XBimmers X1   XBimmers X1
  XBimmers X1

Go Back   XBimmers | BMW X1 Forum > BMW X1 Forums > General BMW X1 (E84) Forum

Post Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
      09-26-2012, 01:22 AM   #1
Humble_Bear
Private
United_States
30
Rep
94
Posts

Drives: 01 530i,10 Golf,11 Sorento V6
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: LA

iTrader: (0)

Did anyone get servotronic steering?

Do you like the steering feel?
Appreciate 0
      09-26-2012, 10:27 AM   #2
X1MSPORT
New Member
X1MSPORT's Avatar
United_States
3
Rep
22
Posts

Drives: 2013 BMW X1 xDrive28i M Sport
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Tennessee

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Humble_Bear View Post
Do you like the steering feel?
I got it on my 2013 X1 xDrive28i but this is my first BMW.

At lower speeds there is more steering assistance but at upper speeds the steering is much heavier and thus I feel at one with the road! I am coming from a 2010 Mercedes-Benz GLK 350 4Matic, which had no steering feel what so ever. I opted for this option as I read that those without it felt steering was really heavy at lower speeds, which I did not want. However, I did want the steering to be heavier at upper speeds and thus this meets my needs.
Appreciate 0
      09-27-2012, 12:22 AM   #3
Humble_Bear
Private
United_States
30
Rep
94
Posts

Drives: 01 530i,10 Golf,11 Sorento V6
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: LA

iTrader: (0)

Thanks for answering my question. I had a 2001 530i and I like it heavy, so I guess I won't need the servotronic.
Appreciate 0
      09-27-2012, 01:46 AM   #4
MikeRR
First Lieutenant
Switzerland
69
Rep
380
Posts

Drives: BMW M2
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Switzerland

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
2016 BMW M2  [0.00]
Dont forget this is an Xdrive! The steering is much more heavy than on the rwd models. I would recommend the servotronic.
Appreciate 0
      09-27-2012, 10:58 AM   #5
heisalan
Photographer
heisalan's Avatar
United_States
4
Rep
38
Posts

Drives: X1 xDrive28i
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: Sterling, VA

iTrader: (0)

Dealer test drive was an xdrive without Servotronic. The steering felt damped and moderately heavy. After driving a heavy old 2000 Accord for a long time, I would say it will not be a problem for a guy, if you're not habitually driving with single hand for that whirling action to make a 90 degree turn.
__________________
2013 X1 xdrive28i Marrakesh Brown / Beige

Last edited by heisalan; 09-27-2012 at 02:04 PM..
Appreciate 0
      09-27-2012, 11:02 AM   #6
CanadianDriver
Captain
99
Rep
614
Posts

Drives: P3D-
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Canada

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Humble_Bear View Post
Thanks for answering my question. I had a 2001 530i and I like it heavy, so I guess I won't need the servotronic.
Test it first. The X1's standard hydraulic steering is heavier than the E90, and I'm guessing heavier than your 530i as well
Appreciate 0
      09-27-2012, 12:56 PM   #7
Humble_Bear
Private
United_States
30
Rep
94
Posts

Drives: 01 530i,10 Golf,11 Sorento V6
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: LA

iTrader: (0)

I am looking for an "S" drive with electric PS. I did test drove it and I don't mind it being heavier, but if the servo is going to make it even lighter then I wont do it.
Appreciate 0
      09-27-2012, 01:03 PM   #8
Transfer
Major General
Transfer's Avatar
5238
Rep
5,874
Posts

Drives: Bronco Wildtrak, Tesla MYP
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Issaquah, WA

iTrader: (1)

Non-servo xdrive is heavy for sure but it's excellent and not so heavy that it inhibits driving or tires you out. I have a broken wrist right now and it's somewhat difficult for me to turn the wheel all the way at slow speeds but when I'm healed I'm sure it will be fine.
Appreciate 0
      09-27-2012, 01:14 PM   #9
Tirpitz
Private First Class
8
Rep
101
Posts

Drives: 2014 328 GT, 2017 i3 REX
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: California

iTrader: (0)

I'm not a long term BMW driver. I'm coming over from a Honda CR-V. I test drove both a 2009 3 series wagon and the RWD X1 without Servotronic. The steering in the wagon was heavier than the X1. I mentioned that and the CA said he thought the X1 steering was lighter than the 3 series and "More Japanese". I found it acceptable given my Honda background and did not order Servotronic on my car. I'll be interested to see if I still feel that way after my car arrives and I get to drive it a bit.
Appreciate 0
      09-27-2012, 03:16 PM   #10
MSportX1
Private
0
Rep
58
Posts

Drives: X1
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Bay Area

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Tirpitz View Post
I'm not a long term BMW driver. I'm coming over from a Honda CR-V. I test drove both a 2009 3 series wagon and the RWD X1 without Servotronic. The steering in the wagon was heavier than the X1. I mentioned that and the CA said he thought the X1 steering was lighter than the 3 series and "More Japanese". I found it acceptable given my Honda background and did not order Servotronic on my car. I'll be interested to see if I still feel that way after my car arrives and I get to drive it a bit.
Remeber that X1 sDrive28i has Electric Power Steering, while X1 xDrive28i and xDrive35i have Hydraulic Power Steering. I test drove a X1 sDrive28i without Servotronic. The sheering wheel is too light, even lighter than my Japaneses car (2001 I30). I do not like BMW's Electric Power Steering. So, I am going to order a X1 xDrive28i without Servotronic, for which the steering wheel feeling would be perfect.
Appreciate 0
      09-27-2012, 03:33 PM   #11
Humble_Bear
Private
United_States
30
Rep
94
Posts

Drives: 01 530i,10 Golf,11 Sorento V6
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: LA

iTrader: (0)

