[GMe90]

It's pretty clear that the e90 was a more dominant car of its time than the f30 as far as being a driver's car. Hopefully, the G series will go back to the magic formula of the e90.

[aacabriolet]

I'll just leave this here

And this

With a MPE and MPPK this thing will sound great!

[JustChris]

I had the VSS on my prior M235i and loved it, no issues.

[300hp]

Originally Posted by aacabriolet

I'll just leave this here

And this

With a MPPK this thing will sound great!

Thanks for posting this, that's all I have been waiting for. With MPE and PPK this will be a monster

[Powaup]

where's the video reviews? ya know I can't read

[bernpep]

Originally Posted by clemsonkev

argh!!!!

I am still holding onto my 2007 335i that I bought as soon as I heard about it's twin turbo replacing the 330i. It has been PERFECT for nearly 93k miles, especially since I gave it some JB4 and then Cobb love a few years ago.

The F30 continues to be a disappointment it seems!

Sorry to say, but I might have to go back to Audi or even take a look at the C450 AMG (even without a manual).

argh. I was REALLY hoping the LCI fixed all the bugs of the F30.

I had a 2008 335i that I really liked but after 3 fuel pumps which left me stranded it was time to move on. A friend has a 2015 and just told me he had to bring it in for fuel pump recall. Really BMW! Seven years & still f'ing up pumps! Nothing changes! Now numb crappy steering too! Whoa!!!!

[Diver]

Might be time for a VSS software upgrade.

[RPM90]

Originally Posted by NightWriter

Here's another review that provides a nice counterpoint. Maybe all the rest of these Brits copied off each other's notes before writing the same thing.

"Speaking of which, the response and feel from the revised steering system is noticeably improved from its predecessor with more weight, better response and a feeling of directness that was somewhat lacking before. Around the twisty mountainous terrain of the Austrian countryside, the 340i performed faultlessly."
- http://www.caradvice.com.au/366443/2...series-review/

That review was as positive as the others on the over all changes, but it much more positive about the steering changes.
A couple of the British reviewers are more in line with this Australian reviewers experience, whereas the other reviewers seem to have been driving a 340i with a completely different steering system, or one that was not working as it should be.

Thanks for this review too.
Good to read another positive one.

I'm really liking that blue color. Too bad BMW doesn't give us a no added cost bright wheel to go with the track pack like they do on these test cars.
The dark wheel is nice but I don't like it on the blue, but it looks very nice on the silver or white colors.

[Dmitry83]

Two years back, after taking a F30 320Xi followed by 3GT 28i and F25 X3 28i for a test-drive I had to buy...the old-chassis-new-engine E84 X1 28i because of that Electric Steering on F30, which had just shocked with its unstability and artificial feedback.
The steering reaction was lazy with rattling and noisy hits at the bumps and the pothholes. Felt cheap and plastic. Huge disappointment with no inprovement with LCI...shame on BMW engeneering...such a marvelous exterior with a "al-dente" chassis.

[RPM90]

Originally Posted by Weaselboy

I'm wondering if the issue is not so much the steering ratio change that VSS brings, but the increased steering effort when engaging the DHP sport mode.

In "normal" driving on say a mountain road, I doubt many drivers would turn the steering wheel far enough to get into the 100 degree area where VSS does anything anyway. So the VSS feature should not matter when it comes to steering feel at higher speeds like this.

But if you flip the DHP switch to sport mode on the current model there is a definite increase in steering effort. I'm wondering if however BMW has tweaked that is what these reviewers are not liking?

I have a 2014 335i with DHP/VSS and did not order VSS on purpose this time on my 340i. I did order M-Sport with DHP though. Production completed a couple days ago, so I guess I'll see how this plays out in about in a month.

Thanks to OP for posting all these reviews.

340i Msport doesn't offer a DHP option. There is an option to get the M-adaptive suspension. To get VSS you have to get the track pkg, which comes with M-adaptive, VSS, and Msport brakes.
M-adap and VSS used to be the DHP prior to LCI.

