[Witney]

I have just taken delivery of a new 335Dx M-sport and have a query on the steering.

A bit surprised as it feels a bit "vague" with quite a lot of play when going relatively straight on the motorway. As a result it seems to tramline a bit. It is on the 19s with stock run flats at the moment. (I will get rid of the run flats when they are worn.)

I have just replaced an "enhanced" 2009 325d coupe and I understand the new cars now have the electric steering. Thing is, before delivery I had loan cars including a 430D s-drive and latterly a 320D s-drive both in m-sport trim with 19s and neither felt like this at all.

Just wondering if this is a typical characteristic of the X-drive all wheel drive cars? I am going to ask the dealer to check the geometry, but would appreciate any guidance from the forum?

And before anyone jumps in I am going to get the ACS springs.....

[planemad]

Originally Posted by Witney

I have just taken delivery of a new 335Dx M-sport and have a query on the steering.

A bit surprised as it feels a bit "vague" with quite a lot of play when going relatively straight on the motorway. As a result it seems to tramline a bit. It is on the 19s with stock run flats at the moment. (I will get rid of the run flats when they are worn.)

I have just replaced an "enhanced" 2009 325d coupe and I understand the new cars now have the electric steering. Thing is, before delivery I had loan cars including a 430D s-drive and latterly a 320D s-drive both in m-sport trim with 19s and neither felt like this at all.

Just wondering if this is a typical characteristic of the X-drive all wheel drive cars? I am going to ask the dealer to check the geometry, but would appreciate any guidance from the forum?

And before anyone jumps in I am going to get the ACS springs.....

The stock Bridgestones do tramline quite bad.

[stu14t]

Originally Posted by Witney

And before anyone jumps in I am going to get the ACS springs.....

This will help a lot. I was out with McBeemer in his F31 as I was mulling over ACS springs. I'm completely sold on them now. The improvement is stunning and the steering becomes refined and precise. You will not regret it.

[dopper99]

The first thing I'd check is the tyre pressures. Use a gauge, not that thing in the idrive and do it when they are cold.

[teaston]

The run flats and standard springs will play a part, but have you tried sport mode set to chassis? Makes a big difference to the steering.

[Watsey]

BMW may have changed the design on the current cars but the front compliance bushes on my 62 plate F31 were very soft, presumably to reduce NHV generated by the run-flats. Steering was vague straight-ahead and through the twisties the steering wheel and the front wheels were may as well have been connected by bungee cords.

Replacing them with SuperPro bushes has made a big difference. Worth considering as you are already planning to upgrade to ACS springs and will be dropping the suspension to do that.

[Witney]

Thanks for the responses. So the consensus seems to be that I should not expect the X-drive's steering to feel massively different from an S-drive in similar trim.... If that is the case, then based on my recent loan cars something appears to be amiss as none of them had the various upgrades! (Tyre pressure is fine.)

[dopper99]

Originally Posted by Witney

Thanks for the responses. So the consensus seems to be that I should not expect the X-drive's steering to feel massively different from an S-drive in similar trim.... If that is the case, then based on my recent loan cars something appears to be amiss as none of them had the various upgrades! (Tyre pressure is fine.)

If you've only ever driven an sdrive, thing to do is ask for a drive in another xdrive. If it feels the same to you - then that's the way it is.

If the dealer drives yours, they most likely say, "its fine sir". So see for yourself.

[kzg1969]

Originally Posted by Witney

A bit surprised as it feels a bit "vague" with quite a lot of play when going relatively straight on the motorway.

yep, mines feels like this - cant say i noticed any tramlining though

[HighlandPete]

Originally Posted by Witney

(Tyre pressure is fine.)

Have you tried adjusting them? You mentioned tramlining, they may be a bit a bit low.

[Drek]

My old E91 used to tramline like a right git but my F31 is streets ahead, can't say I've ever experienced the symptoms you describe. On 19s and Bridgestone RFTs.

[454697819]

Originally Posted by Witney

I have just taken delivery of a new 335Dx M-sport and have a query on the steering.

A bit surprised as it feels a bit "vague" with quite a lot of play when going relatively straight on the motorway. As a result it seems to tramline a bit. It is on the 19s with stock run flats at the moment. (I will get rid of the run flats when they are worn.)

