Sports Package with 18" Wheels People, Please Come In... - BMW 3-Series (E90 E92) Forum

sle39lvr · 10-18-2011, 04:56 PM

I just went from 16" RFT's to 18" OEM non-RFT's. I wasn't thrilled with the steering before, too light for my taste, but now I think it is way too heavy. Steering feels very accurate but it's almost to the point that my forearms are starting to ache after a long drive around the city.

I just want to know if this is the same for all of you with sports suspension and 18's...

roadkillrob · 10-18-2011, 05:53 PM

Mine is nicely balanced, not too heavy in my book - make sure your tire pressures are correct for the size tires you have, tire pressure makes a huge difference on the RFT's

e90sexion · 10-18-2011, 05:59 PM

he has non RFT now, and to OP, you will get eventually used to it.

Wires · 10-18-2011, 06:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sle39lvr

I just went from 16" RFT's to 18" OEM non-RFT's. I wasn't thrilled with the steering before, too light for my taste, but now I think it is way too heavy. Steering feels very accurate but it's almost to the point that my forearms are starting to ache after a long drive around the city.

I just want to know if this is the same for all of you with sports suspension and 18's...

Don't have a problem with mine. Feels fine. What size of tires did you put on? Are the fronts a lot wider than before?

I know on my other truck (when I put on the fat summer tires), it was a PITA in the city since it would ride in/out of grooved pavement. The OEM sized tires I used for winter were fine.

Scrubber · 10-18-2011, 06:42 PM

Hit the gym, quitcher cryin.

Scrubber · 10-18-2011, 06:42 PM

Hit the gym, quitcher cryin.

sle39lvr · 10-18-2011, 07:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wires

Don't have a problem with mine. Feels fine. What size of tires did you put on? Are the fronts a lot wider than before?

I know on my other truck (when I put on the fat summer tires), it was a PITA in the city since it would ride in/out of grooved pavement. The OEM sized tires I used for winter were fine.

Same size. I do not have sports suspension, not sure how that factors in.

JulieDriving · 10-18-2011, 08:21 PM

I have the sports package with 18" wheels. I like the heft. It doesn't feel too heavy to me, it fact I wish all cars were like that. And I'm a woman with weak arms and small hands.

So....... maybe something's wrong with your set-up........

Numark318i · 10-18-2011, 08:24 PM

Compared to most cars my steering is heavy with my 18's, however I got used to it in about a week. Now when I drive other cars I feel there steering is too light.

be1ieve1111 · 10-18-2011, 08:28 PM

I http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=328497

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=500946

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=423679

The idea is that you get used to it because it's normal.

mofbb · 10-18-2011, 10:23 PM

it's normal, after a week or two you will get used to it. Btw i love my heavy steering.

Bumer · 10-18-2011, 10:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scrubber

Hit the gym, quitcher cryin.

Yeah man! Hit the gym.

Bimmer84 · 10-19-2011, 02:16 AM

Hey, after a while will he get used to it? I was just wondering...

I agree with hitting the gym... your forearms should not hurt from driving unless you did a power steering delete.... for weight reduction maybe?

sle39lvr · 10-19-2011, 02:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bimmer84

Hey, after a while will he get used to it? I was just wondering...

I agree with hitting the gym... your forearms should not hurt from driving unless you did a power steering delete.... for weight reduction maybe?

Lol, i do not mean that literally. But it kind of surprises me due to the fact so many tiny girls driving this car around with this set up....

3me · 10-19-2011, 04:06 AM

Sports suspension with a stick..which means I have to turn on a dime in parking lots with one hand sometimes. It can be pretty heavy. I have 17s about to put on 19s. I think its mainly the suspension but you will probably feel a difference. ill let you know how the 19s turn

J02 335i · 10-19-2011, 04:45 AM

Sounds like the op needs to take off his dress, j/k. I had the sport suspension and factory run flat 18's before I installed H&R sports and half inch wider front rims and 1 inch wider rear rims, the steering feel is perfect, if anything if could be heavier imo. There is other possibilities they you may have an upper strut bearing thats starting to seize up or a ball joint starting to seize which will all play a roll in steering feel, but I highly doubt you will have any of these problems yet.

roundel335 · 10-19-2011, 09:12 AM

Both of my cars are running 18x8 wheels with 225/40 non-runflat tires on the fronts. My wife and I have no problems driving either car, and the 128i was upgraded from 17" runflats. Both have sport/M-sport suspension. The 128 handles much better with the 18s.

dcat151 · 10-19-2011, 10:23 AM

The steering on mine was a bit heavier than my previous cars, but nothing too bad. I got used to it after a couple of drives and now actually prefer it.

