Otherbmw

I’m looking to buy and have the dealer install a heated steering wheel in my 2021 RDX Tech package.

There are 3 options for heated wheels:

1. part number 08U97-TJB-211, which is the plain black wheel and is technically the direct heated replacement for my current wheel;
2. part number 08U97-TJB-221A, which is the heated red stitching A-Spec;
3. part number 08U97-TJB-231A, which is the heated grey stitching A-Spec.

I thought the grey stitching A-Spec might look nice with my grey interior plus the perforated leather is a nice touch. All 3 wheels are the same price.

My question is, is there anything different between the non A-Spec and A-spec wheels aside from the leather, stitching, and flat bottom?

The dealer, who will do the installation, says the black stitching one is the proper part number, and if there is an install issue with the A-Spec one I’m SOL.

Twism86

Maybe ask another dealer? I hate when dealers give those types of answers "Well, if it not a direct/OEM replacement you are SOL and on your own! Our corporate controlled computers (and brains) cannot compute a non-OEM error." Its all BS, they have techs who have likely done this before and can let you know if there are any issues with such an install. They are just afraid that their corporate overlords will scold them for saying anything other than the pre-written boiler plate answer.

Otherbmw

I called two more dealers and found one that was willing to answer my question and it turns out all 3 wheels are essentially interchangeable. I ordered the grey stitched ASpec!

Twism86

Nice! Eventually I want the heated D-shape wheel in my '21 A-Spec. Im not surprised they are interchangeable, every 3G RDX is essentially the same, just different trims and interiors.

Texasrdx21

Wish I had a heated steering wheel on my 21 - that would have come in handy on a -10f degree snowy morning (and remote start, not remote start by the app). May be you can list the other wheels on eBay or this forum for sale - to recoup some of the costs too.

Sanitarium16

How much they charge you to do this? Is it just adding the new steering wheel and a change of program to the PCM?

Otherbmw

My appointment is on the 26th but I expect it to be about $180. I was considering doing it myself but I just don’t have the time.

Sanitarium16

That seems really cheap for dealer work. One hour. Please let me know the final cost. How much was the wheel? Might end up doing this.

Otherbmw

Sure, I’ll post the final labor cost. The wheel kit was $368 and it includes the wheel, harness, control module, and new left side steering wheel control inlay with the heater switch. Pretty cheap considering…

Robs252

any update on this? I have a 2020 advance, and I want to change to the new aspec advance wheel