Just drove a 328 xi (with AWD) for the first time and was surprised at
how stiff and insensitive the steering felt. Is this a common experience
with AWD BMW's?

Bob

riserman wrote:
Not in the newer X5's. They favor the rear wheels whenever they can.

Rob

riserman wrote:

I've never driven one, but it seems that BMW wants to sell them. I
was in the dealer a while back and they had rows of those damn things,
while a 2WD 3-series was hard to find. That's just odd.

"riserman" <riserman (AT) optonline (DOT) net> wrote
AWD BMWs have slightly more boost than non-awd versions. It should not
be "stiff". However, the higher boost takes a little getting-used to, as it
makes
it feel like there is little feedback and centering feel.

I don't think that active steering is available with the xi models, but if
you drove
one with it, it might well have been weird-feeling, as it takes getting used
to.

FloydR used-to have a 330xi.

"floyd rogers" <fbloogyuds (AT) hotmail (DOT) com> wrote

Is BMW perhaps now using electric steering boost for the E90 AWD? I had it
on a Z4 and while the steering was excellent, the feel left something to be
desired.

Tom

"tom_k" <tkorth1 (AT) comcast (DOT) net> wrote

and I don't remember a significant difference in the steering. Of course,
I might have not been sensitized to look for any difference, because the
steering
of both models seemed so much better--to my taste--than the cars by other
manufacturers that I'd been testing.

Ed Presson