Navare Posted August 9, 2012 Report Share Posted August 9, 2012 Hello folks Just wondering what else is required/needed in upgrading a 1999 E46 323ci from standard triangle airbag steering wheel into multi function radio/cruise control? Many thanks in advance N. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
edber Posted August 17, 2012 Report Share Posted August 17, 2012 (edited) http://gren.exe.su/d...SW-Retrofit.pdf This should sort you out Edited August 17, 2012 by edber Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Navare Posted August 23, 2012 Author Report Share Posted August 23, 2012 Many thanks edber N. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nimraynn Posted July 9, 2013 Report Share Posted July 9, 2013 I have a few questions on this as I'm reading that PDF and I'm a little confused. I have a 323Ci SE built March 2000. It currently has the bog standard triangle steering wheel with no controls. I have bought a steering wheel on eBay that takes the round airbag and does have the stereo & cruise control buttons on it. Pic: http://nimraynn.co.uk/stuff/beemer/mfsw.JPG My first question is I've noticed the plugs for the airbag appear to be dual stage, but I think the triangle one is single stage? Will this make a difference or will the dual stage airbag be fine? Second, cruise control. Is it possible to get this working on a 323? I don't know much about them, but I do know they have a throttle cable that goes from the pedal to the throttle. Knowing little about engines and cruise control, logic tells me that there'd be no way of the cruise control to control the throttle? I honestly have no idea... so would it work, and if so, what do I have to do to get it working? Third up, is there any chance of the wiring for the stereo controls and/or cruise control already being there? I'm not overly great with electronics and I'm a bit confused looking at all the wiring in that PDF. If I have to, I'll probably take it to an auto electrician and ask them to take a look, but is this something that would need to be done, or could it all be there? Just want to make sure as the steering wheel was a bargain I couldn't pass up, but it doesn't have an airbag so just finishing my research before I spend out the extra cash on buying an airbag. Cheers, Mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
L333JSA Posted July 9, 2013 Report Share Posted July 9, 2013 (edited) You could keep the steering wheel but fit the centre trim that does not include controls as shown here... http://www.ebay.de/itm/BMW-E46-E39-Z3-Blende-schwarz-Sportlenkrad-Neu-original-BMW-1-/321020498171 You wont be able to fit cruise control on a cable operated throttle. Stereo controls you would need to retrofit and ensure that you have a head unit that copes with it. I'd research into the dual stage airbag setup before fitting to see if it can be made into a single stage setup. Edited July 9, 2013 by L333JSA Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
B0B Posted July 9, 2013 Report Share Posted July 9, 2013 A fella I work with has retro fitted cruise control to his V reg 323 saloon which is cable throttled, I miagine he used something like this http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BMW-Cruise-Control-Actuator-Unit-8369027-E46-E36-E39-E38-408-201-/290941980276?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&fits=Plat_Gen%3AE46&hash=item43bd7e4e74#ht_1951wt_932 http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BMW-Genuine-Retrofit-Cable-Set-Cruise-Control-E46-3-Series-61120016012-/121090833056?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item1c31937aa0#ht_194wt_1170 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nimraynn Posted July 9, 2013 Report Share Posted July 9, 2013 Thanks. I don't want to fit a blank panel instead of the multifunction controls. I don't see the point in changing the steering wheel if I can't get the multifunction controls to work. I thought that would be right on the cruise control. I'm not too bothered by that, just saves me trying to get it to work. I currently have a BMW Business tape unit with a 6-CD changer in the boot and I plan to fit an Andrive headunit in the near future. I take it there is no chance of having any existing wiring then, it'll have to be all wired up from scratch? Cheers, Mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nimraynn Posted July 9, 2013 Report Share Posted July 9, 2013 A fella I work with has retro fitted cruise control to his V reg 323 saloon which is cable throttled, I miagine he used something like this http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BMW-Cruise-Control-Actuator-Unit-8369027-E46-E36-E39-E38-408-201-/290941980276?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&fits=Plat_Gen%3AE46&hash=item43bd7e4e74#ht_1951wt_932 http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BMW-Genuine-Retrofit-Cable-Set-Cruise-Control-E46-3-Series-61120016012-/121090833056?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item1c31937aa0#ht_194wt_1170 Ah OK, thanks. I'll have a look at these and see. Cruise would be nice but not vital. Despite not using it very often, it is something that I miss having from my Astra H. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
uk345 Posted July 9, 2013 Report Share Posted July 9, 2013 Good information. Was going to do this mod myself. Just a case of collecting the parts required Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
B0B Posted July 9, 2013 Report Share Posted July 9, 2013 Just spoke to the guy at work who retrofitted cruise control to his M52 cable throttled 323 and he said you just need the wiring loom. It connects to the LCM, the wheel and the throttle body. http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BMW-Genuine-Retrofit-Cable-Set-Cruise-Control-E46-3-Series-61120016012-/121090833056?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item1c31937aa0#ht_194wt_1170 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nimraynn Posted July 9, 2013 Report Share Posted July 9, 2013 Legend, thanks for that Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
