Steering Ratio

03///m3 · 04-09-2008, 07:37 AM

Does anyone know the 135 steering ratio? How does it compare to the E92 M3's? I was thoroughly pleased with the steering on the new M3 and I have not yet driven the 135. I am hoping the steering is similar if not quicker than the M3.

Esmallstii · 04-09-2008, 07:47 AM

Not sure about the M3,..but the steering in the 135 is VERY quick. Almost like a mini cooper (If you've ever been in one of those)
3 turns or less lock to lock.!
Turn the wheel a little & you're in the next lane. Very tight turning radius as well!

scs · 04-09-2008, 09:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 03///m3

Does anyone know the 135 steering ratio? How does it compare to the E92 M3's? I was thoroughly pleased with the steering on the new M3 and I have not yet driven the 135. I am hoping the steering is similar if not quicker than the M3.

the ratio is 16:1

M3_Dust · 04-09-2008, 12:38 PM

135i is 16:1
E46 M3 is 15.4:1, 14.5:1 on ZCP
E36 M3 is 13.7:1

I'm sure the E92 M3 is higher than the E46, lower is better.

03///m3 · 04-09-2008, 12:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by M3_Dust

135i is 16:1
E46 M3 is 15.4:1, 14.5:1 on ZCP
E36 M3 is 13.7:1

I'm sure the E92 M3 is higher than the E46, lower is better.

Wow that's disappointing. The E92 M3 is low 13's if i remember correctly. Steering is much quicker than my E46 M3. I was hoping the 135 was near the E92 M3.

energie · 04-09-2008, 01:39 PM

Some interesting posts here so far, some informed, some not at all!

Steering ratio data has been posted in prior threads, here goes:

e92 M3: 12.5:1
135i 16:1 (C&D) or 15.3:1 (R&T)
I believe the info posted above regarding e36 M3 and e46 M3 is all correct. And yes, the lower the ratio, the quicker the steering! (360/SR = degrees per turn of steering wheel).

Also, fyi:
RS4 13.1:1
C63 AMG 13.5:1

plien69 · 04-09-2008, 01:57 PM

The thing is, the steering doesn't feel that slow. In fact, when I first drove the car on a test drive, after the first few turns, I was thinking to myself "Wow, what a fast steering ratio!"

After some further wheel time and brain calibration, you come to realize that it isn't quite as quick as you first think. It's just that the short wheelbase makes the car turn in much more readily, which creates the illusion of a quick steering ratio.

I'll tell you one thing, I'm not thinking "Dang, I wish the steering ratio were quicker" when I'm driving the car.

Also, the turning radius of the car is ridiculously small. Go to a parking lot, crank the wheel all the way to one side and give it some gas. It's like a merry-go-round!

The steering ratio of the 135i seems to be perfectly judged, IMO.

InsaneSkippy · 04-09-2008, 02:23 PM

I'm so glad to hear that. My current DD has a HORRID turning radius. I didn't get very much "parking lot" time on my test drive. That will be a nice change lol.

M3_Dust · 04-20-2008, 01:24 PM

yeah R&T has the 135i steering ratio listed as 15.3:1, that seems more likely correct. The short wheelbase and responsive chassis make the steering feel even quicker than it's ratio would lead you to believe.

vanbmw · 04-20-2008, 01:31 PM

The steering ratio is variable if the 135 is epuipted with the active steering assist. I drove a standard steering 135 and an active steering car back to back at the vancouver BMW 1 series drive event. In the low speed tight course they set up the active steering was definetly much quicker and better. If you are into autoX racing the active steering is probaly a great option. If you live in the city and are parrallel parking and moving in tight spots all day then it is a great option. I personally won't do either one so I think it is not worth the money.

felixdahousecat · 04-20-2008, 05:30 PM

personally I find active steering akward are hard to get use to. Go with the standerd and save yourself the option, the ratio is plenty tight enough.

TagMan · 04-20-2008, 07:15 PM

As much as I love the 135i, I have in fact wished the steering was more responsive. When I drive my Porsche, the steering feels like heaven. When I drive my 135i, I have to make the wheel travel a little further than I would like to. Perhaps an unfair comparison, but as I switch off between the two cars, it is quite noticeable. From what I see on these previous posts, the M's tighter steering sounds more like what I would have liked. The 135i's chassis could easily handle a tighter ratio.

