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      01-31-2016, 11:44 AM   #1
lukewayne
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Lets talk about the Steering wheel

A topic that I haven't seen discussed yet here is the feel and size of the steering wheel.

Specifically the Diameter of the wheel, and the thickness.

I'm coming from an E36, and I never thought about the size of my steering wheel, that is until we picked up my wife's E82 135i with the M sport steering wheel. Wow is that wheel perfect, its diameter is so small, and the thickness of the wheel just fits my hands perfectly. After feeling that wheel, my E36 felt like i was driving a bus.

So...

The M2 seems to share the steering wheel with the M4 minus a few buttons. I've looked around but haven't been able to find a measurement of the M4's diameter. I'm really curious as to how it compares to the 1-series M-sport wheel.

Something else: Does the heated steering wheel option change the wheel, or the size of the wheel?

Additionally: What about the sizes of these M Performance steering wheels? I'm not immediately interested in the one with screens and lights and such, but there are a few options. are they all the same size as the normal M2/4 wheel? or are they all smaller by the same or different amounts?

Anyone have some insight on this info? I've been thinking about this and looking for info, havent come across any numbers, but boy that steering wheel is starting to look huge in the pictures to me. cant tell if i'm just imagining it now ...
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      01-31-2016, 12:00 PM   #2
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Quote:
Originally Posted by lukewayne View Post
Additionally: What about the sizes of these M Performance steering wheels? I'm not immediately interested in the one with screens and lights and such, but there are a few options. are they all the same size as the normal M2/4 wheel? or are they all smaller by the same or different amounts?
Get the M Performance steering wheel for the M2.

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      01-31-2016, 12:14 PM   #3
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Hell NO

No Alcantara steering wheel ever again for me.

I had the Alcantara on the Cayman GTS, it felt artificial,weird, sweaty when warm, the leather wheel is a natural product, it feels definitely better IMO.
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      01-31-2016, 12:24 PM   #4
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Artemis View Post
Get the M Performance steering wheel for the M2.
I like the looks of the shape of that one, not a fan of the alcantara on the wheel, or the blue stripe, but I haven't been able to find any information on the dimensions of the M Performance wheels. are they smaller diameter? sort of looks that way in the photos, but they all seem to be from different perspectives with different lenses.
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      01-31-2016, 12:35 PM   #5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by lukewayne View Post
I like the looks of the shape of that one, not a fan of the alcantara on the wheel, or the blue stripe, but I haven't been able to find any information on the dimensions of the M Performance wheels. are they smaller diameter? sort of looks that way in the photos, but they all seem to be from different perspectives with different lenses.
Id assume IMO (no concrete evidence) that the wheel sizes should be the same for M performance as stock.....wouldn't make sense if they made it larger or smaller? I could be wrong though. I think it will be hard to find info on that.

BTW I had a Hellrot 95 M3........man do I miss it. What a color
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      01-31-2016, 12:44 PM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by lukewayne View Post
I like the looks of the shape of that one, not a fan of the alcantara on the wheel, or the blue stripe, but I haven't been able to find any information on the dimensions of the M Performance wheels. are they smaller diameter? sort of looks that way in the photos, but they all seem to be from different perspectives with different lenses.
M Sport & M steering wheel: 369 mm
M Performance steering wheel I & II: 373 mm

The diameter of the Fxx M steering wheel is the same as the old M Sport you have in your 135i.
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      01-31-2016, 12:46 PM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Artemis View Post
Get the M Performance steering wheel for the M2.
I prefer this one.

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      01-31-2016, 12:50 PM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by swagon View Post
M Sport & M steering wheel: 369 mm
M Performance steering wheel I & II: 373 mm

The diameter of the Fxx M steering wheel is the same as the old M Sport you have in your 135i.

That diameter is perfect !

Also the thickness of the wheel is the best I`ve ever had, in comparison the steering wheel form my previous Cayman GTS was far too thin, let alone the filthy Alcantara feel......a shame for Porsche IMHO
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      01-31-2016, 12:57 PM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Romo View Post
That diameter is perfect !

Also the thickness of the wheel is the best I`ve ever had, in comparison the steering wheel form my previous Cayman GTS was far too thin, let alone the filthy Alcantara feel......a shame for Porsche IMHO
I love the Perf steering wheel in our 135. You just gotta clean in every second or third week to keep it fresh looking, which is not much worse than leather. Leather doesn't age well either if you don't look after it.
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      01-31-2016, 01:16 PM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by swagon View Post
I love the Perf steering wheel in our 135. You just gotta clean in every second or third week to keep it fresh looking, which is not much worse than leather. Leather doesn't age well either if you don't look after it.
But leather feels better
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      01-31-2016, 01:41 PM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Romo View Post
But leather feels better
It's up to you what to prefer. The F-gen M leather steering wheel is really great, though. I like it a lot.
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      01-31-2016, 01:44 PM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by swagon View Post
M Sport & M steering wheel: 369 mm
M Performance steering wheel I & II: 373 mm

