Steering wheel leather not right?

wassy · 01-17-2019, 04:25 PM

Hey guys and gals! When I received my car I noticed the steering wheel had some ripples in it. Top and a couple areas on side. Selling dealer didn't notice so took into local bmw service. Has to be a goodwill replacement which was approved today by regional aftermarket sales Mgr. However, the service manager and I have a great long term relationship and he said he looked at 5 m5's on his lot and 3 of the 5 were similar to mine and only 2 closer to being right. So he will order the replacement wheel but knows how picky I am and said he's not going to keep ordering new wheels until they get a right one. So I'm here to see if this is a common issue and I should leave well enough alone or go ahead and take my chance for a 1 time replacement. Pics attached but it's not so easy to capture on camera. It doesn't necessarily feel as ripply as it looks but it does look off to me.

soooma · 01-17-2019, 05:14 PM

Have same and it doesn't brother me
It's probably hand wrapped ?!

Miko M · 01-17-2019, 05:21 PM

If you feel bumps that's from heating elements that are beneath.

Aronis · 01-17-2019, 06:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Miko M

If you feel bumps that's from heating elements that are beneath.

BINGO!

Mike

MWcoupe · 01-17-2019, 09:13 PM

My f80 heated wheel wasn't like that. My current wheel looks just like the picture but it doesn't really bother me

///M ARMY · 01-17-2019, 10:51 PM

Wish it was alcantara

norbtx · 01-18-2019, 10:17 AM

Mine looks like that as well. I haven't had a BMW in a while, I just thought it was normal.

wassy · 01-18-2019, 10:20 AM

So far it seems like this is how bmw is manufacturing the steering wheel but quite frankly it's either a mfg defect and nobody seems to care or I don't know. I've owned many many bmws and never had this. X5, m2 and plenty of others. It's not the heating element, it's more likely the glue but I'm not sure. Well, at least their consistent. Lol

Ever34 · 01-18-2019, 12:27 PM

Mine is the same. However, it's not as apparent as your pics. I'm assuming the picture makes it look a little worse than it is.

URBAN LEGEND · 01-18-2019, 12:29 PM

My 2 F10s and F80 wheels never looked/look like that.

wassy · 01-18-2019, 12:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ever34

Mine is the same. However, it's not as apparent as your pics. I'm assuming the picture makes it look a little worse than it is.

No actually the pictures are fairly spot on. Maybe even a bit worse than what the pics show. As I said it's hard to capture it. Is it brutally unacceptable? No. Is it right/normal? No. Shouldn't be like this.

GUNGASLOW · 01-18-2019, 01:03 PM

It helps with grip, it’s supposed to be like that

TheRealBob · 01-18-2019, 01:43 PM

It shouldn't be like in the pictures. Mine has ripples, but on the backside of the wheel. The wheel appears perfectly smooth from a seated position. The only way I see it, is by shining a flashlight through the windshield and viewing the back. The heating elements must have twisted to the front on some wheels.

I thought it was for improved grip.

marcvtec · 01-18-2019, 05:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GUNGASLOW

It helps with grip, it’s supposed to be like that

+1 it helps your hands control the power better

Stav · 01-18-2019, 08:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wassy

So far it seems like this is how bmw is manufacturing the steering wheel but quite frankly it's either a mfg defect and nobody seems to care or I don't know. I've owned many many bmws and never had this. X5, m2 and plenty of others. It's not the heating element, it's more likely the glue but I'm not sure. Well, at least their consistent. Lol

Mine looks like that too FYI - was bothering me at the beginning but got used to it. The m4 I had with heated steering wheel was completely smooth so I just thought it is how they make them now (2 other M5s I saw at dealers were similar).

onfireX5 · 01-20-2019, 02:06 PM

My F90 is smooth. Wife’s X5 is smooth. X5M was smooth at 32,000 miles.

wassy · 01-20-2019, 03:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by onfireX5

My F90 is smooth. Wife's X5 is smooth. X5M was smooth at 32,000 miles.

Yep. Should be smooth. Even though many say it's same, I think there is a manufacturing defect
Somewhere.

jhbodle · 01-20-2019, 03:34 PM

Mine looks like the pics you've shown. I was actually going to post about it myself.

F90M5C · 01-21-2019, 08:58 AM

Mine is smooth and i have the heated steering wheel

amg55driver · 05-01-2020, 08:44 AM

mines like that, and it has to be defect from BMW.

MY Raptor wheel was similar and Ford replaced it under warranty no problem. it was heating element showing..

Earlando86 · 05-01-2020, 09:07 AM

Mine is smooth from the front and ribbed on the back.

