Adapting 2014 i3 REx for hand controls

[elessarrex]

Hello, first-time poster here.

I am a disabled driver, a T4/T5 paraplegic. I am also about to be a new owner of a used BMW i3 (yippee!) I found a good deal on one with reasonable mileage and the range extender engine, and I can't wait to pick it up.

But of course, I won't actually be able to drive it until hand controls are installed. I have an excellent set from my current vehicle, which if at all possible I plan to transfer to my new i3. Hoping that the community might have some advice for me. Particular areas of interest include:

1) Ways to expose the steering column, onto which the hand controls attach, without damaging the plastic housing as I remove it.
2) Best structural members on the steering column onto which I might bolt the hand control rods.

And most important...

3) I understand that my i3 has a driver-side knee airbag. I can only assume that this would be blocked by the hand controls if it ever deployed. Is this correct? If so, can I disable that airbag without disabling all other airbags? How would I do this?

Any info, advice, and links to resources will be greatly appreciated! : )

 

[Anonymous]

You might try contacting these guys for i3 info on this.

https://www.jeffgosling.co.uk/vehicles/bmw/bmw-i3-2013

 

[elessarrex]

I found the Jeff Gosling store online, yes. I hadn't tried to call them yet, as they are UK and I'm North America. I suppose they might still have some good advice for me, so I will do so. Good idea.

Time difference will make it a bitch!

 

[Anonymous]

I was thinking more along the lines of you emailing them, and asking about their i3 installation


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zx3UpQR6q7I

 

[elessarrex]

Nice video! Thanks for posting. I hadn't seen that one yet.