[SoCalM340i]

Originally Posted by TruthOne

If your car is pulling and not staying straight, could that be an alignment issue? I don't have this problem.

Me neither, it's straight as an arrow

[ByronWalter]

Same here. Mine tracks as if it's on rails. And as for ASS in comfort mode... I forgot there even is a comfort mode. I've never used it. My reptile brain pops my car into either sport individual or sport plus. It's not even a conscious action at this point, thus no issues with ASS. Anyhow you gotta do what works for you.

[justinu909]

Just a side note since it seems like everyone thinks I'm getting a F32 because I think it handles better then a G20 that's not the case. Clearly G20 is the sportier car.
I'm going backwards because I want a softer car atp, not because I think a 440 with track handling is better.

[madmax2k1]

There are multiple threads on this forum about the weird steering behavior requiring constant corrections when driving straight on a freeway, it's one issue that's keeping me from getting a G20.

[Bimmerg621]

I have an m340ix coming next month and reading all this info about the steering is making me doubt my choice. Doesn't help that I have been waiting for this car for a painful 7-8 ish months.

[rad21]

Originally Posted by Bimmerg621

I have an m340ix coming next month and reading all this info about the steering is making me doubt my choice. Doesn't help that I have been waiting for this car for a painful 7-8 ish months.

Don't worry about it. Yes the steering is not like my E90 was but there is no issue with tracking/wandering (driving in a straight line)on mine and the rest of the M340i is far superior you will enjoy it.

[chenry]

Originally Posted by rad21

Don't worry about it. Yes the steering is not like my E90 was but there is no issue with tracking/wandering (driving in a straight line)on mine and the rest of the M340i is far superior you will enjoy it.

+1 zero issues here

[oonowindoo]

Originally Posted by Bimmerg621

I have an m340ix coming next month and reading all this info about the steering is making me doubt my choice. Doesn't help that I have been waiting for this car for a painful 7-8 ish months.

I can assure you there is nothing wrong with the steering.
Just make sure you turn the steering intervention off if you dont like the random pulling from it.

Just understand BMW's along with pretty much all current cars' steering feel will never be like the ones from E46/E90 era. Simply because they are no longer full hydraulic but EPS.

I dont understand how much $$ they are saving from the switch but it is what it is. Not much we can do.

They could tune it to improve the feel but it will never be the same. I have accept that fact many years ago.

[Montaver]

Certain cars are affected by the steering issue, no question. There are multiple reports of it being an issue. Its a very subtle problem which I think what makes it so difficult to diagnose. My suspicion is it relates to the alignment being very sensitive to insufficient toe in, potentially because of the way the suspension and run flats interact. I want to get my car on an alignment rack at my regular track shop so I can get a proper print out, as all BMW would tell me was it was 'in spec' and couldn't give me a print out.

[Korokoro]

I also returned a leased M340i early, although it was a great car. I did not really notice any issues with steering stability. My wife said the steering was too heavy (but she says that about all BMWs, so I gave up and got her an Audi A4).

The main reasons I gave up the M340i were (1) the slight harshness of the ride in spite of the M-Adaptive Suspension, and (2) the lack of enough trunk space to hold two large 29" suitcases. The cases fit with no problem in the trunk of my 440i GC after taking out the removable shelf.

When I returned the M340i I extended my lease on the F36 and ordered a new M440i Gran Coupe (G26). l have been pleasantly surprised at how much smoother the ride is than the M340i. No issues with the steering, either -- it's very precise and easy to control. Adaptive Suspension and Adjustable Steering ratio are standard. It also helps that BMW increased the tire size from 225/40R19 to 245/40R19 in the front and 255/40R19 in the rear.

[RedKloud]

Originally Posted by Korokoro

I also returned a leased M340i early, although it was a great car. I did not really notice any issues with steering stability, but I think it did have a slight problem with that. My wife said the steering was too heavy -- but she says that about all BMWs, so I gave up and got her an Audi A4. She also said the steering wheel was too thick, and I did agree with her there, but that also wasn't a big deal for me.

The reasons I myself disliked the M340i were (1) the slight harshness of the ride (except for a set of Firestone Firehawk Indy 500s), in spite of having the M-Adaptive Suspension, and (2) the lack of enough vertical trunk space to hold two large 29" suitcases. These fit with no problem in the trunk of my 440i after taking out the two removable shelves, one on the hatchback and the other behind the back seat.

I returned the M340i early and ordered the new M440i Gran Coupe (G26), which has an even larger trunk (470 vs 430 liters, per BMW's spec sheet) than the old 440i (F36). l have been pleasantly surprised at how much smoother the ride is than the M340i. No issues with the steering, either -- it's slightly easier to control and very precise. Adaptive Suspension and Adaptive Variable Steering ratio are standard. It also helps that BMW increased the height of the tire sidewalls slightly by using 245/40R19 in the front and 255/40R19 in the rear. The M340i I got came with 225/40R19 all around.

