Why did BMW make the X1 with no power steering?

[investor27]

No. Not yet. You would have to change out the entire steering column apparatus if you want to retrofit it with the EPS, not to mention if there is enough space in there to do so if your car is an all-wheel-drive.

[f007]

Old thread, but just wanted to share that I had succesfully retrofitted servotronic in my X1 xdrive

[vstolpner]

Originally Posted by f007

Old thread, but just wanted to share that I had succesfully retrofitted servotronic in my X1 xdrive

Congrats! Would you mind to share the details? What did you have to start, what it took to change, and how do you like it? Oh and how much? Lol

[GrantE83]

I'm intrigued, although I only have S Drive.

Not a fan of the steering at all!

[AndrewMBaines]

Heavy? After driving my Land Rover Defender, the X1 stearing seems ludicrously light!!!

[f007]

This retrofit is for X1 Xdrive only as it always comes with hydraulic steering only. Non servotronic version have extremely low power assist at low speeds making parking maneuvers very uncomfortable. At high speeds power assist is OK.

To retrofit Servotronic You need to:
- exchange steering rack to ZF version with Servotronic valve,
- prepare the wiring - about 5 meters of 2 line 0.75mm cable with 2 pin plug on the one end and 2 pins on second end
- connect wiring between servotronic valve and JBE module X14270 plug- pin 5(+) ang pin 6(-) - You have to pass the cables from SV valve trough front wall grommets up to Junction Box Electronics
- do some coding with adding servotronic option SA216 to Vechicle Order
In some cases there is a need of special coding to launch this option.

For me the total retrofit cost was about $1000. I did the wiring myself.
Expected time to retrofit is about 2 days of work.

Servotronic makes steering light at parking speeds, and firm and heavy at high speeds.

Definitely worth of any dollar.


PS. Sdrive versions have Electric Power Steering. To activate servotronic in EPS you need to buy or generate FSC code and use it to activate this option in EPS module. Piece of cake

[captainplanet]

As a new owner of a 2013 X1 xdrive model, I too felt the different steering feel with cars test driven.

For United States cars built July 2014 and after, the servotronic option was no longer optional, it was standard. We were able to find an early build 2013 x1 xdrive without servotronic and we absolutely love the steering. Honestly, it feels just about as good as my e46 M3.

We love this x1.

I may be wrong, but it is my understanding that the e84 (up to 2015 model year) cars had hydraulic steering, at least in the US. The new X1, 2016 and later, has electronic instead of hydraulic.

[LevinBR]

It depends on your model. The 35i here in the US has always had servotronic. It is really nice because it offers the best of both worlds (tight response at high speeds and buttery smooth at low speeds/stopped)

[captainplanet]

Ahh, so the xdrive35i came standard with servotronic? Got it.

Honestly, after driving both, the fiance and I much preferred no servotronic. Night and day difference (for us) for low speed driving. It is heavy, weighted, and what BMW steering should be. Ain't no one-fingering the steering wheel for parking lot maneuvers here!

[AndrewMBaines]

My other vehicle is a Land Rover Defender 110. Makes the X1 steering appear light as a feather

[Ja Gio]

Originally Posted by AndrewMBaines

My other vehicle is a Land Rover Defender 110. Makes the X1 steering appear light as a feather

You said that 2 years ago.

[themishmosh]

Originally Posted by Ja Gio

You said that 2 years ago.

[AndrewMBaines]

Originally Posted by themishmosh

Glad you're all paying attention!

[nny528i]

Originally Posted by AndrewMBaines

My other vehicle is a Land Rover Defender 110. Makes the X1 steering appear light as a feather

1965 R Model Mack tractor with non power steering makes your land rover feel like you can drive it with your mind.

Kid you not there was a scuffed area on the door and on the dash where you had to brace your foot in order to get enough leverage to force the wheel around if you needed to turn while not moving.