E30 Steering Wheel for 1981 528i

jdktchkov · Post by **jdktchkov** » Mon Jul 14, 2014 7:06 pm

Hi everyone,

I have done several searches to see if anyone else has asked, with no luck. I was curious if an e30 steering wheel can be easily swapped onto an e12? I am looking at a couple e30 three spoke steering wheels, the ones that came off of the late 80's convertibles and know I would enjoy them more than the truck driver size stock one I have.

Thank you.

Sev · Post by **Sev** » Mon Jul 14, 2014 7:29 pm

The m-tech 1? that is a lovely steering wheel. I have not tried it, but i have one at the garage somewhere, i should try it on this weekend, and let you know.

wkohler · Post by **wkohler** » Mon Jul 14, 2014 7:32 pm

E30s use what's called a "fine-spline" steering column. The splines are finer and it also uses an external steering lock which locks the wheel itself rather than the column. Consequently the later wheels will not fit. The three spoke wheels (all three types - early and late sport and M-tech) were all available on E28s and E24s as a "coarse-spline" wheels. The changeover on those chassis were made in 9/85. If you do decide to use one of those wheels, you need to put a washer between the wheel and the column to make sure the nut won't bottom out on the splines. If it does, then the wheel will never come off. All E30s are fine-spline, just as all E23s are coarse-spline.

Good luck.

jdktchkov · Post by **jdktchkov** » Tue Jul 15, 2014 4:08 pm

Just want to clarify, steering wheels from early E28 and E24s?

I saw the two cars you have linked to your signature, the first one's (07/80 M535i 5-Speed Polaris/Marineblau) steering wheel is something I am going for, what car was it off of?

wkohler · Post by **wkohler** » Tue Jul 15, 2014 4:46 pm

It's off of a 7/80 M535i. It's the original steering wheel.

Interestingly, I've got three of them.

jdktchkov · Post by **jdktchkov** » Tue Jul 15, 2014 4:49 pm

Really? Are they smaller than the other stock rectangular four ended one?

wkohler wrote:It's off of a 7/80 M535i. It's the original steering wheel.

Interestingly, I've got three of them.

T.Hanson · Post by **T.Hanson** » Tue Jul 15, 2014 9:12 pm

Good to do a test fit and long drive. Believe it or not the old stocker can be missed if you get one that's smaller diameter, larger grip (fatter), has odd indents for gripping, a center horn button (slower than the thumb), turn signals can go manual for shut off ... all for looks, when the wheel is for turning the car.

Check Ebay for prices on the stock wheels. You'll see they are expensive to not toss it in case you change your mind later.

Sev · Post by **Sev** » Tue Jul 15, 2014 11:57 pm

you can never go wrong with the nardi.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-Nardi-P ... 44&vxp=mtr

GripGreg · Post by **GripGreg** » Wed Jul 16, 2014 12:06 am

That's WAY over priced for a cracked wheel to me.

Eric Q · Post by **Eric Q** » Wed Jul 16, 2014 2:41 am

My memory is foggy, but I'm not sure the coarse spline E28 wheels work. I want to say the tab which cancels the turn signal is not long enough. I believe E12, E21 and E23s are interchangeable.

jdktchkov · Post by **jdktchkov** » Wed Jul 16, 2014 5:18 pm

Yea I have seen some of these steering wheels go way up in price. I will have to check out some e21 and e23 options. My girlfriend has an e30 1987 convertible so I have had some play with the steering wheel and like the feel so much more than the large stock one that I currently have.

Mike W. · Post by **Mike W.** » Wed Jul 16, 2014 9:31 pm

Early, as in coarse spline thru 85 are adaptable to E12s, I have a M tech 1 on my '80. A few spacers here and there, but no issues once installed. Greg I believe has an early E28 wheel on one of his.