variable Sport steering

What does everyone think of the "Variable Sport Steering" option...or at least the concept of it, if not experienced yet?
Will you order it?
Why?
Why not?

Originally Posted by 16n69

What does everyone think of the "Variable Sport Steering" option...or at least the concept of it, if not experienced yet?
Will you order it?
Why?
Why not?

If it feels anything like the Audi A4 felt then I would want nothing to do with it. Conversely I love the steering feel of my E90.

I am curious to drive the F30 with and without it.

I didnt order it

I ordered it on the F30. I really like it on our '06 Porsche 911.

http://www.cdxetextbook.com/steersus...ablesteer.html

Variable Ratio Steering.

It's not even a new technology, this has been around for years.

I'd buy it.

Originally Posted by LS2 MN6

http://www.cdxetextbook.com/steersus...ablesteer.html

Variable Ratio Steering.

It's not even a new technology, this has been around for years.

I'd buy it.

...so do you think it (variable sport steering) is CLOSER to the feel of the old hydraulic?
Or would the standard be closer?

Originally Posted by 16n69

...so do you think it (variable sport steering) is CLOSER to the feel of the old hydraulic?
Or would the standard be closer?

no one will know till they drive. i thought you drove one?

Originally Posted by justinnum1

no one will know till they drive. i thought you drove one?

yes...but did not have the order sheet...or know anything about options ordered or not?
company car,not even my company.

Originally Posted by 16n69

yes...but did not have the order sheet...or know anything about options ordered or not?
company car,not even my company.

well how did the car you drive feel? it had some form of electric steering...

Originally Posted by justinnum1

well how did the car you drive feel? it had some form of electric steering...

OK..but which steering it was,...not as good as the E46 or E90.
Give me the classic magic BMWhydraulic steering and SCREW the mpg

Originally Posted by 16n69

...so do you think it (variable sport steering) is CLOSER to the feel of the old hydraulic?
Or would the standard be closer?

Variable is independent of Electric or Hydraulic and contributes nothing to the feel of one versus the other. It just provides a dynamic ratio. The 2009-2013 Corvette has a Variable Ratio Hydraulic rack, as an FYI of a hydraulic unit with Variable.

This whole Electric doesn't feel like Hydraulic is never going away, the reason Physics.

An Electric system has a motor on the rack (or column if it's a cheap system), and due to this you always have to "back drive" or compensate for the motor if you are putting in an input from the road. Therefore minor road chatter and the like is "removed" because the dead weight of the motor on the rack prevents such "vibrations" from being transfered. Second the electric system in the input pinion isn't connected to the rack other than thru a "torsion bar" since the goal of this bar is to measure your input torque (to accurately know how much steering assist you demand) the ability of transfer back from the rack to the driver is diminished (as the rack vibration, force, whatever must overcome the torsional stiffness of the torsion bar.)

Because of these two things an EPS will NEVER feel like an HPS. When they do it's because we actually tune the EPS to "fake" some of these vibrations by moving the motor ourselves with various "compensation functions."

Originally Posted by LS2 MN6

Variable is independent of Electric or Hydraulic and contributes nothing to the feel of one versus the other. It just provides a dynamic ratio. The 2009-2013 Corvette has a Variable Ratio Hydraulic rack, as an FYI of a hydraulic unit with Variable.

This whole Electric doesn't feel like Hydraulic is never going away, the reason Physics.

An Electric system has a motor on the rack (or column if it's a cheap system), and due to this you always have to "back drive" or compensate for the motor if you are putting in an input from the road. Therefore minor road chatter and the like is "removed" because the dead weight of the motor on the rack prevents such "vibrations" from being transfered. Second the electric system in the input pinion isn't connected to the rack other than thru a "torsion bar" since the goal of this bar is to measure your input torque (to accurately know how much steering assist you demand) the ability of transfer back from the rack to the driver is diminished (as the rack vibration, force, whatever must overcome the torsional stiffness of the torsion bar.)

Because of these two things an EPS will NEVER feel like an HPS. When they do it's because we actually tune the EPS to "fake" some of these vibrations by moving the motor ourselves with various "compensation functions."

OK, knowing what you do about this on a tech level...which would you rather have, the standard or base BMW F series steering or the Variable Sport?
Which steering should the BMW enthusiast prior to this PC correct GREEN safety gone anal Lexus loving appeal to the Desperate Housewives set, direction BMW has taken...choose

I'd always choose the variable rack over the straight ratio.

So you cannot go wrong with the variable sport option. It's going to defiantly make the system better than without it.

I'd have swapped my 2008 Corvette's straight ratio for the 2009 variable ratio if I didn't have to upgrade my brake system (long story, I won't bore you guys with). I like variable ratio that much.

Originally Posted by LS2 MN6

I'd always choose the variable rack over the straight ratio.

So you cannot go wrong with the variable sport option. It's going to defiantly make the system better than without it.

I'd have swapped my 2008 Corvette's straight ratio for the 2009 variable ratio if I didn't have to upgrade my brake system (long story, I won't bore you guys with). I like variable ratio that much.

That is what I suspected, was not sure...THANKS
Might get a M-Sport for the wife...want to load it up as sporty best driving dynamics as possible. I, on the other hand, am HOPING BMW does not screw up the upcoming M3, the E9x (last series, or still present...lol) is going to be a tough act to follow.
BMW has a history of not knowing when to leave well enough alone.

I would get it. Although it's not as dynamic as the older Active Steering, the Variable Sportlenkung () should ideally provide a nice blend of stability at higher speeds and low-speed agility. Not having to go hand-over-hand in tight hairpins is a nice thing!

Originally Posted by 16n69

OK, knowing what you do about this on a tech level...which would you rather have, the standard or base BMW F series steering or the Variable Sport?
Which steering should the BMW enthusiast prior to this PC correct GREEN safety gone anal Lexus loving appeal to the Desperate Housewives set, direction BMW has taken...choose

You are a one way train on the path to disaster. It doesn't matter which one we like. The best steering is no assist at all but in any car weighing over 2000 pounds this is not feasible. EPS is the wave of the future whether you like it or not. And CAFE stds are here to stay, once again, whether you like it or not.

Originally Posted by Michael Schott

You are a one way train on the path to disaster. It doesn't matter which one we like. The best steering is no assist at all but in any car weighing over 2000 pounds this is not feasible. EPS is the wave of the future whether you like it or not. And CAFE stds are here to stay, once again, whether you like it or not.

Actually, we have a choice...we can buy the superior drivers cars like the E46 & E9x's.

Originally Posted by 16n69

Actually, we have a choice...we can buy the superior drivers cars like the E46 & E9x's.

I drive an e90 and will probably get an F30 when my lease ends. Why don't you drive a 1991 Miata if you want the best driver's car?

That guy clearly doesn't like the F30 why he has to talk **** about it in every thread is beyond me...

Originally Posted by Michael Schott

I drive an e90 and will probably get an F30 when my lease ends. Why don't you drive a 1991 Miata if you want the best driver's car?

Too slow...girly-man car