Even our 19-year-old son, who loved his 325i E90, said the M340i somehow felt hard to drive. Maybe it was partly because of the slioght steering stability issue. I think he also had trouble modulating the power and the sensitive brakes, and disliked the new dashboard gauges. He also preferred the feel of the 440i, which has the Track Handling Package, including regular (not the "M") Adaptive Suspension.

Isn't the suspension on the M440 the same as M340? Also I thought all adaptive suspensions are "M adaptive".

[RedKloud]

I'm surprised to hear so many people are having issues with the steering on the M340. I guess I must've gotten one of the good copies. Of course it doesn't have the feel of a hydraulic steering but it's precise and the car tracks straight as an arrow.

[jg4c]

^ This.
2022 M340 I. No issues. Tracks straight.
Definitely exhibits typical behavior of
electromechanical steering racks, but subtle compared to my last Audi.

[VipinLJ]

My 330i has that issue too. It isn't an issue per se though. Just that the car needs more correction compared to my Audis and VW. I can see how it can be a problem on long drives (3+ hrs). I have gotten used to it though.

[Korokoro]

"Isn't the suspension on the M440 the same as M340? Also I thought all adaptive suspensions are 'M adaptive'." -- RedKloud

RedKloud, I was also expecting the M440i to have the same ride as the M340i, since both have the M Adaptive suspension. But it's definitely different, in a better way -- smoother and more stable. I don't think it could be only due to the very slightly higher tire sidewall and longer wheelbase.

[Blubaron79]

Originally Posted by wrickem

Wow I didn't see that coming

My 2 F32's (435 and 440) were my absolute least favorite of any car I've ever owned in terms of driving, handling, styling and overall cheap feeling interior. Combined, I didn't even last 3 years with them both and moved to an X-5, which was completely out of my element for my DD

You got to go with what makes you happy, but I'd sure do anything I had to to make that 540 happen instead.

Good luck with however you go

My old F32 435i with the power kit felt dog slow in comparison to my M340i. (And my 435 wasn't that slow)

Still my M340 handles better, feels lighter, and is more comfortable than any F series car I owned.

[themnmd]

Originally Posted by Montaver

There is something fundamentally wrong with the G20 steering calibration or suspension kinematics in my opinion. The on center busyness and requirement for constant corrections is a huge flaw with the car and makes it very frustrating at high speeds on longer journeys.

Personally,I find no such problem with mine. 2020 M340 X drive, HP tire/cooling pkg with summer go flats

[MBM340]

Originally Posted by TTG

I see the steering feel conversation between E9X and G2X but having owned F3X with track and handling package, I don't think there is any comparison to M340.

My current M340 and my old E92 335 6M were my 2 fav BMWs. F30 did not do anything for me personally for daily driving duties...... If folks are talking about tracking, it probably is a different story but I still don't see preferring F3X over M340 in that argument as well.

My favorites were my 2 E36 M3s and my current M340. Never had any issues with any BMW steering being unstable or pulling...

[Mason Hatcher]

Zero steering wander with my my 20 M340. However, if you think about moving left or right the car moves.

[RLL RACER]

Not sure just why the G20 m pkg 330i x drive steering is that far superior to the counter part m340i x drive, but it is! In my pro driving career with all kinds of sports cars, the 330i its noticeable and begs for more in tight corners / apexes, battling a tight grid on track, lane changes at high speed, and just plain city driving. Also the m deferential makes a HUGE difference on all aspects of the steering! I am impressed. Maybe a touch of e46 in there.

[JDUNITNOW]

The day I picked up my M3, the steering felt odd to me, but I was coming from a Seven series. I had spacers installed, and my guy aligned the car and said BMW cars have more Toe in, so he adjusted the toe out, and I could tell the car steered better.

[Ikester19]

Originally Posted by Montaver

Certain cars are affected by the steering issue, no question. There are multiple reports of it being an issue. Its a very subtle problem which I think what makes it so difficult to diagnose. My suspicion is it relates to the alignment being very sensitive to insufficient toe in, potentially because of the way the suspension and run flats interact. I want to get my car on an alignment rack at my regular track shop so I can get a proper print out, as all BMW would tell me was it was 'in spec' and couldn't give me a print out.

Definitely get an alignment shop to dial in the alignment as close to spec as possible. This made all the difference on my car. I too sent it to BMW a number of times for an alignment and it never felt right but they kept telling me it was 'within spec'! The alignment tolerances are way to wide on these cars which causes steering issues if not done accurately