Does the airbag have to be removed to do this?
Is it possible to sneak the trim by?
I want to color them black without removing the airbag because I'm not confident in the removal of it.

 

I really don't know.... But if you look at this, you might take the leap with the AirBag

http://www.billswebspace.com/MiniR53...stallation.htm

I was looking at this because I too want to modify the wheel trim (I want to cover it with Carbon Fiber look vinyl)

I have to wait for my car to get out of the shop before I give it a try.

 

that stupid silver trim does NOT come off... most of us have wanted / tried to no avail.

ended up wrapping mine in vinyl. NOT easy btw, it came out nice once, then some time later i scratched a hole in it. re-did it but its not as good.

your best bet would be to remove the airbag and paint it.

as for the rest of the pieces, yes, those all come off without removing the airbag. easier for sure.

 

so the three spoke area comes out easy, but the horn ring does not?

 

I would like to do the 3 trim pieces mainly, anyone done the airbag removal? Like to hear opinions or experiences before I give it a try. I think blacking the trim will really change the look of the interior.

 

Do some youtube digging. you should be able to find it. I passed some r53 stuff when I was looking to do the same for my R56. As I understand it, they're not too different. Yesterday I just switched from the silver trim the black (black option was for later R56 models). Bavmotors, you're right, it does change the look. The wheel loosk cleaner now. I still need to switch out the lower piece. I also switched my parking brake handle from the silver to straight black. Much better. Carbon fibre might have looked better, but I got the handle for $8. No brainer.

 

Old thread I know, but somebody might be interested...

I just replaced my two spoke multi-function steering wheel with a three spoke multi-function.

The two spoke comes off really easy by removing the airbag by unscrewing a couple of torx from the back (visible) and the central nut.

The three spoke is somewhat trickier to remove, because there are no visible screws to remove the airbag and reach the central nut. You have to actually puncture the plastic material. Just look for a couple of almost unperceptive dents or markings on the back side of the wheel at just about the 10 o'clock and 2 o'clock positions. Once identified, you need to use a small but long screwdriver to puncture those holes and release a locking spring on both sides. Kinda hard to explain but they're in there.

P.S. Just make sure you disconnect your Mini's battery for at least 15 minutes before the procedure to avoid the airbag light problem after installation.

Cheers!

Cheers!

 

I wrapped the steering wheel with the Redline Goods Alcantara cover which is great, but the little red airbag light has remained lit since the install. Not sure why as I disconnected the battery (for a week +) so any feedback would be appreciated to turn it back off.

The wheel removal is very easy, the airbag pops off by slipping a T10 torx through the little dimples on the side of the wheel and after some time the rubber basically restores itself to untouched condition, looks like nothing ever happened there. Use Billswebspace instructions, they are perfect.

I also covered the silver covers with a carbon wrap, much improved appearance. Looks great and was easy to do, removal is also easy.

 

Did you disconnected the battery at least 15 minutes before removing the airbag?

In any case, I think you should go to a BMW/Mini dealership and ask for an airbag reset.

Good luck!

 

The trim pieces are actually really easy to remove. They are screwed in by one torx.
I had mine painted black and wrapped my friends in a carbon fiber wrap.