2018 BMW 530e Test Drive
#32
The only problem with BMW is whichever one you buy, the name will change a year or two later- effectively making what you have another lame duck (with possible lower resale). One of my biggest pet peeves is a brand that has A.D.D. with their model names. Can't build much brand equity if you can't retain model recognition with the public.
#34
#35
Makes you wonder, sometimes, what a pair of wire-snips, de-activating the electric-steering motor, would do to steering feel. It might, of course, make it TOO heavy. That happened, once, on my old 1967 Chrysler, when the power-steering drive-belt snapped. Only my young age (20) and strong arm-strength managed to get the car to the nearest repair shop....Hulk Hogan would probably have had trouble steering it.
#36
You said no one found a way around the "numb" feel of an electric steering rack, now your standard is making it feel the same as a hydraulic one? Either way you're wrong Toyota/Subaru nailed it steering feel is damn near perfect.
#37
I wonder if BMW can license the steering systems of the BRZ/FR-S.
#38
Sounds like I need to drive a BRZ, but I'm skeptical...especially since you seem to say it doesn't feel like a hydraulic setup, yet is "damn near perfect". What I want is it to feel like a hydraulic setup so if it doesn't I doubt I'm going to think its perfect lol
#39
Just buy from the same supplier that provided the electric power steering system for the BRZ/FR-S. Then there is still the problem of tuning it with the right values in software. That has to be done; it is not difficult but it is tedious.
#40
I don't think theres any argument that the "gold standard" for steering feel is the feel of a good hydraulic setup. In BMWs the steering feel buyers are missing is the feel of their old excellent hydraulic setups. If thats not what one wants their steering to feel like, I'm not sure what you would shoot for.
Sounds like I need to drive a BRZ, but I'm skeptical...especially since you seem to say it doesn't feel like a hydraulic setup, yet is "damn near perfect". What I want is it to feel like a hydraulic setup so if it doesn't I doubt I'm going to think its perfect lol
Sounds like I need to drive a BRZ, but I'm skeptical...especially since you seem to say it doesn't feel like a hydraulic setup, yet is "damn near perfect". What I want is it to feel like a hydraulic setup so if it doesn't I doubt I'm going to think its perfect lol
At one time, there were 2 Toyotas in my parents' driveway -- a first-generation Camry LE and a fifth-generation (the first FWD) Corolla base sedan, both bought new (so the Camry was a few years older). The Camry had power steering; the Corolla did not. Once I started driving my Corolla, I could not drive my parents' Camry because of the over-boosted, no-feedback, pinky-finger steering. The Camry had a tendency to wander so it was quite tiring to drive, especially on the highway; the Corolla, in comparison, was rock-solid.
Years later, I had a tenth-generation Corolla, with an early electric power steering system. It too had over-boosted power steering; it too wandered on the highway. I could not drive it with only 1 hand. My parents now drive an eleventh-generation Corolla. Although I have not driven it on the highway, the steering seems to be much improved.
#41
I don't think theres any argument that the "gold standard" for steering feel is the feel of a good hydraulic setup. In BMWs the steering feel buyers are missing is the feel of their old excellent hydraulic setups. If thats not what one wants their steering to feel like, I'm not sure what you would shoot for.
Sounds like I need to drive a BRZ, but I'm skeptical...especially since you seem to say it doesn't feel like a hydraulic setup, yet is "damn near perfect". What I want is it to feel like a hydraulic setup so if it doesn't I doubt I'm going to think its perfect lol
Sounds like I need to drive a BRZ, but I'm skeptical...especially since you seem to say it doesn't feel like a hydraulic setup, yet is "damn near perfect". What I want is it to feel like a hydraulic setup so if it doesn't I doubt I'm going to think its perfect lol
I think when automakers like BMW went with Comfort Sport etc, it ruined everything.
No sport mode on BRZ for steering lol.
I loved my steering on my E92 335i, the best of any car I owned.
Current M3 - i drive it in Sport setting for steering but feel on center is lacking and def not as quick or direct as my BRZ.
Its still very good and probably better than most modern sports cars imo just not as magical like the old hydraulic system. I like heavy steering but with feel, the M3 is almost there, def still heavy like before but you can feel disconnected in certain times.
Last edited by RNM GS3; 05-16-17 at 07:54 PM.
#42
Originally Posted by RNM GS3
The BRZ steering is PERFECT and far superior to the M3 for feel and how quick it is.
I think when automakers like BMW went with Comfort Sport etc, it ruined everything.
No sport mode on BRZ for steering lol.
I loved my steering on my E92 335i, the best of any car I owned.
Current M3 - i drive it in Sport setting for steering but feel on center is lacking and def not as quick or direct as my BRZ.
Its still very good and probably better than most modern sports cars imo just not as magical like the old hydraulic system.
I think when automakers like BMW went with Comfort Sport etc, it ruined everything.
No sport mode on BRZ for steering lol.
I loved my steering on my E92 335i, the best of any car I owned.
Current M3 - i drive it in Sport setting for steering but feel on center is lacking and def not as quick or direct as my BRZ.
Its still very good and probably better than most modern sports cars imo just not as magical like the old hydraulic system.
#43
The BRZ steering is PERFECT and far superior to the M3 for feel and how quick it is.
I think when automakers like BMW went with Comfort Sport etc, it ruined everything.
No sport mode on BRZ for steering lol.
I loved my steering on my E92 335i, the best of any car I owned.
Current M3 - i drive it in Sport setting for steering but feel on center is lacking and def not as quick or direct as my BRZ.
Its still very good and probably better than most modern sports cars imo just not as magical like the old hydraulic system.
I think when automakers like BMW went with Comfort Sport etc, it ruined everything.
No sport mode on BRZ for steering lol.
I loved my steering on my E92 335i, the best of any car I owned.
Current M3 - i drive it in Sport setting for steering but feel on center is lacking and def not as quick or direct as my BRZ.
Its still very good and probably better than most modern sports cars imo just not as magical like the old hydraulic system.
#44
I don't know if the old hydraulic system is as good as many people claim it to be. I also had E92 335, and I thought it's steering was way too heavy at low speeds and much too jerky and sensitive at high speeds. On the other had I absolutely love electric steering in my m235i - its better than any car I've ever driven.
The old setups were heavy but never felt artificial and yes the steering would move (road feel) so you pay attention and be more involved in whats happening.
Now everything is muted out......
#45
Well they changed it bec you represent the general public sentiment hence you want number steering.
The old setups were heavy but never felt artificial and yes the steering would move (road feel) so you pay attention and be more involved in whats happening.
Now everything is muted out......
The old setups were heavy but never felt artificial and yes the steering would move (road feel) so you pay attention and be more involved in whats happening.
Now everything is muted out......
That said, there is still a mechanical link in both hydraulic and electric systems, so its very much possible to make a hydraulic system feel very disconnected and make electric system very direct. I certainly don't think that my m235 steering feels artificial or numb - it's very lively and responsive, with just the right amount of weight and feedback for me, at ANY speed.