NHTSA investigating Bmw Z4 for steering flaws

m3griff · 08-25-2010, 06:43 PM

Not to resurrect an old thread, but I finally got my steering column replaced last week - under CPO. Two + week wait for parts from Germany. The problem seems to be fixed....

Jeff

mfanatic325 · 08-25-2010, 07:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MakoBimmer1

The hydraulic steering in the M is so much better.

I thought the E85/E86 M's had electronic (dry) power steering?

Finnegan · 08-25-2010, 07:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mfanatic325

I thought the E85/E86 M's had electronic (dry) power steering?

Nope. The regular Z4s do, but the M's are old school hydraulic.

mfanatic325 · 08-25-2010, 08:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Finnegan

Nope. The regular Z4s do, but the M's are old school hydraulic.

Ohh..interesting. I could've sworn I saw somewhere that our steering feels better and is better because we had electronic as opposed to hydraulic. Shiet...I might've read it in a non-M post

Huz-Z · 08-26-2010, 06:26 AM

The M is hydraulic steering.

Cheers,

Finnegan · 08-26-2010, 12:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mfanatic325

Ohh..interesting. I could've sworn I saw somewhere that our steering feels better and is better because we had electronic as opposed to hydraulic. Shiet...I might've read it in a non-M post

The Z4M has the best steering feel I've ever experienced. I wish my E92 M had the same feel. The engineers specifically went hydraulic for feel and precision. You might call the Z4M the "last hurrah" for pure enthusiasts to come from the M division. It's raw, doesn't have a ton of electronic nannies, and requires a real attention to driving. That's why I like it.

mfanatic325 · 08-26-2010, 07:49 PM

When I test drove my buddy's E92 M3, I thought the steering was quite nice though!

I remember it being just as "tight" feeling, if not tighter than the Z4M? It was a while ago though, so my memory could be failing me lol

pokeybritches · 08-27-2010, 03:25 AM

I've experienced the sticky steering before, and it's three times more annoying if your car needs FCABs. If you're in need of control arm bushings, I highly recommend you spend the $101 at Bavauto and get a new set (they even throw in a package of hand-cleaning wipes!). They're easy to replace if you have a couple of jack stands and a $40 gear puller. I can just see a new inexperienced owner feeling the car "wandering" down the road, resulting in constant corrections/over-corrections and mistakenly assuming it's the steering problems some of us have legitimately had to deal with. If your car has sticky steering AND needs FCABs... well, standby.

16thBMW · 08-28-2010, 04:06 PM

Those of you having this problem should check out the following link which has the latest letters between BMW and the gov. BMW was supposed to submit the data to the NHTSA by 8/26, but got extensions on some of it 'til 9/2 and some other until 9/23. Seems clear that BMW knows they've got a problem but is just buying time to figure out what to do.

http://nhthqnwws112.odi.nhtsa.dot.go...romPublic=true

Freude am Fahren...

08-25-2010, 06:43 PM	#23
m3griff Private First Class 3 Rep 106 Posts Drives: Z4 3.0Si Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: SC iTrader: (0)	Not to resurrect an old thread, but I finally got my steering column replaced last week - under CPO. Two + week wait for parts from Germany. The problem seems to be fixed.... Jeff
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08-26-2010, 06:26 AM	#27
Huz-Z Brigadier General 851 Rep 4,057 Posts Drives: Z4 3.0si, 328 XDrive, X5 35i Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Canada iTrader: (0)	The M is hydraulic steering. Cheers, __________________ Huz-Z BMW Z4 3.0si Roadster. Montego Blue Metallic. Premium and Sport Package.
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08-26-2010, 07:49 PM	#29
mfanatic325 ///M-fanatic 193 Rep 3,885 Posts Drives: '01 911 Turbo Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Cupertino, CA. iTrader: (23)	When I test drove my buddy's E92 M3, I thought the steering was quite nice though! I remember it being just as "tight" feeling, if not tighter than the Z4M? It was a while ago though, so my memory could be failing me lol
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08-27-2010, 03:25 AM	#30
pokeybritches Colonel 479 Rep 2,782 Posts Drives: ESS/G-Power Z4M, VF Z4, 996tt Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Los Angeles iTrader: (12) Garage List 2006 BMW Z4M [10.00] 2006 BMW Z4M [8.50] 2003 BMW Z4 3.0i [9.00]	I've experienced the sticky steering before, and it's three times more annoying if your car needs FCABs. If you're in need of control arm bushings, I highly recommend you spend the $101 at Bavauto and get a new set (they even throw in a package of hand-cleaning wipes!). They're easy to replace if you have a couple of jack stands and a $40 gear puller. I can just see a new inexperienced owner feeling the car "wandering" down the road, resulting in constant corrections/over-corrections and mistakenly assuming it's the steering problems some of us have legitimately had to deal with. If your car has sticky steering AND needs FCABs... well, standby.
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08-28-2010, 04:06 PM	#31
16thBMW Enlisted Member 0 Rep 44 Posts Drives: 2006 Z4 3.0i Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Portland, OR iTrader: (0) Garage List 2016 Z4 35is [7.00]	Latest Info Those of you having this problem should check out the following link which has the latest letters between BMW and the gov. BMW was supposed to submit the data to the NHTSA by 8/26, but got extensions on some of it 'til 9/2 and some other until 9/23. Seems clear that BMW knows they've got a problem but is just buying time to figure out what to do. http://nhthqnwws112.odi.nhtsa.dot.go...romPublic=true Freude am Fahren... __________________ Driving: 15th(F25/2017 X3); 16th(E89/2016 35is) BMW's Retired: 14 BMW's (1968 1600-02, 1972 2002, E30x3, E34, E36x2, E39x2, E46, E83x2, E85) Current: 8 BMW's in Family
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