[BmwFlooner]

Originally Posted by Musashi

Just test drove a 340i M Perf Steering, VSS. it is TONS better, and the base suspension setup so much better. I.E. no noticeable understeer powering at 100km/hr through a 65km/hr flat ramp... Caveat: BMW agent, 170lbs+, was with me so this planted the car more. And light alloys vs my winters. Cannot yet comment about Adaptive M, and my 335i also is on Winters right now.

but clearly, after test driving the 340i, it confirmed how wobbly and putrid the prev gen steering was. A wobble. Even in Sports +, my steering BARELY tightens. On the 340i it is very close to e90... Stiff, predictable and more hands-to-eye.

if there was a 2,000$ option to replace mine, I would!!

I have a 2013 335i VSS w/ DINAN Suspension + Shockware. I have no issues with my steering. I have a 2001 Boxster S that is my track car. Between the 2 I much prefer the Boxster steering for track use and the BMW steering for DD use. I prefer the heft of the Sport setting, and lowering the car and reducing body roll greatly helped the feel of turn-in.

I have a friend that just bought an M2. The steering heft is lighter than his previous 135. Most likely due to the go-flats. But what does that say about steering heft?

I also don't go test drive 340is to draw a comparison to my current setup. As mentioned previously, ignorance is bliss.

[The Automotive Enthusiast]

The steering on my 2014 320i was HORRIBLE. LCI has improved, though.

[STR8-6IX]

in my opinion, the only other manufacturer that makes electric steering to be considered even remotely as good would be the newer mazda's i have an f10 528i and the steering is perfectly heavy, very nicely weighted. tracks excellent on the highway. the turn in and feel is pretty good, although i would like a touch more steering feel. overall very good steering

[insanecoder]

I prefer mechanical systems such as hydraulic steering.. however I dont have any problem with BMW electrical steering its crisp accurate and responsive and the variable steering is great.

[eatsleepblink281]

wanted to get ppls opinions, does tire effect the steering feel? I know its all electric now but wondered if tires helped make the car steering heavier, which I prefer and not light steering like a corolla lol

I test drove a car and steering felt great (tires were michelin) but when I bought it, dealership replaced all tires to CPO it, but gave me stock Pirelli Citrato P7 Run Flats and now my steering feels light, could be just my imagination but wanted to hear what yall said.

If tires help, hope I can get Discount Tire to buy my less than 100 mile tire in for some Michellin PSS

[AudiA4]

Originally Posted by eatsleepblink281

wanted to get ppls opinions, does tire effect the steering feel? I know its all electric now but wondered if tires helped make the car steering heavier, which I prefer and not light steering like a corolla lol

I test drove a car and steering felt great (tires were michelin) but when I bought it, dealership replaced all tires to CPO it, but gave me stock Pirelli Citrato P7 Run Flats and now my steering feels light, could be just my imagination but wanted to hear what yall said.

If tires help, hope I can get Discount Tire to buy my less than 100 mile tire in for some Michellin PSS

Tire selection will have zero impact on steering weight.

[AGONXF30]

My 10+ year old MKV GLI has better EPS than my F30, primarily the feel of it and responsiveness it feels more natural. I still enjoy the F30 steering, just that on center dead feel drives me nuts. I have VSS, Sport steering, and Adaptive M suspension.

[Jaghave]

16 340i rwd steering pretty solid

[grancoupef36]

Originally Posted by AudiA4

Tire selection will have zero impact on steering weight.

Wrong. When I changed from runflats to non run flats the weight of the steering did improve abit. It got stiffer, heavier. Most noticeable was the feel. It felt more planted and had more of a rebound "bounce" feel when you steered

[AGONXF30]

Originally Posted by grancoupef36

Wrong. When I changed from runflats to non run flats the weight of the steering did improve abit. It got stiffer, heavier. Most noticeable was the feel. It felt more planted and had more of a rebound "bounce" feel when you steered

Not to start anything, but my steering feel did not change when I went to non RFT UHPAS tires.

[AudiA4]

Originally Posted by grancoupef36

Wrong. When I changed from runflats to non run flats the weight of the steering did improve abit. It got stiffer, heavier. Most noticeable was the feel. It felt more planted and had more of a rebound "bounce" feel when you steered

Feel, yes. Weight, no.

[Humdizzle]

I think the steering is fine for DD use which is what I bought the car for. if you want to feel like your in a sports car go buy a legit sports car like a miata, FRS, s2000, cayman, etc. Something that actually has a diff in the back. It doesn't have the best road feel but it goes where I point it and i can feel when the front end is about to give up and push.

Its a bit numb compared to the e90, but the e90 was numb compared to the e46 and the e36.

I heard from someone at BMW that alot of women complained about the e90 steering being too heavy. So this new system was a way to get more buyers.

