Heated steering wheel underwhelming?

Dillinger · 02-24-2018, 06:13 AM

So I came from an f15 X5 and the heated steering wheel was excellent. Actually got so warm at times I had to turn off for comfort. I've now had my m40i for about 2 months and have noticed throughout that time that the wheel just doesn't pump out the heat like the X5. At times I actually forget it's still on and have to cycle on/off to make sure. Plus some parts of the wheel seem to be getting even less heat than others, like the bottom part. Anyone else notice an issue?

Zirenz2006 · 02-24-2018, 06:20 AM

I was getting ready to post a similar thread. I have noticed this as well in my M40i.

The heated wheel in my previous F30 got noticeably warmer than the G01 wheel. I plan on swapping the wheel out for the M-Sport version soon. Hopefully it isn't the same issue.

I wonder if the intensity of the heating can be changed via coding.

JSY · 02-24-2018, 08:22 AM

Same - it was one of the first things I've noticed. My F25 gets quite warm and even to the extent that some parts are so hot to the touch that I have to turn it off or not touch it there. (Actually, come to think of it, maybe my F25 is the one that's messed up.)

It does seem to take longer to get warm and it doesn't get as warm as my previous but I would say that it is still adequately warm enough.

sor · 02-24-2018, 08:25 AM

Mine gets warm enough that I contemplate turning it off when it gets up to temp. Like a steering wheel that has been sitting in the sun for awhile.

I know you can adjust the seat heaters via coding, not sure about the wheel.

tyranimo · 02-24-2018, 11:03 AM

My sales person said the m sport wheel won't get as warm as the sport wheel since it's a little thicker

sor · 02-24-2018, 11:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tyranimo

My sales person said the m sport wheel won't get as warm as the sport wheel since it's a little thicker

I wouldn't want it any warmer than it is!

SWOT1 · 02-24-2018, 11:22 AM

Warmed up a little slower than I anticipated, but to the temperature expected.

voyagergab · 02-24-2018, 11:24 AM

Mine gets warm quickly and is more than hot enough.
I usually turn it off after the cabin ambient temperature gets to a comfortable level.
Same for seat.

Keweenawbee · 02-24-2018, 12:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by voyagergab

Mine gets warm quickly and is more than hot enough.
I usually turn it off after the cabin ambient temperature gets to a comfortable level.
Same for seat.

Same here

Dillinger · 02-24-2018, 09:28 PM

Interesting. Looking like most are thinking it's plenty warm. Maybe mine isn't working to its full potential. I think I'll head to my dealer and try one off the lot for comparison.

BillD1953 · 02-25-2018, 11:58 AM

I've never owned a vehicle with a heated steering wheel.
I'm more than satisfied with the heat the wheel provides in my M40i
I shut it off after 5-10 mins..gets quite warm.

BMWDude2018 · 02-25-2018, 04:10 PM

Another data point - my steering wheel is warmer than my old steering wheel on my F15 MSport wheel. It can be uncomfortably warm.

I agree that certain areas of the wheel are hotter than others. I think the 9'oclock and 3'oclock positions are the warmest.

No1Cares · 03-05-2018, 11:34 AM

wanted to come back to this thread when I actually BOUGHT a m40i instead of just being a troll. well I have one now and first thing I did was turn on the heated wheel on the test drive and I was more than pleased with the heating capability. I also prefer this location of the button more so than on my 335i behind the steering wheel.

Terry Williams · 03-05-2018, 03:10 PM

my new x3 heated steering wheel seems to be just right, maybe you should have it checked.

Dzo · 03-05-2018, 03:34 PM

I often tell my wife that the heated wheel is what I bought my car for ! LoL
Not too warm, it’s a real pleasure !
As far as I’m concerned, it’s perfect for my taste (and hands).
It was the one option I didn’t have in my former car.

02-24-2018, 06:13 AM	#1
Dillinger Private First Class 86 Rep 126 Posts Drives: 2018 X3 M40i Join Date: Jan 2018 Location: Chicago iTrader: (0)	Heated steering wheel underwhelming? So I came from an f15 X5 and the heated steering wheel was excellent. Actually got so warm at times I had to turn off for comfort. I've now had my m40i for about 2 months and have noticed throughout that time that the wheel just doesn't pump out the heat like the X5. At times I actually forget it's still on and have to cycle on/off to make sure. Plus some parts of the wheel seem to be getting even less heat than others, like the bottom part. Anyone else notice an issue?
	Appreciate 0 Tweet Quote

02-24-2018, 06:20 AM	#2
Zirenz2006 Brigadier General 1572 Rep 4,575 Posts Drives: G80 M3 Comp IOMG Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: US - NE iTrader: (0)	I was getting ready to post a similar thread. I have noticed this as well in my M40i. The heated wheel in my previous F30 got noticeably warmer than the G01 wheel. I plan on swapping the wheel out for the M-Sport version soon. Hopefully it isn't the same issue. I wonder if the intensity of the heating can be changed via coding. __________________ Current: 2021 ///M3 Competition Isle of Man Green Ordered: 2024 ///M2 Zandvoort Blue Past: 2018 X3 ///M40i \| 2012 *328i* \| 2009 *335i* \| 2007 *335i Coupe* \| 2005 *545i* \| 2001 *325i*
	Appreciate 1 Dillinger86.00 Quote

