wheel's airbag with it? That would be considerably cheaper than buying the F80 wheel.

Yes, that is what I and many others have done.