Wires · 10-20-2011, 08:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sle39lvr

Same size. I do not have sports suspension, not sure how that factors in.

I believe the sport suspension just stiffens the ride, and should impact steering.

MrPig · 10-20-2011, 08:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Numark318i

Compared to most cars my steering is heavy with my 18's, however I got used to it in about a week. Now when I drive other cars I feel there steering is too light.

This.

tunachris · 10-20-2011, 08:36 AM

Never noticed that the steering feels heavy. Went from Pilot Sport RFT to Pilot Sprot non-RFT. Never noticed any change other than improvement in ride quality.

shockin330i · 10-20-2011, 08:53 AM

Werd, never noticed any heaviness. However my ex girlfriend always said that my steering felt heavy and if it was normal. I told her I didnt know what I was talking about. In her defense she's about 5'1 and about 115lbs.

10-18-2011, 04:56 PM	#1
sle39lvr First Lieutenant Drives: 08 328i Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: United States Posts: 396 iTrader: (3)	Sports Package with 18" Wheels People, Please Come In... I just went from 16" RFT's to 18" OEM non-RFT's. I wasn't thrilled with the steering before, too light for my taste, but now I think it is way too heavy. Steering feels very accurate but it's almost to the point that my forearms are starting to ache after a long drive around the city. I just want to know if this is the same for all of you with sports suspension and 18's...
	Tweet

10-18-2011, 05:53 PM	#2
roadkillrob Brigadier General Drives: 2008 335Cic, 2011 X5 35i Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Boston Posts: 3,278 iTrader: (13)	Mine is nicely balanced, not too heavy in my book - make sure your tire pressures are correct for the size tires you have, tire pressure makes a huge difference on the RFT's __________________ 2008 E93 335i 2014 X3 35i

10-18-2011, 05:59 PM	#3
e90sexion E 9 0 S E X I O N Drives: like old times Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Vancouver/WA Posts: 5,361 iTrader: (16)	he has non RFT now, and to OP, you will get eventually used to it. __________________ KW \| VOLK TE37SL \| RECARO \| BMW PE

10-18-2011, 08:21 PM	#8
JulieDriving Female driving enthusiast :P Drives: Bimmer Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 2,235 iTrader: (0) Garage List 2010 BMW 335i Coupe [5.00] 2013 BMW M3 Coupe [5.00]	I have the sports package with 18" wheels. I like the heft. It doesn't feel too heavy to me, it fact I wish all cars were like that. And I'm a woman with weak arms and small hands. So....... maybe something's wrong with your set-up........ __________________ Present: 2013 M3 coupe (Azurite Black, Black, Piano Black) Past: 2010 335i coupe (Monaco Blue, Cream Beige, Grey Poplar)

10-18-2011, 08:24 PM	#9
Numark318i Private First Class Drives: 2008 E92 328i Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Cotati CA Posts: 162 iTrader: (0)	Compared to most cars my steering is heavy with my 18's, however I got used to it in about a week. Now when I drive other cars I feel there steering is too light. __________________ Monaco Blue 2008 328i/Sports/6 Speed

10-18-2011, 06:42 PM	#5
Scrubber Private Drives: 2010 335i Coupe Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Tacoma, WA Posts: 71 iTrader: (0)	Hit the gym, quitcher cryin.

10-18-2011, 08:28 PM	#10
be1ieve1111 Thread Killer Drives: 2007 E92 335i Join Date: May 2010 Location: NW Indiana Posts: 920 iTrader: (9)	I http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=328497 http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=500946 http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=423679 The idea is that you get used to it because it's normal. Last edited by be1ieve1111; 10-18-2011 at 08:47 PM.

