1 series vs 3 series - steering feel

I am usually quite happy with the way my 128 steers. My other car is a 2005 Range Rover, and as well as that drives for a SUV, the 128 feels so much tighter and connected.

However, whenever I drive a 3 series, I feel that the 3 has a steering feel that is just a little bit better.

I took my 128 for its 1 year service, and I got the same feeling when driving the 328ix loaner that I had for the day. I didn't care much for the 4wd system, particularly through the turns, but the 3 did seem to be more communicative than my 128.

Thoughts?

You should try 135
It has much better steering than 328 or 128 - almost the same as in E46.

That is not going to happen.

Not interested in turbo's unless it is a turbo diesel. So, I am going to leave the 135 out - which I admit I had a lot of fun in, around the track at the Performance Delivery Center. But my feeling about the 135/335 is that all that torque, addictive as it is, eventually makes you lazy... as you don't have to work very hard to get access to all that performance. And I miss the sound of the engine in the upper reaches of the rev band...

At this point, it is more likely that the next great steering I will experience will be in a used 911 (a pity that the new one there has also gone electro-mechanical).

Does your 128i have the sport package? My '08 128i 'vert does and the steering feel (while a tad heavy) is as good as my E46 and better than my Active Steering equipped E91.

Tom

Yes - I do have the sport package... and it rides on the Goodyear NCT5's

Look, I am not saying that there is something wrong with the steering on the 128. All I am saying is - I prefer the steering on the 328 slightly more.

the difference could be from electric (128) vs. hydraulic (328) power steering

Originally Posted by sd330Ci

the difference could be from electric (128) vs. hydraulic (328) power steering

It might - if the 128i had electrically boosted steering. But it doesn't, at least not yet.

Tom

128 does have electric power steering accoring to Edmunds

http://www.insideline.com/bmw/1-seri...28i-coupe.html

Originally Posted by sd330Ci

128 does have electric power steering accoring to Edmunds

http://www.insideline.com/bmw/1-seri...28i-coupe.html

Yes, it reprints what was an incorrect rumor back in 2008. The article also states that the OEM ZSP NCT5 tires are all seasons - they are summer touring tires.

My '08 128i definitely has hydraulic steering - see the Tischer list of the hydraulic steering components:

http://www.trademotion.com/partlocat...layCatalogid=0

Tom

You are right.

Confusion comes from fact that 1 series hatchback has electric steering
http://www.bmw.com/com/en/insights/t..._steering.html

I had both 128 and 328 as loaner for a week and liked 328 steering more as well.

Well, in a way, it figures. The 328i is BMW's bread and butter. So it should be endowed with the best feeling steering that they could create.

I am thinking, this is similar to the issue of the 1 series under steering at the limit (an issue that I have not experienced for myself, since I have not tracked the car, and neither have had the desire to exploit on a public road)... which is attributed to its asymmetric tires and suspension tuning (and can be apparently tuned out).

Originally Posted by sd330Ci

You are right.

Confusion comes from fact that 1 series hatchback has electric steering
http://www.bmw.com/com/en/insights/t..._steering.html

Didn't know that some 1ers had it in other markets - thanks for the link.

And it looks like the new 5 series will have it as well. Hmmm, with most of the new BMWs having only turbo motors, numb electric steering and ever increasing weight, it looks like my current rides will have to last quite a while.

Tom

Originally Posted by jatbeni

I am usually quite happy with the way my 128 steers. My other car is a 2005 Range Rover, and as well as that drives for a SUV, the 128 feels so much tighter and connected.

However, whenever I drive a 3 series, I feel that the 3 has a steering feel that is just a little bit better.

I took my 128 for its 1 year service, and I got the same feeling when driving the 328ix loaner that I had for the day. I didn't care much for the 4wd system, particularly through the turns, but the 3 did seem to be more communicative than my 128.

Thoughts?

My wife drives the 128 and I recently sold my '09 335. Both had the sport package. I would say that although the 128 feels very good and I would say overall the steering feel was comparable, my 135 felt slightly more solid. I suspect that is because my 335 felt a little more planted and connected. The 128 almost seems a little too light as it tracks on the road.

Again, very close and most wouldn't know the difference.