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      12-12-2018, 03:27 PM   #1
hhzh15
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4 series steering changes with LCI

Hi there,

I recently acquired a 2016 435i GC (departed from my e46 ZHP shortly after), built in 05/16. While I love almost everything of the car (EB II on Saddle Brown, M-sports, Premium and Tech package, Light package), the steering felt a bit too light and numb on my long drive back to home from the dealer. Sports mode felt a bit better, but not by much.

I have since started getting used to it until last weekend when I got a loaner of a 2019 440i vert during the vehicle service at my local dealer. The loaner has only the sports package, but the steering felt so good. It was properly weighted with very good feedback. It's the BMW steering sensation I do not feel from my F36. I drove both highway (top down and back road and every mile I drove in the 440i felt was really enjoyable. The steering was precise with the right amount of resistance that it does not would not jar regardless of the road surface. I felt that I was in good control and with good connection with the vehicle and the road all the time.

I know there has been a lot of complains about the steering in the early model years of F30, but the problem seemed to be addressed by 2014 with software updates.

I did not find much info about the steering feel of F32/F36, so I presume the 4 series already has the magic BMW applied to the F30. Therefore, I doubt any software update will help on my 2016 435i.

I can't help wondering if BMW improved steering feel further with the LCI on 4 series. Does anyone have similar experience or have driven both pre and post LCI 4 series?

Thanks in advance for any info.

cheers,
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      12-12-2018, 04:35 PM   #2
IK6SPEED
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Quote:
Originally Posted by hhzh15 View Post
Hi there,

I recently acquired a 2016 435i GC (departed from my e46 ZHP shortly after), built in 05/16. While I love almost everything of the car (EB II on Saddle Brown, M-sports, Premium and Tech package, Light package), the steering felt a bit too light and numb on my long drive back to home from the dealer. Sports mode felt a bit better, but not by much.

I have since started getting used to it until last weekend when I got a loaner of a 2019 440i vert during the vehicle service at my local dealer. The loaner has only the sports package, but the steering felt so good. It was properly weighted with very good feedback. It's the BMW steering sensation I do not feel from my F36. I drove both highway (top down and back road and every mile I drove in the 440i felt was really enjoyable. The steering was precise with the right amount of resistance that it does not would not jar regardless of the road surface. I felt that I was in good control and with good connection with the vehicle and the road all the time.

I know there has been a lot of complains about the steering in the early model years of F30, but the problem seemed to be addressed by 2014 with software updates.

I did not find much info about the steering feel of F32/F36, so I presume the 4 series already has the magic BMW applied to the F30. Therefore, I doubt any software update will help on my 2016 435i.

I can't help wondering if BMW improved steering feel further with the LCI on 4 series. Does anyone have similar experience or have driven both pre and post LCI 4 series?

Thanks in advance for any info.

cheers,
Any software changes could be applied to your car with an iStep update.
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      12-12-2018, 05:32 PM   #3
NavS
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I thought they did change the steering feel but only the variable steering. It used to be more sharp and step like and now it's gradual like a slope.
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      12-12-2018, 07:31 PM   #4
kingmonkey8
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I test drove a LCI 4 series recently. To be honest the car felt pretty much the same, I didn't feel a huge difference.
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      12-14-2018, 12:56 AM   #5
hhzh15
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Thank you for all the replies.

It seems that my car's steering should be similar to the LCI ones (non VSS). I think I will try software upgrade. BTW, is that free when the car still under warranty, or I have find something wrong that can justify an upgrade?
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      12-14-2018, 08:13 AM   #6
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Were the tires the same on both cars? Tire size, tread pattern and compound can make a huge difference in "steering feel".

Last edited by ChuckP49; 12-14-2018 at 08:15 AM.. Reason: mis-spelled word
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      12-14-2018, 09:15 AM   #7
kingmonkey8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by hhzh15 View Post
Thank you for all the replies.

It seems that my car's steering should be similar to the LCI ones (non VSS). I think I will try software upgrade. BTW, is that free when the car still under warranty, or I have find something wrong that can justify an upgrade?
I remember when I first got my 2013 428i, the steering was very light in comfort mode. To the point where I was almost steering into the next lane.
I got the dealer to code the start stop to remember last setting and I think they may have upgraded the software as when I got the car back, the steering was improved. But there was an steering update around that time. That was in 2014. I doubt there would have been any further updates since then.

Have you checked your tyre pressures? I find the car generally more responsive and the suspension works better with higher tyre pressures.
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      12-14-2018, 12:45 PM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ChuckP49 View Post
Were the tires the same on both cars? Tire size, tread pattern and compound can make a huge difference in "steering feel".
I've noticed Bridgestone Tires generally seem to feel a lot squishier than Pirellis. Even though the S001 probably do have better dry grip.

A new car also has new bushings and dampers. That alone will make it feel a lot tighter. In my opinion, the sport setting on the 2014 335i is a little too artificially heavy. The problem isn't the weight or accuracy, it's the lack of any kind of feedback.
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      12-14-2018, 01:16 PM   #9
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I'm driving an LCI 440i and used to drive a pre-LCI 330d. They have improved the steering - it's not night and day but there's a bit more feel and certainly more weight
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      12-14-2018, 01:18 PM   #10
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Steering motor changed for 2017 lci. Dump your old car and buy a lci
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      12-14-2018, 04:38 PM   #11
hhzh15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by anotheran View Post
Steering motor changed for 2017 lci. Dump your old car and buy a lci
Damn, I was afraid that is the case.

A few articles seem to verify it - suspension and steering were both tweaked/improved with LCI.

https://www.motor1.com/reviews/14456...4-series-coupe

I am going to test drive a couple 2018/2019 440i to get a better sense of the difference. Mine is nowhere to be bad, but just not as great.
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      12-15-2018, 07:33 AM   #12
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I have a 440 LCI and I think the steering is better than a one year older 3 series I test drove. Don't have variable steering. While steering is a weak point with modern BMWs generally, it isn't bad at all. Comfort mode is the best in my opinion. I have mine configured to use comfort steering even when the automatic transmission is in sport mode.
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