BMW Performance Electronic Steering Wheel V2 - Pic and Video

I finally pulled the trigger on a BMW Performance Steering Wheel (electronic version).



The installation went smoothly, and I can't thank doba_s enough for the DIY found here http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=242963


If you are planning on installing the wheel yourself, power the wheel using the CAS module under the driver side dash. DO NOT use the cigarette lighter power source. It won't remember any of your settings. Follow this thread for the install manual and right way to power the wheel.

http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=609086&highlight=obd2+port+power

Thanks to Jon@bmwpartspros.com! As we all know on these forums, Steve Thomas BMW's customer service is no joke. Jon and the Steve Thomas team are the best!

A little video I made trying out the new wheel.

Can you change the shift light rpm settings and retain the change while having the lights work still?

Lagunae92 wrote  

Can you change the shift light rpm settings and retain the change while having the lights work still?

Yup. There is a shift lights setting page in the settings menu that allows you to change the rpm(100 rpm increments) for the shift lights. So they can go off at 1000rpm if you'd like, or you can change it to 2700rpm, 8100rpm etc.

My wheel defaults at 4000 at every startup. I ha it wired a different way where settings would store, but shift lights would not register the rpms or light up. When everything did work, it only lasted an hour or so, then stopped working. It is now wired as per the instructions, but settings do not hold.

Lagunae92 wrote  

My wheel defaults at 4000 at every startup. I ha it wired a different way where settings would store, but shift lights would not register the rpms or light up. When everything did work, it only lasted an hour or so, then stopped working. It is now wired as per the instructions, but settings do not hold.

Do you know where the wheel is getting its power? I ask because there are two different manuals and four ways this wheel has been connected amongst the members on this forum.

However BMWs techs are told to do it. I've tried a few other options, including directly from the battery. Are you from the CAS unit?

I assume I am from the lighter as per BMW instructions.

Lagunae92 wrote  

However BMWs techs are told to do it. I've tried a few other options, including directly from the battery. Are you from the CAS unit?

That's correct. The CAS unit has a constant power source so that you do not lose any settings. This is per the instructions from bmw for the v2 wheel. The previous generation wheel tapped into the obd2 port power source. A power source no one has able to find in the M3.

In your case, the shift light settings might be reset from a power interruption. People have noticed that tapping into the cigarette power source only allows for 30 min to an hour before the settings are lost. That is with the car off though. If you are losing the settings while driving for an hour, then perhaps there might be drop in voltage somewhere.

I would make sure that your dealer connected the power wires to the CAS unit. You can check by removing the driver side panel underneath the steering wheel and looking up at the CAS unit. Two wires should be tapped into the bundle of wires connected to the unit. However, since your dealer did the install, it might be best to have them take a look and recheck their work.

But if wired correctly the settings should save every time you turn off and start the car.

Congrats. I love my wheel.

THE TECH wrote  

Congrats. I love my wheel.

Thanks TECH! You have been quite helpful in the threads relating to this wheel:).

Can the light intensity of the shift lights be adjusted down? Maybe its due to the video but looks like at night it would be pretty bright and a distraction more so than a good situation builder?? Can the lights be adjusted along with the rest of the consul light settings then?

BimmerRob08 wrote  

Can the light intensity of the shift lights be adjusted down? Maybe its due to the video but looks like at night it would be pretty bright and a distraction more so than a good situation builder?? Can the lights be adjusted along with the rest of the consul light settings then?

I don't think it can be adjusted. I havent gone through the manual extensively yet. The lights are not any brighter than my dash, so it hasn't been distracting at all. You can leave the wheel off too.

jjw2331 wrote

Thanks TECH! You have been quite helpful in the threads relating to this wheel:).

Glad I could help!

jjw2331 wrote

I don't think it can be adjusted. I havent gone through the manual extensively yet. The lights are not any brighter than my dash, so it hasn't been distracting at all. You can leave the wheel off too.

Agreed.

This might be slightly off topic but people that were having problems getting the shift light to work, setting kept but no rpm reading, were making a reset button by powering the wheel through the fuse box can someone explains the process for this?

Awesome job with the install and the video! Looks great!

warp10 wrote  

This might be slightly off topic but people that were having problems getting the shift light to work, setting kept but no rpm reading, were making a reset button by powering the wheel through the fuse box can someone explains the process for this?

From what I know, that was an issue with the DCT M3's. I met a member who had the problem you stated and made a switch to reset the wheel. He got it to work without the switch but never told me how.

The electronic wheel has a steptronic version with paddles, however, it never states it being compatible for DCT. Many members have gotten it to work though. They should be able to help you with that.

6MT cars should not have this issue.

You can adjust brightness if shift lights and screen.

PARTS@STBMW wrote

Awesome job with the install and the video! Looks great!

Thanks for all your help Jon!

Lagunae92 wrote

You can adjust brightness if shift lights and screen.

Nice! Thanks for pointing that out. I got to try that later.

Looks good OP. Nice video too. Thanks for putting that together.

BMW would be killing it if they made it look like V1 but in full leather with all the bells and horns of V2.

Nice! I love mine and mine has been working since day one (cept my constant power is via the JBE module)..

Also, if you recode your car to have Efficient Dynamics, the led light blinks green to tell you to shift =)

Lots of features and easy install ftw!