My biggest & only complaint about F15 X5

[s4008616]

I picked up my new xdrive 30d about 3 weeks ago, been loving everything but one thing: the lightness of the steering wheel. Even when I put it in sport mode, I still feel like I am on PlayStation.

This was the first thing I picked up during my first test drive but I still placed my order as my wife wanted an X5. I thought I would get used to it but nope, just hit 500km mark and I have been driving 90% of it, it still feels like PlayStation.

The sensation got even more exaggerated when I took my 991 in for a service a few days ago and they gave me a Cayenne loaner.

Anyone here feels the same?

[alphaod]

I didn't like it at first either... but I've gotten used to it. I agree, the Porsche wheels are very heavy.

[evandro13]

what size rim do u have? i added the active steering, between that and the 20's in sport mode the steering is very tight in comfort a lot looser good for moving around in traffic quick errands etc.

[double_j]

It is what it is. Light steering is part of the draw for comfort oriented drivers - nothing better than being able to steer with fingertips on the highway or use the old-fashioned palm pivot in a parking lot. The more you focus on it, the more you'll find that it's also quite inaccurate, it doesn't hold a great line through sweeping curves or large radius turns and requires a lot of mid-turn corrections.

You'll get used to it even if you never like it. If nothing else, it'll make you appreciate the Porsche's steering feel that much more.

[stewy604]

I don't find it that bad, but I guess my expectations are based on it being an SUV (sorry, SAV). In no way, at least in my opinion, is it so light that it feels un-safe at highway speeds. I remember my Dad had a Volvo V70 T5 back in the day and the steering on that thing was 'parking lot' light, never really tightened up that much at speed.

[Jimmie48]

Yeah I have totally gotten used to it. Took my wifes Q5 in for service recently and thought something was wrong with the power steering....felt like turning a submarine valve.

[spike5150]

I, too, hated it when switching from the E70. But I got used to it after 3-4 months. Agree with others though - still don't LIKE it.

[s4008616]

It just surprised me that being a BMW, an SAV, it seems that it is against their car building philosophy to program the steering wheel like that.
Well, I guess I will get used to it eventually.

[s4008616]

Originally Posted by evandro13

what size rim do u have? i added the active steering, between that and the 20's in sport mode the steering is very tight in comfort a lot looser good for moving around in traffic quick errands etc.

My car has 20 inch.

[1230vani]

Originally Posted by s4008616

My car has 20 inch.

Active steering makes a difference as it is still hydraulic. Still not as good as E70/E71 (by good I mean heavy).

[pragueX5]

fully agree! zero responsiviness. I wished I had ordered Adaptive Steering
had it on my E70 and it felt like F1 how precise feedback I got

this F15 even in M pack is just a soccer mom car compared to E70

Originally Posted by s4008616

I picked up my new xdrive 30d about 3 weeks ago, been loving everything but one thing: the lightness of the steering wheel. Even when I put it in sport mode, I still feel like I am on PlayStation.

This was the first thing I picked up during my first test drive but I still placed my order as my wife wanted an X5. I thought I would get used to it but nope, just hit 500km mark and I have been driving 90% of it, it still feels like PlayStation.

The sensation got even more exaggerated when I took my 991 in for a service a few days ago and they gave me a Cayenne loaner.

Anyone here feels the same?

[Stinkyxy]

So far (200 miles) it doesn't bother me. But I am a little weird. I feel even the smallest amount of feedback from the wheels in all my cars.

It just took me 5m to get used to it coming from a car that felt like I had manual steering.

[F15GorDe]

Everyone picks up on the different feel of the F15s steering the first few times you head on out.
Like everything else we adapt and don't notice after a few miles. Most sooner, some later, if at all. 🤓

[pragueX5]

Originally Posted by F15GorDe

Everyone picks up on the different feel of the F15s steering the first few times you head on out.
Like everything else we adapt and don't notice after a few miles. Most sooner, some later, if at all. 🤓

thats all nicely said and true but if had ever driven the E70 with adaptive steering you would know what we are all talking about.
This F15 is way to focused on comfort and the BMW precise steering even on such big SUV is now killed, the E70 felt like a go car in terms of steering compared to F15.
having said that I love the F15 mostly for its daily driving comfort. only the fun race part is now gone when it comes to nice twisty roads.

[Xeno]

I prefer steering on F15 over my wife's E70.

[Kzang]

Originally Posted by Xeno

I prefer steering on F15 over my wife's E70.

+1.. my previous E70 Steering wheel was unnecessarily heavy especially during parking lot speeds. I was also concerned about the "loose" feeling of the electronic steering wheel when I was first considering the F15... after test driving a X5 Lux line the steering feel was incredibly light and something I dis-liked.. After much research I've read where other owners noticed that the steering feel is much tighter when the X5 is equipped with the upgraded suspension options and decided to go with the F15 and 2VF option.

When I first received my custom built F15, I disliked the light loose steering feel, but I loved how precise it was. After driving it for a year I'm pretty happy with the steering feel and feedback. Combine this with the adaptive m suspension I enjoy carving the back curvy roads in spirited drives

[double_j]

Originally Posted by pragueX5

thats all nicely said and true but if had ever driven the E70 with adaptive steering you would know what we are all talking about.
This F15 is way to focused on comfort and the BMW precise steering even on such big SUV is now killed, the E70 felt like a go car in terms of steering compared to F15.
having said that I love the F15 mostly for its daily driving comfort. only the fun race part is now gone when it comes to nice twisty roads.

Check out one of the big auto mags' relatively recent reviews of the 340i 6-speed manual. When asked why the car's steering was still relatively numb, BMW engineers answered that they could technically dial up the feel in an electronic setup to match that of a hydraulic one but that their customers don't want it.

So yes, it appears that BMW has compromised some of their core values in order to chase the part of the luxury car market that doesn't actually care about driving.

[Gilly1964]

Then why not make it an optional setting, either through iDrive (preferably) or dealer/self coding so we could all make our choice?

I hated it to begin with but now I've grown to love it!

[2016sx5]

Why got rid of my X5 13 diesel. The heavy steering. Most uncomfortable owned
in decades. Started calling it the John Deere for the diesel clatter and tractor
steering (bet John Deere were more pleasant to drive), When pulled the 16 out of
the slot at the dealership, knew right than and there that 13 was not going back home

[pragueX5]

Originally Posted by Gilly1964

Then why not make it an optional setting, either through iDrive (preferably) or dealer/self coding so we could all make our choice?

I hated it to begin with but now I've grown to love it!

fully agree, or simpler the Sport button mode could be more heavier on the steering, the difference between comfor and sport in steering is very small compared to the different in dumpers and engine setting.

[double_j]

Originally Posted by pragueX5

fully agree, or simpler the Sport button mode could be more heavier on the steering, the difference between comfor and sport in steering is very small compared to the different in dumpers and engine setting.

Agreed though I can't help but think that the BMW engineers may have been exaggerating a bit...otherwise, you'd think they would have nailed the steering on the M3/M4. Based on reviews, etc. this doesn't seem to be the case.

[Thumbs]

Originally Posted by double_j

... When asked why the car's steering was still relatively numb, BMW engineers answered that they could technically dial up the feel in an electronic setup to match that of a hydraulic one but that their customers don't want it.

Many years ago, maybe 8-10, I drove one of the smaller Audi wagons and was very impressed with the heavy weight of the steering. The owner explained that the steering boost was adjustable because of the electric steering and even showed the dash screen allowing him to adjust it.

BMW almost certainly has the capability to offer that feature. Anyone know if it is accessible by the dealership, the dash, or through something like iCarly?