I too think that it's the steering effort control that has some complaining and the actual function of VSS.

But as we can see there are reviewers with completely different experiences and opinions on the new steering.
There has to be some difference among this fleet because there can't be that kind of disparity between pro reviewers if the steering is the same and working as it should be.

[lm1z]

Hydraulic. Rack. Please.

[RPM90]

Originally Posted by geddylee

I have the Pre LCI with VSS and I think it's the worst EPS steering I have tested with the possible exception Audi. That's right, Lexus, Honda, Mercedes all have better EPS systems then BMW. There is just no reason for high speed twitchiness it exhibits on the highway. It will then provide heft at very low speeds. It's the worst part of the car for me.

I too an not a fan of the steering in my 335i with VSS.
But I don't think it's the VSS, it's just the electric assist steering in general because even non VSS F30's feel the same.

BTW, my 335i doesn't exhibit any "twithcyness" on highway.
Maybe it's your tires and tramlining?
I switched to Conti UHP AS non RFT tires about 2K miles in when new, and they've been excellent.

[Serpent720]

My F31 VSS steering has clunking noise when going over some bumpy roads since new. Took my car to BMW Hong Kong and they said it was totally normal and safe to drive. What a xxxking disappointment!

I had owed and driven many cars so far, and none of them had this clunking steering noise. Frankly speaking, I did not expect this kind of issue from a new BMW car.

I am hoping the LCI model has got this issue fixed. Otherwise, it will continue to ruin the reputation of BMW cars being an "Ultimate Driving Machine".

If LCI F30 does fix the clunking steering issue, please update all infected owners in this forum about the New Steering Rack part no.

If this issue is not resolved, please provide some solution such as Steering Damper Kit Retrofit.

[RPM90]

Originally Posted by Dmitry83

Two years back, after taking a F30 320Xi followed by 3GT 28i and F25 X3 28i for a test-drive I had to buy...the old-chassis-new-engine E84 X1 28i because of that Electric Steering on F30, which had just shocked with its unstability and artificial feedback.
The steering reaction was lazy with rattling and noisy hits at the bumps and the pothholes. Felt cheap and plastic. Huge disappointment with no inprovement with LCI...shame on BMW engeneering...such a marvelous exterior with a "al-dente" chassis.

Well, some of the reviews state that the new system is improved, so perhaps some of us are overreacting.

As for the pre LCI steering, I can only speak for the early F30's prior to the steering rack changes BMW made after 10/2013.
My steering feels artificial in weight, and is numb all around.
It is nothing like the steering in former 135i or E46 325i, and not even as good as my '06 A4.

It is accurate and allows great control over the car.
However, the problem is that there is no "feel" to what is happening at the tires, and the changes in electric assistance changes too much.
Leave the steering effort at one freaking level, period.
Steering should go lighter as speed increases that is what naturally happens in cars with standard no power assist steering.
BMW is overthinking the level of steering effort assist needed at different speeds.

[metrathon]

If the update is so subtle that the reviewers cannot agree on it, it's not an update. I wanted to see a comprehensive update that will lift the interior from IKEA style to something more in-line with the cars from the 21st century, like C Class and the new A4.

Besides the engines, I'm not sure what the 3 Series has going for it. It's not luxurious like the C or the A4, not as dynamic as the ATS or the IS. What's left? A religious fan base maybe.

[r3dbimmer89]

Originally Posted by metrathon

If the update is so subtle that the reviewers cannot agree on it, it's not an update. I wanted to see a comprehensive update that will lift the interior from IKEA style to something more in-line with the cars from the 21st century, like C Class and the new A4.

Besides the engines, I'm not sure what the 3 Series has going for it. It's not luxurious like the C or the A4, not as dynamic as the ATS or the IS. What's left? A religious fan base maybe.

