[widetyres]

I recently bought a 2016 plate M2 - loved it, but then made the massive mistake of driving my mates 1M - the steering was to die for in comparison.

I went on a mission to improve it and within 1.5 weeks have tried all 3 major steering options likely to be used on an M2 (all in the same vehicle).

Here is my comparison:

M2: Feel there, but shallow. No loading in corners. No bump/contour movement of steering wheel.

M2 LCI (effective after istep update): Feel improved. A lot of loading in corners and at speed, but almost too much – wheel was incredibly stiff at times. Initially liked it, but then realised that it didn’t feel natural – it was artificially stiff. Steering wheel does move with contours of road, but it is dampened by the stiffness.

M2 Competition (F87CS coded using esys): Feel is amazing – great depth. Easily “feel” changes in road surface. Loading better in corners than F87.1 and lighter than LCI – could do with a little more loading ideally, but that is being super picky. No artificial feel; damping of the wheel suits the car. Steering wheel moves with contours of road.

Overall, very pleased with the F87CS option!

In fact, it’s such a step forward, that the first day I drove it I realised that I’d got most of the way to work without any radio – I was too busy “listening” to the steering wheel - and this was on a fairly smooth dual carriage way! – I think that says it all! And down a country lane it is sublime.

I'm honestly blown away by how good the car is now - the combination of ISTEP upgrades (e.g. traction, engine) with the Competition steering is just amazing.

Steps to get there:
1) Get your car updated to the latest ISTEP version (still worth doing even if you have an LCI as the F87CS steering has evolved over the last year).

2) Get Esys and learn about coding with this simple to follow guide:
https://x3.xbimmers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=715297

3) Code the EPS module's "variantencodierung normal" option to "F87CS"

4) Enjoy a truly great car!

Note the above is based on ISTEP version F020-18-07-547

[M Fifty]

Could I just get my dealership to do this?

[eeyang92]

Originally Posted by M Fifty

Could I just get my dealership to do this?

istep yes, coding no (or very, very unlikely. They would be exposing themselves to a lot of liability if something goes wrong).

[LuvMyE92]

I got rid of the laptop that had all of my eSys stuff on it... now using BimmerCode phone app (Android). Do you (anyone) know in which section I can find the variantencodierung option? I can't find it...

[widetyres]

Originally Posted by LuvMyE92

I got rid of the laptop that had all of my eSys stuff on it... now using BimmerCode phone app (Android). Do you (anyone) know in which section I can find the variantencodierung option? I can't find it...

Sorry I don't know re bimmercode.

Let me know if you need a working link to esys

[CosmosMpower]

So nerdy, I've owned a Lotus Elise and 911 GT3 and I don't care that much about steering feel in my M2.

[Altra]

Thanks for this! I'm looking forward to trying to code the steering in. Just dropped off my MY16 for istep update, hopefully dealer will update without giving me a runaround.

[Bee Pee]

Originally Posted by widetyres

I recently bought a 2016 plate M2 - loved it, but then made the massive mistake of driving my mates 1M - the steering was to die for in comparison.

I went on a mission to improve it and within 1.5 weeks have tried all 3 major steering options likely to be used on an M2 (all in the same vehicle).

Here is my comparison:

M2: Feel there, but shallow. No loading in corners. No bump/contour movement of steering wheel.

M2 LCI (effective after istep update): Feel improved. A lot of loading in corners and at speed, but almost too much – wheel was incredibly stiff at times. Initially liked it, but then realised that it didn’t feel natural – it was artificially stiff. Steering wheel does move with contours of road, but it is dampened by the stiffness.

M2 Competition (F87CS coded using esys): Feel is amazing – great depth. Easily “feel” changes in road surface. Loading better in corners than F87.1 and lighter than LCI – could do with a little more loading ideally, but that is being super picky. No artificial feel; damping of the wheel suits the car. Steering wheel moves with contours of road.

Overall, very pleased with the F87CS option!

In fact, it’s such a step forward, that the first day I drove it I realised that I’d got most of the way to work without any radio – I was too busy “listening” to the steering wheel - and this was on a fairly smooth dual carriage way! – I think that says it all! And down a country lane it is sublime.

I'm honestly blown away by how good the car is now - the combination of ISTEP upgrades (e.g. traction, engine) with the Competition steering is just amazing.

Steps to get there:
1) Get your car updated to the latest ISTEP version (still worth doing even if you have an LCI as the F87CS steering has evolved over the last year).

2) Get Esys and learn about coding with this simple to follow guide:
https://x3.xbimmers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=715297

3) Code the EPS module's "variantencodierung" option to "F87CS"

4) Enjoy a truly great car!

You should try coding ePAS to F82 GTS....apparently better still than F87CS SW...

[SeanWRT]

Originally Posted by Bee Pee

You should try coding ePAS to F82 GTS....apparently better still than F87CS SW...

Did you try both and compare?

[Bee Pee]

Originally Posted by SeanWRT

Did you try both and compare?

I have driven an m4 GTS and an m2 LCI with AST coilovers, MPSC2 and F87CS ePAS coded in.

The m4 GTS helm felt better to me. Whilst M4 GTS with wider wheels/tyres, more aggressive geo and better OEM chassis hardware, there's many reg m3/m4 owners who've tried m4 GTS ePAS only and reported better helm response/feel.

