2015 BMW 118 steering issue

BimmerBart · 03-20-2022, 03:03 PM

Hi all,

Was hoping you guys could give me some pointers on a weird steering issue I am having with my 2015 BMW 118i (F20N, post facelift).

Sometimes the car's steering becomes vague / not responding directly to the steering wheel input, especially at higher (>100km/h) speeds. In summary:

- On the highway when steering into a corner (say at 70-100 km/h) all is fine, the car reacts smoothly and directly on my steering input
- When mid corner (i.e., with the steering wheel turned) also no issues
- Then when returning the steering wheel to center the steering can be vague and unresponsive. Initially when turning back the wheel center there is no response from the car, and then when I continue to bring back the steering wheel to center the car suddenly it picks it up and responds to the steering, but this definitely does not feel smooth and a bit "lumpy" instead of a direct response to my initial input.

I have no issues with this when driving at low speed in general, but sometimes after driving on the highway, I do have these issues at lower speeds as well (i.e., the first couple of corners after leaving the highway).

FYI - the car has the option "S216 - Hydro Steering-Servotronic".

Any ideas what may be going on here?

Many thanks in advance!
Bart

No one · 03-20-2022, 05:36 PM

Hi.

I would guess it's about wheel alignment and tires condition (are the tires warmer after high speed driving?).

The Servotronic (it's electric steering, of course) is famous for causing nasty issues, though.

But those are steering effort related, apparently.

Just for example:

And by the way, "F20N" looks contrary to "F21"(N).

03-20-2022, 03:03 PM	#1
BimmerBart Registered 0 Rep 1 Posts Drives: BMW 118 F21 Join Date: Mar 2022 Location: Netherlands iTrader: (0)	2015 BMW 118 steering issue Hi all, Was hoping you guys could give me some pointers on a weird steering issue I am having with my 2015 BMW 118i (F20N, post facelift). Sometimes the car's steering becomes vague / not responding directly to the steering wheel input, especially at higher (>100km/h) speeds. In summary: - On the highway when steering into a corner (say at 70-100 km/h) all is fine, the car reacts smoothly and directly on my steering input - When mid corner (i.e., with the steering wheel turned) also no issues - Then when returning the steering wheel to center the steering can be vague and unresponsive. Initially when turning back the wheel center there is no response from the car, and then when I continue to bring back the steering wheel to center the car suddenly it picks it up and responds to the steering, but this definitely does not feel smooth and a bit "lumpy" instead of a direct response to my initial input. I have no issues with this when driving at low speed in general, but sometimes after driving on the highway, I do have these issues at lower speeds as well (i.e., the first couple of corners after leaving the highway). FYI - the car has the option "S216 - Hydro Steering-Servotronic". Any ideas what may be going on here? Many thanks in advance! Bart
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03-20-2022, 05:36 PM	#2
No one Major 1037 Rep 1,340 Posts Drives: F21 118i Join Date: Oct 2014 Location: Undisclosed iTrader: (0)	Hi. I would guess it's about wheel alignment and tires condition (are the tires warmer after high speed driving?). The Servotronic (it's electric steering, of course) is famous for causing nasty issues, though. But those are steering effort related, apparently. Just for example: https://f20.1addicts.com/forums/show...t=servotronic; https://f20.1addicts.com/forums/show...t=servotronic; https://f20.1addicts.com/forums/show...ht=servotronic. And by the way, "F20N" looks contrary to "F21"(N).
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