[OGM2LCI]

Originally Posted by IanS100

My 2010 e90 320d was definitely hydraulic - when I bought it I remember being quite surprised how much heavier the steering was compared to my previous Vx Vectra and I certainly miss that weight in the F10, and I certainly agree about the centre 'dead spot'.

And I got in mine and couldn't get over how light it was, it really does the car/chassis a major mis-justice

[OGM2LCI]

Originally Posted by windymissile

REALOEM shows you are not the odd one out...



I guess BMW put them in some random models to try it out before the full implement on the next gen machine.

Rather soul destroyingly, I can't find it fitted to a single N54 or N55 derivative though..

WM

I would say soul destroyingly as I would be checking the next car I buy (if it's an E9X) for this steering rack and avoiding it if it's fitted

[KM79]

EPS was fitted as far back as 07 in E92,was a big part of there 'efficient dynamics' program.

[windymissile]

Originally Posted by KM79

EPS was fitted as far back as 07 in E92,was a big part of there 'efficient dynamics' program.

Ah. That would make sense.

WM

[Aragorn30d]

I think it was part of the "efficient dynamics" regime?

Ditch the hydraulic pump and replace it with electric motor to save fuel.

[Aragorn30d]

doh, thats what i get for not reading the second page!

[OGM2LCI]

Well I guess in the respect of efficiency then it might be fairly good, however in terms of driving engagement it's pants

[un1eash]

My September 2008 E92 looks to be electric also as it's the same as the photo and theres no steering fluid reservoir. It feels fine to me and is pretty responsive with plenty of feedback, I'm running rainsport 3's.

[mob17]

I'm sure all E9X 335d's have hydraulic steering.

Anyways i have driven a few F series cars, new 320d and 420d, and the electronic steering is pants. I hated it. No feel whatsoever and i'm sure on a track it will be worse. A stupid idea, but i guess nowadays its all about economy.

[OGM2LCI]

It really is a shame because even the 118d I had as a courtesy car felt like a fairly compitent car but the feel in the steering meant you almost had to guess the amount of lock to put in to each corner

[Dann]

My 335i has hydraulic steering as do all 335i/d

[Digitalize]

Mine is definitely hydraulic steering. Lovely amount of weight and feel.

[Sbm007]

I have the electronic steering, always felt fine to me.. but now I think about it, occasionally I do feel a sense of disconnect with the road, particularly when turning at higher speeds. I mean the steering isn't the problem, it definitely becomes heavier and stiffens up, it's more the lack of feedback... feels a bit unnatural. Doesn't bother me that much though!

[makkan00]

Those who are not happy with E9x EPS, you should drive F-series.
As EPS on F-series, it is worst than E9x.

When I had my E91, it had EPS. If I remember correctly, it assist you up to 30MPH. After than EPS assistance is minimum so you get better feeling.

Now if you compare that to F-series... minimum feeling from steering wheel however still better than merc, audi and honda cars of similar years.

[IanS100]

F10: It wouldn't be so bad if there was some way to adjust the steering weight, even Sport mode doesn't seem to do anything for it.

[OGM2LCI]

Also had a mini clubman 13 plate fitted with the electronic steering that had the sport button, like the 118d I had, and I just couldn't stand the lack of feedback and the mini was plagued with a massive dead spot in the centre...more so than the 118

Mum also has a 14 plate Mini Cooper s and that doesn't seem quite as bad but it's still very very vague

[IanS100]

The F10 isn't so much vague as totally without feeling, it's a great car and handling is remarkable good for such a big car but you may as well have the front on axle stands for the amount of feeling that comes back through the steering, it really feels quite odd after the e90!

[OGM2LCI]

Originally Posted by IanS100

The F10 isn't so much vague as totally without feeling, it's a great car and handling is remarkable good for such a big car but you may as well have the front on axle stands for the amount of feeling that comes back through the steering, it really feels quite odd after the e90!

It's fairly frustrating as for me the next step I would want would be a 335i and after that I'd probably end up going for something like a 420/430d to go all sensible and save money for house etc, I'm just worried that going from the 335i to the 4er will be even worse than what I'm feeling come from my E46 to this!

[KM79]

I went from 335i to 435D and have no complaints with the steering.You put it in sport or sport plus and the steering firms right up.Every manufacturer will end up like this and almost all already are.In this day and age there not going to fit big heavy pumps/pipes/pas racks when a compact electric motor does the same thing but more efficiently.Id be more worried about the potential extinction of the conventional engine in favour of the electric motor 😩

[Boz335i]

The E92 M3 servotronic steering is a peach.

However I took an M4 around Bedford track recently and the steering isn't that bad, but it certainly feels like a step backwards.

[old grey steve]

On the later F series cars I do find steering's a little light compared with older BMW's but on the auto's switch the box accordingly the steering seems to change charactor and is more acceptable, but if I take my 335i for instance its got some decent steering weight, my previous 330d E46 had even more weight which for some felt too heavy, if you are used to say a Merc, Audi, Mazda, Toyota for instance you'd be amazed by how steering feel/weight differs from car to car and the later BMW's are quite good and electric power steering is as Porsche have now demonstrated the way forward.

To be fairr after a while driving you adjust and it doesn't become a headline issue IMO, but I'd like a tad more feel for the later cars if I was honest maybve with the LCI's coming out they may have listened.

[mowflow]

I went through several E series cars with hydraulic steering to an F series car with the servotronic steering then another F with variable sport steering, both of which are EPAS systems.

The steering ruined both those cars for me. Devoid of any feedback or life. I especially hated how the "sport" mode just added more motor resistance rather than reducing assistance and therefor not actually increasing feel or feedback in any way what so ever. I can see how it could trick some people into thinking "oh yeah, this is heavy so it's way more sporty" but as i was driving another car with hydraulic steering and another with zero assistance regularly it just emphasised how poor the set up was.

TBH, I hated it so much that I'm wary of going back to BMW until i know they've sorted that aspect of their cars out. Their first attempt at EPAS is bloody awful.