Question? (steering related)

mryakanisachoad · 01-21-2013, 08:08 PM

I'm ready to pull the trigger on an f10 550xi but there appears to be some negative feedback in these forums regarding steering feel. I guess the change from a macpherson set-up and hydraulic was too (((different))) for some?

Should it be a deal killer? For this car I'd be switching out of a 2007 e90 335i (sport).

BigKutta · 01-21-2013, 08:29 PM

Have you driven one? Do you dislike the steering. The "feel"is subjective so I am not certain why you care what others think based on their comparison with who knows what

mryakanisachoad · 01-21-2013, 09:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigKutta

Have you driven one? Do you dislike the steering. The "feel"is subjective so I am not certain why you care what others think based on their comparison with who knows what

I know it's odd, but I've never test driven any new car.

I've always relied on on recommendations and opinions of others. I'm able to filter out the outliers.

mdrobc13 · 01-22-2013, 02:58 AM

I have an '12 550i and really don't have much of a problem with the steering. Granted I don't expect it to steer like a 3 series...too much weight but for what its worth its great. My last car was an Audi A7 and prior to that an e92 M3 so of them all the M3 of course had better steering and a better engine/suspension but its a smaller car. I've added H&R sport springs to my 550i and a Dinan Stage 1 and its a different car...much tighter.

So far no problems..no regrets especially with the $$ save on the M5! I too was the benefit of one of those late Aug/early Sept BMW deals where I got my 550i for like $8k off MSRP and a great deal from BMWFS. Go drive the car...see how it speaks to you and go from there.

mryakanisachoad · 01-22-2013, 03:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mdrobc13

I have an '12 550i and really don't have much of a problem with the steering. Granted I don't expect it to steer like a 3 series...too much weight but for what its worth its great. My last car was an Audi A7 and prior to that an e92 M3 so of them all the M3 of course had better steering and a better engine/suspension but its a smaller car. I've added H&R sport springs to my 550i and a Dinan Stage 1 and its a different car...much tighter.

So far no problems..no regrets especially with the $$ save on the M5! I too was the benefit of one of those late Aug/early Sept BMW deals where I got my 550i for like $8k off MSRP and a great deal from BMWFS. Go drive the car...see how it speaks to you and go from there.

Thank you. You have a good car "resume" and I value your opinion.

My kids are getting bigger and we've outgrown the 3 series. Now I have to decide if I keep the 135 or the M5. I bought the m from some ny giant football player who took a 27k hit on a 7 month old car. It makes for a good story and I'm in love with that car.

OTH, I think they're going to stop making the e82 which makes me think it may have some long term scarcity value. The n54 is one of the coolest engines ever produced by BMW. But, v10's are probably never going to used again by BMW. I'm hoping the f10 helps me make a good decision.

Neway - thanks again :-)

Terpinator · 01-22-2013, 06:27 AM

If you go for the xDrive, as you noted, it retains the hydraulic stearing system. I test drove both the 550i xDrive and the 335i xDrive and did not notice much of a difference in the steering. The main difference was the level of comfort/isolation through the rest of the chassis. There was more road noise, etc. making its way into the cabin in the 335i. Windows up in the 550 at 65 was dead quiet. Ten years ago, I'd want the 335i. Now, 550 all the way.

The X Men · 01-22-2013, 08:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mryakanisachoad

I know it's odd, but I've never test driven any new car.

I've always relied on on recommendations and opinions of others. I'm able to filter out the outliers.

An opinion is like a you know what, everybody has one. Do yourself a favor and go test drive it. A 550i will not drive like a E90 with SP.

mryakanisachoad · 01-22-2013, 09:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Terpinator

If you go for the xDrive, as you noted, it retains the hydraulic stearing system. I test drove both the 550i xDrive and the 335i xDrive and did not notice much of a difference in the steering. The main difference was the level of comfort/isolation through the rest of the chassis. There was more road noise, etc. making its way into the cabin in the 335i. Windows up in the 550 at 65 was dead quiet. Ten years ago, I'd want the 335i. Now, 550 all the way.

Oh, ok. So the xDrive keeps hydraulic? Thank you!

I have a brand new set of 18 x 8 wheels with unused 225/40 Pirelli winter sports mounted on them.

Do you think I could use these on the 550 xi with maybe some spacers as a winter tire? I think as long as they're squared-up there aren't any issues. Is that correct?

dchartier · 01-22-2013, 02:15 PM

I was also concerned about the move to electric-assisted steering. Overall, I'm pretty happy with the steering on my 2013 550i. It's about as heavy as it was my 2007 X5, which is pretty good. Feedback is decent. On the other hand, the steering doesn't have the same feedback or as heavy of a feeling as in a 1-series or 3-series. All said, however, the EPS was not a deal-killer at all for me.

For what it's worth, Car & Driver did an EPS v. HPS comparo of the 528i xDrive (EPS) against the 535i xDrive (HPS) and, in a blind test, actually preferred the EPS. http://www.caranddriver.com/features...n-test-feature Kind of ironic given how they've panned the EPS on the new Bimmers!

