[StevenBTO]

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Coming from an E90, I much prefer the steering feel and weight when in Sports mode, however for stop-n-go city driving, I can do without the increased throttle response and more aggressive shifting that comes with it.

With any luck, hopefuly someone will figure out how to code comfort mode with the sport steering feel, but it got me thinking - why does having a lighter steering feel in Comfort mode result in improved fuel economy?

[bcl0328]

who says it does?

[StevenBTO]

Maybe it's just a bad assumption on my part, but why else does Sport -> Comfort -> Eco Pro take the steering from fun -> meh -> mush?

[micknugget]

The lighter steering in comfort mode is for comfort. If anything, since the electric motor is working harder to lighten the steering, it is probably less economical by a very VERY small amount. It is simply done to change the personality of the car between modes.

[chrisny]

I thought you were able to configure some aspects of these characteristics with the adaptive M suspension (for sport and sport+ or maybe just sport+), can't you?

[John 070]

Originally Posted by StevenBTO

Coming from an E90, I much prefer the steering feel and weight when in Sports mode, however for stop-n-go city driving, I can do without the increased throttle response and more aggressive shifting that comes with it.

With any luck, hopefuly someone will figure out how to code comfort mode with the sport steering feel, but it got me thinking - why does having a lighter steering feel in Comfort mode result in improved fuel economy?

I think you're maybe referring to the electric power steering v. hydraulic?

I drove the 328i today in the Team USA and got to take it pretty far, it's horrible. Reminded me of Altima/Sonata rental cars that I get regulary. It's hard to believe that BMW would take one of their best attributes (steering), and give it up. Maybe it will be like when the E46 first came out. When enough owners complained, BMW retrofitted the racks. Problem is, people owned cars back then so they did it.

[RPM90]

Originally Posted by StevenBTO

Maybe it's just a bad assumption on my part, but why else does Sport -> Comfort -> Eco Pro take the steering from fun -> meh -> mush?

Unnecessary complexity, so as to create an image of being "high tech", such that the driver can "customize" his preferred settings, and all this to promote an image of "advancement", all in the name of selling more cars under the assumption that more tech and more complexity leads to more sales.

Often, however, more is just too much.

I agree with what you would prefer. But in all this "preference" setting dance, BMW failed to realize that some want the heftier steering feel and just less throttle response. Guess your actually preferences don't fall in line with BMW's vision of "customizing" the vehicle to your liking.
Your preferences are out of line, SIR! Kidding of course, well, not about the stuff before that.

[RPM90]

Originally Posted by John 070

I think you're maybe referring to the electric power steering v. hydraulic?

I drove the 328i today in the Team USA and got to take it pretty far, it's horrible. Reminded me of Altima/Sonata rental cars that I get regulary. It's hard to believe that BMW would take one of their best attributes (steering), and give it up. Maybe it will be like when the E46 first came out. When enough owners complained, BMW retrofitted the racks. Problem is, people owned cars back then so they did it.

When set to "sport" mode the steering is NOTHING like an Altima or Sonata. Surely your comment is hyperbole.
"Horrible"? Not in my experience, and I have owned a "correct" E46 and currently drive a hydraulic rack 135i, and I still like the new 3, in "sport" mode.
So much so that I have a 335i Msport on order.

Yes, the steering effort is not as 'heavy' as in past BMW's, but again, once in "sport" mode it loads up to nearly the same level, though not quite as 'heavy' in required effort.
Did you not try that out?

[freshwhite335]

had a base 328 loaner when my 1er was in for tires and i was wishing for the base e90 loaners im used to, thats how bad the steering is. i thought the brakes sucked too.

[arnsbrae]

Originally Posted by freshwhite335

had a base 328 loaner when my 1er was in for tires and i was wishing for the base e90 loaners im used to, thats how bad the steering is. i thought the brakes sucked too.

I'm starting to wonder if the set up is different on US cars. The 328i I test drove in England was perfectly OK. I don't honestly remember anything positive or negative about the brakes but I didn't give them much of a work out.

I am used to driving 5 series cars in the past (528i & current 520d).

[StevenBTO]

The brakes definitely feel different, though I wouldn't call them bad - I've seen no indiciation that they won't perform as-expected, so just because they feel different at the pedal than another car doesn't mean they suck.

[E36toF30]

Originally Posted by StevenBTO

Coming from an E90, I much prefer the steering feel and weight when in Sports mode, however for stop-n-go city driving, I can do without the increased throttle response and more aggressive shifting that comes with it.

With any luck, hopefuly someone will figure out how to code comfort mode with the sport steering feel, but it got me thinking - why does having a lighter steering feel in Comfort mode result in improved fuel economy?

They changed the steering from hydraulic to electric for better fuel economy. The steering effort is mostly unrelated to fuel economy. They could have made the effort just as high as with the E90, but they decided not to for whatever reason.

