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      07-20-2018, 06:31 PM   #1
Portly
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How bad is the S-Drive steering?

I'm contemplating the idea of trading my X-drive 28i for the S-drive equivalent. As I understand it, that means "electric steering". Having recently driven a nearly-new 3-series, and hated the Atari-esque steering, I'm curious if the S-Drive has a similar feel.

Thanks much.

_Jeff
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      07-21-2018, 08:12 PM   #2
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I’ve owned 16 BMW’s and own a 2013 X1 sdrive MSport and M235i. The steering is fine, nice beefy weight to it and if someone didn’t tell you you really wouldn’t know it was electronic not hydraulic. I think it was mass histeria when they switched but was never bad on an SDrive and I switch between my M235 and it all the time and honestly not a big difference.
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      07-21-2018, 09:42 PM   #3
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Lucky13 View Post
...if someone didn’t tell you you really wouldn’t know it was electronic not hydraulic.
Thanks. That's good to hear. The obvious way for me to answer this for myself would be to drive one, but they are fairly rare in the Midwest. I appreciate your feedback.
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      07-22-2018, 10:06 AM   #4
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Haven’t driven the s drive X1 but my wife’s 2015 x3 xdrive electronic steering is HORRIBLE.
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      07-22-2018, 01:30 PM   #5
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Well my M235 is electronic and almost all cars are electronic now. I really think the tires are a bigger factor, put run flats on most cars and they feel detached. I still don’t understand the BMW fixation with run flats but at least they are moving to give option of non run flats on most series.
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      07-23-2018, 11:38 PM   #6
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I drove the m235 at the track at a Thermal raceway , Wasn’t real impressed. I am glad i got a xdrive X1 with HD steering.
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      07-24-2018, 03:46 PM   #7
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Originally Posted by sayemthree View Post
I drove the m235 at the track at a Thermal raceway , Wasn’t real impressed. I am glad i got a xdrive X1 with HD steering.
Guess your done buying any more BMW’s then.
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      07-26-2018, 10:44 AM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Lucky13 View Post
I’ve owned 16 BMW’s and own a 2013 X1 sdrive MSport and M235i. The steering is fine, nice beefy weight to it and if someone didn’t tell you you really wouldn’t know it was electronic not hydraulic. I think it was mass histeria when they switched but was never bad on an SDrive and I switch between my M235 and it all the time and honestly not a big difference.
I have a 2014 X1 S-drive and agree completely with lucky13. No issues.
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      07-26-2018, 10:02 PM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Lucky13 View Post
Guess your done buying any more BMW’s then.
Maybe. Just traded the x3 for an atlas. Recently traded my e92 m3 for a X1 xdrive 2.8 with hyd steering Because I need it all wheel drive and higher ground clearance . I really love driving the X one and even compared to the M3 it is fun to drive . My dealer said he recently drove all new X.3 and feels they finally got the steering just right maybe there is hope . The only current BMW I would consider would be the M2 but since I need more ground clearance and all-wheel-drive my next sports car will likely be a Ford raptor
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      07-27-2018, 11:22 AM   #10
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I love my 2014 s28i m sport. Steering is very easy, and so instantaneous I was turning in too quick.

Also, with my staggered 8x18 and 9x18 wheels, car would sway at around 120+ mph.

I stopped sway and stiffened steering with 12mm BMS spacers on front hubs.

X1 drives even better now.

Many different wheel combos might do different, but I tuned my minor glitch out.
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      07-27-2018, 06:10 PM   #11
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I have a new X1 xdrive loaner right now as my M235 is getting new tires. My E84 Msport Sdrive is like driving a real car and the new X1 is like driving an SUV. That’s the best way I can describe, owned 3 E46 M3’s, E93, several E36’s and honestly I think the E84 drives nice and that’s with shit tires. We still have Goodyear performance run flats which are crap so with real tires very little difference than E92/E91. Only way Id buy a new X1 after today it would have to be an MSport, the suspension is soft and the higher ride is just so different. Interior is much nicer no doubt, not really quality just features like rear vents, button to shut the tailgate.
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      08-21-2018, 07:49 AM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Portly View Post
I'm contemplating the idea of trading my X-drive 28i for the S-drive equivalent. As I understand it, that means "electric steering". Having recently driven a nearly-new 3-series, and hated the Atari-esque steering, I'm curious if the S-Drive has a similar feel.

Thanks much.

_Jeff
Its an E84 car but I can say the Servotronic steering which IIRC is standard on the 35 model is utter excrement compared to an E9x honest to dog normal hydraulic steering. This is somewhat subjective so YMMV.

If you just drove the E84 and nothing else I agree its fine. Its a car, not vague per se but it feels like an overly assisted hydra unit IMHO. Way too light, and not point and shoot precise.

