[geddylee]

Hi Guys

Just picked up my F32 a couple weeks ago and I am really enjoying it so far. I must say that the steering is the one really weak link to the car imo. The question I have is related to the feel of Variable Sport Steering bundled in with DHP. When my steering is in sport the steering is pretty firm up to about 50 mph. Once at highway speeds the steering gets very light at almost twitchy especially at around 75 to 85mph. I just can't believe the BMW engineers would program it that way, it seems absurd but variable steering by nature seems dumb to me anyway. I drove home in ECO pro mode and the steering is super light and sloppy feeling until you get to about 50mph and then it gets gradually firmer. It almost seems firmer at higher speeds then the sport setting which is baffling to me.

Anyway, I am curious if any of you have noticed the same thing. Feel free to call me out if it's all in my head, but I am really struggling with how the steering feels so far.

[geddylee]

Update, I went from Sport to Comfort to ECO at about 75mph on my drive in this morning and ECO seemed to have the stiffest steering at that speed. Has anyone else noticed this?

[Aaaaaaaaa]

DHP didn't appeal to me for this reason plus I have not had good experiences with adjustable damping in the past. My regular steering feels pretty natural.

[S4NoMore]

I suggest you search, via the forums and/or good old Google, to clarify your understanding of the packages and options you have.

Variable sport steering, aka VSS, substitutes a variable-ratio steering rack. Beyond 100 degrees of steering input, the rack ratio increases (you get more tire movement for a given steering wheel input) so that you can navigate parking lots etc with less tossing of the wheel.

Servotronic is the feature that alters steering weight based on vehicle speed, by adjusting the power assist. The goal is that steering isn't overboosted at highway speeds or under-powered while parking etc. This feature is standard on all US 3/4 series.

I can't comment on your feeling that the power assist is changing inconsistently between driving modes; I haven't noticed that, and I believe the Servotronic effect is the same between drive modes relative to their natural level of steering assistance. You could have a legitimate issue with the EPS, maybe worth looking into with your dealer.

[DantonIzzo]

Originally Posted by S4NoMore

I suggest you search, via the forums and/or good old Google, to clarify your understanding of the packages and options you have.

Variable sport steering, aka VSS, substitutes a variable-ratio steering rack. Beyond 100 degrees of steering input, the rack ratio increases (you get more tire movement for a given steering wheel input) so that you can navigate parking lots etc with less tossing of the wheel.

Servotronic is the feature that alters steering weight based on vehicle speed, by adjusting the power assist. The goal is that steering isn't overboosted at highway speeds or under-powered while parking etc. This feature is standard on all US 3/4 series.

I can't comment on your feeling that the power assist is changing inconsistently between driving modes; I haven't noticed that, and I believe the Servotronic effect is the same between drive modes relative to their natural level of steering assistance. You could have a legitimate issue with the EPS, maybe worth looking into with your dealer.

^^^^this^^^^

[Thumper333]

Love the steering, I have DHP with variable steering in the F31 and regular steering in the S4 (although the drive select in the S4 changes the 'weight' of the steering). It is a noticeable difference.

I think much of what you describe is in your head, over anylizing, however I can confirm that the variable steering even in comfort is very responsive. Had a time last month at night getting on the highway on a sweeping onramp and gave it some power to get up to 75 and then saw a pothole in my path, ducked the steering, not hard, to avoid it and the car just DARTED to the side. I joked to the wife that the SPORT setting really tightened up the steering..............then I noticed the car was actually in COMFORT. Played with it on the highway around 80 and it was very tight.

This is actually preferable, you should only be making small changes at speed (or if you are on a track nice to make a hairpin turn without having to spin your wheel a complete revolution LOL) and so the more responsive steering.

[sygazelle]

Originally Posted by geddylee

Hi Guys

Just picked up my F32 a couple weeks ago and I am really enjoying it so far. I must say that the steering is the one really weak link to the car imo. The question I have is related to the feel of Variable Sport Steering bundled in with DHP. When my steering is in sport the steering is pretty firm up to about 50 mph. Once at highway speeds the steering gets very light at almost twitchy especially at around 75 to 85mph. I just can't believe the BMW engineers would program it that way, it seems absurd but variable steering by nature seems dumb to me anyway. I drove home in ECO pro mode and the steering is super light and sloppy feeling until you get to about 50mph and then it gets gradually firmer. It almost seems firmer at higher speeds then the sport setting which is baffling to me.

Anyway, I am curious if any of you have noticed the same thing. Feel free to call me out if it's all in my head, but I am really struggling with how the steering feels so far.

Sorry you are experiencing problems. I have a MY2014 328 with DHP with VSS and I am not having any of the issues you mentioned. To be honest, it took me a few weeks to get used to the difference with both DHP and VSS. But, once I got the DHP settings down got a feel for the difference in steering ratio at slow speeds, I became a big fan of both. So much so, I can't imaging ordering another BMW without these options.

For me, the steering is plenty firm. It is even more so in Sport mode, but not at all light, sloppy, or twichy as you describe in your post.

The VSS takes getting used to. At first, I was turning too quickly and almost clipped a curb or two. Once I got used to the difference, I found VSS is brilliant in parking lots and driving on curvy roads at slower speeds. My wife and I just went from Morro Bay to Monterey along Highway 1. I have driven this route in other cars and always felt worn out by all the turns. With VSS, the drive was a pleasure.

Have your dealer check it out. Possibly a software update would help. Good luck getting this resolved.

[TheCamboRambo]

I've found VSS pretty intuitive, it didn't take long to get used it. Maybe a couple of days?

I'll have to see if my steering feels the same after 70 mph in sport mode. I usually use comfort mode when I'm on the highway and shift in sport or sport automatic when I need to overtake so I don't notice it much if it happens.

[Thumper333]

Originally Posted by TheCamboRambo

I usually use comfort mode when I'm on the highway and shift in sport or sport automatic when I need to overtake so I don't notice it much if it happens.

I modified SPORT to only control the steering/suspension, not shifts so I am in SPORT pretty much all the time. I use manually shifting most of the time anyway.

[HighlandPete]

Originally Posted by geddylee

....Once at highway speeds the steering gets very light at almost twitchy especially at around 75 to 85mph. I just can't believe the BMW engineers would program it that way, it seems absurd but variable steering by nature seems dumb to me anyway. I drove home in ECO pro mode and the steering is super light and sloppy feeling until you get to about 50mph and then it gets gradually firmer. It almost seems firmer at higher speeds then the sport setting which is baffling to me.

As had been said, this is a servotronic issue, not the variable rack. If you are driving straight ahead, nothing in the rack itself is changing with speed.

BMW's own description:

Servotronic
Effortless agility when parking, light-footed responsiveness and stability at higher speeds: Servotronic adjusts the amount of steering assistance to suit the current speed, enhancing driver comfort by lowering the effort needed to turn the steering wheel....

Thanks to Servotronic, driving along narrow streets or parking becomes easier as it requires minimum effort to turn the steering wheel. The power assist progressively decreases when the vehicle speeds up, ensuring greater stability, improved precision and smoother vehicle behaviour.

HighlandPete

[geddylee]

Thanks Guys. The car only has 600 miles on it, so obviously I am still getting used to it. That being said, I had two other people drive it and they immediately said that the steering feels ultra sensitive at freeway speeds. It's like you barely move the wheel and you are in the next lane. I notice this in sport and comfort mode, but not eco mode for some reason. I'll ask the dealer, but I appreciate all the feedback.

Blake