iBetterDoNow

If you still use original airbag, you just push it in and the spring will lock it.
Some flat-bottom wheel may need different airbag, and the locking may be different?

Tman007

Thanks! I'm going be swapping out my A7 4-spoke for a RS7 3-spoke in the upcoming days. I'll post up some notes if I encounter anything different than what's already been written.

jkwelsh

Hi, how did you get on with this?

I've just purchased an RS7 3-Spoke for my A7 Premium (it currently has a 3-Spoke sports wheel). Were you able to reuse the airbag, or did you need to purchase a new unit?

If you needed a new airbag, can you tell me the part number?

Cheers,
John.

Tman007

Yes, I was able to swap it and it was fairly straightforward, thanks to the good guidance in this thread and a couple of others. I purchased an RS7 3-spoke wheel and airbag together (which was necessary since I was coming from a 4-spoke wheel).

Regarding whether you can reuse your airbag, I believe the answer is yes if you're moving from A7 3-spoke round to RS7 3-spoke round (North America version like mine), but no if you're moving from round to flat-bottom (based on what I recall in these forums from other's experiences).

2008A6

If anyone has a used C7 3-spoke Sport wheel w/airbag lying around that they've swapped out, please send me a note if you'd like to sell. I have the 4-spoke that i want to replace with 3-spoke. Thx

jkwelsh

Just swapped by A7 wheel out. Very simple DIY job:





A7 3.0T with RS7 wheel & pedals fitted

jkwelsh

Here is a picture showing the round and flat bottomed air bags.

You definitely cannot use existing airbag on a flat bottom upgrade.

Also, from experience, any recent flat bottom wheel will fit the A7, BUT the airbag is specific to the A7/S7/RS7 (I assume same as A6C7 but can't check) The airbags from other Audi models is NOT compatible as the multi plug connector, whilst similar is keyed specific to the model.







Flat Bottom Airbag on the left, round on the right. Note different mounting systems (Pin on round, hoop on flat bottomed)

Tman007

I don't think I've ever heard a good explanation for why there are the two different airbag designs. Anybody know? Is the hoop/clip design somehow more robust or advanced than the pin/spring design?


Looks great. I concur with it being a simple DIY job.

One minor unforeseen thing in my swap job: My previous steering wheel was heated, and I apparently had the heat switched on when I removed it because now the car's efficiency meter thinks the heat is still on (even though my new wheel is not heated). There's probably a VAG-COM setting I'll have to change to get rid of that nuisance message...

DB22

2014 Audi A7 3.0 TFSI (S-Line in UK or Premium in USA)

It would be appreciated if you put your location in your posts.