Possible to add servotronic to X3?

Hi there,

I've recently purchased a preowned '06 X3 (3.0i). Wife was very happy, except for the fact that she thinks the steering is way to heavy, especially at low speeds.

I was not aware this was an option, just thought it had power steering and that's it. Until I recently drove an '07 of a friend of mine, and noticed it was way lighter on the steering, and then realized the difference is in the servotronic.

I saw in the VIN details that mine indeed does not have the servotronic option.

Does anyone know whether it is possible at all to install this afterwards?
Either 3rd party or OEM? Any pointers?

Cheers,
Martin

I don't think you'd want to replace the entire steering column mechanism and control unit just for the sake of making parking easier. That's thousands of Euros of surgery.

Thousands of "Loonies" too! Even lots of $$$$. She'll get used to it, according to my BMW SA, "they all do that".

looking at realoem it looks like you might only need the servotronic control unit..it sits in the glovebox and costs less than $300...thoughts?

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts...74&hg=32&fg=10

Originally Posted by x3lemon

looking at realoem it looks like you might only need the servotronic control unit..it sits in the glovebox and costs less than $300...thoughts?

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts...74&hg=32&fg=10

Think if you look at the diagram, the 'hydro steering gear' is different too ...

Standard non-servotronic is 32103444366 $1,673.24
Servotronic is 32103444368 $1,890.75

So I think whilst it's possible, it's probably going to be costly.

Yeah, definitely looks more involved than just adding the control unit, there are various other differences here between the servotronic and standard steering.
(Not even to mention how doable it would be to get to those pieces)