i know they do have power steering but seems like Bmw car and suv alike have such heavy steering compare to other branded cars? is there a reason for that?
2007-06-29 14:50:31 · 9 answers · asked by hyperkid 1 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Car Makes ➔ BMW
The answer is one simple (but important) word...
FEEDBACK.
BMW engineers deliberately designed the car to have adequate power steering assistance while offering good feedback to the driver so that when you take a curve, you can feel the road and available grip based on how heavy the steering feels.
Drive this same car on snow and ice, and feel the steering effort. You'll see what I mean.
In contrast, a regular family sedan (say a Honda Accord), the steering requires almost no effort. But at the same time, has almost no feedback.
As far as vehicle weight is concerned, a power steering system can be set up to give any amount of power assistance. So weight isn't an issue at all (or truck drivers will have a hard time turning their huge vehicles)!
2007-06-29 16:55:43 · answer #1 · answered by Snowie 6 · 4⤊ 0⤋
Bmw X1 Steering
2016-12-11 13:19:05 · answer #2 · answered by brenneman 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The answer that they are heavy vehicles is partly right. The real reason they have heavy steering is because if you look at the front strut, it tips back a lot at the top, that is called caster angle. Bmw uses higher caster angle than most because it makes a sportier feel in the wheel, namely when the wheel is turned it actually lifts the front of the vehicle slightly, then when you let go, the weight of the vehicle helps snap the wheel back to straight, thus they have a sporty feel. The exchange to a high caster angle is they steer harder. Older vehicles with out power steering had low caster angles to make them steer easier.
2007-06-29 14:59:27 · answer #3 · answered by big A 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Well the old BMW's also had just a bit of play in the steering at center, haven driven a new one though. That's so if you sneeze on the Autobahn you don't end up in the other lane. That might also be the reason for the heavy steering.
2007-06-29 15:59:14 · answer #4 · answered by William S 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
i've noticed that. i used to not like driving my bmw since it's so different from driving my jag which is completely different than driving my honda.
alot of effort is put into making an auto, so i would assume that everything on that car is done with purpose.
just like snowie said, driver feedback is an important reason for designing steering the way it is designed. for the most part, the typical bmw driver isn't going to understand the finer points of caster angle and other design details, but they will understand that this car "feels more sporty" as opposed to other cars.
2007-06-30 10:42:06 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
The car that you drove might have power steering issues. A decent service could make the steering feel lighter.
2007-06-29 21:17:23 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Never noticed heavy steering with any of my bimmers.
Have you driven a BMW lately?
The new 3 series has self-adjusting steering.
At low speeds, it loosens for easy wide turning. At high speeds, it tightens for lane changing.
2007-06-30 07:31:58 · answer #7 · answered by kNOTaLIAwyR 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
looks like you drove a BMW with steering issues.
Mine is as light as Mbenz and honda.
check your tyre preesure,king pins,and your streering pump and see whether u have enough power steering fluid.
2007-07-01 22:54:26 · answer #8 · answered by george.m 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because they are heavy vehicles.
2007-06-29 14:53:27 · answer #9 · answered by vamedic4 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