Also, if you go to 'Configure Sport Mode' in iDrive you can set it 'Chassis Only' (or something like that), which will give you the heavier steering without the aggressive throttle response and shift points (if you have an automatic). I'm not sure if you knew this already and were meaning you wanted a permanent way to do it, but I just thought I'd point it out.

[StevenBTO]

Originally Posted by E36toF30

Also, if you go to 'Configure Sport Mode' in iDrive you can set it 'Chassis Only' (or something like that), which will give you the heavier steering without the aggressive throttle response and shift points (if you have an automatic). I'm not sure if you knew this already and were meaning you wanted a permanent way to do this, but I just thought I'd point it out.

I did not know that. I did see a reference to this in the manual but have not been able to find it in the menu. Is this available on the 328i?

[ric124]

Originally Posted by StevenBTO

Coming from an E90, I much prefer the steering feel and weight when in Sports mode, however for stop-n-go city driving, I can do without the increased throttle response and more aggressive shifting that comes with it.

With any luck, hopefuly someone will figure out how to code comfort mode with the sport steering feel, but it got me thinking - why does having a lighter steering feel in Comfort mode result in improved fuel economy?

Think you meant how does the electrical steering equals better fuel economy.

The electrical steering works independent of the engine vs the hydraulic is dependent on the engine, which causes the engine to work a little harder.

[E36toF30]

Originally Posted by StevenBTO

I did not know that. I did see a reference to this in the manual but have not been able to find it in the menu. Is this available on the 328i?

Yes, it's available on all F30 cars. I'm not sure exactly how to get to it, but I'd suggest looking through the manual for 'Configure Sport Mode'. Or perhaps someone who has an F30 can tell us.

[StevenBTO]

Originally Posted by E36toF30

Yes, it's available on all F30 cars. I'm not sure exactly how to get to it, but I'd suggest looking through the manual for 'Configure Sport Mode'. Or perhaps someone who has an F30 can tell us.

I did find the reference in the PDF version of the manual, however this option is not available on my iDrive, and nor is it included in the iDrive version of the manual!

[E36toF30]

Originally Posted by StevenBTO

I did find the reference in the PDF version of the manual, however this option is not available on my iDrive, and nor is it included in the iDrive version of the manual!

Hmm, that's odd. My understanding was that all F30s had the 'Configure Sport Mode' thing, at least in the U.S., but maybe I'm mistaken.

[ric124]

[StevenBTO]

Doesn't exist in my car. I posted another thread and the responses seemed to indicate that you only get this with M suspension or variable steering, neither of which my car has.

[emtrey]

I drive configurable modes only comes w/ M adaptive suspension-whether 2012 version or as part of the 2013 dynamic handling package.. When you have this option you can choose to tighten the shocks and steering while leaving the throttle response as in the comfort mode.

Conversly, you can choose to have the more aggressive throttle mapping and leave the chassis in comfort. ( as long as you purchased M adaptiive. ) OR you can have both--

If you have an auto trans you can change your throttle mapping w/o affecting the steering by moving you trans lever to the sport position. This is available on all cars w/ steptronic--sport trans or not.

See RIC 124's post 2 posts up--he has M adaptive so he can configure his sport button to his liking.

[RPM90]

Originally Posted by emtrey

I drive configurable modes only comes w/ M adaptive suspension-whether 2012 version or as part of the 2013 dynamic handling package.. When you have this option you can choose to tighten the shocks and steering while leaving the throttle response as in the comfort mode.

Conversly, you can choose to have the more aggressive throttle mapping and leave the chassis in comfort. ( as long as you purchased M adaptiive. ) OR you can have both--

If you have an auto trans you can change your throttle mapping w/o affecting the steering by moving you trans lever to the sport position. This is available on all cars w/ steptronic--sport trans or not.

See RIC 124's post 2 posts up--he has M adaptive so he can configure his sport button to his liking.

That's cool to have.

I wish BMW would do a better job of COMPLETELY explaining all the features included with certain options.

[RPM90]

Originally Posted by freshwhite335

had a base 328 loaner when my 1er was in for tires and i was wishing for the base e90 loaners im used to, thats how bad the steering is. i thought the brakes sucked too.

For reference, I too drive a 135i with those beautiful looking and beefy brakes.

I wish BMW would have included those with the Msport as standard.

I haven't driven the base model, but I don't think the brakes are any different that what's on the sport line 328i, and the 335i has different brakes.
In both the 328i sport and 335i sport, I felt the brakes were just fine.
Performance wise they feel as good as any standard BMW brakes.
The only slightly annoying thing I noticed in both cars is that the brake pedal makes a "thunk" sound at times when I took my foot off the brake.
My E46 didn't do this, nor does my 135i.

The 335i and 328i have been tracks tested, and both received positive comments by the test drivers, even after multiple laps at Laguna Seca.

So, I would say the brakes are very far from 'sucking'.