02-24-2018, 08:22 AM	#3
JSY Major 578 Rep 1,108 Posts Drives: 2024 BMW X3 M40i Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: New York iTrader: (0) Garage List 2024 BMW X3 M40i [0.00] 2021 BMW X3 M40i [0.00] 2018 BMW X3 M40i [9.33] 2015 BMW X3 35i [9.50]	Same - it was one of the first things I've noticed. My F25 gets quite warm and even to the extent that some parts are so hot to the touch that I have to turn it off or not touch it there. (Actually, come to think of it, maybe my F25 is the one that's messed up.) It does seem to take longer to get warm and it doesn't get as warm as my previous but I would say that it is still adequately warm enough.
	Appreciate 1 Dillinger86.00 Quote

02-24-2018, 08:25 AM	#4
sor Brigadier General 3108 Rep 3,073 Posts Drives: 2023 iX M60 Oxide Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: UT iTrader: (0) Garage List 2023 BMW iX M60 [0.00]	Mine gets warm enough that I contemplate turning it off when it gets up to temp. Like a steering wheel that has been sitting in the sun for awhile. I know you can adjust the seat heaters via coding, not sure about the wheel.
	Appreciate 1 Dillinger86.00 Quote

02-24-2018, 11:03 AM	#5
tyranimo Private First Class 29 Rep 132 Posts Drives: 228xi Join Date: Jul 2014 Location: Calgary, AB iTrader: (0)	My sales person said the m sport wheel won't get as warm as the sport wheel since it's a little thicker
	Appreciate 1 Dillinger86.00 Quote

02-24-2018, 11:22 AM	#7
SWOT1 The Hammock Man 493 Rep 593 Posts Drives: X3MC, X3 M40i, E93 M3 Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Orlando, FL iTrader: (0) Garage List 2009 BMW E93 M3 [8.00] 2020 BMW X3M Comp. [0.00] 2018 BMW X3 M40i [9.00]	Warmed up a little slower than I anticipated, but to the temperature expected. __________________ - '20 X3MC \| Alpine White \| Black Alcantara/Midrand Beige \| loaded \| 295/265 PS4S - '09 E93 M3 \| Alpine White \| Bamboo Beige Novillo \| DCT \| loaded \| Chrome M220 Wheels - 275/255 PSS
	Appreciate 1 Dillinger86.00 Quote

02-24-2018, 11:24 AM	#8
voyagergab Major 634 Rep 1,083 Posts Drives: G82 M4 6MT, G01/F97 X3M Join Date: May 2014 Location: Calgary, AB iTrader: (0)	Mine gets warm quickly and is more than hot enough. I usually turn it off after the cabin ambient temperature gets to a comfortable level. Same for seat.
	Appreciate 1 Slalom508.50 Quote

02-24-2018, 09:28 PM	#10
Dillinger Private First Class 86 Rep 126 Posts Drives: 2018 X3 M40i Join Date: Jan 2018 Location: Chicago iTrader: (0)	Interesting. Looking like most are thinking it's plenty warm. Maybe mine isn't working to its full potential. I think I'll head to my dealer and try one off the lot for comparison.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

02-25-2018, 11:58 AM	#11
BillD1953 Lieutenant 235 Rep 421 Posts Drives: 2018 X3 M40i Join Date: Dec 2015 Location: Portsmouth NH iTrader: (0)	I've never owned a vehicle with a heated steering wheel. I'm more than satisfied with the heat the wheel provides in my M40i I shut it off after 5-10 mins..gets quite warm.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

02-25-2018, 04:10 PM	#12
BMWDude2018 Private First Class 101 Rep 177 Posts Drives: 2014 X5 5.0i Join Date: Nov 2017 Location: MN iTrader: (0) Garage List 2020 X5 M50i [0.00] 2018 BMW X3 M40i [0.00] 2014 BMW X5 5.0ix [0.00]	Another data point - my steering wheel is warmer than my old steering wheel on my F15 MSport wheel. It can be uncomfortably warm. I agree that certain areas of the wheel are hotter than others. I think the 9'oclock and 3'oclock positions are the warmest.
	Appreciate 1 Dillinger86.00 Quote

03-05-2018, 11:34 AM	#13
No1Cares Lieutenant 436 Rep 570 Posts Drives: X3 Join Date: Feb 2018 Location: VA iTrader: (0)	wanted to come back to this thread when I actually BOUGHT a m40i instead of just being a troll. well I have one now and first thing I did was turn on the heated wheel on the test drive and I was more than pleased with the heating capability. I also prefer this location of the button more so than on my 335i behind the steering wheel.
	Appreciate 1 sor3107.50 Quote

03-05-2018, 03:10 PM	#14
Terry Williams New Member 7 Rep 10 Posts Drives: 2018 x3 x30i Join Date: Mar 2018 Location: GA iTrader: (0)	my new x3 heated steering wheel seems to be just right, maybe you should have it checked.
	Appreciate 1 Dillinger86.00 Quote

03-05-2018, 03:34 PM	#15
Dzo Private First Class 76 Rep 158 Posts Drives: M3 Comp. xDrive Join Date: Nov 2017 Location: Europe iTrader: (0)	I often tell my wife that the heated wheel is what I bought my car for ! LoL Not too warm, it’s a real pleasure ! As far as I’m concerned, it’s perfect for my taste (and hands). It was the one option I didn’t have in my former car.
	Appreciate 0 Quote