X5 Heavy Steering

[Ryan5034]

Is there a way to change the assist for the steering. The steering on the X5 is pretty heavy can that be adjusted/ coded somehow?

[RichardR0404]

Shouldn't be that heavy on a gas. Diesel has the heaviest steering in e70 platform. I have a diesel but It's not heavy at all... Check your PS fluid if you have that... I am pretty sure you have a electronic PS syetem.

[Ryan5034]

It's hydraulic steering.

[Duc Hunter]

I questioned it when I first bought mine. Thought it might be alignments or power steering. They just have a heavy feel. Compared to my Audi, my Porsche, met Toyota, my parents Audi and Alfa.....just bout every comparable car I above driven....my X5 35d is heavier. Its not bad, at parking lot speeds is when its the heaviest.

[Ryan5034]

I just got finished driving around this last week cars that presumable have electric steering.

It's really noticeable coming back to the X5.

[X5 MAN]

I have same X5 as yours., 2011 X5 50i

Steering is heavy as hell at parking lot speed.

I had a 2018 X5 loaner and that steering was feather touch like the toyotas

U would think the old X5 have no power steering

[jiggz]

I love the heavy steering on the E70 vs. the newer BMW's.

Though my X5 has the Active Steering option. But I have no idea how different that feels than an E70 w/o this option?

[sunny_j]

I wouldn't trade the heavy steering for anything. I've driven F series BMW's and they handle like crap. Even with the suspension switched to sport mode.

[RichardR0404]

Originally Posted by sunny_j

I wouldn't trade the heavy steering for anything. I've driven F series BMW's and they handle like crap. Even with the suspension switched to sport mode.

I got offer to test drive a new X5 when I am in for service. I hate the 2014+ looks, handling is crap, interior is not so BMW thoh.. Familiar gong is gone, replace with sonething sound like from a volvo or mercedes..

[X5 MAN]

Originally Posted by RichardR0404

I got offer to test drive a new X5 when I am in for service. I hate the 2014+ looks, handling is crap, interior is not so BMW thoh.. Familiar gong is gone, replace with sonething sound like from a volvo or mercedes..

When I drove a 2018 X5 35i as loaner, it just felt 'meh', like a honda or a toyota.

Ultimate Driving Machine is extinct inspite of being laden with the techno gizzmos

[RichardR0404]

Originally Posted by Gary214

When I drove a 2018 X5 35i as loaner, it just felt 'meh', like a honda or a toyota.

Ultimate Driving Machine is extinct inspite of being laden with the techno gizzmos

I dont really care about new gadgets since I can just add them myself... I hate any BMW thats start with F, no steering feel at all.. I recently use a leap motion and raspberry pi achieved gesture control, which is useless.... Like add a sync button to my HVAC control... something like that.... currently working on cutting my cluster open and add a screen to the right botton of the gauge where fuel economy lives.. should be able to display oil temp, pressure, any thinf I can get from OBD 2. preset drive mode also has been achieved by telling computer to shift into D/S or force manual mode + TC OFF, easy as probing wires. current project is adding a adaptive cruise control and shift pedal for a diesel vehicle.... Also trying to interfere the logic of the parking brake, like if parking brake is on while in D, wirh seat belt and door closed, press on the gas release the parking brake...

[do_0b]

my steering got really heavy after my tie rods seized in the front on both sides. Replaced it and re-did my alignment and the steering is back to normal.

[ADGrant]

Originally Posted by Gary214

I have same X5 as yours., 2011 X5 50i

Steering is heavy as hell at parking lot speed.

I had a 2018 X5 loaner and that steering was feather touch like the toyotas

U would think the old X5 have no power steering

I also have a 2011 X5 50i, steering is light at parking lot speeds. I believe it is because I have Active Steering which in addition to changing the gearing between the steering wheel and front wheels, also boosts the power steering assist. I also have the Surround View, so I find my X5 quite easy to park.

[01196505bmw]

Just bought a 2013 x5 35D. Yeah, steering felt really heavy compared to my Suburban, but after a couple hundred miles I'm starting to like it.

[X5 MAN]

Originally Posted by 01196505bmw

Just bought a 2013 x5 35D. Yeah, steering felt really heavy compared to my Suburban, but after a couple hundred miles I'm starting to like it.

I have started to like the heavy steering on my 2011 X5 too.

Sets it apart from the the NUMB lifeless steering on the Toyotas and the Honda.

Even the current X5 is feels and drives nothing better then a glorified Honda Pilot/Acura and Toyota/Lexus SUVs with a Beemer badge and high tech gizzmos