When has BMW ever changed a LCI tremendously? Never...that's only Merc. Yes, the C Class is miles ahead in the luxury department but far more relaxed in the driving department, the B9 A4 isn't out yet so who knows on how that will turn out, the ATS has a marvelous chassis but GM kills the package with so-so engines and crappy trannies, and the IS.... once again great chassis but still using 10+ years old engines.... so actually a 3 series isn't so bad after all...

[TheBingoBalls]

Originally Posted by metrathon

Besides the engines, I'm not sure what the 3 Series has going for it. It's not luxurious like the C or the A4, not as dynamic as the ATS or the IS. What's left? A religious fan base maybe.

You just answered your own question. From what you're saying BMW is exactly where it's always been - in the middle, most balanced overall. BMW was never the most luxurious and at times, was never the most dynamic, it's always been the best at doing everything well.

[Weaselboy]

Originally Posted by RPM90

340i Msport doesn't offer a DHP option. There is an option to get the M-adaptive suspension. To get VSS you have to get the track pkg, which comes with M-adaptive, VSS, and Msport brakes.
M-adap and VSS used to be the DHP prior to LCI.

Yes, I realize all that and was calling it DHP out of habit, but it is the same thing.

[Agamemnon]

I've never understood the complaints on the steering. I have VSS on mine and I think the steering feel is just great! I've had lots of sporty cars and sports car like a 300ZX Twin Turbo and a Mazda RX7 Turbo plus a whole slew of British crates back in the early 70s. My 335 ix has better steering feel than any car I ever owned. Mine you, I've never owned a German car before and, I must say, they are far removed from the average ride. Can't imagine how nice a Porsche Cayman must be.

[metrathon]

Originally Posted by r3dbimmer89

When has BMW ever changed a LCI tremendously? Never...that's only Merc. Yes, the C Class is miles ahead in the luxury department but far more relaxed in the driving department, the B9 A4 isn't out yet so who knows on how that will turn out, the ATS has a marvelous chassis but GM kills the package with so-so engines and crappy trannies, and the IS.... once again great chassis but still using 10+ years old engines.... so actually a 3 series isn't so bad after all...

I didn't say it's bad. I just said that excluding the engine, the car it's just average.

The reason why BMW never had any big updates at LCI is because ... it didn't need to. The competition was so poor that it didn't need to. But times have changed and BMW starts to run on the fumes of past achievements. IMHO, of course

[metrathon]

Originally Posted by TheBingoBalls

You just answered your own question. From what you're saying BMW is exactly where it's always been - in the middle, most balanced overall. BMW was never the most luxurious and at times, was never the most dynamic, it's always been the best at doing everything well.

I respectfully disagree. They don't call it the Ultimate Driving Machine for nothing. It used to be benchmark, the clear enthusiastic's choice. But the F30 left everyone scratching their heads and wonder where is the 3 series going. And it seems the LCI doesn't change that.

I know it sells very well, to moms and spoiled kids. For $280 / mo you can drive a 3 Series. That's great for BMW and I wish them only the best.

Hey, look, I'm not trying to pick up a fight here. This is the 3 Series owners forum, and ppl love their cars. I was expressing an opinion, for me the 3 was a disappointment and I hoped the LCI will fix that. That's all

[RPM90]

Originally Posted by Weaselboy

Yes, I realize all that and was calling it DHP out of habit, but it is the same thing.

I hear ya.
You likely know the following, I am posting it for those who may not.

This is the part that can be and is confusing:
"...have a 2014 335i with DHP/VSS and did not order VSS on purpose this time on my 340i. I did order M-Sport with DHP though."

DHP is not offered on the 340i.

DHP and the new "track package" are not the same thing.
DHP only included VSS and the M-adaptive suspension.
Track package has VSS, M-adaptive, Msport brakes, and different wheels.

You can't remove VSS from the former DHP nor from the new track pack.
To keep VSS out of a 340i you have to go with the standard car or get an Msport without the track pack.

I'm trying to decide being these items and options myself that's why I'm into the minutia of it.