Steering wheel compatiblity

[Digitalwave]

Alright, my car came with an airbag from the factory. Back in the day I tried to replace it with a MINT M-tech I wheel that I got on eBay. It didn't fit the splines correctly, and wouldn't slide all the way onto the steering column. I tried fitting a 3 spoke sport wheel from a 325eS, and it fit fine. I have no idea why the M-tech I didn't fit, unless it was from an E28. It had E30 stamped under the roundel though.

If the 325eS wheel fits my car, theoretically, an M-tech I should work right? Aren't the splines on all E30's the same?

[AdamF 88iS]

Um, the ES wheel should be an M tech 1, same as the IS and the M3 wheel.

[Digitalwave]

Um, the ES wheel should be an M tech 1, same as the IS and the M3 wheel.

It's not. It's from an 84 325e fully loaded, I forgot they weren't 325eS's. It's the same as the cabrio wheel.

Do you think an M-tech I will fit my car, Mr. Fogg?

[Erick]

I'll bring my Mtech1 with me to the meet and if we stop by your house on Friday we'll swap them out to see if it fits.

[MR 325]

All E30 wheels are interchangable, you'll just need a spacer when putting a on airbag wheel on a original airbag car. My car is a 91 and came with an airbag. I have had a MTech-1 on it, a 3 spoke sport wheel, and a Momo.

[PeaveyBassist]

Spacer = washers right? Or is there a better solution?

Will

[AdamF 88iS]

Um, the ES wheel should be an M tech 1, same as the IS and the M3 wheel.

It's not. It's from an 84 325e fully loaded, I forgot they weren't 325eS's. It's the same as the cabrio wheel.

Do you think an M-tech I will fit my car, Mr. Fogg?

Yes, it should, Mr. Lathrop.

[nickmp0wer]

how hard would it be to just swap the colum with a non airbag one?

[rs4pro3]

Easy,if there wasn't those stupid shear bolts to do with.

[Digitalwave]

I'll bring my Mtech1 with me to the meet and if we stop by your house on Friday we'll swap them out to see if it fits.

Hopefully I will already have a wheel in my posession by then. Matt, I already have a spacer for using this 3 spoke wheel.

Thanks for all the help guys.

[MR 325]

Ya I would guess that MTech 1 you tired was somehow a different fitment wheel or had fucked u0p splines or something because it obviously "should" have fit.

[Digitalwave]

Alright, riddle me this. I went over to Robbie's today becaus he has an M-tech I wheel in his daily driver, so we tested it in my car. The same thing happened as last time. The splines line up, and the wheel slides on, but not as far as my 3 spoke, or even his Momo wheel do. The difference is only about 1/4-1/2", but its enough that the wheel doesn't lock and the turn signal doesn't return.

Since the splines line up, the only possible thing we could think of is that the splines taper down and they don't let it slide on all the ways. I looked at the steering column on his 84 318i, and it almost looked like it tapers some, if not the ends round out a little.

Usually, when I slide my wheel on, you can see some splines exposed, and thats why I have to run the extra spacer before the washer/nut, so there is no play in the wheel. With the M-tech I, the wheel stops at the end of the splines and won't go any farther. If I push it hard, it gets stuck, so it seems like its tapered to me.

Would it be alright if I did a little dremel'ing to the end of the splines, enough to wear the taper down and get the wheel all the way on? I am sure there are enough splines to do that and still have enough to secure the wheel safetly.

Wow, that was a long post.

[MR 325]

I really don't know why it's not fitting on your car TJ, I find that really odd. There shouldn't be any difference between the splines of the MTech 1, sport wheel, or stock 4 spoke [non airbag] wheel. As said, I had a MTech 1 wheel on my car with no problems.

\Sorry I have no help to offer, good luck with it.

[nickmp0wer]

the e30 is different

[Digitalwave]

Well, I installed the M-tech I wheel that I bought today and it fit fine. I have no freaking clue why some fit my car and some don't.