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Legend View Drop Down
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Joined: 10-August-2006
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    Posted: 10-August-2006 at 09:52
I'm completely new to BMWs, I just bought my first one, so please pardon my ignorance.

I got a 2002 1.8l 316i.  It just has the regular steering wheel, but I'd like to fit the multi function steering wheel to it.  My questions are:

Is this possible?
Where in Dublin can do it?
How much (roughly) would it cost?
Will I have full functionality, or just partial?

Thanks in advance.
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Dergside View Drop Down
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Points: 4000 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Dergside Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 10-August-2006 at 10:54

Legend

Firstly welcome.

The mfsw has two functions, firstly the stereo controls and secondly the cruise controls.  I understand that liberating the stereo functions with an mfsw should be fairly easy.  Someone more technical can correct me but I think its as simple as a cable connector from the wheel to the stereo.  You should be able to get the cable from your local dealer.

As far as cruise is concerned, its more complicated as there is a whole set of bits needed to implement cruise control functionality.  Retro fitting it should be possible but probably expensive and complicated.  Again, I'm open to correction, but I think that the control unit needs to be coded to the ECU on the e46 (I've just had cruise retro fitted on my e36, it didn't require coding and still cost a few hundred euro of labour for fitting, seperate from the cost of the components - there was a kit for the e36 that included just about everything, I think there is also one for the e46 but I'm not sure what it includes).
Now: BMW 523i SE '00, 318i SE - e91 '07, 325i Coupe '93.

Prev:
e46 328i SE Touring, 330Ci, 318Ci.
e39 523i SE.
e36 325i Coupe *2, 323i SE, 316iSE.
e30 325iSE 2dr, 320i Conv, 320i 2dr, 316i.
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Emmet323 View Drop Down
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Points: 23 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Emmet323 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 13-August-2006 at 01:31
I've done the upgrade a few months ago (2000 E46 323) from the crappy looking rectangular non-mf steering wheel to the nice M3-style. Granted this required buying a new airbag too but got the lot for �300 on ebay.

It's an easy enough swap and all thats required for both radio and cruise operation is the proper wiring loom to hook the lot up. Best mod i've done to the car so far :)
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Points: 4000 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Dergside Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 13-August-2006 at 23:38

Emmet, you got the cruise control function simply by changing the wheel?
Now: BMW 523i SE '00, 318i SE - e91 '07, 325i Coupe '93.

Prev:
e46 328i SE Touring, 330Ci, 318Ci.
e39 523i SE.
e36 325i Coupe *2, 323i SE, 316iSE.
e30 325iSE 2dr, 320i Conv, 320i 2dr, 316i.
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Points: 23 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Emmet323 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 14-August-2006 at 02:52
Originally posted by Dergside Dergside wrote:

Emmet, you got the cruise control function simply by changing the wheel?



And fitting a new wiring loom. Since the throttle is fly-by-wire anyway it seems bmw saw fit to have everything else standard in the car even if you don't have a mf steering wheel. So once you swop the wheel over and plug the new loom in you're good to go.
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Points: 4000 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Dergside Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 14-August-2006 at 11:01

That's very interesting!

Does anyone know if all e46's are fly by wire?  If not, which ones and from when?
Now: BMW 523i SE '00, 318i SE - e91 '07, 325i Coupe '93.

Prev:
e46 328i SE Touring, 330Ci, 318Ci.
e39 523i SE.
e36 325i Coupe *2, 323i SE, 316iSE.
e30 325iSE 2dr, 320i Conv, 320i 2dr, 316i.
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Points: 23 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Emmet323 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 14-August-2006 at 16:01
I'm open to correction but i'm pretty sure all are, after all my '00 323 was one of the earlier models and i've seen the same upgrade mentioned quite frequently on bmwland.co.uk.

I'd have to add i didn't actually tackle the swopover myself due to concern about fiddling with the airbag so got a mechanic to do it as a nixer.

Best upgrade i've done so far, cruise is wonderful and makes for very leisurely driving plus the M3 wheel just feels so much nicer.
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Points: 904 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote kdevitt Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 14-August-2006 at 16:10
Originally posted by Emmet323 Emmet323 wrote:


Originally posted by Dergside Dergside wrote:

Emmet, you got the cruise control function simply by changing the wheel?

And fitting a new wiring loom. Since the throttle is fly-by-wire anyway it seems bmw saw fit to have everything else standard in the car even if you don't have a mf steering wheel. So once you swop the wheel over and plug the new loom in you're good to go.


Your throttle isn't fly-by-wire afaik - 323i and 328i had throttle cable, fbw was introduced with the 325i and 330i.

But everything is in place on the E46 model - and its plug and play (bit like gaining the onboard computer by just sticking in the new indicator stalk). None of the hassle that you'd have with an E36 or E30 retrofit.
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