We are going from an 04 to an 06 MCS soon, and one of the things I want to swap over is the steering wheel. Does anyone know if the harnesses are plug an play between these two wheels? Will the 2 spoke buttons work properly? Will the mode function work?

I'm hoping the harnesses are the same since they sell the 2 spoker in the EU.

 

Yes. JollyNut on nemini.org had it done. link

 

Before you swap the steering wheel, I suggest for you to try the 3-spoke wheel in the new MINI. While the MFSW buttons are much better in the old 2-spoke wheel, the feel and hand fit of the 3-spoke is much better in comparison to the old wheel. The leather in the new wheel is nicer/more BMW like in quality and texture.


Leave the wheel alone for a couple of days. You may like it.

 

Personal preference, but I've tried it and I like the 2 spoke better. I like the separate horn buttons, the controls on the back of the wheel, the Mode button and the stiching in the wheel.

I give you that the 3 spoke has nicer leather and feels fatter.

 

Great info, thanks!

Can anyone confirm the harness are the same and the mode button works?

 

to me, i like the 3 spoke wheel more, if u want to sell it, please let me know:smile:

 

Great link to the swap! Thanks very much for that. There is hope for the future

IMO 3-spoke = Blech!

Sure, it matches the door trim & console uprights, but as far as the MULTI FUNCTION aspects are concerned its brutal (in comparison with the original). I'll admit that the horn IS in a more traditional/easily accessed location, but that's all I find attractive. The buttons look cheap, and despite the finish its just a whole-lotta plastic in a tactile area + in front of my eyes.

 

I agree 100% about the cruise and stereo buttons, but the 3-spoker has a nicer feel to the touch and fits my hands a lot nicer than the 2-spoke sport wheel I had in my '04 MCS. I do miss the ability to switch the stereo "mode" from the wheel though. The leather is better too.

 

3-spoke or 2?

 

3 spoke.

I have owned all 3 versions of the MINI steering wheels. Our '02 MC has the original non-sport 2-spoke MFSW. My '04 MCS had the 2-spoke MFSW with the raised thumbs and the perforated leather which was of better quality than the leather in the non-sport version. The 3-spoke I currently have in my '05 MCS has much better leather quality than any of the 2 versions of the 2-spoke wheel. It feels softer, nicer to the touch, more BMW calibre.

But the MFSW buttons in the 3-spoke are not very user friendly. I wish MINI had retained the original MFSW buttons but with the better ergonomics of the 3-spoke.

FYI, the 2-spoke wheel is still sold as we speak on new MINIs in other parts of the world. I believe one of the reasons MINI discontinued it for the US market is because of the new "intelligent" airbags. I don't know if this is true or not.