[j05ma5]

I recently picked up a 2017 330d M Sport with M Sport suspension, and while the handling and dynamics are fantastic, the steering feel is… well, a bit numb. It’s like driving with a thick pair of fleece gloves on.

At first, I figured it was a worn steering thrust bush, so I had that replaced. It helped a little, but the steering still lacks that direct, connected feel. The car tracks straight, the geometry is spot on, but it just doesn’t communicate much through the wheel.

Now, I know the F30’s electric steering won’t match my last car—a 2008 130i M Sport with hydraulic steering, Bilstein B4s, M3 control arms, and poly bushes—but right now, the difference is night and day. Honestly, it feels more like a Kia Rio than a BMW.

One thing to note: the dealer slapped on a set of Nexen N’Fera SU1 tyres before selling it. I’ll swap them for something decent soon, but could that alone be making such a drastic difference? Or is this just how these F30s are?

Would love to hear from anyone who’s had a similar experience—any mods or fixes that helped? Or is this just par for the course?

[alohasurftoad]

no feel and vague on-center feel is par for the course. monoball thrust arm(UCA) bushings will have the largest difference. monoball wishbones(LCA) finalize the improvement. there will be slightly more NVH, however it is mainly if pavement is granulated and expansion joints. imo, the tire deflection and on-center feel will approach(but not quite reach) the "old school" hydraulic racks of yester.

i've switched both UCA and LCA it is one of the 1st mods i'd recommend. it's not inexpensive but it is something that makes a difference all the time.

the links below are for rwd. if you have x-drive order those instead.

https://www.millway.se/products/fron...-2wd-lemforder

https://www.millway.se/products/cont...-2wd-lemforder

if you have access to a press or know of a shop that can do it, you can order the bushings by itself, however i recommend it pre-installed in the lemforder arms so you can just do a plug and play swap, it's super fast to do it.
.

[mmm-five]

Also check if you've got the 'sports variable steering' or 'servotronic steering' option, as they feel different, and 'weird' in some situations...I leave mine in sport mode all the time as servotronic is unpredictable in how much assistance it offers in comfort.

[jmanB45]

https://f30.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=1944092

[ijelic]

I picked up a 2016 328i X-Drive with M Sport Package and Sport Variable Steering recently with 55,000 miles, I feel the same way. I own a E46 and E90, the F30 does not provide the exhilarating steering feel like the older BMW's IMO. But I think that's just the nature of electric steering.

On the other hand it does have other features that are better.

[TikkaT3xTac]

Epas Steering is shitty when it comes to road wheel feedback. It can be tuned better and worse.
Seems like F30 use Presta Thyssenkrupp steeringgear.
These gears have problems with stick steering and mechanical gearcog-teeth feeling with the direct drive gears.
To solve it partly or be less sensitive over the time the gear wears it has an Machin-learning function that will try to counteract on the stickyness.
This will filter the roadwheel feedback a lot.
Some gears will still give you stickslip and Cog teeth feeling in the steeringwheel.
I have tried several F30s with this problem and steeringgears in other cars with this issue.
I work as a Vehicle dynamics engineer at another brand

[TurboWeasel]

Most German cars have numb steering feel if you're comparing them to something like a Caterham or Ginetta, so you have to set your expectations.

I like the F30's steering. The strong self centering feels spot on for my tastes. It's far less vague than some hydraulic systems I've experienced in the past. With Pilot Sport 4 run flats I get more than enough feedback to know what the tyres are doing.

If the steering just feels completely shit in general, then there is some other issue with the car that needs addressing.

You have to remember the steering column is isolated with a rubber guibo, the steering wheel rim is thick and softly padded and you have fluid tension arm bushes, and if you've swapped run flats for regular tyres, well..... none of that is conducive to great steering feel.

[sygazelle]

Originally Posted by j05ma5

I recently picked up a 2017 330d M Sport with M Sport suspension, and while the handling and dynamics are fantastic, the steering feel is… well, a bit numb. It’s like driving with a thick pair of fleece gloves on.

At first, I figured it was a worn steering thrust bush, so I had that replaced. It helped a little, but the steering still lacks that direct, connected feel. The car tracks straight, the geometry is spot on, but it just doesn’t communicate much through the wheel.

Now, I know the F30’s electric steering won’t match my last car—a 2008 130i M Sport with hydraulic steering, Bilstein B4s, M3 control arms, and poly bushes—but right now, the difference is night and day. Honestly, it feels more like a Kia Rio than a BMW.

One thing to note: the dealer slapped on a set of Nexen N’Fera SU1 tyres before selling it. I’ll swap them for something decent soon, but could that alone be making such a drastic difference? Or is this just how these F30s are?

Would love to hear from anyone who’s had a similar experience—any mods or fixes that helped? Or is this just par for the course?

First, welcome to the F30 club. Coming from a 130M with hydraulic steering is going to be crazy difference. But, there is absolutely hope for you loving your new ride.

My immediate reaction was similar to yours when I bought my F30 328i with M-sport package new back in 2014. I sought advice and got 4 key pieces of advice. I did these 4 things and I went from questioning my choice to loving my car, so much so that my F30 is now 11 years old and I have no intention of letting it go.

The advice I was given:

1) Swap the OEM run flats with proper go flat tires.

2) Get Dinan Shockware Suspension Tuning Software

3) Get Monoball upper and lower control arm bushings.

4) Keep and open mind and allow yourself to get used to the difference in feel between hydraulic and electric assist.


I followed these 4 steps and I couldn't be happier. I cannot emphasize the 4th point enough. Having driven continuously BMWs since 1988, all hydraulic until my F30, I was used to that famous BMW feel. Make the mods you want and get used to driving your F30. Hopefully, you will learn to love the new feel. It does grow on you, at least it did with me.

BTW, the Dinan Shockware is only $150 or so + installation. You need adaptive suspension but I think you have that as part of your M-sport package.

Best of luck

[E90lova]

Ha all I did to my 2018 340 was install YellowSpeedRacing premium competition coilovers that is made for track and streetable and that made my F30 firm in steering feels way better than my 2014 even though my 2014 has VAC lower control arms.

[F36Vader]

I got my monoball UCA & LCA from VAC Motorsport, car is on PS4s very noticeable improvement like alohasurftoad mentioned previously.

[jmanB45]

Originally Posted by E90lova

Ha all I did to my 2018 340 was install YellowSpeedRacing premium competition coilovers that is made for track and streetable and that made my F30 firm in steering feels way better than my 2014 even though my 2014 has VAC lower control arms.

It's the upper monoball control arms that have the biggest effect, according to most reviews on this forum.

[keithyo88]

The mods to my 2018 340i m sport rwd were Bilstein B6 struts/shocks that work with oem springs, M Performance LSD, Rolls Performance sub frame brace, GAS control arm bushings and Apex forged wheels. Car definitely rides higher in front, and slight in back. Handling is good, but I don't track so cannot comment. It definitely handles more clearly than when I got it in 2022. Lots of help from [johnyu], [alohasurftoad] and the group.