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      12-30-2016, 03:31 PM   #1
matto6
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Steering feel M2 Vs M240i

Has anyone spent time both the M2 and M240i? If so, how would you compare the steering?

I drove a 340i and I hated the steering. Big dead spot in the center, then when you turn the wheel far enough the resistance builds inconsistently. it's like someone is tugging on the wheel. How BMW managed to screw it up this badly I have no idea.

The M2 was far better, bordering on twitchy. But I'd take it any day over the god-awful 3-series

I briefly drove a 240i but couldn't get a good feel for it. It seemed much better than the 3-series but not as good as the M2. Has anyone who has lived with them longer share their take? None of the M2 VA 240i discussions spend much time talking about this.

I'm coming from an e46 330i if that relevant. I love this car and can't seem to get rid of it.
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      12-30-2016, 03:59 PM   #2
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Isn't the M240i identical to the 340i with Variable Sports Steering (VSS)?
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      12-30-2016, 04:47 PM   #3
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I ran an M135i then M235i for the four years before getting an M2. I'm guessing that the M240i steering is the same as the M235i.

The M2 feels a little better, but it could just be the old butt-dyno kicking in and really it's just the stiffer suspension and lack of roll making me think there's more feel.

The problem is that if you part-exchange an M240 then, by the time you've gotten used to the M2 to be able to compare the steering, you've most likely forgotten exactly how the M240 felt and are just convincing yourself it's better!

Regardless, the M2 steering is not a Lotus Elise by any stretch of the imagination. After having a play with an Evo 8 FQ320 a few months back on the B-roads of the south downs (UK), the M2 isn't as good as the Evo either...

I still love the M2 though!
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      12-30-2016, 11:47 PM   #4
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From what I have read by journalists that have driven both steering was a complaint pretty consistently in the M235i and pretty much all of them said the M2 EPS was better but they pretty much all say its still too numb. I assume the M240 has the same steering as the M235i. I haven't driven both so I cannot say but I have driven the M2,3 and 4 back to back at 2 day M school and the M2 had the best steering of the three M cars I have driven.
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      12-31-2016, 11:07 PM   #5
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I got to flog an M235i at a local bmw driving event and the steering in sport mode was close enough to the steering in my M2 that I can't really tell a difference. I'm sure if I drop them back to back I might be able to tell. Overall, it just didn't feel as sharp, but that's both a pro and a con depending on if you're driving it spirited or if you're just commuting.
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      01-01-2017, 08:22 AM   #6
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M2 has almost no feel in the steering. How do you compare something non-existent in the first place
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      01-01-2017, 11:30 AM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by snrk View Post
M2 has almost no feel in the steering. How do you compare something non-existent in the first place
Agreed,

although the M2 is planted and the steering is nicely weighted the actual "feel" or communication of what the road is doing is not on a level compared to something with a hydraulic steering set up à la 997 but admittedly it has one of the better electrical steering systems compared to it's peers out there.

No doubt the weight doesn't help either.
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      01-01-2017, 11:43 AM   #8
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The M2 "steering feel" is actually chassis feel, through the butt. The hands don't get the information your ass gets. So you have to re-calibrate as a driver if you are used to a hydraulic system. It's a strange combination of sharp, accurate, precise, quick steering--but mostly devoid of feedback through the hands. Almost like a video game.
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      01-01-2017, 01:44 PM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by BruceM View Post
The M2 "steering feel" is actually chassis feel, through the butt. The hands don't get the information your ass gets. So you have to re-calibrate as a driver if you are used to a hydraulic system. It's a strange combination of sharp, accurate, precise, quick steering--but mostly devoid of feedback through the hands. Almost like a video game.
That's a spot on assessment. I initially found the steering feel numb, but when you push it in sports mode it feels good, not as good as hydraulics but good non the less.
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      01-02-2017, 07:34 PM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by matto6 View Post
Has anyone spent time both the M2 and M240i? If so, how would you compare the steering?

I drove a 340i and I hated the steering. Big dead spot in the center, then when you turn the wheel far enough the resistance builds inconsistently. it's like someone is tugging on the wheel. How BMW managed to screw it up this badly I have no idea.

The M2 was far better, bordering on twitchy. But I'd take it any day over the god-awful 3-series

I briefly drove a 240i but couldn't get a good feel for it. It seemed much better than the 3-series but not as good as the M2. Has anyone who has lived with them longer share their take? None of the M2 VA 240i discussions spend much time talking about this.

I'm coming from an e46 330i if that relevant. I love this car and can't seem to get rid of it.
I drive '17 M2 6spd vs. Wife drives '16 M235i Xdrive. Steering feedback in comfort mode is ~same. M2 in sport is slightly more responsive/progressive/as you say twitchy vs. M235 in sport. Overall, not much different. Hope this answers your question.
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      01-02-2017, 11:30 PM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by COM2 View Post
I drive '17 M2 6spd vs. Wife drives '16 M235i Xdrive. Steering feedback in comfort mode is ~same. M2 in sport is slightly more responsive/progressive/as you say twitchy vs. M235 in sport. Overall, not much different. Hope this answers your question.
Thanks!

The 340i has a weird dead spot on vs the. The M235i doesn't have that?
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      01-03-2017, 09:27 AM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by matto6 View Post
Thanks!

The 340i has a weird dead spot on vs the. The M235i doesn't have that?
The M235i does not have the dead spot, that I can tell.
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      01-03-2017, 09:52 AM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by BruceM View Post
The M2 "steering feel" is actually chassis feel, through the butt. The hands don't get the information your ass gets. So you have to re-calibrate as a driver if you are used to a hydraulic system. It's a strange combination of sharp, accurate, precise, quick steering--but mostly devoid of feedback through the hands. Almost like a video game.
Yes! Perfect description.
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