[dbright03]

I'm curious if anyone has experienced what I'm seeing. Over the last week, the Sport Mode steering on my 2017 340i went from feeling very stiff to feeling like Comfort mode steering now.

Is this something that is configurable (i.e. setting Comfort steering when in Sport Mode) that I might have accidentally mucked with? My Sport mode setting is set to include both drivetrain and chassis. Not sure there's any other setting. Perhaps something more serious that needs to be looked at?

Thanks.

[MmmmmM2]

I have not had any issues so far. However, it could be that you don't notice it anymore because your used to it now. For example, I still feel it firm up when I put it in Sport but when driving I don't really notice it.

[5mall5nail5]

It is configurable in chassis settings, but you may have also become used to it

[bimmer456]

Try changing it to drivetrain only and see if you feel a difference.

[Mr Podman]

The electric steering in my Honda Pilot is more responsive than in my F32.
You're experiencing mediocre BMW electric steering.




podman

[bimmer456]

The electric steering in newer Toyota's is better than the old hydraulic steering which was like steering a school bus with a million turns to get to full lock.

[dbright03]

Originally Posted by bimmer456

Try changing it to drivetrain only and see if you feel a difference.

I took it out today and tried drivetrain only and then chassis only. There's definitely a difference, just doesn't feel as pronounced as before. I think someone said previously that perhaps I've gotten used to it. Perhaps that's the case as I've only had the car for a few months now. I'll have them check it on the next service just to be sure.

Thanks for the input everyone!
Cheers.

[Michael Schott]

Originally Posted by bimmer456

The electric steering in newer Toyota's is better than the old hydraulic steering which was like steering a school bus with a million turns to get to full lock.

The E90 steering was magic. F30 was terrible.

[5mall5nail5]

Originally Posted by Mr Podman

The electric steering in my Honda Pilot is more responsive than in my F32.
You're experiencing mediocre BMW electric steering.




podman

they should race Honda pilots in ALMS then

[MmmmmM2]

Originally Posted by Michael Schott

The E90 steering was magic. F30 was terrible.

Disagree. My E92 steering was crap. My F30 is much better.

[XutvJet]

You've probably gotten really use to it. Sometimes my M235 feels that way and then I rent a car for a few days during work and then drive my car and think the steering feels a ton heavier and direct.

People can bitch all they want about BMW electric steering, but if you rent a ton of cars, trucks, and SUVs on a regular basis, you'd know the electric steering in the later model BMWs is really quite good.

[bimmer456]

Originally Posted by XutvJet

You've probably gotten really use to it. Sometimes my M235 feels that way and then I rent a car for a few days during work and then drive my car and think the steering feels a ton heavier and direct.

People can bitch all they want about BMW electric steering, but if you rent a ton of cars, trucks, and SUVs on a regular basis, you'd know the electric steering in the later model BMWs is really quite good.

Its easier to engineer variable assist steering by dialing up or down the amount of electric motor assist than with a hydraulic system. This varying how heavy or light the steering feels/required steering effort.

[Alpine_N55]

Originally Posted by dbright03

I'm curious if anyone has experienced what I'm seeing. Over the last week, the Sport Mode steering on my 2017 340i went from feeling very stiff to feeling like Comfort mode steering now.

Actually yes, I had this happen recently too. I definitely didn't just 'get used to it'. It happened randomly in the middle of a spirited drive and took me by surprise. I didn't think much of it and figured it would just fix itself. To my luck, it did. Took a week or so, but eventually, it went back to being stiff when in sport & sport+. It's a little worrisome since I have absolutely no idea how it fixed itself.

[MT4life]

Originally Posted by F30ZHP

Disagree. My E92 steering was crap. My F30 is much better.

Same. Too much hype about bad steering in F30.

[NYG]

This happens to me every time I switch between my F82 and the F32.

Sport Plus on the F32 feels like Comfort but I sometimes prefer this steering on some tracks.

[MacklinUSOB]

My comfort steering weight is similar to sport mode of my stock car. Wider tires up front makes a big difference, F80 LCA and TS give much more feel.

I always thought the more assist in the rack the less road feel can transmit. I keep it in comfort.

The EPS hate is silly.

[Zanity]

Originally Posted by F30ZHP

Disagree. My E92 steering was crap. My F30 is much better.

wut? my E92 335i steering feel was one of the reasons why I felt in love with BMW

[dbright03]

Originally Posted by Alpine_N55

Actually yes, I had this happen recently too. I definitely didn't just 'get used to it'. It happened randomly in the middle of a spirited drive and took me by surprise. I didn't think much of it and figured it would just fix itself. To my luck, it did. Took a week or so, but eventually, it went back to being stiff when in sport & sport+. It's a little worrisome since I have absolutely no idea how it fixed itself.

Good to know. I'll give it another week or so and see how it feels.

[F30lolz]

Originally Posted by Zanity

wut? my E92 335i steering feel was one of the reasons why I felt in love with BMW

E9x steering > f3x steering

At least sport/sport + gives the f3x steering life.

[MmmmmM2]

Originally Posted by Zanity

wut? my E92 335i steering feel was one of the reasons why I felt in love with BMW

Not for me.

[Wires]

Originally Posted by F30ZHP

Disagree. My E92 steering was crap. My F30 is much better.

Depends what you are quantifying as "crap". The E9x had hydraulic assist steering. It was insanely precise, gave you a great road feel, but it felt like you needed gorilla arms at low speed.

The F3x is just "numb". When the wheel is centered, there is this insane dead spot (worse in sport than comfort). Sure, the VSS is nice, it is a lot lighter, but as a "drivers car" the E9x had superior power steering. As a daily driver car, I have no complaints of the F3x EPS, but it makes you more disconnected from the road.

That being said, the electric in the F3x saves you a ton in fuel since it only engages as necessary and you aren't spinning the power steering pump all the time.

[MmmmmM2]

Originally Posted by Wires

Depends what you are quantifying as "crap". The E9x had hydraulic assist steering. It was insanely precise, gave you a great road feel, but it felt like you needed gorilla arms at low speed.

The F3x is just "numb". When the wheel is centered, there is this insane dead spot (worse in sport than comfort). Sure, the VSS is nice, it is a lot lighter, but as a "drivers car" the E9x had superior power steering. As a daily driver car, I have no complaints of the F3x EPS, but it makes you more disconnected from the road.

That being said, the electric in the F3x saves you a ton in fuel since it only engages as necessary and you aren't spinning the power steering pump all the time.

My E92 steering FELT good, but it couldn't turn for shit. The steering had so much play in it, it was ridiculous. Did everything I could to try and fix it to no avail. I never took it canyon carving as it was no fun.