[metallicpea]

704 static M sport suspension on staggered 18" OEM wheels/tires - still run flat (for now)

I won't say that I hate it, but it is the only thing that I really dislike about my F30.

It is accurate, but it is too light and has way to little feedback. It isn't a deal breaker for my daily driver, but it makes the 3 series less sporty than it used to be and it should be better.

More heft and more feedback would make it more enjoyable for me even as my daily.

[HotTea69]

Steering on Comfort mode is not engaging at all, however during Sport mode it definitely tightens up a little bit. Not as tight as the E series but definitely an improvement over Comfort.

I actually adjusted the setting so that

Comfort - no change
Sport - Chassis Only, Gets the tight steering without the drive train changes so you dont waste as much gas.
Sport + - Chassis and drive train.

That way I can drive comfort with the tight steering on Sport setting

[Danddd]

I find the center feel is missing so bad at say 70MPH that it almost feels out of control. One night last week, it was raining and there was road construction to one lane and walls on both sides. There was little feel to going through that, kind of hope and a prayer. Never felt that on my '06 E91. I guess being a road bike guy, the steering is what drove me to these cars in the first place. Other than the stereing, I really like the car, but I'll probably look in a year or so for a better driving experience.

[Michael Schott]

Originally Posted by AudiA4

Tire selection will have zero impact on steering weight.

In my experience this is wrong. Go flat tires with softer sidewalls definitely affect the steering weight. I would also think that the softer the compound the heavier the effort although this may be incremental.

Interesting that a poster above had the opposite experience.

Overall, I hated the F30 steering. The worst part was the lack of feel just off center. There's nothing there and it only gets slightly better at higher speeds. I now drive a 2017 VW GTI and it's EPS is far better than that of my F30. It's progressive and just off center it's excellent.

[AGONXF30]

Originally Posted by Michael Schott

In my experience this is wrong. Go flat tires with softer sidewalls definitely affect the steering weight. I would also think that the softer the compound the heavier the effort although this may be incremental.

Interesting that a poster above had the opposite experience.

Overall, I hated the F30 steering. The worst part was the lack of feel just off center. There's nothing there and it only gets slightly better at higher speeds. I now drive a 2017 VW GTI and it's EPS is far better than that of my F30. It's progressive and just off center it's excellent.

VW EPS is one of the best in the market. Like I said my 10+ year old GLI (Far from stock) has a better steering feel and responsiveness than my F30. Overall I am ok with the steering.

[HighlandPete]

Originally Posted by Danddd

I find the center feel is missing so bad at say 70MPH that it almost feels out of control. One night last week, it was raining and there was road construction to one lane and walls on both sides. There was little feel to going through that, kind of hope and a prayer. Never felt that on my '06 E91. I guess being a road bike guy, the steering is what drove me to these cars in the first place. Other than the stereing, I really like the car, but I'll probably look in a year or so for a better driving experience.

That doesn't sound right at all. In fact from reading some of the comments, it appears some examples are woefully flawed. I've driven F30 models and nothing like some describe. Steering weight (heft), feel and feedback may not be to some driver's liking, but the weird stuff, what is going on?

I'm pleased I drive a 5-series where my EPS doesn't suffer from all these negative issues. Would just appreciate a little more road feel, (more complex double wishbone suspension has a part to play) but nothing else wrong, no weird characteristics.

[AudiA4]

Originally Posted by Michael Schott

In my experience this is wrong. Go flat tires with softer sidewalls definitely affect the steering weight. I would also think that the softer the compound the heavier the effort although this may be incremental.

Interesting that a poster above had the opposite experience.

Overall, I hated the F30 steering. The worst part was the lack of feel just off center. There's nothing there and it only gets slightly better at higher speeds. I now drive a 2017 VW GTI and it's EPS is far better than that of my F30. It's progressive and just off center it's excellent.

If it isn't zero, it's statistically close. I'd say "placebo" might be a more accurate term. Regardless, I agree with you on the F30 steering...not a highpoint of the car.

[Bimmerius]

I find the F30 LCI steering (and suspension) much improved especially at sport mode (had 2 e90's and one pre-LCI F30 before)
also recently switched to non run flats which improved the overall drive but not to steering

[aksi]

2014 335 m sport here. I did NOT like it til I got M performance suspension. After the upgrade, totally different story since it did completely changed how the car behaves.

[Danddd]

Took my car in today to Bill Jacobs in Naperville today to be looked at for the steering. Made sure I got Don for my adviser as he's an enthusiast. Drove a 328 on the highway and noted much improvement at 80 MPH. I'm hoping they can get to the issue on my wagon. The 328 had 17" wheels and my wagon has 18" wheels, but the difference seemed bigger than that, but who knows.