2005 e90 330i strange steering feel.

[CJ1]

Hi All,
2 weeks ago I bought a 2005 330i with 93000 miles on the clock. It’s a really nice example, £10,500 in options and 2 owners from new!

The one little issue I am struggling with is the steering. It’s incredibly heavy at low speeds eg a car park. And at higher speeds feels loose/spongy, it just doesn’t feel very well connected! But the smallest of imperfections in the road surface will come through the wheel eg a dip/camber on the road will jolt the steering wheel.

There’s no lights on the dash but something really doesn’t feel right. It’s the first time I’ve had a car with Hydraulic steering. Is there anything I could try to fix this?

Thanks

[rassi]

Sounds like an alignment issue, rather than a fault with the steering system itself.

[aka_kerrly]

Agreed it could be an alignment issue, do all of the tyres have even wear? check the INSIDE edges of the front tyres for signs of excess wear/grazing.

Have you checked the power steering fluid level, it could be low. The tank is located on the passenger side (RHD) up against the bulkhead.

Double check in your Owners manual, I'm fairly certain N52 engines use CHF11S which is different to ATF fluid which older pre 2000s cars/

[g3org3y]

Out of interest, run flat tyres?

[StuntmanMike]

E90 or E46?

I had this on a E46 330 once and it was the power steering pump, which they were known for failing.

Do E90s have the lollipop bushes?

Any noises with this?

[rm163603]

Sounds like some looseness in your bushes. Might be rear end as well as front, trailing arm bushes maybe.

The steering on these is fairly heavy compared to a lot of more modern things, is the steering pump noisy at all?

[CJ1]

It’s an E90. I don’t think they are runflat. They’re brand new Eagle F1’s so good tyres.

Another example, when driving on our gravel driveway you can almost feel every piece of gravel through the wheel. It just feels really lumpy.

[gizlaroc]

I would check the tyres, that sounds like run flats to me.

Also, at 93k miles I would have the control arms checked.

Problem is you really need to take them out of the hub end to properly check them, when tightened up on these unless they are really you won't be able to tell they are shot.

Check dates, if they are all original parts I would replace the lot.

I have just replaced the whole front end on our E91.

Dampers, top mounts, bump stops, front axle front and rear control arms, anti roll bar bushes and track rod ends.
Total cost from Euro was £480 with discount, but I did the work myself.

Obviously now feels like a new car, although I can tell the rear dampers could need doing now when really pushing them, but the front end feels super solid and tight.

I have yet to have an E9X that has not needed it doing by 100k.





PS. I did the track rod ends last by the way. Marked and measured the old ones and they went back on on no problem, wheel centred and feeling spot on.

[Shanksy87]

From your description I think its a stack up of things.

The weight you mention, can you quantify "really heavy"? I've driven cars with failed PAS pumps and that was akin to struggling to turn the wheel with two hands when moving, dangerous in a word. Do you just mean heavier than you're used to with EPAS? The E90 steering is pretty heavy compared to the later EPAS F series cars, for example.

The vagueness and increased texture makes me think you have worn bushes, essentially too much detail being fed back through the wheel. Very common at this mileage.

I would also seek out a full 4 wheel alignment, regardless of the outcome. Its something that is quite often skipped but is such a worthwhile investment.

It sounds like the previous owner of this car skimped on some maintenance; my advice would be to chuck it at a garage you trust if you're not into spannering yourself. Don't accept a basic 2 wheel alignment under any conditions.

[Deep Thought]

I've a 2006 330i and yes the steering is heavy at parking speed. Certainly a lot heavier than our 2019 M140i.

I'm running 17s on it with nearly new Pirellis.

Has passed its MOT and my mechanic hasnt found anything untoward.

I wouldnt say its "really heavy" though - certainly not to the point where moving it is an issue or anything like that.