[silverado]

My previous car was an 06 330i E90 with the sports package. That car had great feel and handled really well, thanks to the sports package, although it was at the expense of an exceptionally harsh ride. I owned that car for almost 10 years. I consider myself an enthusiast and I drove spiritedly and pushed the car often, although I never tracked it.

I traded the E90 in for a new '15 m235i and I've had it for two weeks now and have put more than 700 miles on it. I admittedly haven't pushed it very hard yet being in the break-in period and I love a lot of things about this car, however whenever I do push it in a curve I find myself really missing the steering feel of the E90 as there is zero feedback from the m235i's steering. I didn't really feel this during the test drive. I had read all the reviewers saying that this car lacks steering feel but no one made a big deal about it, making it sound okay as they all praised how precise the steering is. However, I find myself wondering how I'll ever think that this is okay.

I'd love to hear other members' opinions on this, especially those that are more hard-core enthusiasts than I am! Thank you all in advance.

[scrape1]

There is no feedback to speak of, sure. Though for street driving, I personally don't find that I need it. Other than that, the steering is great. Quick, accurate, and effort build nicely as you push the car harder. At least on my RWD. Can's speak for xDrive cars as I haven't driven one. Maybe the track stars would miss the steering feedback more, but after some time, I have adjusted and the electric rack has grown on me.

[midwest 340xi 6sp]

Originally Posted by scrape1

There is no feedback to speak of, sure. Though for street driving, I personally don't find that I need it. Other than that, the steering is great. Quick, accurate, and effort build nicely as you push the car harder. At least on my RWD. Can's speak for xDrive cars as I haven't driven one. Maybe the track stars would miss the steering feedback more, but after some time, I have adjusted and the electric rack has grown on me.

The steering is too light for me and absolutely lacks the feed-back of previous generation.

But it's more than tolerable imo and it is quick and accurate.

I suspect the Gen 2 electric will come close to equaling mechanical. Heck, I thought the new M3 I test drove already did. They arent putting that software and hardware on 2 series yet.

Maybe in M2?

[crawfordbay]

Same here. Steering feel, or lack of it, is my only disappointment with this car. Hoping the M2 gets more of the feedback back.

Is it true that the M3/4 electric has better road feel? If so, maybe there is hope.

[silverado]

Glad to hear that I'm not the only one. I hope I do get used to it to the point it stops annoying me as I wasn't planning on buying a "real" M car just to be happy with the steering feedback

[DanG]

Welcome to electronic steering.

We lost steering feel to save a little on gas. But all major car companies did the same thing.

[chris719]

And the E9x did not have really good steering feel even, not compared to E46 M3 and Z4M. Hopefully the M2 will at least have the F8x M3/M4 setup.

[silverado]

Originally Posted by chris719

And the E9x did not have really good steering feel even, not compared to E46 M3 and Z4M. Hopefully the M2 will at least have the F8x M3/M4 setup.

Maybe the E90 wasn't as good as the E46 M3 and Z4M (I never tried either), but it was pretty good in comparison to no feel. What kind of setup does the F8x M3/4 have?

[overcoil]

have no complaints with the steering and years ago drove a 964 Carrera 2 - as I recall that didn't even have power assist.
When driving hard I find my concern isn't front end traction, but keeping the rear tires connected and when the front does slide I blame the upright and short stance of the car not steering feel. I've had power steering lines burst so I wanted electric assist but I'm not even sure if the car uses any kind of hydraulic fluid in the rack.
But I'll never track my car and I'll probably never go through a turn near what the car is capable of.

[IDBMW]

The steering lacks feel to me as well. I am coming from a 135i and the M235i is a big difference in the steering feel. I only have 600 miles on the car but if feels like the car has less understeer than the 135i did so it takes corners better. I just wonder without the feel if it will let go unexpectedly in a corner. Will have to test it on a track when it gets a few more miles. I don’t remember my 2004 Z4 with EPS feeling this much isolation in the steering. Still the M235i is a great car and a big improvement over the 135i.

