steering feel seems better after EPS recall?!

[nicknaz]

Hey guys,

Have you noticed any change to your car's steering feel after the EPS recall was performed?

Over the past few days I feel like the "weight" of the wheel has increased in all modes (particularly noticeable in comfort) and it feels like the wheel is vibrating more to let me know about road imperfections.

The dealer tech said they changed the "steering gear" and recoded the part of the DME related to the power steering.

I am pretty happy with this change.. but am curious to hear about other's experience because perhaps my expectations got lowered by the F10 I was using for the last week

[ManiacGT]

I didn't know there was an e89 eps recall? was it a recall (safety) or was it an enhancement?

[BMWZ4]

Curious as well....wasn't aware of this recall.

[jparnes1]

Here's the recall info
http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/archive/index.php/t-631481.html

[Moo]

I wonder if EPS tightness is something that can be coded independently.

[Innovative AutoConcepts]

Not sure, but I had it in the dealership for well over a month for recalls/engine swap/etc. When I got it back it seems like the steering was a bit stiffer and seems to have more feedback.

[nicknaz]

the recall notice jparnes1 posted has the same part number that went on my car. It looks to be replacement of the power steering rack.

Interesting that the part number 32 10 6 855 888 is different from the partnumber on realoem.com

I wonder if anything changed or if its just a different # for the same parts (i.e. different part number for cost accounting of the recall)

Part of me was hoping the EPS would fail so I would get unassisted steering... But the SA talked me out of that approach

[ManiacGT]

Reading through that link finds;

This Recall Campaign involves Z4 and ActiveE models which were produced from November 2011 to December 2012.

Potential Number of Units Affected: 162

That's a pretty low number, esp when you consider its Z4 and 1 series! Perhaps just a faulty batch.

[bigendbob]

Blimey, i wouldn't want my steering any heavier, in fact i think it needs lightening up.
Pity there isn't a way of setting the heaviness to personal taste.

[nicknaz]

Originally Posted by bigendbob

Blimey, i wouldn't want my steering any heavier, in fact i think it needs lightening up.
Pity there isn't a way of setting the heaviness to personal taste.

Adjust the switch to comfort?

Agreed probably just a faulty batch of steering gear

[Innovative AutoConcepts]

comfort? I only have normal, sport and sport+.

[jparnes1]

In latter models normal is called comfort

[nicknaz]

another idea to reduce steering heft is to get lighter wheels.

[tranquility]

They should do a recall to *tighten* our steering - not make it heavier, it's too loosey-goosey and has too much give.

[nicknaz]

Originally Posted by tranquility

They should do a recall to *tighten* our steering - not make it heavier, it's too loosey-goosey and has too much give.

If you are able to move the steering wheel and not have the car respond, that seems like a concern. Even before the recall, I found the precision was there but the feel and helm was lacking.

[tranquility]

Originally Posted by nicknaz

If you are able to move the steering wheel and not have the car respond, that seems like a concern. Even before the recall, I found the precision was there but the feel and helm was lacking.

Well, it's hard to describe here but obviously it's not a defect, but it is commonly-known that our steering is not as accurate as it should be. Yes, the steering responds but it could be even more accurate imo. It definitely is not precise, esp at highway speeds.

[nicknaz]

in comfort mode, I think the car is setup to self-center more strongly and to require more torque to move the steering wheel.

Try driving in comfort and sport+ and see how much movement the car does in the lane with the same torque applied to the steering wheel

Could this be what you are describing?

Maybe you can ask for the recall + reprogram and let us know what you think

[tranquility]

Originally Posted by nicknaz

in comfort mode, I think the car is setup to self-center more strongly and to require more torque to move the steering wheel.

Try driving in comfort and sport+ and see how much movement the car does in the lane with the same torque applied to the steering wheel

Could this be what you are describing?

Maybe you can ask for the recall + reprogram and let us know what you think

The differences amongst the 3 settings are quite slight in terms of steering (as compared to throttle response). I dunno, I felt that even my old car (Acura RSX) had more accurate steering.

[nicknaz]

Originally Posted by tranquility

The differences amongst the 3 settings are quite slight in terms of steering (as compared to throttle response). I dunno, I felt that even my old car (Acura RSX) had more accurate steering.

I don't disagree.. the Z is showing its hairdresser roots in the steering

Wonder if there has been a programming change over time in the EPS?

Even before the recall my Z would change direction in its lane quite a bit in sport+ and barely budge in comfort with the same torque on the steering wheel.

Now after the EPS recall I get more vibrations from the road coming through to the steering wheel.

One other speculative point, is that I think sitting almost over the rear axle puts you in a different place relative to the axis of rotation, as compared to say... a mid engined car, or even a conventional front engine 4 seat car, and this unique seating position in the Z might be a contributor to the feeling of sluggish response

Maybe Im just getting used to EPS vs. hydraulic but I feel better about the E89 steering than I did 6 months ago

[ManiacGT]

I've found that the new 4 cylinder models handle and steer much better. I put it down to less weight over the front perhaps.

[nicknaz]

Could be. The 28i is a front-mid engined car due to the shorter engine.

I am noticing a difference in handling from ~4lb of reduced unsprung mass from moving to 18s so it isn't unheard of for less weight in front of the front axle to improve the handling

Have you tried a 2014 6 cyl by chance?

[jake169]

I am having wandering steering and very disconnected steering at higher speeds. The higher the speed the more disconnected the feeling gets. How is your replaced Steering rack holding up?