For good cause, BMW’s modern steering wheels are criticized for their substantial thickness. At times, holding a contemporary BMW steering wheel seems like handling a serpent. Even some die-hard BMW fans have had their steering wheels thinned down. The thicker the steering wheel, the less sensation you receive via the front tires, the more difficult and uncomfortable it might seem to move the wheel. However, BMW steering wheels were not always as thick or as uniform as they are today. So, which of BMW’s steering wheel designs was the best?
Personally, I like the steering wheel of the E28 BMW M5. I’ve never driven an E28 M5, but I have spent some time in vintage ones, although while they were parked. And the steering wheel fits well in the hand. It has a large diameter, as did many wheels at the time, but the rim is thin enough that it’s simple to grip and feels quite comfortable. It also looks amazing without the airbag, and the three horn buttons are retro-cool. The sole disadvantage is its bus-like posture.
Another excellent steering wheel was found in the E46 BMW M3 CSL. BMW helms were thickening up at this time, but not to the point of parody, as they are now. The M3 CSL’s wheel looked amazing, covered in Alcantara with M-color contrast stitching and the proper diameter and girth.
However, the steering wheel featured on the BMW 3.0 CSL from the late 1970s is the ultimate greatest BMW steering wheel. The original CSL’s non-airbag, metal-spoke, precisely formed steering wheel was and still is stunning. Everything about it makes me want to get in my vehicle and travel somewhere. It has some thickness to its rim, but just a little, the holes in the metal spokes scream racing, and its plain, no-nonsense three-spoke design tells me it isn’t playing around. I’d install the steering wheel from the 3.0 CSL in my E90 car right now, airbags and everything.
I’m sure some of you excellent readers have opposing viewpoints, so let’s hear them. What was the finest steering wheel made by BMW?