I have just replaced an "enhanced" 2009 325d coupe and I understand the new cars now have the electric steering. Thing is, before delivery I had loan cars including a 430D s-drive and latterly a 320D s-drive both in m-sport trim with 19s and neither felt like this at all.

Just wondering if this is a typical characteristic of the X-drive all wheel drive cars? I am going to ask the dealer to check the geometry, but would appreciate any guidance from the forum?

And before anyone jumps in I am going to get the ACS springs.....

I don't believe this car has electric steering, there is a rack connecting through the bulkhead, but this might be the problem, electric steering has a level of in built absorption that auto corrects the wheels if the steering wheel is straight but the wheels are being pulled be external forces, without this buffer we get all the feeling through the wheel. (I acknowledge there is a Hydraulic buffer)

Our roads are shot and I get a lot of tramlining, but I think my tyres are low on pressure - must sort.

Sticking the car in sport but taking off the sport performance helps a lot.

I must confess though, if I get £600spare i might but acs on it to help.

[McBeemer]

Originally Posted by 454697819

I don't believe this car has electric steering, there is a rack connecting through the bulkhead, but this might be the problem, electric steering has a level of in built absorption that auto corrects the wheels if the steering wheel is straight but the wheels are being pulled be external forces, without this buffer we get all the feeling through the wheel. (I acknowledge there is a Hydraulic buffer)

Our roads are shot and I get a lot of tramlining, but I think my tyres are low on pressure - must sort.

Sticking the car in sport but taking off the sport performance helps a lot.

I must confess though, if I get £600spare i might but acs on it to help.

I'm pretty sure you will not regret this, as a fellow member without ACS on his car, drove mine and found it improved the steering dramatically, as well as reducing body roll. My car has adaptive suspension like yours & I only use sport chassis rarely, when "really" pushing on, as it's great on comfort now.

[stu14t]

Originally Posted by McBeemer

I'm pretty sure you will not regret this, as a fellow member without ACS on his car, drove mine and found it improved the steering dramatically, as well as reducing body roll. My car has adaptive suspension like yours & I only use sport chassis rarely, when "really" pushing on, as it's great on comfort now.

It was me and it was a complete contrast. The steering was so much more positive and accurate. For me it was night and day. My F30 is not too bad as far as steering goes but McBeemer's F31 was so much better. More sensitive and the overall feel inspired so much more confidence in the cars ability. On the first bend I felt the difference, there little or no understeer where I expected it (based on my F30). The steering lost its vagueness and become almost finger light to control. You could point it in one direction and it stayed without the need to make those little corrections (could be me or my car but that's three f30's have felt vague and had a tendency to wander a bit). I pushed it a little on a small roundabout and you knew it had so much more to give.

[1966-TR4]

Originally Posted by McBeemer

I'm pretty sure you will not regret this, as a fellow member without ACS on his car, drove mine and found it improved the steering dramatically, as well as reducing body roll. My car has adaptive suspension like yours & I only use sport chassis rarely, when "really" pushing on, as it's great on comfort now.

Agree that Comfort on ACS is good, however I do use Sport chassis in heavy rain as it makes everything feel a bit more planted.

[McBeemer]

Originally Posted by stu14t

It was me and it was a complete contrast. The steering was so much more positive and accurate. For me it was night and day. My F30 is not too bad as far as steering goes but McBeemer's F31 was so much better. More sensitive and the overall feel inspired so much more confidence in the cars ability. On the first bend I felt the difference, there little or no understeer where I expected it (based on my F30). The steering lost its vagueness and become almost finger light to control. You could point it in one direction and it stayed without the need to make those little corrections (could be me or my car but that's three f30's have felt vague and had a tendency to wander a bit). I pushed it a little on a small roundabout and you knew it had so much more to give.

My car has turned from blue to red in embarrassment, due to all the praise being bestowed upon it

But actually Stu, it was really good to get a second opinion from someone whose driving & opinion I respected and with something to directly compare it with. Remember, I had only driven my car 30 miles or so (slowly) before having ACS fitted.

[23rs]

Have to say steering in M3 feels way better, feels way too sensitive in the 335xd I just picked up. Guess I’ve just been used to a sportier drive.