The diameter of the Fxx M steering wheel is the same as the old M Sport you have in your 135i.
Thanks for the measurement numbers! Surprised to see that the M Performance has a larger diameter

I'm so happy to hear that the Fxx steering wheel is the same as the 135.
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      01-31-2016, 01:55 PM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by lukewayne View Post
Thanks for the measurement numbers! Surprised to see that the M Performance has a larger diameter
It's because the material is thicker or something, I guess...
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      01-31-2016, 02:32 PM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by swagon View Post
It's because the material is thicker or something, I guess...
Yeah, 2mm per side isn't what I'd call actually larger. I think that is well within measurement errors for this kind of thing.
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      01-31-2016, 02:52 PM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Romo View Post
Hell NO

No Alcantara steering wheel ever again for me.

I had the Alcantara on the Cayman GTS, it felt artificial,weird, sweaty when warm, the leather wheel is a natural product, it feels definitely better IMO.
Agreed 100%. I hate alcantara steering wheels. Feels squishy over time as it soaks all your hand sweat.

I'll never get one again. If I were to go with the M performance wheel I'd get it reupholstered in normal leather.
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      01-31-2016, 03:03 PM   #16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by lukewayne
Quote:
Originally Posted by swagon View Post
M Sport & M steering wheel: 369 mm
M Performance steering wheel I & II: 373 mm

The diameter of the Fxx M steering wheel is the same as the old M Sport you have in your 135i.
Thanks for the measurement numbers! Surprised to see that the M Performance has a larger diameter

I'm so happy to hear that the Fxx steering wheel is the same as the 135.
Love my M235 standard wheel and I've driven a LOT of cars. One of my favorites.
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      02-02-2016, 08:22 AM   #17
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Two questions about the M2 ///M Performance steering wheel:
  • will the ///M Performance steering wheel also vibrate when the 'Lane Departure Warning' of the 'Driving Assistant' is active (option code 5AS) ?
  • will the ///M Performance steering wheel also warm up when the steering wheel heating is active (option code 248) ?
I guess you lose both the vibration and heating features, but just want to check if someone knows the answer (possibly on the basis of other cars).

EDIT: got the answers in the meantime:
  • steering wheel vibration: yes (motor will be transferred to the steering wheel);
  • steering wheel heating: no.

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Last edited by Artemis; 02-02-2016 at 08:50 AM..
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      02-02-2016, 08:38 AM   #18
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I like that it heats up.
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      02-02-2016, 09:10 AM   #19
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I hate Alcantara on the wheel. I test drove an ATS-V with it on the wheel and could barely hold the wheel. Absolutely ruined my test drive experience.

I am a wierdo, but it's like nails on a chalkboard or taking dishes out of the dishwasher or using a microfiber towel feel. I just can't. I put on disposable gloves. Anyone else a wierdo?

Back on topic, do they make the electronic wheel W/O alcantara?
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      02-02-2016, 02:36 PM   #20
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IMHO alcantara steering wheel is overrated, yes it does look fine, but the feeling s.cks.

Alcantara roof; would be nice (or is it standard?)
Alcantara seats; would be nice
Alcantara door panels; check
Leather steering wheel; check

Now, that is all the alcantara I`ll need
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      02-03-2016, 01:56 AM   #21
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I really don't like to shock anyone but to me the leather steering wheel in the M235i feels like plastic compared with other leather steering wheels I've used (BMW 330, Porsche 911, Lotus Elise). I'm tempted by alcantara and am wondering whether the majority of complaints about alcantara come from people in hot climates ? Could it be a more pleasant material in a cool climate ? And, how does one clean alcantara ?
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      07-07-2016, 10:30 AM   #22
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Corinne View Post
I really don't like to shock anyone but to me the leather steering wheel in the M235i feels like plastic compared with other leather steering wheels I've used (BMW 330, Porsche 911, Lotus Elise). I'm tempted by alcantara and am wondering whether the majority of complaints about alcantara come from people in hot climates ? Could it be a more pleasant material in a cool climate ? And, how does one clean alcantara ?
I feel M3 2016 steering wheel like plastic, it is slippery for me. I did not find steering wheel like M3 anywhere. All steering wheels are better. And I have to pay it $75K!?

Really, BMW does not know to make anything except engine.

I saw a Performance Steering Wheel here, it is half leather, half alcantara. My god, for that kind of car you have to have uniform steering wheel, not any kind of combination, because you react different with leather than alcantara or any other material. Combination can be in my Enclave, and still is not so good.

Almost all is fashion in BMW now, without any logic. It seems buyers want it. It seems BMW is not for me. Or to buy new one M3 and replace steering wheel with some used, old one. I do not have a word to explain this.
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