[DrumkingNL]

Dear fellow BMW enthusiasts,

I notice that the steering wheel in my BMW G20 does not return 100% to center and the car then keeps going left/right (depending on which way you steer ofcourse) So, this applies to both a corner to the right or left. Is this something that could be related to rear-wheel drive (first BMW), wheel alignment, of does anyone have any other ideas what it could be?

The car is build in 2021 and has 75.000km/47.000mi.

Below is a video of the problem (shot on an empty road )

Thanks!

[elambo]

I'm not sure that my car returns perfectly to center either.

Is the alignment correct? When you hold the wheel dead center, does the car go straight (assuming it's a level road).

[Shaneartistry]

Pretty sure it’s a BMW thing. My X5’s were the same as well as my M3.

[kai_001]

Our G20 and G05 X5 does the same. It'll get about 90-95% of the way there and then you have to guide it the rest of the way. OE-spec alignments did not fix it (had alignments for other reasons not specific to this, but the quirk remains).

[triple_x3]

My G01 2022, does the exact same thing.
BMW dealer claims that this is "normal" behaviour which to me sounds ridiculous - I haven't noticed this on any other car brand or older BMWs .Even BMW mention in their own marketing communication that Returnability is important https://www.bmw.com/en/performance/r...-steering.html.

I have done alignment at BMW and it did not resolve it.

Did anyone managed to fix this issue somehow? I am beginning to think BMW is well aware of the problem and multiple models are affected (my car is european spec)

[dima_pa]

Originally Posted by triple_x3

My G01 2022, does the exact same thing.
BMW dealer claims that this is "normal" behaviour which to me sounds ridiculous - I haven't noticed this on any other car brand or older BMWs .Even BMW mention in their own marketing communication that Returnability is important https://www.bmw.com/en/performance/r...-steering.html.

I have done alignment at BMW and it did not resolve it.

Did anyone managed to fix this issue somehow? I am beginning to think BMW is well aware of the problem and multiple models are affected (my car is european spec)

any solutions? same thing with my g20

[copernik31]

Originally Posted by DrumkingNL

Dear fellow BMW enthusiasts,

I notice that the steering wheel in my BMW G20 does not return 100% to center and the car then keeps going left/right (depending on which way you steer ofcourse) So, this applies to both a corner to the right or left. Is this something that could be related to rear-wheel drive (first BMW), wheel alignment, of does anyone have any other ideas what it could be?

The car is build in 2021 and has 75.000km/47.000mi.

Below is a video of the problem (shot on an empty road )

Thanks!

The same thing happens to me with my G20 2021. Another thing is that at low speeds, the return of the steering wheel to the center is very slow...

[SLGrassoPA]

Not sure if this is your issue, but wandering / need for constant corrections of the steering is definitely an issue in the 3 series.

Originally Posted by SLGrassoPA

to bruce0293 and GWIZ -

Some owners have the steering problem. Others say they don't.

But what is undeniable is that every major auto publication / review has found the need for constant micro corrections at highway speeds in the 3 series.

I am not talking about numbness (which we know is the way BMW steering has gone). I am not talking about alignments, pressure, balancing, tires, etc.. I am talking about the need for constant micro corrections to the left and to the right at highway speeds to keep the car going straight. After a while, it's exhausting.

My opinion, I believe many have learned to live with it.

For those that think they don't have the problem, go to your local showroom and drive a 2 series or a 5 series and you'll see the immediate difference. It's night and day. They - unlike the 3 series - hold a straight line at any speed, including over 40MPH. They - unlike the 3 series - have a much tighter on center feel and react much better to inputs. No vagueness, no numbness, and most important -- no need for constant corrections.

Better yet, drive an MB or Audi - or probably most any brand - and you will see a drastic difference in steering feel. The BMW 3 series steering - my opinion - is like a big Chevy, but with the need for constant corrections at highway speed.

For me. I was able to live with the vagueness, the numbness, the lack of feedback, but the need for constant micro corrections at highway speeds is exhausting!!!

BMW NA knows about the issue.

The reviewer here starting around 22:40 nails it - if anyone here has the issue - watch this video now.

https://g20.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=1774603

Similarly - the EDMUNDS editor and senior testing manager says:

"The steering in this X3 leaves me with mixed feelings. I really enjoy driving around town thanks to its small dimensions, tight turning radius and overall maneuverability. On the highway it's a different story. The steering wheel is numb off-center. So after a short time on a straight road, with the steering wheel pointed dead-ahead, the car drifts slightly. It requires constant, small adjustments to keep the car in the middle of the lane. It happened often enough that I switched from Comfort to Sport mode, thinking the heavier steering setting might help. No such luck." — Mike Schmidt, senior manager, vehicle testing operations...

