XDrive steering feel vs. RWD

RyanS · 04-13-2011, 06:31 PM

The XDrive models have hydraulic steering and the RWD models have electric steering. Can anyone who has driven both models comment on the differences felt?

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts...62&hg=32&fg=12

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts...99&hg=32&fg=10

BimmerGuyFL · 04-13-2011, 07:30 PM

http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/...take_road_test

Needsdecaf · 04-13-2011, 08:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BimmerGuyFL

http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/...take_road_test

Note that they say "electrically assisted steering".

BimmerGuyFL · 04-14-2011, 07:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Needsdecaf

Note that they say "electrically assisted steering".

They actually error on that. The xDrive BMW 5-series models only have Hydraulic power assisted steering systems. This is the reason why on the xDrive models you cannot get the parking assist because it requires electric power steering.

Needsdecaf · 04-14-2011, 07:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BimmerGuyFL

They actually error on that. The xDrive BMW 5-series models only have Hydraulic power assisted steering systems. This is the reason why on the xDrive models you cannot get the parking assist because it requires electric power steering.

I know it's in error. hence the RTFM icon (although it should say RTFPR [press release]) LOL.

hilljf · 04-14-2011, 08:36 AM

I have not driven the Rear wheel drive model but can only say that the steering on the xDrive is tight and clean. I like it a lot.

John

O.S. · 04-14-2011, 12:53 PM

Same here.
My 535xi feels like other 5 series i owned ( e34 and e39). Tight, great feedback does not get any better than that.

Quote:

Originally Posted by hilljf

I have not driven the Rear wheel drive model but can only say that the steering on the xDrive is tight and clean. I like it a lot.

John

cidair · 04-14-2011, 01:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hilljf

I have not driven the Rear wheel drive model but can only say that the steering on the xDrive is tight and clean. I like it a lot.

John

+1

acsoup123 · 04-14-2011, 01:58 PM

+1 steering feels great

Dulles530 · 04-14-2011, 04:20 PM

For all of those of you who are Xdrive F10 owners, and who say the steering is great.. do you find it has the vagueness/inability to track straight/constant steering corrections which have been evident in the RWD F10s? I have an Xi on order and am selling my RWD 535i F10 for this reason..

jettie1767 · 04-14-2011, 04:23 PM

+1 Great steering feel.

AlexK · 04-14-2011, 04:44 PM

Glad to hear from an actual owners (the C&D article reads like the writer wasn't actually driving the car itself) that hydraulic steering still behaves properly... On the other hand it is pretty disappointing that BMW's electronic department is so deficient that they can't get EPS programming "right" even after several software patches (same goes for electronic throttle's "learning" programming). Maybe they should source the EPS hardware/software from Aisin instead of current supplier

RyanS · 04-14-2011, 05:21 PM

Good info guys, keep it coming! I'm going to try to do a back to back test drive next week.

AlBoston · 04-14-2011, 05:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dulles530

For all of those of you who are Xdrive F10 owners, and who say the steering is great.. do you find it has the vagueness/inability to track straight/constant steering corrections which have been evident in the RWD F10s? I have an Xi on order and am selling my RWD 535i F10 for this reason..

I test drove an xi f10 back in December and felt it needed constant correction to go straight. First thing I noticed about the car. Looked it up online and found loads of people complaining about it. Swayed me away from the car. I tested another car and it didn't do it so I ordered one. My f10 535xi doesn't have the constant correction issue and it was built in 2/11 week 5 I believe.

04-13-2011, 06:31 PM	#1
RyanS Private 12 Rep 83 Posts Drives: '11 535xi M-Sport Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: San Antonio, TX iTrader: (0)	XDrive steering feel vs. RWD The XDrive models have hydraulic steering and the RWD models have electric steering. Can anyone who has driven both models comment on the differences felt? http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts...62&hg=32&fg=12 http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts...99&hg=32&fg=10
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04-13-2011, 07:30 PM	#2
BimmerGuyFL Lieutenant 74 Rep 515 Posts Drives: 2013 F10 BMW 535i M-sport Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Orlando, FL USA iTrader: (0)	http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/...take_road_test __________________ 2013 F10 BMW 535i Alpine White / Oyster Dakota Leather / Anthracite Wood Trim / Steptronic transmission / M Sport Package / Premium Package / Technology Package / Rear-view camera / Park Distance Control
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04-14-2011, 08:36 AM	#6
hilljf New Member 4 Rep 17 Posts Drives: 2011 550i Xdrive Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Connecticut iTrader: (0)	I have the xDrive I have not driven the Rear wheel drive model but can only say that the steering on the xDrive is tight and clean. I like it a lot. John
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04-14-2011, 01:58 PM	#9
acsoup123 New Member 0 Rep 19 Posts Drives: 2011 550xi Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Chicago iTrader: (0)	+1 steering feels great
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04-14-2011, 04:20 PM	#10
Dulles530 Enlisted Member 23 Rep 38 Posts Drives: BMW 530i Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Dulles, VA iTrader: (0)	Road Feel For all of those of you who are Xdrive F10 owners, and who say the steering is great.. do you find it has the vagueness/inability to track straight/constant steering corrections which have been evident in the RWD F10s? I have an Xi on order and am selling my RWD 535i F10 for this reason..
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04-14-2011, 04:23 PM	#11
jettie1767 Captain 142 Rep 762 Posts Drives: '23 BMW i7 xdrive60 Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Colts Neck, NJ iTrader: (0) Garage List 2023 BMW i7 xdrive60 [0.00] 2022 BMW 228xi Gran ... [0.00]	+1 Great steering feel.
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04-14-2011, 04:44 PM	#12
AlexK Private First Class 5 Rep 127 Posts Drives: 2012 X5d, 2013 C63 Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Work iTrader: (0)	Glad to hear from an actual owners (the C&D article reads like the writer wasn't actually driving the car itself) that hydraulic steering still behaves properly... On the other hand it is pretty disappointing that BMW's electronic department is so deficient that they can't get EPS programming "right" even after several software patches (same goes for electronic throttle's "learning" programming). Maybe they should source the EPS hardware/software from Aisin instead of current supplier Last edited by AlexK; 04-14-2011 at 04:52 PM..
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04-14-2011, 05:21 PM	#13
RyanS Private 12 Rep 83 Posts Drives: '11 535xi M-Sport Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: San Antonio, TX iTrader: (0)	Good info guys, keep it coming! I'm going to try to do a back to back test drive next week.
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