10-18-2011, 10:23 PM	#11
mofbb Lieutenant Drives: '13 E92 M3 Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: British Columbia Posts: 478 iTrader: (0)	it's normal, after a week or two you will get used to it. Btw i love my heavy steering. __________________ 335i Cabriolet Jet Black/Coral Red - Retired but will never be forgotten M3 Coupé DCT Competition Package Mineral White/Fox Red E9X Picture Game: 2 points (Slow sign, Leaves)

10-19-2011, 02:16 AM	#13
Bimmer84 Guardian of the Night Drives: 2010 335i M Sport Coupe Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: San Antonio Posts: 1,820 iTrader: (5) Garage List 2010 335i E92 [3.75]	Hey, after a while will he get used to it? I was just wondering... I agree with hitting the gym... your forearms should not hurt from driving unless you did a power steering delete.... for weight reduction maybe? __________________ 2010 335i M Sport Coupe -- Black Sapphire Metallic\|Coral Red\|Loaded\|JB4 Stage 3\|BMS DCI\|VRSF DPs\|Camaross 6k AE\|Performance Gloss Black Grilles\|CF Performance Spoiler\|CF Quad Diffuser\|Double Layer Black Chrome Quad Tips\|CF Roundels\|Smoked Reflectors\|Red Cyba Scoops\|193s Painted Lamborghini Metallic Dark Gray

10-19-2011, 04:06 AM	#15
3me Lieutenant Drives: 6spd mt 325i Join Date: May 2008 Location: Mississippi Posts: 415 iTrader: (0)	Sports suspension with a stick..which means I have to turn on a dime in parking lots with one hand sometimes. It can be pretty heavy. I have 17s about to put on 19s. I think its mainly the suspension but you will probably feel a difference. ill let you know how the 19s turn __________________

10-19-2011, 04:45 AM	#16
J02 335i Lieutenant Colonel Drives: E90 335i Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Ontario Posts: 1,502 iTrader: (0)	Sounds like the op needs to take off his dress, j/k. I had the sport suspension and factory run flat 18's before I installed H&R sports and half inch wider front rims and 1 inch wider rear rims, the steering feel is perfect, if anything if could be heavier imo. There is other possibilities they you may have an upper strut bearing thats starting to seize up or a ball joint starting to seize which will all play a roll in steering feel, but I highly doubt you will have any of these problems yet. __________________ Sport pack, JB3, Dci, factory oil cooler, 18" M3 reps, Michelin PSS, painted trim, black grills, smoked side markers, LED plate lights, H&R coils, muffler delete

10-19-2011, 09:12 AM	#17
roundel335 Colonel Drives: 13 335i Sedan, 11 128i Cabrio Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Boerne, TX Posts: 2,734 iTrader: (2) Garage List 2013 BMW 335i Sedan [5.00] 2011 BMW 128i Cabri ... [4.25]	Both of my cars are running 18x8 wheels with 225/40 non-runflat tires on the fronts. My wife and I have no problems driving either car, and the 128i was upgraded from 17" runflats. Both have sport/M-sport suspension. The 128 handles much better with the 18s. __________________ 2013 F30 335i M-Sport 8AT/MPE/MPPK, 2011 128i M-sport Cabrio 6MT/PE

10-19-2011, 10:23 AM	#18
dcat151 Lieutenant Drives: 2006 330i 6MT ZSP/ZPP/ZCW Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Gainesville, GA Posts: 487 iTrader: (1)	The steering on mine was a bit heavier than my previous cars, but nothing too bad. I got used to it after a couple of drives and now actually prefer it.

10-20-2011, 08:36 AM	#21
tunachris First Lieutenant Drives: 2010 E92 Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Simi Valley, CA Posts: 310 iTrader: (0) Garage List 2010 E92 [0.00]	Never noticed that the steering feels heavy. Went from Pilot Sport RFT to Pilot Sprot non-RFT. Never noticed any change other than improvement in ride quality. __________________ JB4, BMW Perf. Exhaust, DCI, Strut Brace, KW Series 1, Quaife LSD, Black Kidneys.

10-20-2011, 08:53 AM	#22
shockin330i Brigadier General Drives: blue Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: f y'all, I'm from Texas (RGV) Posts: 4,210 iTrader: (1)	Werd, never noticed any heaviness. However my ex girlfriend always said that my steering felt heavy and if it was normal. I told her I didnt know what I was talking about. In her defense she's about 5'1 and about 115lbs. __________________ ERnie 2011 AW/e90/n55 12.9@107.53mph *N55 Moderator* I'm crawling similar to a ant cuz I'm low to the earth

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