Steering Wheel OEM Upgrade?

[m3f_peteranton]

Folks,



My wife is short, and has to sit very close to the steering wheel in her '97 M3. I understand that it is the 1st Generation SRS, so our fear is that she would be severely injured if that airbag would go off (even in a small accident). I looked into petal extenders, but that would prevent (sigh) me driving it also....



Is there a wheel using the 2nd Gen SRS available that would replace that big, black, ugly wheel? Did anyone upgrade the original and can share with me the steps you took? Ballpark costs?



Peter

:???:

[m3f_astan100_7ef66fbe89]

What kind of SRS does the 98.5-99 M3 use?



It's the BMW three spoke similar to what you would see in the M coupe. Run a search on ebay for 99 M3.



You'll find the wheel.



IF that wheel does (and I'm not sure) have your 2nd gen SRS, it will run you about 650-750 for wheel, air bag, and slip ring.

[m3f_peteranton]

Thanks! I'll check ebay....hopefully this is a DIY job!

[m3f_astan100_7ef66fbe89]

You also can probably sell your old wheel and stuff for 200 if not more on bimmerforums.

[m3f_park828_94ead836d3]

if i remember correctly you can not fit a second gen two stage airbag onto a single stage first gen airbag! i think the sensors and the actual computer is different then again i might be totally wrong.. but check before you buy the stuff... good luck!!

[m3f_M3AN_5f4dc0ba80]

Originally posted by peteranton

...so our fear is that she would be severely injured if that airbag would go off (even in a small accident)...



Out of interest, how do you imagine this type of injury might occur?

[m3f_peteranton]

M3AN,



Apparently the Stage/Gen 1 airbags explode which such a force as to injure drivers that have to sit closer to the steering wheel to reach the pedals (such as my wife). Some decision was made when airbags first came out to also protect drivers that refused to use seatbelts.



The Stage/Gen 2 was developed later to address the injuries. Of course, we did not know this until a few years ago.

[m3f_Hankdoll_3c9258fbdb]

If your wife is positioned really close to the wheel, I'd just go with a non-airbag set up. (you can probably just take out the airbag out of the current wheel...or go for the $150 momo option). I'd imagine the airbag would do her more harm than good (as long as she is wearing her seatbelt). I'm sure you've heard stories of Gen I airbags decapitating young children in the front seat. They must be powerful.



I believe there is a general rule to this as to how far you must be away from the wheel to avoid serious injury (12 inches?, not sure).

[m3f_M3AN_5f4dc0ba80]

Thanks peteranton.



Originally posted by Hankdoll

...I'm sure you've heard stories of Gen I airbags decapitating young children in the front seat.



What?



When did these G2 airbags come out? I've never heard of them.



I was in an accident when the airbags deployed and yeah, they're fast but there's no way I could imagine anything other than bruises.

[m3f_peteranton]

M3AN,



I remember when I purchased a '98 Explorer (replaced now by my 2001 X5), it had the 2nd Generation airbag (and I thought it made that distinction somewhere on the vehicle...but didn't know what that meant back then) . So, somewhere in 1998.



I understand now that the E36 carried the old ones to 1999 (M3...and convertible?). Sound right?



And thanks everyone. All the info was VERY helpful. Looks like I'll be replacing the steering only because of looks....not for an upgrade in technology!



Peter