Question about steering "feel" on 2001 330i
Hi,
I recently purchased a 2001 330i. It was built in 10/00 and put in service in 12/00. I had heard that BMW had changed the "steering feel" of these vehicles to make them easier to maneuver at low speeds but that this negatively impacted the "driving experience". I also heard that BMW changed the steering back to what it used to be in response to these complaints.
I asked the VOB service writer about this and he said it applied to 98 and 99 vehicles not 01. I would appreciate it if I could get answers to the following questions:
1. Was the steering changed for the 01 330i's?
2. If so, is there a significant dfference in the feel such that a 1st time BMW owner is likely to notice?
3. Did BMW offer a retrofit to the old steering feel for people who complained?
Thanks for your help.
Re: Question about steering "feel" on 2001 330i
Quote:
Originally Posted by AGadre
Hi,
I recently purchased a 2001 330i. It was built in 10/00 and put in service in 12/00. I had heard that BMW had changed the "steering feel" of these vehicles to make them easier to maneuver at low speeds but that this negatively impacted the "driving experience". I also heard that BMW changed the steering back to what it used to be in response to these complaints.
I asked the VOB service writer about this and he said it applied to 98 and 99 vehicles not 01. I would appreciate it if I could get answers to the following questions:
1. Was the steering changed for the 01 330i's?
2. If so, is there a significant dfference in the feel such that a 1st time BMW owner is likely to notice?
3. Did BMW offer a retrofit to the old steering feel for people who complained?
Thanks for your help.
That's odd because the 1998 MY is the E36 chassis. I do believe that it was the 2001s with the "new steering" (many automotive publications had complained about it). My friend who has an '01 325Ci did some research on it and found that BMW NA would retrofit his car.
The feel of the '01 E46 is very light compared to the earlier E46s and 2002+. Not as direct a feel.
It just sounds like VOB doesn't want to do it. Sorry, but I have a very low opinion of that place. Contact another dealership for a second opinion.
I can ask my friend which dealership he contacted.
More about steering feel on 2001 E46
Thank you very much for your advice and information.
I contacted BMW and they told me that the retrofit offer expired some time back. However, as you would expect, it can be done if I pay for it. According to the parts guy at the dealership, in 2001, BMW used steering racks made by TRW and this gave a "mushy", "Japanese car" feel. For the owners who complained, the company retrofitted them with racks made by ZF (part # 32 136 753 438). Cost of the rack is around $1,100 less some sort of rebate of $170 for turning in the old rack.
I'm considering having this done by my independent shop rather than the dealer. Do you know how I can confirm that the switching out of the racks is the only thing that had to be accomplished? Contact BMW, NA again? Apparently, there's no bulletin that tells what to do.
Thanks!