I like heavy feel and don't like 4WD, I was hoping that the servotronic would tighten up the steering, but I guess it's the opposite: (
Appreciate 0
      09-27-2012, 03:55 PM   #12
Red Bread
Major General
United_States
4462
Rep
9,160
Posts

Drives: Smog machines
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Austin, TX

iTrader: (0)

Oops, apparently all of us with the 35i have Servotronic. It's definitely lighter than the 135i, but still heavier than the E9x cars I've driven.
Appreciate 0
      09-27-2012, 06:05 PM   #13
popopine
Private First Class
popopine's Avatar
United_States
58
Rep
128
Posts

Drives: Blk x3 m40eye
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: North East US

iTrader: (0)

Ordered mine without servotronic for better road feel - will know in a few days if i did the right thing.
Appreciate 0
      09-29-2012, 10:13 PM   #14
Bmwlvr60
First Lieutenant
Bmwlvr60's Avatar
United_States
47
Rep
385
Posts

Drives: BMW X3 28i
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: New Jersey

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
2014 BMW 528ix  [0.00]
2013 BMX X3 28i  [0.00]
This thread is very helpful. Thanks! The X1 is primarily for my wife so we'll be adding this option.
Appreciate 0
      10-01-2012, 09:06 PM   #15
tierwun
New Member
United_States
0
Rep
12
Posts

Drives: 2013 X1 228xi
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: NYC Area

iTrader: (0)

Test drove without it, it was like no power steering at all. Got it, it's worth it.
Appreciate 0
      10-02-2012, 10:31 AM   #16
jnm
Second Lieutenant
jnm's Avatar
16
Rep
242
Posts

Drives: fast, but could be faster
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: CA

iTrader: (0)

No servotronic here (X-drive) and the steering is everything but heavy! You guys must be used to over-assisted steering if you think non-servotronic feels 'heavy'...

Remember you can't have any steering feel at all if it's over-assisted!

As for my X1: not bad feedback at all (as hoped, i did switch to x-drive at the last moment just after reading that it had the hydrolic steering), this morning on a damp mountain road outside Salzburg I could actually feel the 4wd in the front wheels just barely starting to work (it was just a tiny tiny bit since I'm still completely babying the car and going quite slow because it's only 1 day and 200 km old ).
Appreciate 0
      10-02-2012, 11:27 AM   #17
MikeRR
First Lieutenant
Switzerland
69
Rep
380
Posts

Drives: BMW M2
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Switzerland

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
2016 BMW M2  [0.00]
We do sell 90% of the X1 here in Switzerland with Servotronic, actually it is even standard as it is offered in an equippment package.
The X1 is no sports car, it is a Crossover, and often the wifes car (as it is my case) so the Servotronic is just fine, even I would not want one without.
As previously said I recommend it on the 4cyl. models (never tested the 35i as it is not available here). Maybe there is a difference in steering feel with the 35i but for the other X drive models the steering is very hard by todays (european) standarts.
Appreciate 0
      10-13-2012, 06:34 AM   #18
Bimmerized
Enlisted Member
United_States
1
Rep
36
Posts

Drives: X1 sDrive
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: NorCal

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Humble_Bear View Post
I like heavy feel and don't like 4WD, I was hoping that the servotronic would tighten up the steering, but I guess it's the opposite: (
I can chime in here. You're in luck because I have sDrive w/ Servo and I believe it's heavier than w/o Servo. I say I think bec I've only drive the non-sevo sDrive once and it was definitely too light. W/ the Servo it's a LOT better, but still a bit light when slow and slightly artificial; at speeds over 50 MPH it's very nicely weighted.

I'd definitely try to drive both to confirm my impressions before you order.

After I found out the sDrive was definitely going to have EPS I immediately thought that I got suckered into paying for nothing since Servo is nearly free to implement (software mostly). I assumed all BMW EPS systems have Servo, why not?, most of their other cars have it standard. Only in the X1 do they have Servo as an option and that's bec they wanted customers to pay for the added expense of Servo associated with the hydro system, mandatory on all xDrives. If it weren't for hydro steering I'm pretty sure they wouldn't have the Servo option and it would just be Standard. So, perhaps the software code IS different if you order Servo for the the sDrive (EPS only), but the upcharge, though worth it, is still a rip off.
Appreciate 0
      10-14-2012, 05:58 PM   #19
Bmwlvr60
First Lieutenant
Bmwlvr60's Avatar
United_States
47
Rep
385
Posts

Drives: BMW X3 28i
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: New Jersey

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
2014 BMW 528ix  [0.00]
2013 BMX X3 28i  [0.00]
Test drove an X1 28i without Servotronic and with Servotronic yesterday. Without Servotronic is an awesome feel! If it's for your wife I'd recommend getting it, but if it's for you DON'T. It's not that heavy and you'll feel the car and road underneath you much better. When one thinks: " what should a car that handles fantastically should feel like" it's the X1 without Servotronic. You won't regret it. I think a woman who has driven a car with light steering all her life- 95+% out there may find the non- Servotronic option a bit too heavy.
Appreciate 0
      10-14-2012, 06:13 PM   #20
Grovsnus
Flight Lieutenant ≛
No_Country
18
Rep
918
Posts

Drives: Le Mans blue X1 35i
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: CT

iTrader: (0)

I used to drive a Volvo 240. Neither of these options are even approaching anything like heavy. You can steer with your pinkie with or without Servotronic.
Appreciate 0
Post Reply

Bookmarks

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 02:51 AM.




xbimmers
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
1Addicts.com, BIMMERPOST.com, E90Post.com, F30Post.com, M3Post.com, ZPost.com, 5Post.com, 6Post.com, 7Post.com, XBimmers.com logo and trademark are properties of BIMMERPOST