[jvsxn]

That's one of the many characteristics of a BMW and unfortunately it's one of the most non-engine related complaints. I personally like the stiffness but if you don't like it as is, don't even considering lowering your car.

[rondocap]

I actually do like it, I just feel it much more now with my hurt left hand, ha. Sprained my wrist. Parking maneuvers is a huge pain for now.

I have the sport suspension too, could also make it stiffer.

[R608]

Originally Posted by 1lyfe

i agree...everyone complains about heavy steering so now they went with electronic steering
feels like crap...no feedback whatsoever
thats whats stopping me from getting one....

You're combining two separate issues -- effort and feedback. The Big 3 have proven for decades that conventional hydraulically-assisted steering can be feather-light. BMW's move to electrically-assisted (not electronic) power steering has nothing to do with reducing steering effort and everything to do with chasing fuel efficiency, and perhaps too far if they couldn't do it without sacrificing the excellent feedback that the customers who still buy these cars for the driving experience have come to expect.

OP - I steer mine one-handed all the time, so if you didn't before, I think you'll get used to it. If it's really too heavy to do that, you might want to see if your dealer has a similar sport package-equipped car that you could just test in their lot for a minute as a sanity check, or if not, have a tech drive yours briefly.

[nathan330i]

steering groan!

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

my wife reversed car into skip, how do you miss a ten tonne bright yellow skip? Anyway having the damage repaired, the guy at the garage said that there was a groan on the steering(fullish lock) at low speeds i.e when setting off/parking at low speeds. He also complained about the steering being very heavy. He said the tyres were only at 15 psi. I have to admit Ive never checked them in a year (sorry)which I will do In future.
The body-shop guy who is really friendly and honest has a 530i and he thinks the steering is much lighter on his, I am a bit ham fisted and really like the heavy steering as it feels like I am doing something, I really don't want light steering or I might as well get a Hyundai i10?.
Having said that we are going on a family holiday to France approx, 1000mls each way, I am concerned if there are any well documented faults? such as steering rack or power steering pump? my sprinter van and previous cars have all made similar noises on full lock, any suggestions appreciated

Nathan

[JAL0988]

Do you even lift bro?

[marshall834]

Originally Posted by bmwforme

assuming their are no mechanical issues, i guess vocal complaints like this to BMW is why the F30 is the way it is

Electric steering increase MPG by an average of 1MPG... this is why they switched to meet the ever demanding minimum MPG of various governments.

When I first test drove my 335 my first impression was "this is really heavy steering" and wasn't sure if I liked it. Now I LOVE it.

[fazman]

Power steering fluid flush maybe??

[NorthernCAE90]

I know exactly what your talking about and i love it. On my first Test drive i was like "WOAH" cuz its true! ive read it before i decided to get a E90 and i was just thinking to myself "Naw they are just being pussies its probably a little stiff"

BUT it is a little tight. But even after my test drive i was In LOVE with my car & the feeling of how it drove. Even now when i jump into the 08 lexus is 250, that thing feels like a damn CLOUD now. IT floats!!! and it has the lexus verison of "active steering" so it turns insanely easy but feels very disconnected. Going from the 325 to the is 250 is a BIG difference....

before the bmw i always thought that car was one of the best cars i drove.... Until now

[roundle]

The more you boost the steering, the more feeling you will give up.

I wonder if the larger, non-sport wheel would make it feel easier for those who prefer lighter weight.

[dbudh001]

Originally Posted by be1ieve1111

dear god. jack off more. I don't get why people post about their weak arms every couple weeks.

lmao

[3s4u2]

My wife doesn't seem to have any problems steering her e90 325i. Change your steering fluid for starters!

[Amini77]

Mines really heavy too, like really heavy. My friends RWD 330i is a lot lighter. I thought it was because of my 4 wheel drive. Don't use that join a gym shit on me though...just don't....

[thenewrick]

I think it's too heavy.

[inline607]

Steering hydraulic fluid flush. Use Pentosin CHF 11S and also do an alignment if you haven't done one in awhile especially if you drive bumpy roads. Made my steering feel like new.

[ny325]

I like it.

[Mavus]

My 08 Acura TL-S has much heavier steering than my 330i and it does not feel right on that car. The bad thing is it is almost as stiff at low parking speeds as it is when driving 80. The 330i weight is excellent across the spectrum but I wouldn't mind making it even a bit harder/direct. That's what happens when you go to gym ... gorilla effect. Also, you may want to upgrade your steering wheel. If your tires are inflated properly and there are no mechanical issues you need to do some construction, gardening, moving, etc. Stop playing video games and be a man damn it!

[SanquintinB]

The steering in my 02 Honda Accord is nice and stiff, almost like the e92 I test drove. Then I got into my friends 01 Camry and almost ran into the curb at the first curve. Holy fuck Toyota steering is light as hell

[Surly73]

My 2007 328 (RWD, sport package) steering is quite heavy. My E39 528's steering was also heavy, but not quite as heavy as my E90. The E60 and especially F10 steering is really light (too light), at least on the X-drive models. Not sure if E90 w/ X-drive is lighter too.

Heavy is normal. Heavy is good. Getting a "heavy" comment even from a 5 series driver may not be surprising. Alignment issues aren't going to change how heavy your steering feels in a parking lot setting, but it will change how heavy and centered it feels at highway speed. The weight of my E90 steering seems to feel the same no matter what speed I'm going which means they got the boost pretty good.

I also get groan at full lock on my E90. My E39 did too, but not nearly as loud. An F10 I regularly drive does not. I generally try to avoid full lock anyways, it's hard on the system.

The steering fluid is the one fluid I haven't changed since I bought this car last year. On my E39 I did a turkey baster steering fluid replacement every 1 or 2 oil changes with Redline ATF left over from other things. I keep putting off the change on my e90 because CHF-11S is so expensive and I will probably have to pull the banjo bolts from under the car since I suspect this fluid was never changed since the car was built. With the price of CHF I don't want to do it half-assed. Maybe this weekend.

[rbtamms]

Whenever I drive other cars with light steering, I immediately miss my car.

[racermp]

join the camry family....

i think the newer f30 has a lighter wheel due to electric steering.

[AzureHaze]

Originally Posted by rbtamms

Whenever I drive other cars with light steering, I immediately miss my car.

+1. That's why I never look forward to leaving my car at the stealership because I get stuck with a non-sport F30 and its laughably light steering.

Though I do want to try a good electric-powered steering car like a Porsche.

[WhatADream]

Buy a Lexus if you want light steering. BMW is the ultimate driving machine