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07-20-2007, 09:53 AM | #1 |
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Electric Power Steering for 135i?
Does anyone know whether the 135i will have the electric or hydraulic PS? I have heard it both ways. Didn't BMW provide regular PS on the Z4M and maybe other M cars because it has better feel than the electric unit (which is used for it's greater efficiency in some of its models - no parasitic engine loss from belt-driven PS pump).
Can anyone comment on how the two systems feel and which one is preferred (I assume non-electric) and which will be on the 135i. Thanks! |
07-20-2007, 10:01 AM | #2 | |
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RE: the Z4; Yes, I have hydraulic PS in my Z4M and the other Z4s have electric/servo. My guess would be that the 135i will be electric, since it's not an M division car. Same goes for LSD and is why the 135i (and 335) does not get it. |
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07-20-2007, 10:16 AM | #3 | |
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07-20-2007, 10:17 AM | #4 |
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07-20-2007, 10:57 AM | #6 |
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That's too bad. My father had an E90 330i Sedan without the Active Steering, but with the Sport Package and Run Flats. I thought the steering was very numb. Was that system electric? I hope the 135i is better than that!
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07-20-2007, 11:11 AM | #7 |
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No, it was not. You thought that was numb? You should drive an E46 330, espcially a 2001. Having owned two E46 coupes I feel that the E90 is an improvement.
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07-20-2007, 12:15 PM | #8 |
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Wow. I did drive a 2001 E46 M3 and thought that steering was numb compared to the E36 M3. So, do you think the 135i will be much worse?
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07-21-2007, 11:52 AM | #11 |
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I took a couple minutes today to visit the local BMW dealer and asked to test drive a Z4 with the electrically assisted rack. When I talked to the 'Client Advisor' (Ha! Screwy name for a salesman ; -), he mentioned that he'd experienced the issue with the Acura NSX that I had observed, gave me the keys to the Z4 and said, "have at it!".
Short story long, the feel of the electrically assisted rack will not be an issue for me on the 135i. It did not provide the 'finger tingling' sensations that the Miata does but it wasn't dead numb either (like the original versions of GM's Magnasteer were) nor did it have the little odd half-on then full-on hesitation that the NSX exhibited. (That is one squirrely steering rack.) The Car article mentioned earlier in this thread hints that BMW is actively trying to enhance the feel of the rack for this model. If it's as good or better than the Z4, I'm fine. I did not test the 'Active Steering' nor would I purchase that - anything that puts a planetary gearset in a steering column is something I'm going to avoid like the plauge. ; -) |
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07-21-2007, 12:47 PM | #12 |
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I agree as well. I believe none of the BMW M cars even offer Active Steering. That leads me to believe it does not enhance performance in any way and it's just a convenience feature.
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