Have a 2006 R50 with the three spoke steering wheel. Airbag went off in a very minor parking lot hit that is easily repairable, which I will do.

Any way to remove the blown airbag from the steering wheel without punching the two holes in the steering wheel? (what a dumb *** design by the way.)

 

Since the airbag is written off already, you might be able to hack it apart to get it out - destructive disassembly.
There's two clips on the back of the airbag that engage into the steering wheel, can you get these clips disengaged from the airbag assembly? Then proceed to remove the clips from the wheel without the airbag in the way.

 

Yeah, that did cross my mind. I've already cut all of the bag and the plastic cover away from it. I figure someone else had tried this before.

Seems like I could drill out the "rivets" or tabs and pull it out exposing what's behind hoping to gain access to the springclips.

 

You only need to punch a hole the size of an icepick in two places to remove the wheel. Pressure on the clips release them. The holes are practically invisible afterward.

 

Check YouTube - there is a clean and simple process to release and remove them. Look for any of the videos for 2004-2006 MINI steering wheel removal. First step (after disconnecting the battery) will show how to remove the airbag.

 

Not quite. The question is about removing a spent airbag without poking holes in the plastic in the steering wheel itself. Not sure you read my original post.

 

Nope, just Peirce it..

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ring-trim.html