Howdy folks! We have seen some interest from those of you waiting on RS4's for some European spec RS4 parts to replace some of the unfortunate US spec parts we are stuck with. More specifically the European flat bottom steering wheel with proper airbag has come up repeatedly in email and on this forum, as well as others. So we have worked up some bulk pricing:

<b><u>Retail</u></b>
RS4 B7 European Flat Bottom Steering Wheel - $681.10 each
RS4 B7 European Round Airbag - $679.25 each

<b><u>x10-19</u></b>
RS4 B7 European Flat Bottom Steering Wheel - $618.40 each
RS4 B7 European Round Airbag - $629.25 each

<b><u>x20-29</u></b>
RS4 B7 European Flat Bottom Steering Wheel - $591.70 each
RS4 B7 European Round Airbag - $602.25 each

<img src="http://www.euro-audi-parts.com/rs4interiorb.jpg">

Since this is a new market for us and a new forum for myself I will rundown how our group purchases work.

<i><u>Step One</u></i> - Interested participants will send information via email to us so we can gauge the interest in the purchase to lock in pricing. This is generally a week long procedure.

<i><u>Step Two</u></i> - We lock in a price based on the number of interested parties and send an email to all interested buyers with pricing that includes shipping to their location.

<i><u>Step Three</u></i> - We take payments from buyers. We generally set a week time frame on sending payment to be a participant in the group purchase. Once we have collected the proper number of payments we process the complete and total order in bulk to our supplier.

<i><u>Step Four</u></i> - We wait approximately 2-3 weeks for the parts to arrive at our location via air freight. When the parts arrive in bulk at our location we send out each individual order and provide tracking information to each buyer.

<i><u>Step Five</u></i> - All the RS4 owners finally get the proper steering wheel for the amazing Audi they have bought;)

During this entire set of steps I send out update emails to the entire group of buyers. You will be notified when we hit pricing marks via email and on the forum. You will be notified when all payments have been received and the order has been processed to our supplier. You will be notified when the bulk shipment to our location departs from our forwarder to our location. You will be notified when the bulk shipment arrives to our location and your order has been sent directly to you with a tracking number.

If you want to purchase the RS4 B7 European Flat Bottom Steering Wheel and Airbag please email the following information:

<b>Name</b>
<b>Shipping Address</b>
<b>Year/Model</b>
<b>Payment Preference</b> (We prefer Paypal for GP payments)

Please send this information to: <a href="mailto:contact@euro-audi-parts.com?subject=Europrice Inquiry - RS4 B7 Steering Wheel and Airbag GP">contact@euro-audi-parts.com</a>.

The steering wheel is a direct fitment for the US spec RS4 B7 and the airbag will work with your US airbag control module. Use of the buttons is up to the installer of the wheel in determining their use and function.

If you have any questions or comments please let me know either here or via email. Hopefully we can hit the 20+ mark for the best pricing and get folks setup with this great steering wheel on the RS4 like it should be from the factory!

Thanks,

...that it's possible? and can you provide any guidance for the installer?

TIA.

I was told B6's must do something with the wiring to get it to work, but the airbag works fine in a B7.

the statement was made without substantiation and this is where it is at. The wheel is not functional except for the steering afaik. Alot of people are paying big bucks and it's gonna bite them in the ass and let's not even mention if the airbag isn't functional and an accident occurs......it's a LIABILITIY for the owner either way.

not worth it, IMHO. even if it was a factory option made available in the US, it wouldn't be worth $1200.

it is to me ;-)

if it actually works (airbag and most functions).

1200, no.

the smart thing would be to set up a core return program, so you could get something for the OEM US-spec wheel. it's likely to be worth something to the B7 A4/S4 guys.

count me in

shoot me an email if you make any progress... THANKS!!

rs4@kinsel.org

...the whole terror thing was staged by the US gov't. i'm putting my money on charlie. he always seems really smart and stable.

;-)

privately which would likely net more money anyway than a core program through a seller. It appears B5/B6 and other folks have been fitting these wheels as well with wiring modification.

Cheers,

which we are not working on a plug and play setup for.

The European and US airbag controllers are different based on single and dual stage firing of airbags. The airbag controller looks for a specific resistance to determine if the airbag is present, if the clock spring is working and the wiring is intact. The RS4 European airbag unit provides the same resistance and will not throw a code when installed properly. It will work with the US controller.

If you are familiar with Euro and US Audi parts programs you will note that the same models in the US and European markets share 90% of the same airbags. They vary on engine, model and steering wheel type. US and European models share the same airbags in by these same guidelines, BUT they use different controllers. The reason we do not have an RS4 B7 Euro Steering Wheel compatible airbag in the US is that we do not have this combination or engine, model and steering wheel type anywhere in the lineup. The A8 round airbag is the same shape and will bolt into the RS4 B7 European Flat Bottom Steering Wheel, BUT it is designated for the A8 engine, model and it just happens to be a similar steering wheel type.

If you are familiar with the original RS4. in Europe it came with it's own steering wheel, though oddly enough it didn't use the same shape airbag unit as the S4 of the same era. It used a newly designed steering wheel and airbag that was later fitted to all larger displacement US and Euro market V6 models for the B6. Similar body type and engine type, so Audi used that airbag in those models after the RS4. Euro and US models used different airbag controllers with the same airbag.

There isn't any likely reason the RS4 B7 European Airbag will not work safely and properly with a US borne RS4. I believe there are B7, B6 and even a B5 fellow that are running this setup with a functional airbag. The B6 and B5 guys have to perform modification as they do not use the same clock spring, the Euro and US regular and flat bottom wheels use the exact same clock spring.

I personally run an RS4 B5 steering wheel and US spec V6 airbag form am A4 B6. It's even spec'd that way by Audi in Europe. There isn't a market distinction in airbags, there is a market distinction in controllers however based on crash standards.

Cheers,

I understand that you calculated the cost and prices on the basis of those with air freight according to your initial post.

but only if the airbag is going to work.

We'll only crash it hard enough to deploy the airbags so you don't have to worry about much damage. It would even be a good excuse to get the Euro front bumper cover. You could leave it primered, put on a coffee can exhaust and throw on a few stickers. You would have the fastest riced-out RS4 on the road.

Seriously though, I would like to know the airbag feature works before I drop $1200.