Steering Wheels

[gte619n]

Hey Guys,

I have a 1972 3.0 CS Euro. The PO added a race-race-race steering wheel that I'd like to replace while I'm doing my interior restoration. I was wondering what the correct wheel is and if the 2002, 2800 or Bavaria's wheels are the same.

Originality is already out the window with this example so I'd just like something reasonable. Included a picture of the old wheel with my shiny new (stock) interior.

Thanks!

E

 

[gte619n]

Nevermind, I found some previous threads with excellent info. Sorry for the unnecessary post.

 

[rsporsche]

Evan,

it looks like the wheel is a Momo wheel which is a smaller diameter. the bavaria / e3 and e9 wheels are interchangeable ... the 2002 wheel is generally smaller ... but the main difference is how the horn works. the 2002 has a ground plunger on the back of the wheel hub, while the e3 / e9 uses a brass ring on the back of the hub and a ground piece on the steering column that makes contact with the ring.

the various wheels typically found on a coupe are the nardi 360 or 390 - usually wood with polished spokes, or the leather rim with either silver or black spokes. the best wheel in my opinion is the petri 380 or 400 mm wheels ... but they have become very pricey. there are also some of the factory sport wheels that look good on a coupe as well

scott

 

[jmackro]

A couple of clarifications to rsporsche's posting:

the bavaria / e3 and e9 wheels are interchangeable ...

Those two wheels are mechanically interchangeable, yes. In other words, you can bolt a Bavaria wheel to an e9. But it won't look original. Most pre-1974 e9's came with wood-rimmed wheels, while the Bavaria wheels were naugahyde wrapped.

the various wheels typically found on a coupe are the nardi 360 or 390 - ....

I might have written: "When coupe owners decide to use an aftermarket wheel, they usually install the Nardi 360 or 390..." Installing a Nardi on gte619n's 1972 3.0 CS Euro won't bring the car any closer to stock than the existing Momo. But sure, of the various aftermarket wheels out there, the wood-rimmed Nardi looks nice against the wood dash on the e9. I have a 390mm Nardi on my own coupe.

 

[HB Chris]

I think I disagree. The wood wheels from BMW were optional on both e3 and e9 and are identical. Standard was the imitation leather wrapped plastic wheels on both. Euro coupes got the leather wrapped Sport wheel, I don't know what euro e3 vehicles came with as standard. Lots of variations and other considerations, such as the early 2800 sedan where the wood wheel was standard and 74 and later with the big hub pad.

 

[teahead]

If originality is out the window, then you are looking for something both comfortable and period-correct?

Leather or wood? I don't think plastic is all that comfortable.

Size? I prefer a smaller size in the neighborhood of 360.

My $0.02.

 

[kwyjibo]

The steering wheel in the photo is made by BWA, not MOMO. I see them more often in 2002s rather than E9s, probably because the larger diameter ones are pretty rare.
I'm with Scott - Petri is both OEM and sporty (and, unfortunately, getting very pricey).

 

[adawil2002]

Find a 380mm Petri they are perfect for a CS. That's what I'm running in Athena.

 

[Markos]

I found a 40cm Petri with hub in Europe for $200 last month. The seller didn't want to ship to the US, and didn't get back to me about shipping to a friend in Europe.

 

[adawil2002]

I found a 40cm Petri with hub in Europe for $200 last month. The seller didn't want to ship to the US, and didn't get back to me about shipping to a friend in Europe.

$200, what was the condition? Shipping DHL from Europe is less than $50 bucks I've seen them up to $1,300 USD.

If you are on Facebook look up Hans Wortelboer, I've bought 2 Petris 380 & 400, a Tii sport, and a Luisi wood. I have my collection hung on the garage wall, minus the ones in the cars.

 

[Markos]

$200, what was the condition? Shipping DHL from Europe is less than $50 bucks I've seen them up to $1,300 USD.

If you are on Facebook look up Hans Wortelboer, I've bought 2 Petris 380 & 400, a Tii sport, and a Luisi wood. I have my collection hung on the garage wall, minus the ones in the cars.

It was in perfect condition

I don't usually post the links to the stuff that I find for myself (I'm sure you can understand why), but here you go (http://olx.pl/oferta/kierownica-bmw-e9-3-0-csl-batmobile-CID5-IDd93CX.html). The first person to read this can ping the guy and see if it is still for sale - even though the ad is dead. Actually it was $250, so it's probably not worth it...

The only thing that was new to me was the silver ring, but after googling a bit I found several examples with a silver ring. I've also seen multiple examples that use screws instead of hex bolts.

 

[m73]

Real or Repro?

That Petri to me seems too new to be original....plus with used parts its always important how you got them.

If you by reputably, it is almost 100% market price or a good story why cheaper. They say you get what you pay for & that includes the backstory to a part--not just its appearance.

Nice find though....

Mo

 

[kwyjibo]

Marcos - if it makes you feel better, that wheel has the wrong hub (looks almost like one for an MG) . But it does look like the correct horn button. One of the hardest things to find, and multiple threads on the subject will back me up on this, is the correct OEM hub. There are replica plastic surrounds, VW mkI Scirocco/rabbit sport steering wheels and newly machined hubs and trim rings so you can almost piece together a complete wheel.

 

[shanon]

Hi gte,

Any possibility of getting some more pics of your pictured 3 spoke wheel?

Might be interested in its fate.

thx, shanon

 

[pmansson]

The wheel on the pictures

The boss is not correct and nor is the ring with the 6 screws. It should be black.