Author Topic: M-Tech I steering wheel (Read 4000 times)

ThisIsTheRanger · « **on:** January 30, 2010, 09:41:20 AM »

Can I put an M-Tech I wheel on my Airbag 318is? I couldn't find any info on this swap.

BlueBMW · « **Reply #1 on:** January 30, 2010, 09:47:55 AM »

Any E30 wheel should work, but you'll need an extra spacer below the nut because non airbag wheels sit lower on the column than airbag ones do. Also, you'll be a bit closer to the stalks with a non-airbag wheel. Search around, I know there was a thread that described the spacer needed to install a non-airbag wheel.

ThisIsTheRanger · « **Reply #2 on:** January 30, 2010, 02:16:25 PM »

I could only find threads on the Mtech II wheel. So I take it they are the same fitment?

4banger · « **Reply #3 on:** January 30, 2010, 02:17:46 PM »

i used a peice of brass pipe that i machined down. some folks have used washers. i would assume that a peice of pvc pipe cut down to the thickness needed would work as well.

BlueBMW · « **Reply #4 on:** January 30, 2010, 05:33:56 PM »

Quote from: ThisIsTheRanger;86193

I could only find threads on the Mtech II wheel. So I take it they are the same fitment?

I believe that is correct! The splines are all the same, its just how far the threaded shaft sticks up through the wheel. That's why you need another spacer before you put the nut on.

DesktopDave · « **Reply #5 on:** January 30, 2010, 06:02:34 PM »

There are two different MTech I wheels...coarse spline and fine spline. Our cars are fine spline, along with the e34 & e38. The two styles look exactly the same but are not compatible. IIRC the switchover happened in 1988, but I'm not sure exactly.

The airbag wheel does sit further away from the control stalks. You can bend them but I'd be careful with that. Pull them off & use a vice & do it carefully. Better yet, just grab a set of non-airbag stalks. All e30s are the same for those.

I grab an extra e30 spacer and used both on the wheel, one below & one above. Otherwise the nut wouldn't lock the wheel down. I also had to pull the little white plastic thingey out of the column because it was making the wheel stick in two spots as it rotated. I cannot describe just how annoying that was.

4banger · « **Reply #6 on:** January 30, 2010, 06:08:43 PM »

good tips dave. i got my mtech wheels from mid 80's 325's. stalks and all. only problmes ive had is horn dosnt work

Jorgeconrico · « **Reply #7 on:** January 31, 2010, 12:22:22 PM »

Hope this helps

http://www.e30tech.com/forum/showthread.php?p=965442

4banger · « **Reply #8 on:** February 01, 2010, 04:05:09 PM »

i have a center horn button non airbag wheel in my DD. cant get the damn horn to work. stalks reset perfect but no horn