These days I feel the need to preface all BMW 750i posts with a "No, I didn't get a flat tire" disclaimer. With that out of the way I can talk about a possibly related issue: poor steering feel/response.
I haven't been a fan of BMW's variable steering since I first experienced it on the current-generation 5 Series five years ago. The idea of trading in consistent steering response just so you don't have to turn the wheel as far at low speeds seems like a bad investment, though I suppose one could argue the average 7 Series buyer would happily make that trade.
But there's more to my issue with the 7 Series' steering than just its variable component.
Starting with my first stint behind the wheel after we acquired the 750i I felt like the steering was somehow "off." It's not easy to describe, but both the weighting and the initial turn-in didn't have the trademark BMW confidence I've come to expect. My first assumption: That's variable steering for you.
With every subsequent drive of the 7 Series the steering seemed a little more "un-BMW-like" than my previous trip. The last time I drove it there was an undeniable wobble in the wheel at high speed. This was between flat tire incidents, but it still felt like a wheel imbalance or tire bubble so I had Stokes do their best to fix it (which didn't fully eliminate the issue).
Then, when I was driving it in today, I felt an undeniable resistance just off-center as I made a right turn. At first I thought the variable steering had sent me into the curb and smashed the wheel/tire (even though I had plenty of room between the wheel and curb). But when I got out and inspected it everything looked fine. That means the resistance came from the car's steering system itself, not an outside impediment.
After some reflection it occurred to me the car might simply be low on power-steering fluid, though no warning lights have indicated such. Or maybe it's this rash of flat tires that have taken a toll on the alignment settings. That would explain the reduced feel and confidence, but not the weird resistance I felt this morning.
Regardless, if I'm looking for BMW steering feel I now grab the M3's keys.
Karl Brauer, Edmunds.com Editor in Chief at 27,340 miles
zoomzoom22 says:
05:25 PM, 03/11/10
"Regardless, if I'm looking for BMW steering feel I now grab the M3's keys."
You are so lucky to even be able to write that sentence.
And what do you mean, you NOW grab the M3's keys? Was the M3 ever anyone's second choice?
cr_driver says:
06:03 PM, 03/11/10
"if I'm looking for BMW steering feel I now grab the M3's keys"
What a sacrifice! LOL
incyphe says:
06:47 PM, 03/11/10
Variable steering alignment is more expensive and it should be performed at BMW dealer.
If you're a very sensitive/paranoid person, BMW's perfect steering feel is rather easily ruined with relatively minor brushes with potholes. Even if the car seems to go straight, the steering feels a bit off.
mikeolan says:
07:39 PM, 03/11/10
BMW cheaps out on its steering geometry- your pothole run-ins likely mean it needs to be inspected by an authorized BMW service center.
bimmerjay says:
09:09 PM, 03/11/10
Karl - the wobble is most likely a slightly bent or cracked/nicked wheel rim. In fact, if you get another flat on the same wheel that's a good indicator of rim damage, possibly on the inside. Hopefully Stokes inspected them when they replaced the tires, those blowouts looked like they were caused by some serious impacts.
Side note... lovin' those TFT gauges.
hybris says:
09:27 PM, 03/11/10
I agree there has to some mechanical damage to some degree that could be increasing the odd feeling in the steering.
bimmerguyfl says:
08:06 AM, 03/12/10
I have had several BMW's and I have noticed that these cars are more prone to feeling odd steering when the alignment is slightly off or when it has not been aligned properly. Tire Pressure has to do with a lot with how the car feels when you're driving. BMW recommends on most of their models a tire pressure set lower at the front tires (32 Psi) and a higher tire pressure for the rear tires (35 Psi). With experience, I noticed with their "Recommended" tire pressure setting, the cars will want to pull to the crown of the road quicker, and makes you fight with the steering more to keep the car traveling straight. I have recently readjusted my tire pressures equal on all four tires to 31 Psi and noticed that now the steering tracks true and straight without having the annoying side pull all the time. Mind you I have made sure my alignment on both cars are aligned perfectly with a dead center steering wheel but the pull issue continued until I adjusted my tire pressure equal all around. I have tested this on our 2010 X5 as well as my daily driver a 2008 335i coupe. Now I can drive with a relaxed feel on the steering wheel without correcting the car driving down a road or the highway all the time.
jeepsrt says:
09:15 AM, 03/12/10
@bimmerjay says
"Side note... lovin' those TFT gauges."
I don't think the gauges are TFT.
bimmerjay says:
10:30 AM, 03/12/10
@jeepsrt,
"I don't think the gauges are TFT."
More specifically... the electroluminescent gauges along with the TFT lower section... which admittedly you can't really see in this pic. :-) When the car's off all you see are the gauge rings.