Faster Steering for xDrive

tetsuo111 · 05-15-2016, 06:19 PM

E9x steering ratios:

xDrive - 18:1
non-M RWD - 16:1
M3 ratio - 12.5:1

I find myself at the limits of crossing my arms on the steering wheel on slow, tight turns (Pacific Raceway 3A and 3B and the Ridge corkscrew and thumb). Short of redesigning the front suspension Ackerman point (don't want to go that deep), I believe my options are:

1) M3 rack, or
2) steering quickener as used on some track and rally cars

Sadly the M3 and non-M racks are not PNP jobs. The racks attach to different parts of the front subframe. I suppose anything is possible by welding new tabs on both the subframe and M3 rack to fit, but this borderlines on heroic effort.

Steering quickeners have been around for awhile, and come in standard 2:1 and 1.5:1 gear ratios. A 1.5:1 quickener ought to result in 12:1 steering ratio. This would be a fine compromise for dual use street and track. Proper install seems somewhat invasive, but again anything is possible with $$ and commitment, right?.

Anyone reading with direct, first-hand experience? Any safety or reliability issues? Will the column still collapse as designed? Does the quickener introduce slop into the system?

Thanks.

tetsuo111 · 05-16-2016, 04:36 PM

Really?

No 335i pilots with one of these? Your steering as nearly as slow as mine.

natedog7700 · 05-16-2016, 07:38 PM

Never knew the X drive BMW's had a wider ratio steering rack! Interesting

r4dr · 05-16-2016, 08:11 PM

I can't speak for Pacific as this Friday + Saturday will be my first time on that track, but maybe that small difference makes it easy enough to cross arms in a 335i. I agree the thumb is especially bad, but I can cross my arms to the limit and make my line.

Of course, I believe you run in either A or B and I'm at the opposite end

so you might be on another level such that you'd have an issue.

bNks334 · 05-17-2016, 07:42 AM

Been in a 328i xdrive loaner for 2 days and I can't stand the steering. I don't see how anyone can drive that car daily in anything other than sport+ mode. Even then the steering has loose spots and awkwardly seems to get stiffer the tighter you turn. This is definitely one area I wish BMW just kept it simple instead of all these ridiculous variable settings. You would think having consistent steering feel would be important not the other way around

05-15-2016, 06:19 PM	#1
tetsuo111 Save the Manuals! 1227 Rep 1,239 Posts Drives: E91 RWD 6MT, X3, Ducati S4R Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: PNW iTrader: (0) Garage List 2011 E91 6MT RWD &q ... [0.00] 2005 Ducati S4R 996 [0.00] 2000 Ducati M750 [0.00] RIP - 2011 E91 328i ... [10.00]	Faster Steering for xDrive E9x steering ratios: xDrive - 18:1 non-M RWD - 16:1 M3 ratio - 12.5:1 I find myself at the limits of crossing my arms on the steering wheel on slow, tight turns (Pacific Raceway 3A and 3B and the Ridge corkscrew and thumb). Short of redesigning the front suspension Ackerman point (don't want to go that deep), I believe my options are: 1) M3 rack, or 2) steering quickener as used on some track and rally cars Sadly the M3 and non-M racks are not PNP jobs. The racks attach to different parts of the front subframe. I suppose anything is possible by welding new tabs on both the subframe and M3 rack to fit, but this borderlines on heroic effort. Steering quickeners have been around for awhile, and come in standard 2:1 and 1.5:1 gear ratios. A 1.5:1 quickener ought to result in 12:1 steering ratio. This would be a fine compromise for dual use street and track. Proper install seems somewhat invasive, but again anything is possible with $$ and commitment, right?. Anyone reading with direct, first-hand experience? Any safety or reliability issues? Will the column still collapse as designed? Does the quickener introduce slop into the system? Thanks. __________________ 2011 6MT RWD ClubSport Wagon \| 3,185lbs \| 1 of 149 ZSPs delivered in North America Outside: BMW M-Aero, Euro region lighting, Seibon \| Inside: M3 cockpit, Recaro SPG, Prototipo, AutoSolutions SSK, UCP \| Stop: M3 ST-40R, PFC \| Grip: Solid-mounted subframes, rear coilover conversion, M3 Nitron R3, Hyperco, SPL, AKG, ARC8 \| Go: StageFP, CF snorkel, 3IM, MILVs, SuperSprint headers, Dundon Motorsports Inconel exhaust, VoltPhreaks \| Cool: CSF \| PCA #2018100384 \| BMW CCA #505794
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05-16-2016, 04:36 PM	#2
tetsuo111 Save the Manuals! 1227 Rep 1,239 Posts Drives: E91 RWD 6MT, X3, Ducati S4R Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: PNW iTrader: (0) Garage List 2011 E91 6MT RWD &q ... [0.00] 2005 Ducati S4R 996 [0.00] 2000 Ducati M750 [0.00] RIP - 2011 E91 328i ... [10.00]	Really? No 335i pilots with one of these? Your steering as nearly as slow as mine. __________________ 2011 6MT RWD ClubSport Wagon \| 3,185lbs \| 1 of 149 ZSPs delivered in North America Outside: BMW M-Aero, Euro region lighting, Seibon \| Inside: M3 cockpit, Recaro SPG, Prototipo, AutoSolutions SSK, UCP \| Stop: M3 ST-40R, PFC \| Grip: Solid-mounted subframes, rear coilover conversion, M3 Nitron R3, Hyperco, SPL, AKG, ARC8 \| Go: StageFP, CF snorkel, 3IM, MILVs, SuperSprint headers, Dundon Motorsports Inconel exhaust, VoltPhreaks \| Cool: CSF \| PCA #2018100384 \| BMW CCA #505794
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05-16-2016, 07:38 PM	#3
natedog7700 Captain 657 Rep 780 Posts Drives: 07 335i RB's 625whp Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: milwaukee wi iTrader: (0)	Never knew the X drive BMW's had a wider ratio steering rack! Interesting
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05-16-2016, 08:11 PM	#4
r4dr First Lieutenant 172 Rep 392 Posts Drives: various BMWs Join Date: Oct 2015 Location: Seattle, WA iTrader: (0)	I can't speak for Pacific as this Friday + Saturday will be my first time on that track, but maybe that small difference makes it easy enough to cross arms in a 335i. I agree the thumb is especially bad, but I can cross my arms to the limit and make my line. Of course, I believe you run in either A or B and I'm at the opposite end so you might be on another level such that you'd have an issue.
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05-17-2016, 07:42 AM	#5
bNks334 Major 427 Rep 957 Posts Drives: '11 135i (N55) Join Date: May 2014 Location: New York iTrader: (1)	Been in a 328i xdrive loaner for 2 days and I can't stand the steering. I don't see how anyone can drive that car daily in anything other than sport+ mode. Even then the steering has loose spots and awkwardly seems to get stiffer the tighter you turn. This is definitely one area I wish BMW just kept it simple instead of all these ridiculous variable settings. You would think having consistent steering feel would be important not the other way around
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