Vandit

When I get behind the wheel of my wife's BMW F30 328i Sport I always get envious of how responsive the steering feels. Even w/o departing from the lane that I'm in, small but sharp inputs on the steering wheel translate into the car eagerly wanting to change direction.

My 964 doesn't respond nearly as well. It just feels dead on center. It drives straight and doesn't do any weird stuff, it just isn't responsive enough.

It has fresh Powerflex bushings through the front, just aligned to zero toe and zero cross-toe, 4.28 caster, about -1.8 of camber, on 7" Cup2 w/ 225 BFG Rivals.

I did not replace ball joints or tie-rod ends since the rubber boots were still intact.

Even when the car is parked in the garage, if I move the steering wheel at bit while looking at the front tires, it seems obvious that the input doesn't translate to movement of the tires near the centerline.

Is this due to the caster or is there a problem/solution I need to look into?

I'm starting to think maybe I should have replaced/upgraded my steering joint forks.
https://rennlist.com/rennforums/showthread.php?t=168018

Vandit

Oh, and it's on Bilstein HDs, H&R red/Turbo springs, stock upper mounts and likely sitting above RS ride height w/ all the stock 964 C2 wheel carrier gear.

Boeing 717

Not sure if you have a problem but my 964 turbo had steering that didnt even come close to the steering on my moms BMW 330is or my dads M3. The steering on the 964 was way too light and really did not have much feel compared to the BMW's. I think for sure this is one area that BMW has completely mastered. Im not sure if there is much you can do to improve what you have now.

alexjc4

Low profile tyres/tires on the BMW?

boxsey911

I'm confused! I wouldn't want the 964 steering to be as direct as a BMW. If the smallest of input was immediate, surely there would be the danger of that heavy weight at the rear provoking a tank slapper. To me, the beauty of the heavy controls of the 964 means that it's composed in a straight line and allows the car to settle itself in the bends as it turns. When in the turn I find the steering feels both stable and communicative at the same time. It tells me all I want to know about what the tyres are doing.

Doc V.

The steering on my 965 communicates far more than did the steering my 2011 E92 M3. Turn-in on the 965 is much more accurate, and the steering effort loads proportionally to the increase in cornering forces.

Cape Dory

I've been driving an E90 M3 for the past two years as a daily driver, and honestly I prefer the heavier feel of the 964 so far. Admittedly I only just got the 964 as a weekend car so I'm still getting used to it, but it's been a delight so far.

Can you be more elaborate on how the steering feels different? Sometimes a lighter feel doesn't always mean more responsive or communicative.

Cape Dory

Agree with this.

Mr.Alex

When I swapped to a Momo wheel, I felt it got a bit heavier, but tighter as well. And I love the change, its very direct now, whereas before I kind of felt it had a wee-bit of loosey play if that means anything.

Vandit

That's what it feels like right now, like if there's play/flex somewhere, and the car doesn't instantly react on turn-in.

I can feel & demonstrate it easily while driving in a straight line and just slightly, but sharply, giving the cars steering input. The BMW reacts fast and dramatic. The 964 hardly reacts unless I give it enough steering input to nearly switch lanes.

BigMikeATL

I've had the same experience with women in the past. They all handle different and don't have the same feel.

SuperUser

Nice;-)

ChaseN

+1, I literally replaced every part in the front suspension of my 964 (save for my coilovers, which are h&r's street kit) this winter and the responsiveness does not come near that of my e90 330i (which is completely stock with 130k on the clock).

I have a feeling it may be due to the giant rubber bushings in the inner tie rods. BMWs dont have any rubber in the tie rods like our 964s do. Looking back I wish I had dropped the extra coin to get the semi solid RS inner tie rod joints. To be perfectly honest sometimes it is disappointing to get in the 964 directly after driving the 330i. It definitely has some of that "old car" feeling, and not in an endearing way.

Vandit

I wonder if that's really the case. I guess one way to check would be to put the front on ramps, roll back the boots on the rack, have someone work the wheel back and forth, while you keep an eagle eye on the bushing for deflection.

The wife gets mad at me for "playing" with her car when I drive it because i'll be minutely moving the wheel from side-to-side to feel the responsiveness (obviously it's responsive since she can feel it from the pass. seat). I tell her it's "because my car doesn't respond this well" and she tells me "If you want your car to drive like a new car then buy a new car." lol

911therapy1

My E36 M3 and 335i both had great steering input, but the 335i was too smooth and silky. Fast but I felt a bit too disconnected from the effort and senses involved in driving fast. I miss the M3 from 98 more than the 09 335i. Had a better experience overall sounds, senses, etc... Like my 964 as a matter of fact...