BMW AUC / Runflat / PAS question

[edo]

Right, long story short I helped some good friends buy a 2011 320d Touring from a BMW main dealer. Car is very nice and done about 30k.

I drove the car on the weekend as requested by my mate as he said the steering felt really heavy. I have driven probably 10 different E9X 3 series, and owned 3, so have a reasonable point of reference, and it does indeed feel very heavy. It is an exclusive edition without variable steering, 17 inch wheels and no sport suspension.

They took it to another main dealer who immediately pointed out it didnt have runflats which they said could be the problem.

So...

1. Should an AUC car that has no spare or mobility kit, shipped from factory with runflats, have runflats - is this not an AUC requirement?

2. Would having non runflats make the steering heavier?

3. Has anyone else had heavy steering on this vintage of 3 series?

Input welcomed.

[Urban Sports]

On a 2011 car I'm sure it should have EPAS shouldn't really be very heavy although they do make the steering weighty.

[Osinjak]

Not sure if it helps but I test drove a 435d xDrive the other week with electrofandango steering and as soon as I got back in my 2010 3er Touring I instantly noticed how much heavier the steering felt. As for the tyres, I guess if they're properly inflated there wouldn't be that much difference, surely?

[anonymous-user]

A change of tyre will not SIGNIFICANTLY make the steering any heavier assuming the tyre pressures are at or close to the mandated value


Get a diagnostic test done on the EPAS. The system is fully electric and if there is a fault the system will flag that up.


Get a mechanical test done on the steering when the car is on a ramp. IE to check the steering is "free" and not binding when there is no weight on the wheels. (A bent rack, or seized steering joint or corroded strut race can all cause stiffness)

[Shurv]

Does it have a sport button, if so is it set in sport mode?. This will stiffen up the steering a lot. Runflats will make no difference, in fact it is better off without the wretched things, just get an inflation kit. Have a look for any irregular tyre wear to see if the suspension or steering is damaged.

[edo]

Thanks all. No sport button.

Spoken to a mate in the trade and AUC cars that came factory with Run flats (and have no spare) have to go out the door with runflats on so they either didnt check or tried to skip it.

Dealer has been told and we await their reply.

I agree that I doubt it will lighten up the steering a great deal. More worried about them being stranded if the get a flat.

[OldSkoolRS]

I drive a 2012 320d Touring exclusive which has the electric power steering and I have run flats fitted. The steering doesn't seem unduly heavy to me, however about a year ago it did develop a fault (repaired under warranty) where the power assistance would stop at random points during the journey which was quite scary... When it happened the steering wasn't much heavier than normal provided the speed was above about 10mph.

It does put a big light on the dash when this happens though. My point being that it appeared to be a fairly well known issue, so I wonder if it is manifesting itself differently on this example?

[gaz1234]

edo said:

Thanks all. No sport button.

Spoken to a mate in the trade and AUC cars that came factory with Run flats (and have no spare) have to go out the door with runflats on so they either didnt check or tried to skip it.

Dealer has been told and we await their reply.

I agree that I doubt it will lighten up the steering a great deal. More worried about them being stranded if the get a flat.

Have you got a jack?

[edo]

gaz1234 said:

edo said:

Thanks all. No sport button.

Spoken to a mate in the trade and AUC cars that came factory with Run flats (and have no spare) have to go out the door with runflats on so they either didnt check or tried to skip it.

Dealer has been told and we await their reply.

I agree that I doubt it will lighten up the steering a great deal. More worried about them being stranded if the get a flat.

Have you got a jack?

It has no jack, no spare, not inflation system.

[gaz1234]

But space for it all?

[edo]

gaz1234 said:

But space for it all?

We didnt find an AUC car and pay top money for it to piss about getting spares, jacks and the like to fit to a car designed to use runflats, so the dealer will be fitting a set!

[edo]

Pleased to say, tip top service from Swindon BMW who fitted a new set of runflat boots, valeted the car and filled it with fuel. Nicely dealt with.