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Lighter steering on newer cars ?????

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Old 05-08-2006, 10:49 AM
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Needforspeed..does your car have the sport package, does the loaner???

i have the same feeling when i saw my friends 06 540i...the steering was very light, and the ride was much smoother and more comfortable than my 05 525...i think it might be because i have sport package and he doesnt...but im not sure....im sure if i ask the dealer if i have sport package he will have no idea what im talking about...
but i would like to know was something changed in new bmws?
Old 05-08-2006, 10:53 AM
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Originally Posted by JWBMW' post='279459' date='May 8 2006, 06:11 PM
50 - 75 mph acceleration times in fourth gear:

530i - 6.6 sec
525D - 6.5 sec
540i - 6.3 sec
550i - 5.2 sec
530D - 5.1 sec

Thus the 525D was a good compromise between refinement, cost and performance for me.
Indeed the 525d engine is probably less stressed but I think the new 530d has moved things on a little... Hopefully similar treatment will be applied to the 525d soon!

It was the in-gear times that attracted me to the 530d (Quicker than all the petrol models...) Anyone have the 50-75mph figure for the 535d?
Old 05-08-2006, 11:08 AM
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Originally Posted by colejl' post='279483' date='May 8 2006, 07:53 PM
Indeed the 525d engine is probably less stressed but I think the new 530d has moved things on a little... Hopefully similar treatment will be applied to the 525d soon!

It was the in-gear times that attracted me to the 530d (Quicker than all the petrol models...) Anyone have the 50-75mph figure for the 535d?

As the 535D is an automatic only the BMW UK web site does not quote figures but see the following link for 50 - 70 times ; http://www.autocar.co.uk/FirstDrive_....asp?RT=214287

In summary

535D - 3.3.sec
535D (DMS chip) - 3.0 sec

so I guess add about 0.2 seconds for the 50-75 mph times (strictly not like for like due to differing transmissions.

For the record on 50 - 75 mph time (manual box)

520D - 7 sec
523i - 9.4 sec
525i - 7.9 sec
Old 05-08-2006, 11:09 AM
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Originally Posted by Ray Hull' post='279460
Needforspeed..does your car have the sport package, does the loaner???
No both are SE models - only difference being the wheels which looked like standards 17's with run flats on the loaner and I have 19's with 'normal' tyres.

Originally Posted by colejl' post='279483' date='May 8 2006, 07:53 PM
It was the in-gear times that attracted me to the 530d (Quicker than all the petrol models...) Anyone have the 50-75mph figure for the 535d?
There isn't an in gear time. This is apparently not a conspiracy (which I initally suspected), but simply reflects the fact that the 535d is only available as an auto (so in gear times can't be demonstrated) - it's all discussed here:

http://forums.e60.net/index.php?showtopic=24177&hl=535d
Old 05-08-2006, 12:11 PM
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Originally Posted by needforspeed' post='279401' date='May 8 2006, 09:31 AM
Anyway ... they gave me a nice new 06 525d loaner and my instant observation was the lightness of the steering compared to my 04 530d.


Hopefully someone can advise on the steering question - I am starting to wonder why mine is heavy.
Your 530d may not have servotronic steering. I'm not sure what age yours is but I'm sure on the earlier models if you didn't have active steering you didn't get servotronic as standard. Not wanting to state the obvious but servotronic steering is the variable assistance gismo, light at low speed and no assistance at high speed. Cost about ?230 as an option.
Old 05-08-2006, 01:36 PM
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Originally Posted by needforspeed' post='279486' date='May 8 2006, 08:09 PM
There isn't an in gear time. This is apparently not a conspiracy (which I initally suspected), but simply reflects the fact that the 535d is only available as an auto (so in gear times can't be demonstrated) - it's all discussed here:
Yeah, wasn't thinking...!

I wonder how close the manually selected gear ratios are between auto and manual? Could do a measurement in M4...
Old 05-08-2006, 11:20 PM
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Originally Posted by Merv the Derv' post='279522' date='May 8 2006, 01:11 PM
Your 530d may not have servotronic steering. I'm not sure what age yours is but I'm sure on the earlier models if you didn't have active steering you didn't get servotronic as standard. Not wanting to state the obvious but servotronic steering is the variable assistance gismo, light at low speed and no assistance at high speed. Cost about ?230 as an option.
My 2006 530i comes with servotronic steering as standard equipment in the states. I noticed a huge difference in the steering from my 2003 E39. Steering is much lighter with the servotronic and I don't have active steering.
Old 05-09-2006, 12:20 AM
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Originally Posted by Merv the Derv' post='279522' date='May 8 2006, 09:11 PM
Your 530d may not have servotronic steering. I'm not sure what age yours is but I'm sure on the earlier models if you didn't have active steering you didn't get servotronic as standard. Not wanting to state the obvious but servotronic steering is the variable assistance gismo, light at low speed and no assistance at high speed. Cost about ?230 as an option.
My car was built March 2004 - sounds like this could be it.

I drove a few cars before mine, but they were similar ages. This was the first NEW model I have driven.

Can it be retro fitted ?
Old 05-09-2006, 02:08 AM
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Your car doesnt have servotronic. (mine doesnt)

The loaner will have it making the whole thing lighter..



Take off the runflats on your 04 and it feels a bit closer to it but tbh i really really wish id known about servotronic when i bought the damn thing.
Old 05-09-2006, 05:24 AM
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Originally Posted by JayJay' post='279832' date='May 9 2006, 11:08 AM
Your car doesnt have servotronic. (mine doesnt)

The loaner will have it making the whole thing lighter..
Take off the runflats on your 04 and it feels a bit closer to it but tbh i really really wish id known about servotronic when i bought the damn thing.
No runflats on my 04 - wish I knew about the 'servotronic' as well.

It's not like my steering is a huge problem, but it IS weighty and on a long journey this becomes apparent.


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