06-26-2015, 12:39 PM | #155 | |
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The same was also said / written of E36 M3's. My fav of all time was without doubt the E30 M3, BUT, it was an all out track car. Back in my mid 20's I ended up only owning mine for 9 months, it just wasnt usable as an everyday car, as all the power is right up at 7-8000rpm, that gets tiring, but a perfectly balanced car. I moved into a 10 month old E36 M3, that I loved. Yeah the balance was whack in comparrison, but sort the suspension and get strut braces then the turn in and feedback of the steering was transformed. Was it on par to the E30 M3? no, but it was good, very good. I lived with one for 12 months and my 2nd for 9 years, kinda says something to me. Now I'm back into the marque and still learning with this "new fangled steering tech" (to me) I dont mind it. It doesnt have the feedback that I was used to, but then neither do the cars anymore, but they still manage to thrill the fook out of me, maybe even more now than they ever did!
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06-30-2015, 04:20 AM | #156 |
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I drove a vauxhall corsa before and compare to my F30, the later was a lot firmer especially at the static. i guess firmer the better that gives you a better control of the car.
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06-30-2015, 03:56 PM | #157 | |
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It's something I commented on when I did BMW's UDE a few weeks ago. You just gotta rely on the other senses to get an idea of what's going on with the tires. |
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07-02-2015, 01:53 PM | #158 |
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Does the 2014 C250 have EPS or hydraulic? What ever it is my 2013 328 is 10x better than that.
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07-02-2015, 02:27 PM | #159 | |
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07-24-2015, 02:27 AM | #160 |
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So looks like steering has been updated and considerably improved since mid-2013 onwards. Probably that's why some of us (including myself) are fine with the F30 steering. At times, I feel there isn't much difference between E90 and F30 steering. Maybe it has something to do with the smooth roads and 19'inch wheels.
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07-24-2015, 10:38 AM | #161 | |
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The thing that gives you more control over a car is being able to make steering angle adjustments and turn in's with the minimal of effort. It's a learning curve is all. I mean, if firmer is better, and road feel is everything.....why even have power steering at all? LOL
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07-24-2015, 10:49 AM | #162 |
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I have an M235i (comes standard with VSS) and just got a 328i xDrive loaner. The combination of Xdrive, non-VSS, and 17 inch rims with thick tires makes it NUMB! The M235i with VSS, low profile tires and RWD (I think xDrive corrupts the steering, because i experienced the same thing on the E90 and E46) is in a whole different universe.
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09-04-2015, 04:17 PM | #163 | |
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My opinion is that the higher prices models with options like M-sport and whatnot are still fantastic while base models have gotten softer to appeal to people searching for the Roundel and the image of being a bimmer driver. Hard to compare the m235 to a base 328 w/ xdrive. completely different target market. Although you have picked an excellent car
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09-04-2015, 08:28 PM | #164 | |
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I can assure you that while the F30 has lots of admirable qualities, steering is NOT one of them. Disappointing actually. The E90 is in an ENTIRELY different universe in that regard. p.s. After hopping back into the E90 after driving the F30 for a while, it's amazing how stiff the steering is. "Sport" in the F30 isn't anywhere close...the E90 almost feels like it doesn't have power steering!
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09-04-2015, 08:40 PM | #165 | |
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My brother has a 2011 E90 335i and I have an 2014 F30 328 m-sport DHP. We have swapped cars to really get a feel for the differences. While I love the tight steering of the E90, I prefer the F30 now that I have gotten used to it. In fact, the E90 steering feels like it doesn't have power steering, sorta like driving a truck to me. While my brother loves his E90 (what E90 owner doesn't) he would swap cars in a minute because he thinks the E90 steering is too firm. He loves my F30 with VSS. Who's wrong? Nobody. Its all about preference. |
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09-04-2015, 09:44 PM | #166 | ||
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However, metrics such as directness, linearity, and communication (road feel) are largely objective and nearly universally identified as lacking on the F30. Hence, MY preference is the E90...by a country mile.
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09-04-2015, 09:53 PM | #167 |
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Not sure what is all the fuss about EPS, I like the 2015 F30 a lot in both, comfort and sport modes.
I owned both, e90 and e92 The feedback is better on the e9x, given if you compare hydraulic vs. EPS. However, the F30 steering is precise, tight and does have some artificial "feedback". |
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09-04-2015, 10:06 PM | #168 | |
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09-04-2015, 10:36 PM | #169 | |
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Good for you. I understand why you like the E90, its a great car. I must say it took me a few weeks to really learn to appreciate the F30. Once I did some miles on the car I was hooked. I have no clue which car is a better performer. I don't go to the track so I have no personal feeling on which car produces faster lap times. It stands to reason that the E90 might be faster around the track with the steering directness, linearity, road feel and all. I did some searching but I couldn't find any articles where these two cars were tested on the track against each other. It would been interesting if a true track comparison, same tires and wheel size, same suspension options, same professional drivers swapping cars and seeing which are gets around the track faster. I know that even if the F30 were faster, that does not address the fact that the driving experience is less connected, but it would be good to know of those universally praised attributes of the E90 actually make the car faster around the road course. |
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09-04-2015, 10:47 PM | #170 | ||
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09-05-2015, 08:58 AM | #171 |
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I love my steering
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09-05-2015, 09:20 AM | #172 |
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I have a 2015 M Sport and from what I've ready they have made minor tweaks each year to the steering. I can tell you the steering on my car is a fair amount better than the steering on a 328i X Drive and a 328i that two friends of mine own. One is a 2012 the other a 2013. I'm not sure what causes the differences in feedback/road feel but there is a difference.
Another puzzling thing I've noticed about the F30 is the steering in comfort is too light, it's weight about right in Sport mode...BUT as you push the car in comfort, sport or sport+ the steering really livens up as you get closer and closer to the limits. I noticed this on my drive home with the car a few months ago but wasn't sure if it was just in my head. We're on a trip now with some great driving roads and I drove it reasonably hard last night and it was weird the way the feel seems to improve at the limit. I'm not sure if its the rack transmitting more texture/feedback because you're loading the tires and suspension that much more or not? But driving above 6/10th's the steering seems to wake up a lot...
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09-05-2015, 02:36 PM | #173 |
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I love mine too. Some have asked if changes made after MY2013 make the steering better. It seems like there are more complaints for the first 2 years of the F30.
Mine is a 2014 328 m-sport with DHP/VSS on square 18's with all season tires. I think the steering is great, especially in Sport mode. |
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09-05-2015, 07:38 PM | #174 | |
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BMW has improved the electric steering over the years
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09-05-2015, 10:14 PM | #175 | |
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I know what you mean. I have been a 5 series owner since the late 80's and I test drove the F10 2011 when it came out. I hated it. That car is the reason I moved to the F30. I've driven a newer F10 at the BMW Ultimate Driving Event and it was impressive, but the 2011 not so much. It appears the F30 has been improving too. |
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09-05-2015, 10:51 PM | #176 | ||
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The improvements are noticeable and the feel of the M sport wheel just add to the satisfaction. Almost makes the car feel worth the price, almost. By the way, ROLL DAMN TIDE! College football is back y'all!
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