[Pug2791]

Hi all, first post. I’ve had a 318i for about 6 months (ex dealer car). I have noticed the steering just lately feeling a little off. I did a 300 mile drive yesterday and when the steering is dead centre it feels “loose” until it goes about a centimetre or so off centre at which point it hits “resistance”. It’s like the power steering isn’t doing anything for a part of the arc. It feels like the steering does nothing until then and once it hits that point then you catch up which makes the steering feel a little jerky. Really noticeable at slow speeds but on motorway at 70 I can feel it as well and makes it seem like I can’t do minor corrections to the steering - I don’t think it is noticeable to the passengers but really noticeable to me. Is this something others have experienced with the 3 series G20.

It is an M Sport model but has not extras, standard wheels (correctly inflated) and nothing like active suspension or anything like that. I do have the lane assist steering intervention turned on which I plan to try turning off today to see if that makes any difference.

Thanks in advance for any advice.

[HighlandPete]

Originally Posted by Pug2791

I can feel it as well and makes it seem like I can’t do minor corrections to the steering - I don’t think it is noticeable to the passengers but really noticeable to me. Is this something others have experienced with the 3 series G20.

It is an M Sport model but has not extras, standard wheels (correctly inflated) and nothing like active suspension or anything like that. I do have the lane assist steering intervention turned on which I plan to try turning off today to see if that makes any difference.

Thanks in advance for any advice.

My observation in the loaner I had.

I was in a new G20 318d M-Sport (staggered 18" setup) for almost 200 miles, (1,200 miles on the clock). Drove straight, precise and accurate steering. Loaded up well in the bends, nothing artificial, and had a good return to centre feel to it.

The only thing I did notice, trying for the 'dead-centre' so many report, was if you move the steering rapidly 'side to side' there is a slight feeling of a dead spot. If you are slightly slower in the input, no feeling of the dead-spot. It's as if the torque sensor signal is taking a few milliseconds too long, to be processed, before applying electric assist. A bit slower and it keeps up.

Anything like the above?

Is it better in sport mode?

[Pug2791]

I’ve turned off the steering lane correction and reduced the feedback level for lane assist. Also running in comfort rather than eco pro. With those changes it has seemed better today. Going to try that for a few days and start then changing the settings to see what reintroduces it.

[HighlandPete]

Originally Posted by Pug2791

I’ve turned off the steering lane correction and reduced the feedback level for lane assist. Also running in comfort rather than eco pro. With those changes it has seemed better today. Going to try that for a few days and start then changing the settings to see what reintroduces it.

Good plan.

I'd definitely include trying sport mode steering setting, see how the steering feels 'on-centre' in that mode.

Keep in mind there is no power assistance on-centre, so it is all in the feel of how EPS starts assisting.

[andbrads]

I think this is deliberately engineered in to give motorway stability and prevent the car feeling too nervous and pointy. It’s the same in my M340i.