How to tell if a steering wheel fits my 03 525iT?

[richmak]

To all experts here,

I just bought a 2003 525iT and it does not have a sport package. The steering wheel is a 4 spoke version (with MF buttons) and it has the rectangular airbag. I am looking to replace it with the sport steering wheel and I found the following.

http://cgi.ebay.ca/BMW-99-01-BMW-SPORT-STEERING-WHEEL-AIRBAG-E38-E39-E46_W0QQitemZ140269851334QQihZ004QQcategoryZ33719Q QssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

http://cgi.ebay.ca/BMW-M-TECHNIK-STEERING-WHEEL-E39-M5-E46-M3-E38-w-MF-BUT_W0QQitemZ140269859649QQihZ004QQcategoryZ33704Q QssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

How can I tell if this will fit mine without any modifications? I heard some pre-2001 E39 steering wheels will not fit the later models of E39.

Thanks in advance.

[e46it]

2000 and up will fit your car as they have stage II air bags system. i have 2000 M5 and purchased the 3 spoke M3/M5 steering wheel and air bag. i recommend you do the same they feel much better then the one you are looking at. little more money but its worth it. take a look at m5board.com as lot of the older style steering when and air bag combos go for sale.

take a look at this too http://www.realoem.com/bmw/partgrp.do?model=DE93&mospid=47592&hg=32&fg=35

[e46it]

by the way i sold mine for 500 buck for the wheel and air bag so they ebay price is too much.

[porksoda]

I agree 500 - 600 MAX for m sport steering wheel
500-750ish MAX for M5 wheel.

you should be good with stage II airbag system steering and you can usually tell by the amount of plug inside the steering.