[momo3605]

I've been looking through the forum, and it seems no one in the thread has driven both back to back...none of the dealerships in my area have the Variable Sport Steering option, so I wanted to see if anyone has driven both on here. I need help deciding whether to get the option or not

[E46M54325Ci]

would like to know this as well

[emtrey]

Can't separate I'm 2013. It's on dhp

[momo3605]

Originally Posted by emtrey

Can't separate I'm 2013. It's on dhp

Yea, that's fine, I don't plan on separating, just wanna know how people are experiencing the DHP package compared to the standard electric steering and sports suspension

[emtrey]

I really like the dhp Ride better in comfort. Not so sure if it's any firmer in sport. What I do find important is the ability to tighten the steering shocks without having the twitchy throttle. You can separately raise shift points on 8at with shift lever
Hope this helps.

[momo3605]

The bigger dilemma is the variable steering. Is it awkwardly too light when driving? I remember that was a fault of the old active steering, as it had no feel. But have you noticed the "variable" aspect of the steering?

[emtrey]

Originally Posted by momo3605

The bigger dilemma is the variable steering. Is it awkwardly too light when driving? I remember that was a fault of the old active steering, as it had no feel. But have you noticed the "variable" aspect of the steering?

No. Not like old system this one has different gear sets withe diff ratios it's good. I have dhp and so far quite pleased. Not quite hydraulic but not bad imho. Noticed only on parking. Not lighter but turns quicker

[batislav]

Originally Posted by momo3605

I've been looking through the forum, and it seems no one in the thread has driven both back to back...none of the dealerships in my area have the Variable Sport Steering option, so I wanted to see if anyone has driven both on here. I need help deciding whether to get the option or not

I drove both back to back. Went with VSS on my model. Felt much better. It's been a few months, but I remember thinking that without VSS I was lukewarm on the steering, as soon as I drove the model wit VSS I thought "much better" and that's what I bought.

[momo3605]

Originally Posted by batislav

I drove both back to back. Went with VSS on my model. Felt much better. It's been a few months, but I remember thinking that without VSS I was lukewarm on the steering, as soon as I drove the model wit VSS I thought "much better" and that's what I bought.

haha, that's good to know, do you remember what was "much better" about it? Was it more direct? Tighter? Softer? etc...

[batislav]

Originally Posted by momo3605

haha, that's good to know, do you remember what was "much better" about it? Was it more direct? Tighter? Softer? etc...

It felt tighter and more responsive, at least based on my driving style. Wasn't a huge contrast in all respects, but I'm happy with how my car steers. I'd like it to be a little firmer in comfort mode at neighborhood speeds, but couldn't be happier with sport mode. Also love how it feels when driving more enthusiastically on curvy roads.

[gerbs]

From about 150 miles of VSS driving, I can tell you that it is vastly similar; and even improved upon while compared to the E9x M3.

I think that says a lot - It is very agile and quick; almost too quick at first because you aren't used to only having to turn the wheel 180° to go around an entire 90° turn.

If you've ever driven an earlier evo, (7, 8), it feels similar to that. Which is new for BMW, but a welcome change IMO.



When I test drove an F30 335 non VSS, it was as expected.. The turning ratios were consistent across the platform.

This is actually a really simple thing to analyze. If you want the steer wheel to turn the wheels quicker through the first 90 degrees, get VSS. If you want the steering wheel to turn the wheels the exact same amount through it's entire range, don't get VSS.

[momo3605]

Thanks for the responses guys. I definitely do prefer quicker steering. But last question, does it feel as quick as e9x M3 steering? Cuz that's super quick too, but awesome

[gerbs]

Originally Posted by momo3605

Thanks for the responses guys. I definitely do prefer quicker steering. But last question, does it feel as quick as e9x M3 steering? Cuz that's super quick too, but awesome

Yes, it is extremely similar. I drove an e92 M3 for 2 years.

There is less road feel due to the electronic steering; but the swift, swooping action and the feedback is very similar.

[chrisny]

Originally Posted by momo3605

The bigger dilemma is the variable steering. Is it awkwardly too light when driving? I remember that was a fault of the old active steering, as it had no feel. But have you noticed the "variable" aspect of the steering?

I'm only going on a test drive, but I can say with an Audi S5 I had, it was incredibly noticeable how much lighter it was at low speeds and I don't remember anywhere near the same in the F30 I test drove with VSS (a '12 335). I didn't mind how night and day it was in the S5, once you got up to speed it was kind of cool feeling it tighten up. But I don't recall the F30 being as "variable feeling..."

[JamesMA]

I do not think I would like this car as much without the VSS, makes the car feel the way I expected in Sport+, which is pretty much what I drive in 90% of the time.

[Micleg]

But this has been told in this forum several times already:

VSS doesn't add anything but a difference in the mechanical gearing of the steering. The difference in feeling between different driving modes comes from Servotronic which is included in VSS but also available separately.

[MaestroAl]

Originally Posted by gerbs

This is actually a really simple thing to analyze. If you want the steer wheel to turn the wheels quicker through the first 90 degrees, get VSS. If you want the steering wheel to turn the wheels the exact same amount through it's entire range, don't get VSS.

And yet every single piece of factual information available on the VSS says it's only active AFTER 100 degrees of lock ...

[Caput Mortuum]

Yeah, I thought that it was supposed to speed up the gearing closer to the extreme lock.
I'm sure it's excellent at daily driving and at the parking lot but at the same time I'm worried that it would make it confusing to add the instinctive amount of opposite lock. What do you guys think?

caput

[RPM90]

VSS steering ratio is 14.5:1 vs standard at 15:1, IIRC.
VSS is slightly tighter up to to the first 100 degrees of steering wheel turn.

Past 100 degrees the ratio becomes tighter, meaning, for every degree of steering wheel movement there is even more wheel/tire steering angle.