Is this an original 2002 Turbo steering wheel?

[Dick318is]

In search of an expert's opinion. Is this the real deal?

 

[Dick318is]

With some further investigation by myself I found that complete centre section functions as a horn, instead of only the bmw logo. And that makes this a a E21 320i sportswheel.

So no, this is not a genuine 2002 turbo steering wheel

[wkohler]

Correct that is an early E21 sport wheel.  

[Dick318is]

What would be the value of such steering wheel? Seller wants €400,-- (about 450 USD)

Is that a fair price?

[wkohler]

That is probably on the high side of fair in today’s market.  If the wheel is truly nice I think it could be worth that.  It is a very early one with painted spokes and the earlier hub with the added slip ring.  

[Preyupy]

If you are going to try an put it on a 2002 you will need to deal with the horn contact.  The 2002 wheels have a single spring loaded contact that rides on a ring contact on the steering column. The E21 has the ring mounted on the wheel (look at the last picture) and the single contact is on the column.  €400 is about right if it is in great shape but it’s not a “bolt on” for a 2002. 

[Dick318is]

So I bought this steering wheel as it will be the perfect upgrade for my Turbo replica car. Gave it a good polish and Megiuair's leather feed treatment. Also ordered a new plunger type horn switch.

I believe this is a pretty easy swap. Just take out the brass centre ring on the wheel, use one of the three holes to press-fit the plunger switch (maybe drilling out the hole to enlarge it if needed), making sure it lines up with brass centre ring on the car's steering column. And I need to trim back the centre cap a couple of millimeters, to make sure it does not rub on the steering column console. 

[wkohler]

Here's likely the best resource for converting the wheel to fit the '02.  Good luck.

 

Get off the bus! upgrade your '02's steering wheel. - Bay Area 02

WWW.BAYAREA02.COM

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One of the easiest low-cost upgrades for an ’02 is to replace the stock steering wheel with one from a later model 320i. It’ll only take an hour or two to do the whole installation. There are only two...

 

[Dick318is]

Installed this last Saturday. Farely easy indeed. Only issue I had was that the newly ordered hornswitch (part# 32331109750) was smaller than the holes in the steering wheel. Had to fabricate a plastic intermidiate piece to fill the gap.

[JohnP_02]

An interesting (or maybe not) tidbit about the two steering wheels being discussed, so the wheel from the OP is an e21 wheel as has been established, but the actual "steering wheel" part is exactly the same as the original 2002 Turbo steering wheel as far as I have ever been able to tell. The rest of the steering wheel set up is completely different however. The 2002 Turbo set up has a specific hub with a part number stamped inside, a different plastic hub cover and a completely different horn button. Additionally the e21 steering wheel is riveted to the e21 hub while the 2002 turbo wheel is mounted to the hub using only screws like most steering wheels at the time. For a turbo clone its not a bad substitute at all I would say!

[Einspritz]

I'd say Maybe not.

 

My recollection is that the 320i wheel, while the spokes are the same, and the material and faux stitching is the same, the diameter of the grip, the "fattness" if you will, is larger than the Turbo wheel. Where the grip meets the spokes is thicker too.

 

I'll measure my Turbo wheels if you measure yours and we can compare to be sure.

[Dick318is]

It's 28mm thick:

 

[Einspritz]

I stand corrected.

[JohnP_02]

There were 3 sizes that different permutations of the "turbo" style wheel that were available from BMW including 36cm, 38cm and 40cm. I have some ads with the 38 and 40 (see below) and have seen the 36cm in person but have yet to find exactly what is was marketed for. 
 

 

Edited February 10, 2022 by JohnP_02

[dlacey]

On 2/8/2022 at 7:19 AM, JohnP_02 said:

so the wheel from the OP is an e21 wheel as has been established, but the actual "steering wheel" part is exactly the same as the original 2002 Turbo steering wheel as far as I have ever been able to tell.

 

Heres one for sale currently on eBay kleinanziegen... seems to have same bare metal spokes as the turbo wheel but a different type of collapsible spacer...turbo wheels have a concertina, and this is more of an expanded metal approach, like the 320is wheel at the start of the thread. The boss has the number 11188372, same as teh 320is wheel that has the plastic-covered straighter spokes... 

 

Looks like there may have been a mix-n-match parts approach at the petri factory back then...