128i steering assist normal?

syd53 · 06-26-2013, 04:12 PM

I have a 2011 128i and a 2011 Z4. There is no comparison in steering effort. I know they are different types of systems, electric vs. hydraulic, but the 128i requires more effort at slow speeds, e.g. in parking, than any car I've ever owned (including a non-assisted 1964 Beetle).

Is this the norm?

Dafttt · 06-26-2013, 04:27 PM

Sounds like you need a shake weight.

fs454 · 06-26-2013, 04:29 PM

Totally normal. These cars have hefty steering and it is awesome.

Teemo Panda · 06-26-2013, 04:31 PM

You might want to check your brake fluid because they need to be replaced every 2years~

doublevanosrc · 06-26-2013, 07:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fs454

Totally normal. These cars have hefty steering and it is awesome.

nato-main-man-5am · 07-12-2013, 10:19 AM

I'll pile on to the "normal" response.

This week I have a loaner 2013 328 coupe with the power assisted option and I hate it. Feels like I'm driving a lexus.

I will admit the heft of the 1 series non-assisted steering is slightly annoying in a parking lot, where I have to use two hands for tight spaces at a slow speed, but everywhere else I *love* the steering.

---

None of which is to say you (OP) should love it. Different people like different things. I'm just glad we have choices. And it really has spoiled me. I get in my gfriend's old Boxster and while it hugs the road like you're driving with magnets (no drag, just glued to the road) which is very fun, the feel of the steering bugs the heck out of on it, as well. (I don't know that it is power assisted, just another reference point.)

631twentyeighteye · 07-12-2013, 10:53 AM

Yep totally normal and entirely loved by myself and many others included.

pj.rodriguez · 07-12-2013, 12:53 PM

+1 normal and loved. I do understand that you may be experiencing some trouble steering while parking. It is a little difficult if you use only one hand haha. My girlfriend says it's like steering a cruise ship or something.

MotoWPK · 07-12-2013, 01:04 PM

Guess I'll jump on the band wagon and state what's described is normal and it is the best steering I've experienced in any car I've owned over the last 20 years (before that is too far back to recall accurately).

We also have a '13 328ix and, while the EPS has been widely criticized, I find it quite good, though certainly not as good as the HPS on the current 1 series.

I don't think this is just because the 3 series is electric, more and more cars are these days and you'll read criticisms of the EPS systems on many brands. If I rate the 1 series steering as number 1, I'd place the current 3 series at number 3, with number two being that of the '09 Jetta TDI that was replaced by our 1 series, as number 2. The Jetta's EPS provided accuracy very close to either of our bimmers (which I find excellent) and feel just a notch below our 128i vert.

Stupenal · 07-13-2013, 02:50 AM

.

Lucky1 · 07-13-2013, 09:01 AM

I'm assuming your 128i doesn't have the active steering option? This may have been a good option for you if you actually dislike the heavy steering of the 1 series when parking. I know it was an option when I was looking at 2008 and 2009's but I'm not sure if it was available or not after that.

http://www.bmw.com/com/en/insights/technology/technology_guide/articles/mm_active_steering.html

