Re: Part IV Steering Controversy (archive)

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thanks for writing such a review! I have read all of them and most of all enjoy all of them. The reason is obvious: in 5 weeks time I will have my own 325i too, with sports package that is. I am glad that you like the star spoke rims, though I have plans to change to Schnitzer or Racing Dynamics rims. The star spoke rims look nice, but I actually thought that what came with the 330i SP looks much more aggressive (double M spoke rims). Nevertheless, the SP is a darn good deal because the star spoke set sells for $1750 as a separate part.

Anyway, with regards to the "oversteering" problem, I believe this "problem" will be resolved in the 2002 models. Read this news in the new Bimmer magazine.

I had arranged with my dealer to drive back-to-back my week 12 325i SP and a '00 323i with the pre-controversy steering. Subjective as it is, I will try to quantify the steering weight on some cars that I am familiar with (1 is lightest, 10 heaviest)

'97 Porsche 911 ==> 10.0
'00 BMW 323i ==> 8.5
'97 Jetta VR6 ==> 7.5
'01 BMW 325i ==> 6.0
'01 Audi A4 ==> 6.0

My week 12 325i has the patched up steering that is supposed to be heavier than the first '01 cars. All I can say is that the steering in my car is incredibly light and it just doesn't seem to belong in an otherwise athletic, almost masculine car. The steering in the '00 323i felt much heavier with better on-center feel. However, compared to a Porsche 911, even the 323i's steering feels relatively light and it could benefit from a slightly heavier feel. The road feel is only marginally better with the old steering. However, the new steering acutely lacks an on-center feel and esp. cornering feel. The old steering gives you the feeling that even if you let the car straighten its wheels out coming out of an aggressive corner, it will bring the wheels back to their straight position by itself. The new steering simply doesn't let you feel what the car would do by itself and esp. how far you have turned the wheels. The new steering doesn't belong in an otherwise great performance car. It would probably be more appropriate in a whaleboat. BMW sales are up almost double-digits worldwide for '00 and 22% in the U.S. alone. Obviously, most buyers don't have a problem with the light steering. But no true motor sport enthusiast would put up with it. If BMWNA insists on keeping the light steering on future models, it should at the very least offer the heavier, more BMW-esque steering as a no-cost option to its sports enthusiasts. And it should never forget that the sport enthusiasts are the core group that brought recognition and respect to the brand in the first place. Offering retrofits on ALL '01 models that have the patched up light steering would be a good start.

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