04-09-2008, 07:37 AM	#1
03///m3 First Lieutenant 45 Rep 355 Posts Drives: 2013 E92 M3 Join Date: Sep 2007 iTrader: (1)	Steering Ratio Does anyone know the 135 steering ratio? How does it compare to the E92 M3's? I was thoroughly pleased with the steering on the new M3 and I have not yet driven the 135. I am hoping the steering is similar if not quicker than the M3.
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04-09-2008, 07:47 AM	#2
Esmallstii Systematic Chaos 40 Rep 550 Posts Drives: 08 135i Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Waterford, NY iTrader: (1)	Not sure about the M3,..but the steering in the 135 is VERY quick. Almost like a mini cooper (If you've ever been in one of those) 3 turns or less lock to lock.! Turn the wheel a little & you're in the next lane. Very tight turning radius as well! __________________ BSM/Coral red/Sp pkg/Cft access/Htd seats/BMW Performance Pedals, Spoiler, & Rotors/18" VMR V710's/Hankook Ventus/Cool Carbon Pads ."The 135i's engine sound is so ferocious and bittersweet, so carnal and wicked, somebody ought to name a heavy-metal band after it: Velvet Chain Saw."
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04-09-2008, 12:38 PM	#4
M3_Dust Michelin Man 386 Rep 740 Posts Drives: F10 535i M Sport Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: on forums iTrader: (0)	135i is 16:1 E46 M3 is 15.4:1, 14.5:1 on ZCP E36 M3 is 13.7:1 I'm sure the E92 M3 is higher than the E46, lower is better.
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04-09-2008, 01:39 PM	#6
energie Private 1 Rep 91 Posts Drives: honda civic Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: midwest iTrader: (0)	Some interesting posts here so far, some informed, some not at all! Steering ratio data has been posted in prior threads, here goes: e92 M3: 12.5:1 135i 16:1 (C&D) or 15.3:1 (R&T) I believe the info posted above regarding e36 M3 and e46 M3 is all correct. And yes, the lower the ratio, the quicker the steering! (360/SR = degrees per turn of steering wheel). Also, fyi: RS4 13.1:1 C63 AMG 13.5:1
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04-09-2008, 01:57 PM	#7
plien69 Captain 20 Rep 841 Posts Drives: 2014 M235i Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: CT iTrader: (0)	The thing is, the steering doesn't feel that slow. In fact, when I first drove the car on a test drive, after the first few turns, I was thinking to myself "Wow, what a fast steering ratio!" After some further wheel time and brain calibration, you come to realize that it isn't quite as quick as you first think. It's just that the short wheelbase makes the car turn in much more readily, which creates the illusion of a quick steering ratio. I'll tell you one thing, I'm not thinking "Dang, I wish the steering ratio were quicker" when I'm driving the car. Also, the turning radius of the car is ridiculously small. Go to a parking lot, crank the wheel all the way to one side and give it some gas. It's like a merry-go-round! The steering ratio of the 135i seems to be perfectly judged, IMO.
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04-09-2008, 02:23 PM	#8
InsaneSkippy Lieutenant Colonel 79 Rep 1,597 Posts Drives: 135i Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Florida iTrader: (1)	I'm so glad to hear that. My current DD has a HORRID turning radius. I didn't get very much "parking lot" time on my test drive. That will be a nice change lol. __________________
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04-20-2008, 01:24 PM	#9
M3_Dust Michelin Man 386 Rep 740 Posts Drives: F10 535i M Sport Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: on forums iTrader: (0)	yeah R&T has the 135i steering ratio listed as 15.3:1, that seems more likely correct. The short wheelbase and responsive chassis make the steering feel even quicker than it's ratio would lead you to believe.
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04-20-2008, 01:31 PM	#10
vanbmw Major 130 Rep 1,101 Posts Drives: 2015 Black 335i Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Vancouver iTrader: (0)	The steering ratio is variable if the 135 is epuipted with the active steering assist. I drove a standard steering 135 and an active steering car back to back at the vancouver BMW 1 series drive event. In the low speed tight course they set up the active steering was definetly much quicker and better. If you are into autoX racing the active steering is probaly a great option. If you live in the city and are parrallel parking and moving in tight spots all day then it is a great option. I personally won't do either one so I think it is not worth the money.
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04-20-2008, 05:30 PM	#11
felixdahousecat Private First Class 8 Rep 121 Posts Drives: Join Date: Feb 2008 iTrader: (0)	personally I find active steering akward are hard to get use to. Go with the standerd and save yourself the option, the ratio is plenty tight enough.
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04-20-2008, 07:15 PM	#12
TagMan Car Addict!! 60 Rep 1,303 Posts Drives: '08 135i Convertible Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Malibu, California iTrader: (0)	As much as I love the 135i, I have in fact wished the steering was more responsive. When I drive my Porsche, the steering feels like heaven. When I drive my 135i, I have to make the wheel travel a little further than I would like to. Perhaps an unfair comparison, but as I switch off between the two cars, it is quite noticeable. From what I see on these previous posts, the M's tighter steering sounds more like what I would have liked. The 135i's chassis could easily handle a tighter ratio. __________________ 2008 /// Commemorative /// 6-Speed /// Titanium Silver /// Fully-Loaded /// 135i Convertible
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