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      09-26-2013, 08:06 PM   #1
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A Hint at Electric steering potential in the upcoming M3/M4

Hey fellas,

I got the chance to drive a 2014 428 non-sport today.

As an owner of 2 e9x M's, my expectations were mild.

After the drive, I came away very impressed with this new car. First, it is substantively different than the sedan. The engine lacks any of the annoying 4 cyl traits of the F30. No ticking sounds, no "diesel" sounds. The exhaust is far, far better.. sounds husky and sporty. The car rides far sportier than the F30, hugging the road much more aggressively. One can definitely feel the lower center of gravity vs F30.

The best part about this car is the steering. This new EPS rack is so good, it is the most precise steering car from BMW that I have ever driven. Even more impressively, this car did not have the adaptive drive option. If the new 428 steering has been moved ahead this far, I can't imagine how good the new M3/M4 steering might be.

Good job BMW, now fix the steering on the F30s!
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Last edited by spmd11; 09-26-2013 at 08:15 PM..
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      09-26-2013, 08:19 PM   #2
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I knew it. Good to hear.
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      09-26-2013, 10:08 PM   #3
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I like what you are saying, especially since you have good steering references in the E9Xs for my preferences and that you have experience with the F30 and can feel a significant improvement.

However, having owned an F10 rwd with EPS I can say that precision was not the problem. It was numbness, inconsistent boost, weak return to center force, vague on center feel, artificial and overboosted feel. Quite a list to address. I also recently drove a slew of 2014 6 series cars ( GC, Coupe, Vert ) some with X-Drive, some with RWD on and off track. On the track the precision is welcome and the numbness is not too bad when pushing the car to the limits. It works fine. On the road I drove a new 640 GC, it was, well terrible. Worst in Sport mode where it was artifically heavy and very numb. It is true however that the X-drive models with HPS are not that much better so it's more than the PS, it's likely also the rack in itself and suspension that is not very communicative + the type of servotronic system used.

It seems BMW has realized that this will not do for the M3 since they have developed a new unique EPS system with ZF. I think it will be very good. I also know I need to try it myself since I've heard others saying the the 6 GC has wonderful steering so it's quite a subjective matter.
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      09-27-2013, 07:17 PM   #4
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Quote:
Originally Posted by solstice View Post
However, having owned an F10 rwd with EPS I can say that precision was not the problem. It was numbness, inconsistent boost, weak return to center force, vague on center feel, artificial and overboosted feel. Quite a list to address.
Wow, okay.. well, I felt none of these problems that you are expressing. And for sure the steering was not numb. Excellent feedback. On center feel was superb. I don't know what to say. I was blown away by how well this car steered and really how it handled given no adaptive drive. All of the cars I own are sure footed and aggressive setups for run of the mill BMWs. The new 4er drives incredibly well.
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      09-27-2013, 09:27 PM   #5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by spmd11 View Post
Wow, okay.. well, I felt none of these problems that you are expressing. And for sure the steering was not numb. Excellent feedback. On center feel was superb. I don't know what to say. I was blown away by how well this car steered and really how it handled given no adaptive drive. All of the cars I own are sure footed and aggressive setups for run of the mill BMWs. The new 4er drives incredibly well.
Sounds great. I had no plans to drive the F32 but you got me curious so I'll try to make time soon. My dealer has a 4-series demo car already.
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      09-29-2013, 10:04 PM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by solstice View Post
Sounds great. I had no plans to drive the F32 but you got me curious so I'll try to make time soon. My dealer has a 4-series demo car already.
Report back and let us know what you think!
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