M135i steering

[Heathwood]

Hi all,

I've owned a 130i for about 5 years. One of the things I like about it is the meaty steering. My plan is to replace it with a M135i in another year or so.

However, I've just spent a couple of days in a brand new 116d hire car. The steering was dreadful. I expected little in the way of feel, but it wasn't very linear, lacked accuracy and didn't inspire any real confidence. I really struggled to adapt to it.

Does anyone know whether there's any real difference in the steering between the lower spec models and the M135i? Does anyone have any thoughts or comments about the steering of M135i's?

[Heathwood]

dapearson said:

I quite like the steering on mine. Sure there's not much feedback, but there are so few turns lock to lock, and i like the meaty feel of it. It feels very "pointy".

Having said that if it was a car i'd bought for enthusiastic driving i'd be disappointed, but then again it's not that sort of car - slightly wobbly suspension and a throttle which seems to hold revs on upchanges too much all spoil it for hooning.

So from that POV the steering suits it as a bit of a blunt (but still staggeringly capable) weapon.

If i had a cheapish hooning car in the garage like a 106/306 GTI, DC2 integra, etc i'd keep it and run alongside.

Ah, that's interesting, so it does have a meaty feel to the steering? The steering on the 116d was wispy and light.

[Heathwood]

Hmm, thanks for the input and thoughts guys. Given that I still enjoy my 130i I'm starting to wonder whether a circa 20k cost to change to a M135i is worth it. Will probably test drive at some point to make up my mind.