My friend just brought his new 2002 330ci over for me to try the new steering yesterday morning. As a bit of background, I have driven every model year E46 now, and I backed out of a deal to purchase a 2001 330i after BMW lightened the steering effort. Well, the 2002 is much improved - much more effort and road feel than the 2001. I still think the original 1999 and early 2000 steering was better, but the 2002 steering is light years ahead of the 2001 version.