Steering wheel swap info please!!!

[ScooB]

Hi I'm currently looking to swap out my standard se b8 Steering wheel with a b8 s line wheel or similar. I've found a guide on how to do this but can anyone tell me if my airbag is interchangeable as most of the steering wheels on eBay don't have them.
I've done a search and can't come up with anything so if someone can point me in the right direction would be great thanks.

 

[razza1]

If the bag looks the same format, ie oblong type instead of round, it'll fit. Should be same number of spokes on the wheel ie 3 not 4.
I changed my S4 one for an RS5 one and the bag was a straight swap.
I have my old one for sale if interested, tiptronic wheel metal levers...

 

[ScooB]

If the bag looks the same format, ie oblong type instead of round, it'll fit. Should be same number of spokes on the wheel ie 3 not 4.
I changed my S4 one for an RS5 one and the bag was a straight swap.
I have my old one for sale if interested, tiptronic wheel metal levers...

Thanks so what your saying is my se wheel has 4 spokes and the s type has 3 so it won't fit??

 

[razza1]

I wouldn't have thought so, the cutouts where the spokes are wouldn't line up

 

[razza1]

The connector would probably be fine, but the layout of the surround/cover is probably different

 

[ScooB]

Ah ok that makes sense I suppose, and thank you for your reply.
And if there's anyone else who's done a swap from a 4 spoke to a three I'd love to here from them.
It looks like I'm looking for a complete wheel in the time being.

 

[Skard]

If the bag looks the same format, ie oblong type instead of round, it'll fit. Should be same number of spokes on the wheel ie 3 not 4.
I changed my S4 one for an RS5 one and the bag was a straight swap.
I have my old one for sale if interested, tiptronic wheel metal levers...

Sorry to butt in, but do all the buttons work with the RS5 wheel? I guess it is the newer version with the Nav button on the right etc?
Thanks

 

[razza1]

It's not a newer one, it's the round version of the wheel not flat bottom. I couldn't justify flat bottom prices.
It's thicker though and perforated all round

 

[Zafi]

I dont like the flat bottomed wheel as I cannot steer with my knee while eating/drinking/texting

 

[razza1]

 

[alpesh26]

Ah ok that makes sense I suppose, and thank you for your reply.
And if there's anyone else who's done a swap from a 4 spoke to a three I'd love to here from them.
It looks like I'm looking for a complete wheel in the time being.

I did a steering wheel swap in my old B7 (it's the same wheel as the pre-facelift B8) and if you have a 4 spoke steering wheel now, you can only use your current airbag with another 4 spoke wheel. You'll need to get a new wheel and airbag if you're going for a 3 spoke wheel. The wiring will be the same for a 3 or 4 spoke wheel.

 

[ScooB]

I did a steering wheel swap in my old B7 (it's the same wheel as the pre-facelift B8) and if you have a 4 spoke steering wheel now, you can only use your current airbag with another 4 spoke wheel. You'll need to get a new wheel and airbag if you're going for a 3 spoke wheel. The wiring will be the same for a 3 or 4 spoke wheel.

Ok thanks for confirming what razza was saying and I appreciate the reply.
Back to the drawing board for me.

 

[makelja]

No you don't need a complete airbag set. You can get the 3-spoke airbag covers from eBay and change it onto the old 4-spoke airbag. The cover is not officially sold as a spare, so you can't get from Audi directly.
I just bought a set from eBay yesterday. 3-spoke MFSW and an airbag cover.

 

[austin21]

As already stated above. A 4 spoke air bag will not fit on a 3 spoke wheel unless you change the cover.

It is possible to get the covers separately on ebay for about £60-80 and change them over yourself.

I've done the swap from an SE 4 spoke with buttons to an s5 3 spoke with paddles with no problems just needed to activate the paddles via vcds

Greg

 

[aro03]

ScooB I've just upgraded to a flat bottom wheel on my S4 b8 so have a complete wheel & airbag for sale. PM if you are interested.

 

[wrighty01]

I did a swap from a 4 spoke to a flat bottomed TT wheel with the round airbag, you have to slightly modify
the airbag wiring .

 

[ScooB]

I did a swap from a 4 spoke to a flat bottomed TT wheel with the round airbag, you have to slightly modify
the airbag wiring .

Thanks for the info and I think I've read a post or two about this. I'm not confident in messing with wiring so I'm looking for the straight swap option.

Thanks everyone for there input and if anyone else has something to add I'm sure this will help people down the line when searching hopefully.

 

[Andybubbs]

Hi Guys,

Sorry to be sounding a bit of a dunce but this is only my 2nd post....so....If I want to replace the 4 spoke wheel on my 2008 8P Tdi 170 SE Sportback I only need to buy a 3 spoke (Of any part number, I dont need MFSW just standard), a new airbag cover to fit 3 spoke and just re-use my existing airbag? Is that right?....If this is the case has anyone upgraded to a funkier wheel and want to sell their old one? (Am also after an accelerator pedal (As you can see from the pic LOL)

 

[makelja]

Nope.
Any part number 3-spoke does not fit with your airbag. In some cases there are different type of guide studs in the base of the wheel.
To be 100% sure try to find a steering wheel which the part number starts with 8P.
In some cases wheels starting with 8E fit also, but with 8K mostly not.
I have done several changes and with those in mind all of them have gone without a problem.
Or take the airbag off from the current wheel and take a picture of the base of the steering wheel. Then you can choose the right one from ebay for instance.