Ways to improve stock E36 wheel in my Z3?

[TechtackIDK]

So I just got my first car, which, lucky me, happened to be a Z3 3.0i Roadster (Manual), so I’m happy to be a part of the club! I’ve already addressed and looked into reasonable solutions for problems the car already has, but the one I’m most stumped about is the steering wheel…It just sucks.

It’s too wide , too flat, and too thin, so my usual 9 - 3 position with my hands just feels like crap.

Now, I was looking into just getting a cool OMP racing wheel for it, until I found out that it’s illegal in my state (Utah, USA) to remove airbags from vehicles. If the car didn’t already have airbags in the wheel, this wouldn’t be an issue, but nevertheless, I don’t really know how to circumnavigate or remedy this issue.

Does anyone know of anything aftermarket or some kind of mod I can do to the wheel without it just being some cheap wheel cover or something?

 

[Delk]

In the UK we get the stock one retrimmed and it's much nicer then stock. Look up Royal Wheels for ideas.

 

[petecossie]

I'm sure if look up steering wheel refurbing/retrimming specialists in your area there will someone who could remodel your present wheel.

As mentioned by Delk in above post, we have a company here in UK - Royal Steering Wheels - they retrimmed my steering wheel (first job after I bought the car in 2012). They actually do flat bottom option these days which wasn't an option back in 2012 unfortunately as I would have gone for that aswell as the thicker rim.

Transformed the feel of driving the car. Picture below.

 

[Mike Fishwick]

A retrimmed wheel will still have the problems of the original, although the thicker rim will provide a better grip - i also found that the plastic bits on each side made my fingers ache after an hour or so. Why do you dislike a flat steering wheel? I fitted a RAID wheel, which is smaller and more comfortable - but not cheap! After a 650 mile day my hands were still confortable. It has a single-stage air bag and is TuV approved, so is legal on my 1998 car. Some people get excited that it does not have a BMW badge in the centre, or dislike the appearance, but it works well, and I count it was one of the two best modifications I have made - the other is the shortened gear lever,

 

[petecossie]

A retrimmed wheel will still have the problems of the original, although the thicker rim will provide a better grip - i also found that the plastic bits on each side made my fingers ache after an hour or so. Why do you dislike a flat steering wheel? I fitted a RAID wheel, which is smaller and more comfortable - but not cheap! After a 650 mile day my hands were still confortable. It has a single-stage air bag and is TuV approved, so is legal on my 1998 car. Some people get excited that it does not have a BMW badge in the centre, or dislike the appearance, but it works well, and I count it was one of the two best modifications I have made - the other is the shortened gear lever,

View attachment 332549

Hi Mike,

Couple of observations on your comments above.

I was quite happy with the OEM steering wheel size it suited me fine, clear vision of gauges etc, what I couldn't get away with was the thin wheel rim thickness. After driving a E46 M3 for nearly 4 years with it's lovely thick rimmed steering wheel, as soon as I went to pick up the MC, I stated to my wife on the drive home from Glastonbury area to Teesside, that's the first mod I'll be doing. Never regretted getting it refurbished by Royal Steering Wheels, quality is second to none as testified on numerous posts on this site. I've yet to come across anyone who hasn't been satisfied with OEM steering wheel refurb by RSW, especially as these days they now do even better options since I had done 13 years ago.
OK the Raid Steering wheel is wonderful bit of kit which suites you fine, however they are as rare these days as rocking horse s***, the only one I can find in UK is on eBay at £995, I doubt owners would be willing to shell out that sort of money.
Also it depends how you grip your steering wheel, I've never come across the situation you had with plastic trims.
I found the steering wheel refurb one of the most worthwhile mods I've done in my 13 years of ownership and greatly enhanced the driving experience, its horses for course I suppose.

 

[Duncodin]

. . .
, its horses for course I suppose.
. . .

Yep. Everyone to their own. I suspect I'll be the only person on the forum that likes what I've got.

My reasoning is that I'm doing a 50's style rebody so plan on trying wood in the centre console and door tops. A wood steering wheel will (may) go with that. Maybe. But in a restomod kind of way I'm sticking to the modernish size and slightly thicker rim.

The wheel is from 5 series. Stripped and hand built with wood. Plus the original z3 airbag.

Anyway. Missus surprised me with it last christmas so, of course, i love it. So flame me.

 

[TriumphZ3]

Yep. Everyone to their own. I suspect I'll be the only person on the forum that likes what I've got.
Anyway. Missus surprised me with it last christmas so, of course, i love it. So flame me.

As a Classic Triumph driver, wooden steering wheels are an optional extra and so nothing strange to me, but also can be very nice. I like that one!