A steering wheel swap is more than doable. JC swapped in a B5 S4 steering wheel, I (and i know the Devil) have had my steering wheel off several times. Just be careful not to set the airbags off

 

LOL consolation prize maybe? j/k Phil

 

Cold Weather Package: Heated front seats, heated windshield washer nozzles, heated driver door lock, expandable ski/storage sack (standard on Avant models)
Sport Package: Sport suspension, 7-spoke 7J x 16 sport wheels, 205/55 16 high performance tires, 3-spoke leather covered sport steering wheel (w/ Tiptronic controls with automatic transmission)
Audio Package: Bose 150w (170w on Avant models) premium sound system, Subwoofer located in rear luggage area (Avant only) 6-disc CD changer
Quattro all-wheel drive (standard on Avant models)
5-speed Tiptronic transmission
Glass sunroof with pre-select function, sunshade and 100 N force limiter
Driver information display (Trip computer)
3-spoke sport steering wheel (included with Sport package)
Sport front seats
"Buffalino" leather upholstery (2.8 models only)
Pearlescent white paint
Cool shade exterior colors
6-disc CD Changer

 

The steering wheel swap is easy... just use common sense and disconnect the battery first... its very easy just need some torx bits and a few wrenchs. took about a half hour.

 

the 96-97 wheels are different then 98-2001 you would have to change the whole column and it would be a lot of work i have two 3 spokes from a 96 and 97 they do not fit my 99 had to get one from a 98 and up. good luck

 

Okay. I did read that swapping could be problematic when considering the steering wheel from certain years.

Majority of the posts in this thread said, yes, it was doable. One gentleman said he performed the swap, but never told me what year the steering wheel was from and the year of the Audi it was put on.

The post against the swap states more specifics about the years of which the steering wheel can be swapped and those that are compatible. He also states what I would have to change i.e. the steering column. Who's right?

Air bags are wicked expensive and forking over $300 for an airbag is out of the question. So if I cannot swap the '96 Audi 3-spoke into my '98 Audi, would I be able to use the '96 Audi's air bag if I had a '98 Audi 3-spoke steering wheel?

 

yes it will work dont worry about it

 

I'll have some time to attempt/do the swap within the week. I'll let you guys know what happens. Then, it will be official as to whether it works or not. I am hoping the majority is right. Thanks for all of the help.

 

from what i have heard powersmokin is correct. 96-97 is different than 98+ and is not a direct swap.
you can give me the 96 sport wheel if you want though

 

So I have done more searching. If I am remembering correctly the splines from the model year 96 is different from that of 98. This would mean no direct swap is doable. But being as curious as I am I will try it anyway.

Having the feeling that it will not work I will offer it up for sale. First let me check the policy on posting items for sale. But it is a used black 3-spoke S-line steering wheel, w/Airbag (never deployed), w/o control buttons. The stitching at the very top of it is starting to unravel, seems easily fixable.