Maxlude · 05-01-2020, 09:16 AM

2019 F90C with heated steering wheel, looks same as the OP's pic

01-17-2019, 04:25 PM	#1
wassy Private First Class 30 Rep 101 Posts Drives: 2018 Bmw M5 Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Weston, Fl iTrader: (0)	Hey guys and gals! When I received my car I noticed the steering wheel had some ripples in it. Top and a couple areas on side. Selling dealer didn't notice so took into local bmw service. Has to be a goodwill replacement which was approved today by regional aftermarket sales Mgr. However, the service manager and I have a great long term relationship and he said he looked at 5 m5's on his lot and 3 of the 5 were similar to mine and only 2 closer to being right. So he will order the replacement wheel but knows how picky I am and said he's not going to keep ordering new wheels until they get a right one. So I'm here to see if this is a common issue and I should leave well enough alone or go ahead and take my chance for a 1 time replacement. Pics attached but it's not so easy to capture on camera. It doesn't necessarily feel as ripply as it looks but it does look off to me. Attached Images
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01-17-2019, 05:14 PM	#2
soooma ///MD 1379 Rep 3,998 Posts Drives: M5 F90 Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: NC iTrader: (1)	Have same and it doesn't brother me It's probably hand wrapped ?! __________________ Life is too short even if you live to be a 100!! As what really counts is the few moments we are really happy and excited! -Kids, Family, Success, Career, Helping others stand on their feet (Paying back and sometimes forward), Travel, Seeking the truth, Reading, Hobbies eg ///Madness -
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01-17-2019, 05:21 PM	#3
Miko M ///M 6662 Rep 3,683 Posts Drives: 2020 M2C. 2020 X3M Join Date: May 2018 Location: Wisconsin iTrader: (0)	If you feel bumps that's from heating elements that are beneath. __________________ Life is too short...enjoy your life ///M
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01-17-2019, 09:13 PM	#5
MWcoupe 24k GOLD 148 Rep 1,453 Posts Drives: Mineral White M4 Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: BROOKLYN NY iTrader: (0)	My f80 heated wheel wasn't like that. My current wheel looks just like the picture but it doesn't really bother me
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01-17-2019, 10:51 PM	#6
///M ARMY Brigadier General 1003 Rep 3,051 Posts Drives: F90 Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Cali iTrader: (2)	Wish it was alcantara __________________ 2022 RAM TRX 2021 Ford Bronco 2022 BMW M3
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01-18-2019, 10:17 AM	#7
norbtx Lieutenant 337 Rep 578 Posts Drives: 2019 BMW M5 Join Date: Sep 2018 Location: Houston Texas USA iTrader: (0)	Mine looks like that as well. I haven't had a BMW in a while, I just thought it was normal. __________________ 2019 M5 - Marina Bay Blue/Silverstone
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01-18-2019, 10:20 AM	#8
wassy Private First Class 30 Rep 101 Posts Drives: 2018 Bmw M5 Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Weston, Fl iTrader: (0)	So far it seems like this is how bmw is manufacturing the steering wheel but quite frankly it's either a mfg defect and nobody seems to care or I don't know. I've owned many many bmws and never had this. X5, m2 and plenty of others. It's not the heating element, it's more likely the glue but I'm not sure. Well, at least their consistent. Lol
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01-18-2019, 12:27 PM	#9
Ever34 Lieutenant 326 Rep 519 Posts Drives: F90 M5 Join Date: Jun 2018 Location: Ottawa, Canada iTrader: (0)	Mine is the same. However, it's not as apparent as your pics. I'm assuming the picture makes it look a little worse than it is.
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01-18-2019, 12:29 PM	#10
URBAN LEGEND Rocky 413 Rep 3,085 Posts Drives: 16 M5, 18 ZL1 1LE, 18 M3 Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Brenham TX iTrader: (0)	My 2 F10s and F80 wheels never looked/look like that.
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01-18-2019, 01:03 PM	#12
GUNGASLOW Banned 192 Rep 390 Posts Drives: 2019 M5 Join Date: Jun 2018 Location: Salem MA iTrader: (0)	It helps with grip, it’s supposed to be like that
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01-18-2019, 01:43 PM	#13
TheRealBob Second Lieutenant 255 Rep 255 Posts Drives: '18 Bluestone M5 Join Date: May 2018 Location: North Florida iTrader: (0)	It shouldn't be like in the pictures. Mine has ripples, but on the backside of the wheel. The wheel appears perfectly smooth from a seated position. The only way I see it, is by shining a flashlight through the windshield and viewing the back. The heating elements must have twisted to the front on some wheels. I thought it was for improved grip.
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01-20-2019, 02:06 PM	#16
onfireX5 Brigadier General 3619 Rep 4,532 Posts Drives: F90M5,F85X5M Join Date: Jul 2015 Location: Va iTrader: (0)	My F90 is smooth. Wife’s X5 is smooth. X5M was smooth at 32,000 miles.
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01-20-2019, 03:34 PM	#18
jhbodle Captain 146 Rep 899 Posts Drives: F90 M5 Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: UK iTrader: (0) Garage List 2007 E92 335i M-Spo ... [10.00] 2005 E90 325i SE (E ... [0.00]	Mine looks like the pics you've shown. I was actually going to post about it myself. __________________ F90 M5 (Marina Bay Blue, M Performance Parts) / U11 iX1 xDrive 30 (Storm Bay) Previous: F82 M4 / F20 125d M / E92 335i M Ind / E90 325i SE / E46 318i SE / E36 316i
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01-21-2019, 08:58 AM	#19
F90M5C First Lieutenant 155 Rep 317 Posts Drives: 19 F90 M5C,17 F82 ZCP M4 Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: Sweden iTrader: (0)	Mine is smooth and i have the heated steering wheel
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05-01-2020, 08:44 AM	#20
amg55driver Private First Class 79 Rep 137 Posts Drives: F90 M5 Join Date: Feb 2020 Location: Maryland iTrader: (0)	mines like that, and it has to be defect from BMW. MY Raptor wheel was similar and Ford replaced it under warranty no problem. it was heating element showing..
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05-01-2020, 09:07 AM	#21
Earlando86 Second Lieutenant 125 Rep 205 Posts Drives: BMW X7 and F90 M5 Join Date: Feb 2020 Location: Atlanta GA iTrader: (0)	Mine is smooth from the front and ribbed on the back.
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05-01-2020, 09:16 AM	#22
Maxlude First Lieutenant 158 Rep 308 Posts Drives: E90 330D_SE_Man, F90_M5C Join Date: Apr 2017 Location: UK iTrader: (0)	2019 F90C with heated steering wheel, looks same as the OP's pic
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