Does anyone remember when BMW switched to "light" steering in '01?

alpinewhite3 · 01-16-2006, 02:27 PM

My friend has a 330i dated from 2001
and his steering/handling is very mushy.
Very unlike BMW. He told me that he was one
of the few unlucky ones back in 2001
when BMW decided to make the steering
"lighter" to appeal to more people, But
after 3 months, there was an outcry and they
went back to the original steering. I drove his
and i hated it! It was so mushy and light, like a
Mercedes. Does anyone remember/affected
by that? If so, can anyone re-tell the story
as i was unaware about it.

mrbelk · 01-16-2006, 02:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by agent0986

My friend has a 330i dated from 2001
and his steering/handling is very mushy.
Very unlike BMW. He told me that he was one
of the few unlucky ones back in 2001
when BMW decided to make the steering
"lighter" to appeal to more people, But
after 3 months, there was an outcry and they
went back to the original steering. I drove his
and i hated it! It was so mushy and light, like a
Mercedes. Does anyone remember/affected
by that? If so, can anyone re-tell the story
as i was unaware about it.

Not sure I could recount all of the details, but I had a very early production 330i (June, 2000 production), and it originally came with the very light steering that was installed supposedly to address female customer feedback that the steering effort was too heavy.

After some months, BMW (of North America, not sure about BMW world-wide) offered a not-widely-advertised retrofit kit that replaced the rack and power steering pump and restored at least some of the weight and "tightness" to the steering system. I was the first at my dealership to have the retrofit applied. The post-retrofit steering was almost exactly like the 328's that I'd test-driven.

I think that BMW changed the factory installed steering rack back to the "heavy" version for the 2002 model year.

-MrB

Atty · 01-16-2006, 03:36 PM

This is correct.

JSpira · 01-16-2006, 04:10 PM

Indeed, just as I recall it.

I always thought it was a New Coke/Coke-like scenario.

a burrito · 01-16-2006, 04:12 PM

I remember this as well. I dont remember the whole story but i do remember that bmw did took measures to replace that element.

obLu · 01-16-2006, 05:15 PM

Yup, owned one. Traded it in on another brand because the car itself was a p.o.s. for other reasons besides the light steering.

ward · 01-16-2006, 07:19 PM

they tried it, everyone hated it, they fixed it

01-16-2006, 02:27 PM	#1
alpinewhite3 Major 556 Rep 1,067 Posts Drives: Currently searching Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: North Carolina iTrader: (0)	Does anyone remember when BMW switched to "light" steering in '01? My friend has a 330i dated from 2001 and his steering/handling is very mushy. Very unlike BMW. He told me that he was one of the few unlucky ones back in 2001 when BMW decided to make the steering "lighter" to appeal to more people, But after 3 months, there was an outcry and they went back to the original steering. I drove his and i hated it! It was so mushy and light, like a Mercedes. Does anyone remember/affected by that? If so, can anyone re-tell the story as i was unaware about it.
	Appreciate 0 Tweet Quote

01-16-2006, 03:36 PM	#3
Atty Second Lieutenant 16 Rep 239 Posts Drives: 09 X5 48i M-Sport Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Los Angeles iTrader: (0) Garage List 2006 (September bui ... [0.00]	This is correct. __________________ Attorney E90 330i 6MT \| Black Sapphire \| Terra \| Burl \| ZSP \| ZPP \| ZCW \| Navi \| Sirius
	Appreciate 0 Quote

01-16-2006, 04:10 PM	#4
JSpira Freude am Fahren 334 Rep 5,254 Posts Drives: Fünfer, Dreier, + Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: New York, München, Wien iTrader: (1)	Indeed, just as I recall it. I always thought it was a New Coke/Coke-like scenario. __________________ Freude am Fahren. Jonathan E90 2006 330xi E90 2006 325i E39 2003 530i Sport* E46 2000 328Ci* E36 1996 328iS* E36 1992 325i* E30 1991 318is E21 1982 320iS* E21 1979 320 (6-Zyl)* *retired Nominated: Most Contributing Member
	Appreciate 0 Quote

01-16-2006, 04:12 PM	#5
a burrito Lieutenant Colonel 56 Rep 1,962 Posts Drives: Urus, 958.2 TTS, 997 S Join Date: May 2005 Location: Irvine, CA iTrader: (1)	I remember this as well. I dont remember the whole story but i do remember that bmw did took measures to replace that element. __________________ Peanut Butter Chunky
	Appreciate 0 Quote

01-16-2006, 05:15 PM	#6
obLu Major 50 Rep 1,159 Posts Drives: 330i 6MT ZSP Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Kirkland, WA, USA iTrader: (1)	Yup, owned one. Traded it in on another brand because the car itself was a p.o.s. for other reasons besides the light steering.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

01-16-2006, 07:19 PM	#7
ward Major General 155 Rep 6,158 Posts Drives: F Join Date: May 2005 Location: T iTrader: (0)	they tried it, everyone hated it, they fixed it
	Appreciate 0 Quote