how stiff is 328 xdrive steering supposed to be?

I just drove a 2011 328 with xdrive. I was quite surprised at how stiff the steering is. The stiffness is not objectionable but I was expecting silky smooth, minimal resistance steering. When I started the car and turned the wheel to pull out of the parking space I thought something was wrong with the steering. I have never felt power assisted steering that had that sort of stiffness. When I mentioned the stiffness to the salesman who was with me in the car, his response was that BMW steering provides more feedback than most other cars and the stiffness helps damp out some of this feedback. Sounds like bs to me but he made a point of comparing BMW to a typical Japanese car that allows 'one finger' steering.

So, is this steering stiffness the norm for xdrive or 328 or BMW in general?

Originally Posted by beeky

I just drove a 2011 328 with xdrive. I was quite surprised at how stiff the steering is. The stiffness is not objectionable but I was expecting silky smooth, minimal resistance steering. When I started the car and turned the wheel to pull out of the parking space I thought something was wrong with the steering. I have never felt power assisted steering that had that sort of stiffness. When I mentioned the stiffness to the salesman who was with me in the car, his response was that BMW steering provides more feedback than most other cars and the stiffness helps damp out some of this feedback. Sounds like bs to me but he made a point of comparing BMW to a typical Japanese car that allows 'one finger' steering.

So, is this steering stiffness the norm for xdrive or 328 or BMW in general?

yup, its normal. the steering feels unboosted compared to a japanese/american car.
minimal resistance is something you will not find on a bmw. the newer F30s have electrically boosted steering that can be switched to lower resistance, but even at that level, the steering on a toyota or lexus will still be much lighter.

I have to say I found my arms were sore the first few days I owned the car. I guess I was using muscles that I don't often exercise. One person I've let drive it asked with complete seriousness, "Does it have power steering!?"

If you want that "one finger" light steering then I would recommend the Chevy Cruze. I find the heavy steering is sometimes annoying in parking situations (to exit my driveway I have to go full right then full left... it's a bit of a handful) but otherwise I really like it.

Once you get to speed the steering is weighted pretty much perferct..just use some muscle in the parking lot!

I have a 328i coupe 07 and my steering is pretty darn stiff. At first it was a bit tough to turn, but now I am used to it.

Originally Posted by hellosopo

I have to say I found my arms were sore the first few days I owned the car. I guess I was using muscles that I don't often exercise. One person I've let drive it asked with complete seriousness, "Does it have power steering!?"

If you want that "one finger" light steering then I would recommend the Chevy Cruze. I find the heavy steering is sometimes annoying in parking situations (to exit my driveway I have to go full right then full left... it's a bit of a handful) but otherwise I really like it.

My 2011 328 is in the shop right now, and I am driving a rental Chevy Cruze. The first thing I noticed was how little effort was required to turn the wheel. My impression having driven the car for almost two weeks is that there is little to no feedback from the road, and it seems to require constant input to keep the car centered.

While my 328 may require a bit more strength, I certainly prefer it to the near Cadillac-like easy to spin steering wheel of the Cruze.

I think some of you guys need to spend more time at the gym. I never found the steering in my E93 to be overly stiff and neither does my wife who has a chronic shoulder injury. I can remember driving full size American cars that did not have power steering or power brakes. Those cars took some effort to maneuver.

CA

Originally Posted by captainaudio

I think some of you guys need to spend more time at the gym. I never found the steering in my E93 to be overly stiff and neither does my wife who has a chronic shoulder injury. I can remember driving full size American cars that did not have power steering or power brakes. Those cars took some effort to maneuver.

CA

Or one of these .......

Agree, the steering on the x drive is hard. But ..it's awesome- that's what she said.

If you think the steering on an E9x is too hard there is an inexpensive and easy to implement solution.



CA

I just bought a 335i without xDrive but all the ones I test drove before had it. It's definitely tighter. I like it though it didn't feel linear. I went without it. Though the launch is better with xDrive, I don't need it in Texas. Plus, I have a 75-90 mile commute right now and need every mpg I can get.

Weird thing was that I got in a Ford Fusion today and the steering was so light it felt WEIRD (it was also weird not having to hit the clutch). I have become so accustomed to the great control I get from my 3 that anything else just feels like a toy...

OP you will get used to the steering quickly. In fact once you do and get into another car you will oversteer it like the steering wheel is going to fall off.

Originally Posted by brandt2025

My 2011 328 is in the shop right now, and I am driving a rental Chevy Cruze. The first thing I noticed was how little effort was required to turn the wheel. My impression having driven the car for almost two weeks is that there is little to no feedback from the road, and it seems to require constant input to keep the car centered.

While my 328 may require a bit more strength, I certainly prefer it to the near Cadillac-like easy to spin steering wheel of the Cruze.

I got a 11 328i xdrive with 14k miles a few days ago and this is the first thing I noticed. The steering is weighted but it seems the car stays more centered while on the road. I owned a Mazda before this car and the steering was easier but it seemed like a constant struggle to keep the car aligned, maybe its just me thinking too much. Is this what youre trying to say?

I have no problem with the steering and I think its normal for BMW x drive.

Drive a new 3 with electric steering you won't like it. The old 3 drives like the go cart you used to drive when you were 10 years old. Now that's a real BMW.

In 01 BMW tried to introduce wimpy steering and the people that got it were quite surprised
and complained to the point that BMW actually retrofitted there vehicles with a 328 steering
box. This subject keeps getting revisited and statistics keep telling marketing that wimpy steering is what people want . Eventually there will be nothing to distinguished a BMW from any other car.
But the answer is simple variable steering boost, as in a a dial to set it to your preferences.

Originally Posted by ctuna

In 01 BMW tried to introduce wimpy steering and the people that got it were quite surprised
and complained to the point that BMW actually retrofitted there vehicles with a 328 steering
box. This subject keeps getting revisited and statistics keep telling marketing that wimpy steering is what people want . Eventually there will be nothing to distinguished a BMW from any other car.
But the answer is simple variable steering boost, as in a a dial to set it to your preferences.

Do you have a source for this?

Originally Posted by 3284me

OP you will get used to the steering quickly. In fact once you do and get into another car you will oversteer it like the steering wheel is going to fall off.

My only problem is that now that I'm used to this steering feedback and general awesomeness, BMW decides to take it away for all the new models