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Aftermarket steering wheel advise….
Posted: Jul 07, 2024 11:42 PM
by 5timesturbo
I’m looking to replace my steering wheel on my 1987 535is… However, I do not know the spline count for the steering wheel and wanted to get a definitive answer. I also wouldn’t mind any suggestion on where I could a good priced “meaty” steering wheel that is good to grip because I plan to do a good bit of performance driving. Thank you for your help!
Re: Aftermarket steering wheel advise….
Posted: Jul 08, 2024 1:30 PM
by Blue Shadow
Nobody knows the spline count, we know coarse spline (up to 9/85 build date) and fine spline after that.
You need a Momo 2006 hub and your choice of Momo wheel to go with it. The coarse spline hub is a 2005. Other hubs for BMW probably won't fit.
https://ltbautosports.com/momo/ is a retailer that will probably show you what is available today but the bay has so many wheels floating in it, new and used you might find a good meaty wheel there. If it comes with a hub that isn't for your car, so what, sell if on the bay.
Things to consider are the wheel diameter, 350 is small and increases the force needed to turn the wheel but makes room for a driver's legs on some taller folks. 385 is what came with most of these cars and going a bit smaller is just fine. I like the 380mm Momo Ghibli 4 Motorsport version I have and a 370mm Monte Carlo-type with a center pad that is on the car right now.
My definition of good priced isn't the same as yours. Any hint at a budget?
Hub
Wheel
Horn push
are all needed so when looking used see what you get. Momo wheels, some have special horn pushes with them.
The 205 that the wheels are on sale for at LTB is the same price the Motorsport 4 wheel was advertised for in the 1986/87 Roundel magazines. So it seems Momo is just boosting the price of the hubs not really the steering wheels.
Re: Aftermarket steering wheel advise….
Posted: Jul 08, 2024 1:33 PM
by Theotherotter
Fine-spline wheels on your car have 54 splines.
Re: Aftermarket steering wheel advise….
Posted: Jul 08, 2024 1:36 PM
by Blue Shadow
Theotherotter wrote: Jul 08, 2024 1:33 PM
Fine-spline wheels on your car have 54 splines.
Hey that is great info. I didn't know anyone counted them.
Re: Aftermarket steering wheel advise….
Posted: Jul 09, 2024 9:28 PM
by Theotherotter
I don’t remember where I found that, but I found it somewhere! The M-Tech II wheel is nice, and I also like the E28 ‘batwing’ wheel, which has a pretty thick rim. I have one with coarse splines on my E12.