EJ_92606 · 01-22-2013, 05:50 PM

EPS is dependent on the software and they've been working on it over the years, so current EPS is much improved. Even the new Porsches come with EPS now.

mdrobc13 · 01-23-2013, 04:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mryakanisachoad

Thank you. You have a good car "resume" and I value your opinion.

My kids are getting bigger and we've outgrown the 3 series. Now I have to decide if I keep the 135 or the M5. I bought the m from some ny giant football player who took a 27k hit on a 7 month old car. It makes for a good story and I'm in love with that car.

OTH, I think they're going to stop making the e82 which makes me think it may have some long term scarcity value. The n54 is one of the coolest engines ever produced by BMW. But, v10's are probably never going to used again by BMW. I'm hoping the f10 helps me make a good decision.

Neway - thanks again :-)

No problem...you haven't even seen the P-car side of the "resume" but it includes 4 Carrera's, 1 Boxster, 1 Panamera, and 1 Cayenene S!

The v10 M5 I've driven at the Performance Center and M School..great car but just wasn't for me styling wise and the transmission sucks vs DCT in the m3's. Now the new M5 has perfected that DCT and the new F10 M5 is very good. For me tho..I just decided to forgo the f10 M5 entry price and go with the 550i and tune it and have almost 99% of the performance that it has that I can use on the street that is. I have other things for track use! LOL Enjoy.

01-21-2013, 08:08 PM	#1
mryakanisachoad Lieutenant Drives: '13 550xi + '09 M5 + '10 135i Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Brooklyn, NY Posts: 527 iTrader: (0)	Question? (steering related) I'm ready to pull the trigger on an f10 550xi but there appears to be some negative feedback in these forums regarding steering feel. I guess the change from a macpherson set-up and hydraulic was too (((different))) for some? Should it be a deal killer? For this car I'd be switching out of a 2007 e90 335i (sport).
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01-22-2013, 02:58 AM	#4
mdrobc13 Major Drives: '12 BMW 550i Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: On a base somewhere near or afar! Posts: 1,397 iTrader: (5) Garage List 2012 BMW 550i [5.00]	I have an '12 550i and really don't have much of a problem with the steering. Granted I don't expect it to steer like a 3 series...too much weight but for what its worth its great. My last car was an Audi A7 and prior to that an e92 M3 so of them all the M3 of course had better steering and a better engine/suspension but its a smaller car. I've added H&R sport springs to my 550i and a Dinan Stage 1 and its a different car...much tighter. So far no problems..no regrets especially with the $$ save on the M5! I too was the benefit of one of those late Aug/early Sept BMW deals where I got my 550i for like $8k off MSRP and a great deal from BMWFS. Go drive the car...see how it speaks to you and go from there. __________________ '12 F10 550i (DGM-II - Dinan Stage 4/Intercoolers & Shockware, H&R Springs, Eisenmann Race Exhaust, Hamman CF rear difuser, Giovanni "Lindo" Graphite 20") '10 e71 X6 35iDrive SAV (Space Gray) - Gone '06 e85 Z4 M Roadster (Black Metallic) -Gone '08 e92 M3 coupe (Sparkling Graphite) -Gone

01-22-2013, 02:15 PM	#9
dchartier Enlisted Member Drives: 2013 BMW 550i Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Belmont, CA Posts: 32 iTrader: (0)	I was also concerned about the move to electric-assisted steering. Overall, I'm pretty happy with the steering on my 2013 550i. It's about as heavy as it was my 2007 X5, which is pretty good. Feedback is decent. On the other hand, the steering doesn't have the same feedback or as heavy of a feeling as in a 1-series or 3-series. All said, however, the EPS was not a deal-killer at all for me. For what it's worth, Car & Driver did an EPS v. HPS comparo of the 528i xDrive (EPS) against the 535i xDrive (HPS) and, in a blind test, actually preferred the EPS. http://www.caranddriver.com/features...n-test-feature Kind of ironic given how they've panned the EPS on the new Bimmers! __________________ _____________________________ 2013 550i (6-speed, MSport)

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01-21-2013, 08:29 PM	#2
BigKutta Lieutenant Drives: 2012 528i Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Washington DC Posts: 529 iTrader: (0) Garage List 2012 528i [0.00] 2012 BMW 528i [0.00]	Have you driven one? Do you dislike the steering. The "feel"is subjective so I am not certain why you care what others think based on their comparison with who knows what

01-22-2013, 06:27 AM	#6
Terpinator Private First Class Drives: 550i xDrive M Sport Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: The Hague Posts: 109 iTrader: (0)	If you go for the xDrive, as you noted, it retains the hydraulic stearing system. I test drove both the 550i xDrive and the 335i xDrive and did not notice much of a difference in the steering. The main difference was the level of comfort/isolation through the rest of the chassis. There was more road noise, etc. making its way into the cabin in the 335i. Windows up in the 550 at 65 was dead quiet. Ten years ago, I'd want the 335i. Now, 550 all the way.

01-22-2013, 05:50 PM	#10
EJ_92606 Ultimate Driving Machine Drives: '13 F10 550i; '11 R1200GS Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: So. Cal Posts: 381 iTrader: (1)	EPS is dependent on the software and they've been working on it over the years, so current EPS is much improved. Even the new Porsches come with EPS now.