06-26-2013, 04:12 PM	#1
syd53 Private 9 Rep 61 Posts Drives: 2011 128i coupe Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: central IL iTrader: (1)	128i steering assist normal? I have a 2011 128i and a 2011 Z4. There is no comparison in steering effort. I know they are different types of systems, electric vs. hydraulic, but the 128i requires more effort at slow speeds, e.g. in parking, than any car I've ever owned (including a non-assisted 1964 Beetle). Is this the norm?
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06-26-2013, 04:27 PM	#2
Dafttt Captain 33 Rep 691 Posts Drives: 128i 6MT Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Malibu iTrader: (0)	Sounds like you need a shake weight.
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06-26-2013, 04:29 PM	#3
fs454 Private First Class 16 Rep 144 Posts Drives: 2009 BMW 135i M-Sport 6MT Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Los Angeles, CA iTrader: (0)	Totally normal. These cars have hefty steering and it is awesome. __________________ 2009 BMW 135i - Alpine White/Coral Red - M-Sport+Premium + 6-Speed Manual
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06-26-2013, 04:31 PM	#4
Teemo Panda Bimmerpost Plasti Dip Guru 83 Rep 1,174 Posts Drives: E53, E46-M3, E70, F25-X3 Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: New Jersey (NJ) iTrader: (0) Garage List 2013 BMW X3 [5.66]	You might want to check your brake fluid because they need to be replaced every 2years~ __________________
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07-12-2013, 10:19 AM	#6
nato-main-man-5am special 35 Rep 857 Posts Drives: 128i Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: California iTrader: (10)	I'll pile on to the "normal" response. This week I have a loaner 2013 328 coupe with the power assisted option and I hate it. Feels like I'm driving a lexus. I will admit the heft of the 1 series non-assisted steering is slightly annoying in a parking lot, where I have to use two hands for tight spaces at a slow speed, but everywhere else I love the steering. --- None of which is to say you (OP) should love it. Different people like different things. I'm just glad we have choices. And it really has spoiled me. I get in my gfriend's old Boxster and while it hugs the road like you're driving with magnets (no drag, just glued to the road) which is very fun, the feel of the steering bugs the heck out of on it, as well. (I don't know that it is power assisted, just another reference point.) __________________ Euro spec wide mirrors; sport wheel + paddles; staggered sport rims with Conti ExtremeContact DW. JL Audio 600/6 + technic harness; Gladen Audio 8" Woofers + musicarnw adapters; Morel Hybrid Ovations. Last edited by nato-main-man-5am; 07-12-2013 at 03:32 PM.. Reason: clarity
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07-12-2013, 10:53 AM	#7
631twentyeighteye Colonel 198 Rep 2,239 Posts Drives: 08 335i Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Long island iTrader: (7)	Yep totally normal and entirely loved by myself and many others included. __________________ 08 e93 335i MT
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07-12-2013, 12:53 PM	#8
pj.rodriguez Lieutenant Colonel 84 Rep 1,623 Posts Drives: Alpine White 128i Cabrio Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada iTrader: (9) Garage List 2008 BMW 128i E88 [9.00]	+1 normal and loved. I do understand that you may be experiencing some trouble steering while parking. It is a little difficult if you use only one hand haha. My girlfriend says it's like steering a cruise ship or something.
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07-12-2013, 01:04 PM	#9
MotoWPK Lieutenant 201 Rep 425 Posts Drives: '13 128i vert, '14 X5 40i Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Colorado iTrader: (0)	Guess I'll jump on the band wagon and state what's described is normal and it is the best steering I've experienced in any car I've owned over the last 20 years (before that is too far back to recall accurately). We also have a '13 328ix and, while the EPS has been widely criticized, I find it quite good, though certainly not as good as the HPS on the current 1 series. I don't think this is just because the 3 series is electric, more and more cars are these days and you'll read criticisms of the EPS systems on many brands. If I rate the 1 series steering as number 1, I'd place the current 3 series at number 3, with number two being that of the '09 Jetta TDI that was replaced by our 1 series, as number 2. The Jetta's EPS provided accuracy very close to either of our bimmers (which I find excellent) and feel just a notch below our 128i vert.
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07-13-2013, 02:50 AM	#10
Stupenal First Lieutenant 43 Rep 347 Posts Drives: Mmm Join Date: May 2009 Location: Socal iTrader: (10)	. Last edited by Stupenal; 07-10-2014 at 12:37 AM..
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07-13-2013, 09:01 AM	#11
Lucky1 Colonel 650 Rep 2,051 Posts Drives: '08 128i Coupe SGM 6MT Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Toronto iTrader: (0) Garage List 2015 Porsche 911 Ca ... [0.00] 2008 128i Coupe [0.00] 2006 Z4 M Roadster [0.00]	Active Steering I'm assuming your 128i doesn't have the active steering option? This may have been a good option for you if you actually dislike the heavy steering of the 1 series when parking. I know it was an option when I was looking at 2008 and 2009's but I'm not sure if it was available or not after that. http://www.bmw.com/com/en/insights/technology/technology_guide/articles/mm_active_steering.html
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