Like others have said. You can still get a BMW that handles very well. I never said otherwise. But vehicles that handle well don't necessarily have the superb steering and driving dynamics that older BMWs did. The BMW hydraulic steering system was magic. The electric system, even if it handles well, simply isn't. The new 3 outperforms the G70 in every performance category according to this thread. If it was better than the G70, it would have beaten it in the comparison. It didn't. Raw numbers don't tell you everything. I never said otherwise. But vehicles that handle well don't necessarily have the superb steering and driving dynamics that older BMWs did. The BMW hydraulic steering system was magic. The electric system, even if it handles well, simply isn't. How many BMWs with hydraulic and electronic systems did you drive, for an extended period? How many BMWs with hydraulic and electronic systems did you drive, for an extended period?
An irrelevant and unnecessary question. The steering system itself is not going to change its basic road-feel and characteristics over time, unless a lot of fluid leaks out of the hoses (in hydraulic systems), and, in all systems, from minor effects from tire wear. All else equal, new tires of the same type will often restore the original feel. An irrelevant and unnecessary question. The steering system itself is not going to change its basic road-feel and characteristics over time, unless a lot of fluid leaks out of the hoses (in hydraulic systems), and, in all systems, from minor effects from tire wear. All else equal, new tires of the same type will often restore the original feel. It is relevant. If you are going to say the system "is magic", you should say so from experience. Given your stature here, people trust what you say. If you are just repeating what you have read elsewhere, it should be clarified.
An irrelevant and unnecessary question. The steering system itself is not going to change its basic road-feel and characteristics over time, unless a lot of fluid leaks out of the hoses (in hydraulic systems), and, in all systems, from minor effects from tire wear. All else equal, new tires of the same type will often restore the original feel. Thats not what I asked. I believe your experience with new BMWs is relatively limited, and you can't fully asses the steering systems based on short test drives of a couple of models. BMW had different hydraulic systems and different electronic systems that have different tuning and behavior. I will say that on most models the new electronic system is indeed a lot softer and more numb, but at the same time it is also variable having sport and comfort modes. However, on dedicated M and M sport models the electronic system is far superior to the old hydraulic system.
Variable electronic systems already overcome these shortcomings, and they are constantly evolving and getting better and better. You should really test drive m240i, in both sport and comfort mode, and I believe you will develop an appreciation for its electronic steering. The E90/E92 cars had the BEST steering by far. Regular folks didnt like it because it was very heavy especially parking or slow speed turns. The new electric steering systems on the F10 and F30 were GARBAGE! I got rid of my 2012 528i primarily bec of the steering feel. My 2013 535i which also had electric steering was AMAZING but that car was fitted with 704Msport suspension and recalibrated steering feel. The later F30 3series also had steering that improved. The new G20 330i Msport i drove had very loose steering that a person coming from E90/92 generation cars would not recognize. My current F80 M3 with Comp has very HEAVY steering which is what i prefer but it is still not as consistent or give enough feel that my old E92 335i had. My BRZ has perfect steering feel - i was driving it last night and its just telepathic.
Quick, direct, heavy enough, good feel of the road. Beside Porsche 911/Cayman, i think the BRZ/86 have the best steering out of any current cars. Last edited by RNM GS3; 05-26-19 at 07:28 AM. The E90/E92 cars had the BEST steering by far. Regular folks didn鈥檛 like it because it was very heavy especially parking or slow speed turns. The new electric steering systems on the F10 and F30 were GARBAGE! I got rid of my 2012 528i primarily bec of the steering feel. My 2013 535i which also had electric steering was AMAZING but that car was fitted with 704Msport suspension and recalibrated steering feel. The later F30 3series also had steering that improved. The new G20 330i Msport i drove had very loose steering that a person coming from E90/92 generation cars would not recognize. My current F80 M3 with Comp has very HEAVY steering which is what i prefer but it is still not as consistent or give enough feel that my old E92 335i had. My BRZ has perfect steering feel - i was driving it last night and its just telepathic. Quick, direct, heavy enough, good feel of the road.