Hop back to back in an E9x car and you are greeted to a comparably heavy but fantastic steering feel. Thats our 335d for you. Its debatable if its too heavy but I'll take a bit too heavy vs bit too light, that's just me.

Full disclosure, I like weighty direct steering, and our other two cars are both traditional hydraulic sports cars in the 07 cayman and 370z. So the X1 really stands out as being the dud of the litter.

- b
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      08-21-2018, 04:19 PM   #13
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There is a period of time when BMW was learning how to fine tune EPS. I read the later models are much better. Haven't tested a 2018 G-series ones. But the F-series reminded me of Hondas or a Ford focus. Light as a feather with no feel. There are a few mfg that nailed EPS so I know it's just a design philosophy as technical limitation.
Not sure how BMW could flubber it up.
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      08-22-2018, 01:33 AM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by bvanlieu View Post
Its an E84 car but I can say the Servotronic steering which IIRC is standard on the 35 model is utter excrement compared to an E9x honest to dog normal hydraulic steering. This is somewhat subjective so YMMV.

If you just drove the E84 and nothing else I agree its fine. Its a car, not vague per se but it feels like an overly assisted hydra unit IMHO. Way too light, and not point and shoot precise.

Hop back to back in an E9x car and you are greeted to a comparably heavy but fantastic steering feel. Thats our 335d for you. Its debatable if its too heavy but I'll take a bit too heavy vs bit too light, that's just me.

Full disclosure, I like weighty direct steering, and our other two cars are both traditional hydraulic sports cars in the 07 cayman and 370z. So the X1 really stands out as being the dud of the litter.

- b
x1 35i has hydraulic steering. I had a e90 328i before and my X1 steering feels about the same.
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      08-24-2018, 06:09 AM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Xdrive35i2014 View Post
x1 35i has hydraulic steering. I had a e90 328i before and my X1 steering feels about the same.
Understood, the E84 and E90 share a lot of architecture I get that.

However, there is the Servotronic line item on the build sheet for our X1 and IIRC all of the 3.0 cars, and for whatever reason the steering between the X1 an our E90 M sport 335d are night and day different.

I enjoy the E90 and when I hop in the X1 its quite meh
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      08-24-2018, 11:38 PM   #16
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My 2014 n20 xdrive has hydraulic steering and metal oil pan and plug.
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      08-26-2018, 02:38 AM   #17
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No complaints here. Previous to purchasing our "family" sDrive, I was driving (my beloved) 964 with its glorious Porsche steering. Contrary to my fears, driving the X1 has been a wonderful experience, especially the steering - and now we can take the kids and the mother-in-law!!

Hope this helps!

Cheers,
Dave

PS. Had someone not offered a price for the 964 that my wife couldn't refuse, that beautiful air-cooled machinery would still be sitting in our garage, worth 3x what we sold it for back in '10. Oh the pain...
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      08-27-2018, 08:07 AM   #18
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Xdrive35i2014 View Post
x1 35i has hydraulic steering. I had a e90 328i before and my X1 steering feels about the same.
My 35i feels much heavier than EPS, but my 328i feels even heavier than my 35i - I attribute that to the 328 needing its' hydraulic fluid flushed at 120k though.
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      08-28-2018, 12:23 PM   #19
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Quote:
Originally Posted by deldridg View Post
PS. Had someone not offered a price for the 964 that my wife couldn't refuse, that beautiful air-cooled machinery would still be sitting in our garage, worth 3x what we sold it for back in '10. Oh the pain...
Oh you poor sod. I feel your pain. Mine was the other way around. Nearly bought a '92 964 C2 15 years ago but my wife insisted to buy a more practical car for the same money. So ended up with a Subie wagon instead. That Subie wagon is probably worth 3k and that Porker is 3x the value now.


Anyway EPS is just another solution to reduce emissions/enviro impacts. I am hopeful that BMW will continue to fine tune the EPS.
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      08-28-2018, 08:09 PM   #20
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Quote:
Originally Posted by forteatwo View Post
I have a 2014 X1 S-drive and agree completely with lucky13. No issues.
Like Lucky, mine's a 2013 X1 sdrive MSport. Seems fine, heavier than other cars I've driven. As long as it handles nicely, I don't care how they do it.
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      09-02-2018, 02:26 AM   #21
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Vidgamer View Post
Like Lucky, mine's a 2013 X1 sdrive MSport. Seems fine, heavier than other cars I've driven. As long as it handles nicely, I don't care how they do it.
Like Lucky13 and Vidgamer, I also have a 2013 sDrive2.8i M-sport and I like the steering feel. We also have a 2004 330ci, 2002 530i, and 2011 335is. They’re all a little different in terms of heavy/light feel, but I have no preference; I just adjust to the car.
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