[overcoil]

IDBMW why do you say the 235 is a big improvement over the 135?
I have a 235 but when I see a 135 it's my second favorite car on the road.

[IDBMW]

Originally Posted by ScottSinger

IDBMW why do you say the 235 is a big improvement over the 135?
I have a 235 but when I see a 135 it's my second favorite car on the road.

On my way to work there is a right hand turn where you do not have to stop since the turn has its own lane and very little traffic. In my 135i I could do the 50 mph speed limit and feel the front tires start roll under . With the M235i I can take that corner at 50 mph and it feels like I am not even pushing the car through the turn. The M235i feels faster as well but I only have 600 miles so I have not had it past 5k RPM much. Exhaust sound has a little to do with it as well.

[overcoil]

^ that's actually a good comparison. I do think the Michelin PSS in warm temps work.

[silverado]

Originally Posted by IDBMW

The steering lacks feel to me as well. I am coming from a 135i and the M235i is a big difference in the steering feel. I only have 600 miles on the car but if feels like the car has less understeer than the 135i did so it takes corners better. I just wonder without the feel if it will let go unexpectedly in a corner. Will have to test it on a track when it gets a few more miles. I dont remember my 2004 Z4 with EPS feeling this much isolation in the steering. Still the M235i is a great car and a big improvement over the 135i.

Thank you for the feedback.

I actually feel surprising understeer as well compared to my E90 with ZSP. I wonder if it's just the PSS tires not being warm enough or that I'm not pushing the rear end hard enough.

[X3paul]

Originally Posted by silverado

My previous car was an 06 330i E90 with the sports package. That car had great feel and handled really well, thanks to the sports package, although it was at the expense of an exceptionally harsh ride. I owned that car for almost 10 years. I consider myself an enthusiast and I drove spiritedly and pushed the car often, although I never tracked it.

I traded the E90 in for a new '15 m235i and I've had it for two weeks now and have put more than 700 miles on it. I admittedly haven't pushed it very hard yet being in the break-in period and I love a lot of things about this car, however whenever I do push it in a curve I find myself really missing the steering feel of the E90 as there is zero feedback from the m235i's steering. I didn't really feel this during the test drive. I had read all the reviewers saying that this car lacks steering feel but no one made a big deal about it, making it sound okay as they all praised how precise the steering is. However, I find myself wondering how I'll ever think that this is okay.

I'd love to hear other members' opinions on this, especially those that are more hard-core enthusiasts than I am! Thank you all in advance.

Sorry to say but these days you want a proper drivers car its either 2nd hand bmw - got myself a z4M coup a few months ago - or porsche - traded my x3 for porsche Macan. The caymen gts or m3 csl is my next. Even the basic cayman has more steering feel. It is THE best sports car - for reasonable money

[WWM]

Having driven a 135i and my M235i quite extensively, I absolutely prefer the steering in the M235i. While the heavier steering and feedback in the 135i is nice, I value the superior accuracy and quickness of the M235i much more.

[atxlos]

Coming from a very raw, Honda S2000, I was a bit worried about all the talk of artificial steering feel on the M235i. Honestly, I don't mind it at all. Yeah, you don't feel much anymore, but especially for daily driving (even spirited driving), it's so responsive, nimble, and (to some this could be bad) pretty comfortable. I don't think it detracts as much from the thrill of the drive than some point out. Then again, I don't track cars much.

[Anderw]

I drive a e92 for 5 years and yes I miss the steering in certain situations but more for nostalgic reason.. I really think the steering when youre up to speed and really pushing is quite good. I had bilsten coilovers so I do miss some more stiffness but I'm hoping the h&r springs I bought will fix that a bit !

[Kiwi]

Maybe we could go back to no power steering would this give enough feel. Every type of car is different when it comes to feel of driving and you do change and learn. Just try the i3 which would be the worst steering I have used with lack of feel and wondering all over the road.