From the same review:

"Similar to the base X3, the M40i's steering sometimes succumbs to a heavy-yet-lifeless feel, giving the SUV a wandering sensation that's especially evident while cruising on a highway."

https://www.edmunds.com/bmw/x3/2022/...erm-road-test/

My suggestion is this: To each his own. But if you have the steering problem that so many have reported, don't spend your valuable time messing with alignments, balancing, settings, tire changes, etc .....

Instead, take your car back to BMW - and negotiate a deal that leaves you with little or no loss on your trade for a new BMW. Again, some people here claim to not have the problem, so maybe you can find yourself a new 3 series with steering that doesn't need the adjustments. If not, get a different model. Without trading for a new BMW, you will likely take a significant loss on the trade.

[M-Kärbes]

@DrumkingNL - I have a 2019 BMW G20 with the Variable Sport Steering, and it behaves exactly the same way. I also find this steering feel weird, but I guess it's normal for this car. Or have you found a solution to this issue? The YouTube video below shows how my car's steering behaves.

[4WDFAN]

Anybody figured out a fix for the problem of the steering wheel not centering? My 2022 340ix developed this problem after a visit to the dealer who
1. Replaced the steering rack to get rid of a squeaking nose
2. Did alignment
3. Did software update to the 3.25 version
If there is a solution, it would be helpful to know it before talking to the dealer.

[sas46]

Same issue here with G05, coming from an F20 with perfect steering centering I'm very disappointed

[M-Kärbes]

Originally Posted by 4WDFAN

Anybody figured out a fix for the problem of the steering wheel not centering? My 2022 340ix developed this problem after a visit to the dealer who
1. Replaced the steering rack to get rid of a squeaking nose
2. Did alignment
3. Did software update to the 3.25 version
If there is a solution, it would be helpful to know it before talking to the dealer.

This issue could also be caused by the strut mount bearings. They are said to have plastic housings and are not particularly durable. In addition, in some cases, a faulty steering column has caused the feeling of stiffness in the center steering position.
If the car is still under warranty, I would have these components checked next and replaced if necessary.

[hyrenhart]

Can we first establish if that slow return to center is an issue or a normal behavior of the G20 chassis?

Could anyone who thinks they DON'T have that issue record a similar video to the one above, driving 30-40km/h and letting off of the wheel when it's slightly turned? Will it stay turned or will it return to perfect centre?

This could show us how the car should behave when all is good.
Big thanks to anyone who will do that!

[M-Kärbes]

Originally Posted by hyrenhart

Can we first establish if that slow return to center is an issue or a normal behavior of the G20 chassis?

Could anyone who thinks they DON'T have that issue record a similar video to the one above, driving 30-40km/h and letting off of the wheel when it's slightly turned? Will it stay turned or will it return to perfect centre?

This could show us how the car should behave when all is good.
Big thanks to anyone who will do that!

Please be so kind and make me a video - does your car's steering wheel also not return to center by itself when driving at 70 km/h, like shown in the video below?

[hyrenhart]

Mine behaves exactly like yours. I turn the wheel 10 degrees at 30+km/h, remove my hands from the wheel, and it remains turned and doesn't come back to center.

However I've never seen a video of a G20 NOT behaving like that.
That's why I'm not sure if that's an issue or a feature of the G20 chassis.

Can anyone else, whose steering wheel returns to perfect center when letting off of the wheel at constant 30-40km/h, record a video showing how your wheel centers nicely?

Such a video could help the rest of us, whose wheels do not return to center, work with our dealers or mechanics on solving the issue.

Without such a video, all we hear is "that's just how this car is, get used to it or get another car".

[GranthemM]

My G22 with 50k miles has always done the same. Even after a recent alignment.

[ErockBMW]

My RWD G26 is the same. Steering wheel is slightly turned to the right.

[hyrenhart]

It looks like nobody's G20 wheel returns to center under those conditions.

The weekend's coming, we're going to do some spirited driving - do we have anyone who can record a video of their wheel coming back to center from 10 degrees out when going at a constant 30km/h? Pretty please!

[M-Kärbes]

30 km/h is too slow. In my video, you can see how I’m driving into a right-hand curve at 70 km/h, and the steering wheel keeps turning right on its own. I’d like to see if it’s the same for you when driving on the highway.

[Patrick852]

I watched a German YouTuber Thomas called this is a "dead zone" of G20 steering feel. The LCI model in recent years corrected the problem. Does anyone owns a 2023 onwards G20 say something about it?

[reala]

I had same problem on my 2023 m340. I had wheel alignment twice from dealership for it and no difference. After that i had wheel alignment from a local tire shop and centering is fine.

[Patrick852]

Originally Posted by reala

I had same problem on my 2023 m340. I had wheel alignment twice from dealership for it and no difference. After that i had wheel alignment from a local tire shop and centering is fine.

This is surprising! The tire shop has done a better job than the dealer. Make me considering to give them a try.