Compared to my car (MP coilies and -30 camber correction hubs on oem MPSS, M2 CS ePAS felt anodyne. If I'm coding the car's steering, F82GTS trumps F87CS IMHO

BP

[mrspin]

I am running the F82 GTS EPAS code on mine and I really like it. I don't appear to have an f87cs epas option despite having the latest July I-step update on my car so I can't see if the cs code is better or worse.

[SeanWRT]

Originally Posted by mrspin

I am running the F82 GTS EPAS code on mine and I really like it. I don't appear to have an f87cs epas option despite having the latest July I-step update on my car so I can't see if the cs code is better or worse.

Originally Posted by Bee Pee

I have driven an m4 GTS and an m2 LCI with AST coilovers, MPSC2 and F87CS ePAS coded in.

The m4 GTS helm felt better to me. Whilst M4 GTS with wider wheels/tyres, more aggressive geo and better OEM chassis hardware, there's many reg m3/m4 owners who've tried m4 GTS ePAS only and reported better helm response/feel.

Compared to my car (MP coilies and -30 camber correction hubs on oem MPSS, M2 CS ePAS felt anodyne. If I'm coding the car's steering, F82GTS trumps F87CS IMHO

BP

Thanks for sharing.

I thought I was going to live with the dumb (compared to my E90 M3) steering feel of my M2. It really doesn't inspire confidence in those front end demanding corners especially the entry. I know I was losing tenths there for sure but I'm too afraid to push thanks to just the steering.

Doesn't hurt to try to improve a little bit.

[Bee Pee]

Originally Posted by SeanWRT

Thanks for sharing.....

.....It really doesn't inspire confidence in those front end demanding corners especially the entry. I know I was losing tenths there for sure but I'm too afraid to push thanks to just the steering.

Doesn't hurt to try to improve a little bit.

No problem - sharing views/exchanging ideas etc is one of the many reasons I subscribe to forums.

Improvements - agree 100% and whilst coding ePAS is relative cheap - its a black art to me and its doesn't help extend life of tyres. Outside front shoulders can take a beating prematurely on TD's, hence why I went the oem hardware route [-2deg front camber does wonders for steering responses/feel/turn-in grip and IMHO is a good compromise for full-time DD and part-time TD].

[LuvMyE92]

I guess I misspoke in my earlier question. In which module does one find "variantencodierung" option?

[ZM2]

I’ll add to this that I tried the CS steering coding. Didn’t like it. The weight of the wheel was better, but it had artificial mid corner back to center kickback that I didn’t care for.

Will try GTS at some point.

[mrspin]

Originally Posted by Bee Pee

No problem - sharing views/exchanging ideas etc is one of the many reasons I subscribe to forums.

Improvements - agree 100% and whilst coding ePAS is relative cheap - its a black art to me and its doesn't help extend life of tyres. Outside front shoulders can take a beating prematurely on TD's, hence why I went the oem hardware route [-2deg front camber does wonders for steering responses/feel/turn-in grip and IMHO is a good compromise for full-time DD and part-time TD].

Depending on where you are (I'm near Chertsey), I can enable the F82GTS or F87CS options for you very easily if you want to try it. No flashing is involved. PM me if you fancy doing it.

[dcgolfdr]

As a heads up I had the competition steering coded and my car kept going into limp mode after 3 or 4 laps with a driveline fault code on the Idrive. I would turn the car off, error message gone, 3 or so laps and again the same driveline warning.

[cookiesowns]

Originally Posted by dcgolfdr

As a heads up I had the competition steering coded and my car kept going into limp mode after 3 or 4 laps with a driveline fault code on the Idrive. I would turn the car off, error message gone, 3 or so laps and again the same driveline warning.

? Did you read the codes, doubt it's related.

That said, this is all subjective but I found the F82GTS steering a bit too "heavy" it felt more damped than necessary. F87CS follows the road a bit better and felt more natural. Mid corner is perfect in normal mode. In sport/sport+ I too feel a bit more mid-corner push back but it was not bad at all, when you get the tail out I feel much more confident recovering with the F87CS setting.

[dcgolfdr]

Originally Posted by cookiesowns

? Did you read the codes, doubt it's related.

That said, this is all subjective but I found the F82GTS steering a bit too "heavy" it felt more damped than necessary. F87CS follows the road a bit better and felt more natural. Mid corner is perfect in normal mode. In sport/sport+ I too feel a bit more mid-corner push back but it was not bad at all, when you get the tail out I feel much more confident recovering with the F87CS setting.

Yes I did. Nothing pops up on the street. Take it to the track and see if it shows up for you.

[widetyres]

Originally Posted by ZM2

I’ll add to this that I tried the CS steering coding. Didn’t like it. The weight of the wheel was better, but it had artificial mid corner back to center kickback that I didn’t care for.

Will try GTS at some point.

Hi,

I reckon that this is because you tried an early version of the F87CS option - the latest version doesn't have the artificial return to centre.

The wheel will move around with contours of the road for sure, but no return to centre.

G.

[widetyres]

Originally Posted by LuvMyE92

I guess I misspoke in my earlier question. In which module does one find "variantencodierung" option?

In the EPS module.

Actually it is "variantencodierung normal" - I will update the original post.

[widetyres]

Originally Posted by Altra

Thanks for this! I'm looking forward to trying to code the steering in. Just dropped off my MY16 for istep update, hopefully dealer will update without giving me a runaround.

How did it go?

MrSpin tried it on an OG M2, but for some reason he's car didn't show up the F87CS option.