Stretching to hold the Steering Wheel

[Sirius600]

I unfortunately didn't purchase a 318 with a tilt wheel. Maybe its because I'm 6'3", but when i pull the seat back to make room for my legs, i end up fully extending my arms to reach the wheel (im curently in a half squished, half stretched position when i drive).

So, is there any way to bring the wheel our more on my ti? Even if its a permanent fix, ill go for it.

[1996 328ti]

No US cars had tilt steering but it can be retrofitted.

I think you really need to simply play around with the seat to find a good position.

[ddiorio1313]

You ust have short arms...cuz I am 6'5" and I have my seat fully dropped, all the way back, and fully rocked back. The only thing that isn't in its extreme position is the recline. I would say that the recline is probally around 10 to 15 degrees reclined... When I first got my car I was used to tilt wheel, but I got used to using the seat as the tilt wheel real quick...

[Sirius600]

Do you think its feasible to get a steering column with an electric steering tilt from a salvage 325i or 328i and transplant it into my ti? How much do you think this would cost?

[1996 328ti]

clex2 installed one.
http://www.318ti.org/forum/showthread.php?t=3072

[clex2]

There is no "electric" tilt steering that came on any e36 that I am aware of. There was a manual tilt steering option on 1994 e36 2dr/4dr and before. After this, I believe BMW got rid of it for saftey/liability reasons. There was no e36/5 (ti) tilt steering. There were a couple of writeups on another board about retrofitting this to other 2dr/4dr e36's but none that I know of for the ti. I figured that the front half of our car is identical to the 4 dr e36, so why wouldn't it fit? The BMW ETK verified this. The only thing that is different is the lower dash cover and foam knee bolster. I purchased a used set of driver side lower dash cover /foam knee bolster off ebay for cheap to use a comparison/template. It proved not completely necesary, but I used them as reference and I sold them back to the ebay community. You can follow the write ups that I will post links to for all the mechanical modifications. All that is different for our ti's is having to cut a notch in the foam bolster and cut out a section of the lower dash panel for the plastic trim piece that is meant for the lever arm (see my pic http://www.bimmerboard.com/members/clex2/IMG_0815.JPG )
I used the greatest tool on earth for this (Dremel!). I can do this mod much faster if I had to do it again (prob 2-3 hours) but the first time for anyone can be a trying experience ( 5-6 hours). It was worth it to me. I'm not to tall and lowering the steering wheel gives me a much better driving position. Keep in mind that the wheel only tilts up and down about 3/4 to 1 inch, which some may find too little. The hardest parts are drilling out the safety bolts whoses heads had been torqued off at the factory and removing the steering shaft from the front coupling. Lots of pulling and WD-40. If you need more assistance, reply to this thread. I'm sure others may have similar questions.

http://members.aol.com/steknight/

http://www.apexcone.com/JimPowellHomepage/tiltwheel/tiltwheel.htm

[Sirius600]

Thanks clex, you're a complete stud! Even if it doesn't work out, i should have an interesting weekend project for the next few weeks. I'll put up some pictures when im able to get the new wheel installed.

[Silver00spike]

I talked to my mechanic who knows alot about e36ers (claims).

I want to lower the tilt on the steering wheel, and he says there are bolts which he could replace with longer ones to do this for me, and 1 hour labor or so

[Sirius600]

I stopped by a BMW, and asked one of the maintenance guys about this. He did in fact say that there were two struts that held the steering column in place, and these could be replaced with longer bars to lower the wheel.

This sounds like it may be a cheaper alternative than a full steering wheel retrofit.