Steering, feature or Issue?

[sars]

During steady straight driving, after a handful of seconds, I've noticed that my electrically assisted steering develops the annoying trait of disconnection for about 5 or so degrees play on the wheel. The wheel is slightly stiff but there is no input to the steering wheels. This is my fourth BMW with electric steering and I've not really noticed it before.

Is it either a feature of an issue? Anyone suffering a similar trait? I have to say I don't care for it at all.

 

[ori]

I’ve noticed exactly the same thing. I was thinking of asking about it. It feels like almost slightly notchy. If you get it looked at please advise.

 

[Pondrew]

Just a thought but have you tried turning off 'lane keeping assist' and seeing if it makes a difference? Could be linked to that. :?

 

[ori]

Just a thought but have you tried turning off 'lane keeping assist' and seeing if it makes a difference? Could be linked to that. :?

I have all of that off for me.

 

[sars]

Just a thought but have you tried turning off 'lane keeping assist' and seeing if it makes a difference? Could be linked to that. :?

I have all of that off for me.

Snap, me too, perhaps this is the reason :idunno:

I’ve noticed exactly the same thing. I was thinking of asking about it. It feels like almost slightly notchy. If you get it looked at please advise.

Yes notchy is a good descriptor, I will ring them tomorrow, thanks

 

[ori]

Just a thought but have you tried turning off 'lane keeping assist' and seeing if it makes a difference? Could be linked to that. :?

I have all of that off for me.

Snap, me too, perhaps this is the reason :idunno:

I’ve noticed exactly the same thing. I was thinking of asking about it. It feels like almost slightly notchy. If you get it looked at please advise.

Yes notchy is a good descriptor, I will ring them tomorrow, thanks

Let me know what they say.

 

[ori]

Just a thought but have you tried turning off 'lane keeping assist' and seeing if it makes a difference? Could be linked to that. :?

I have all of that off for me.

Snap, me too, perhaps this is the reason :idunno:

I’ve noticed exactly the same thing. I was thinking of asking about it. It feels like almost slightly notchy. If you get it looked at please advise.

Yes notchy is a good descriptor, I will ring them tomorrow, thanks

So I have a theory that this has something to do with the last software update. I’m booking my car in anyway.

 

[sars]

I've booked the car in for an investigation, had to wait until October if I want a curtesy car! Agee to pay £166 investigation fee plus £15 curtesy car fee plus £25 damage waiver.....

 

[ori]

I've booked the car in for an investigation, had to wait until October if I want a curtesy car! Agee to pay £166 investigation fee plus £15 curtesy car fee plus £25 damage waiver.....

That’s not right. There is no investigation fee when the car is under manufacturer warrantee.

My car is booked for end of September to investigate the issue.

Is your steering feel always or intermittent like mine?

 

[ori]

Just as an update.
My car went in today and will be with them for at least 3 days as I am away.

The steering “notch” feel has gone now the weather is cooler. Very strange.
They have a few bits to fix in my car. Annoying squeak from drivers door mirror even though it was replaced.
My seat makes a click and moves a tiny amount under acceleration.
Rattle under foot well (easy fix as it’s just a cover).

I’ll let you know what they find in steering, but I suspect they won’t do anything more than a quick drive.

 

[MikeyH]

Looks like they haven't learnt anything since the E85 E86 sticky steering fiasco :headbang:

 

[MikeyH]

I've booked the car in for an investigation, had to wait until October if I want a curtesy car! Agee to pay £166 investigation fee plus £15 curtesy car fee plus £25 damage waiver.....

That's cheeky :headbang:

 

[ori]

Looks like they haven't learnt anything since the E85 E86 sticky steering fiasco :headbang:

What was the cause and solution on the e85?

 

[MikeyH]

I think it was to do with the cogs becoming too tight over time as the grease moved down the column, the solution is to loosen an adjustment ring at the top of the column to give more play. I need to do this myself. It feels as if there is a magnet stopping it turning easily so you keep going backwards and forwards left and right. Zigzagging down the road.

 

[ori]

Took my car to BMW. Funnily enough weather has cooled and issue has disappeared, but bmw Borehamwood didn’t even bother to investigate at all.
Also still have an issue with the wing mirror squeaking and their solution is for me to take it to another dealer.

Useless idiots and have lost a customer.

 

[sars]

The issue seems to have gone away on mine too, it's either a resolved software issue through an updated or as you say a temperature one. Going to cancel my appointment anyway.

 

[sars]

I think it was to do with the cogs becoming too tight over time as the grease moved down the column, the solution is to loosen an adjustment ring at the top of the column to give more play. I need to do this myself. It feels as if there is a magnet stopping it turning easily so you keep going backwards and forwards left and right. Zigzagging down the road.

On mine it was like a dead zone between -5 and +5 degrees from ahead where the steering wheel had no connection to the wheels, occurring shortly after no steering input, it was like it went to sleep. Then as you went past 5 degrees it would suddenly move. Not a problem on a twisty bit of road where you keep moving the wheel, on a straight bit of road you veered off before catching it.

 

[MikeyH]

Took my car to BMW. Funnily enough weather has cooled and issue has disappeared, but bmw Borehamwood didn’t even bother to investigate at all.
Also still have an issue with the wing mirror squeaking and their solution is for me to take it to another dealer.

Useless idiots and have lost a customer.

Sorry to say this but this is what happens with e85/86 sticky steering :headbang:

 

[MikeyH]

I think it was to do with the cogs becoming too tight over time as the grease moved down the column, the solution is to loosen an adjustment ring at the top of the column to give more play. I need to do this myself. It feels as if there is a magnet stopping it turning easily so you keep going backwards and forwards left and right. Zigzagging down the road.

On mine it was like a dead zone between -5 and +5 degrees from ahead where the steering wheel had no connection to the wheels, occurring shortly after no steering input, it was like it went to sleep. Then as you went past 5 degrees it would suddenly move. Not a problem on a twisty bit of road where you keep moving the wheel, on a straight bit of road you veered off before catching it.

That is not safe, could it be faulty software?

 

[sars]

It wasn't unsafe per se, just a little annoying as it's difficult to keep in a straight line without constantly making small corrections. However, it has just gone away like it has just received a software patch :dunno: