[buckybadger]

Does anyone else have these holes on both sides behind the wheel? I wonder why they are there... this is on a brand new X5.

[SCA]

Used to released the airbag.

[buckybadger]

Originally Posted by SCA

Used to released the airbag.

Can these be fixed by simply replacing the small trim or full steering needs to be replaced?


Thanks !

[Pictor]

That's the way they are. Nothing to really fix.

[buckybadger]

Originally Posted by Pictor

That's the way they are. Nothing to really fix.

Thanks, does your X5 have the same holes?

[BMWDude2018]

The fact that they are punctured indicates that someone removed the airbag to access the components of the wheel (haptic driver, heating elements, control switches, etc.).

I'm selling my MSport wheel for a G30/G01/G02 and had to puncture my stock wheel's cover to get the stock airbag out.

[buckybadger]

Originally Posted by BMWDude2018

The fact that they are punctured indicates that someone removed the airbag to access the components of the wheel (haptic driver, heating elements, control switches, etc.).

I'm selling my MSport wheel for a G30/G01/G02 and had to puncture my stock wheel's cover to get the stock airbag out.

Thanks, I'm not sure if I should get it fixed by the dealer and what would be the most conservative fix with minimal intervention.

Is it easy to simply replace the punctured trim piece? Or do I need to replace the whole steering wheel now?

I don't know how I feel about the punctured holes on a brand new car.

[BMWDude2018]

You would have to take the wheel off to take off the back trim piece and then reassemble. Here's a partial breakdown of the wheel from an X3 M40i (off of a G30).

https://x3.xbimmers.com/forums/showp...&postcount=463

If they replace the trim and then reassemble the wheel, screw it back on the column, then pop the airbag back on, you won't have any holes in the plastic covering. Not sure if it's worth it, but if it really bothers you, you could always ask the dealer.

[SCA]

Originally Posted by Pictor

That's the way they are. Nothing to really fix.

Exactly... every BMW model with airbags has these.

[buckybadger]

Originally Posted by SCA

Exactly... every BMW model with airbags has these.

Thanks I'm curious if you and others here can view the punctured holes like mine?

My M2C has clean holes and the columns are plastic, but X5 looks to be leather that can be punctured.

[mitch57]

Why are they punctured? If they meant for these holes to be there why didn't they just drill a concentric hole instead of making it a solid piece and puncturing it after wards.

If it's a brand new car that has never had service/repair or recalls performed on the vehicle there shouldn't be puncture marks there.

My X7 has these symmetrical indents but they're not punctured.

[BMWDude2018]

Originally Posted by mitch57

Why are they punctured? If they meant for these holes to be there why didn't they just drill a concentric hole instead of making it a solid piece and puncturing it after wards.

Probably a cost thing.

IIRC, my old 2013 530 had a hard plastic channels that were formed into the structure, like a tunnel for a screwdriver. Probably took a different manufacturing process to mold it.

[buckybadger]

Originally Posted by BMWDude2018

Probably a cost thing.

IIRC, my old 2013 530 had a hard plastic channels that were formed into the structure, like a tunnel for a screwdriver. Probably took a different manufacturing process to mold it.

I have the same on my M2C but X5 design is terrible.

[thereef510]

Please please tell me this is gonna be the new wrinklegate topic of march 2020! who's gonna be the first amongst us to refuse to take delivery because of steering wheel holes

[FreddyBMW]

Originally Posted by mitch57

Why are they punctured? If they meant for these holes to be there why didn't they just drill a concentric hole instead of making it a solid piece and puncturing it after wards.

If it's a brand new car that has never had service/repair or recalls performed on the vehicle there shouldn't be puncture marks there.

My X7 has these symmetrical indents but they're not punctured.

That's probably the robot arm(s) that hold the whole dashboard at the of the vehicle assembly line does it. You may google (youtube) a factory assembly video of the X5/X7 and notice it in it.

On a lighter note, we might make BMW engineers laugh at us when we point out over these small things. They want us to drive any enjoy the ride and not criticize so closely on it.

[LexxM3]

Originally Posted by FreddyBMW

On a lighter note, we might make BMW engineers laugh at us when we point out over these small things. They want us to drive any enjoy the ride and not criticize so closely on it.

Weird comment specifically about a German car — isn't OCD a national pastime?