E46 Heavy Steering

[bilsland]

All,

Just picked up a 55 reg E46. Test drove it 2 weeks ago and didn't happen to parrellel or reverse park it.

I've noticed the steering feels incredibly heavy at very low speeds, almost as if it has no power steering at all! Had it in my mind somewhere that the steering on these cars is electronically assisted at low speeds. Between test driving and picking up the owner had some work done on the electrics around the wing mirrors and reverse parking sensors. Is it possible that something might have been tripped when doing this work?

Is it just the fact I've been spoofing around in a Fiat 500 for 3 months? I never felt the steering was bad on my Z4 or 5 series cars owned... Perhaps I just need bigger muscles.

Havn't checked tyres or anything else yet, but just wanted to pick people's brains.

[Sticks.]

The Z4 steering is very light. I'd noticed the same as you on the 330ci I recently bought, and hadn't remembered the 330d I had a few years back being like it. Suspect I was used to heavier cars then, though I wouldn't know if there was an issu. Main dealer's had it beack for 4 wheel alignment/bushes check because of tramlining and didn't mention it.

[paulmon]

The steering on my 330 feels really heavy compared to the LR.

[Mr-B]

I have a e46 330d and don't find the steering particularly heavy, it has a nice weight to it when cornering but not heavy.

[gaz1234]

e46 are heavy and direct. bigger muscles needed.

[tgr]

there's a difference between BMW-style manly control weights and actually having to strain your muscles to parallel park - if the latter I suggest something has gone wrong. In fact the post 2000s E46s were noted for their move to lighter control weights, the early E46s had the more traditional BMW 'mechanical' feel

[croyde]

Have you checked the condition and amount of steering fluid?

[Blackpuddin]

Just replaced our Golf with an E46 Touring and immediately noted the heavier steering but we much prefer it that way.

[kev b]

The bush at the bottom of the steering column can dry out due to exhaust heat, I lubed mine with chain lube, it made a huge difference. Also try turning your steering with the engine off, then with the engine running in order to see how well your power steering is working.
It might be worth jacking up the front to see if you have a stiff ball joint or track rod end. While you're at it lube the strut top mounts, an easy job, but often neglected. HTH

[FloppyRaccoon]

My E46 doesn't feel heavy at low speeds.

Maybe get to the gym?

[Patrick Bateman]

Steering on my compact was much heavier than the coupé that replaced it.

[Olf]

Always found my E46 330d on big wheels to be quite heavy steering at low speeds. Not uncomfortable just needing positive effort rather than guidance if you like.

[bilsland]

Thanks for the advice... I think I need to get down the gym!

Car is going in for a service next week I'll ask the mechanics their opinion... Bit annoyed now as my windscreen washer jets have now died. It's not going very well as a first week.

Bonus is I found the previous owners sunglasses in the boot and the car absolutely destroyed the b roads on the way to the golf club this afternoon!

[FloppyRaccoon]

bilsland said:

Thanks for the advice... I think I need to get down the gym!

Car is going in for a service next week I'll ask the mechanics their opinion... Bit annoyed now as my windscreen washer jets have now died. It's not going very well as a first week.

Bonus is I found the previous owners sunglasses in the boot and the car absolutely destroyed the b roads on the way to the golf club this afternoon!

Good man!

[tgr]

bilsland said:

on the way to the golf club this afternoon!

I think I might have found the problem

[NickXX]

Earlier e46s have ligher steering than later ones too. There were complaints that the early e46s had steering which was too light, so this was rectified with heavy steering in later models.