Hiya,
I've got a question about the power steering in the Z3. I hope no one takes offence, but is it really as bad as i think it is or is just me?
My first car with power steering was a Rover SD1 3500 back in the 70's, then a load of cars without it, and now my last 4 cars with it. Basically, none of them were as "absent" as the Z3; it's almost as if there's no power steering at all. It was the same with all the potential Z3's i tried before i bought this one.
I always thought that powersteering made things really easy at low speeds and then progressively stiffend up. My experience with the Z3's is the other way round.
Am i daft or is this by design?
Power steering
Power steering
If it ain't broke, don't fix it
Z3 1.9 2000, Cosmos Schwartz
Z3 1.9 2000, Cosmos Schwartz
Re: Power steering
Nope, mine's great on my 3.0 Z3
Re: Power steering
Have you checked the fluid level?
try the steering with the engine on, then with it off, there should be a distinct difference.
No difference.... its not working
check tyre pressures too.
try the steering with the engine on, then with it off, there should be a distinct difference.
No difference.... its not working
check tyre pressures too.
Z3 2.8 Progress Journal (Mine)
Z3 1.9 Sport Progress Journal (Wifey's)
I have an element of 'M-styling' on my car, If that's a good enough reason for the manufacturers to adorn a 320 with the M badge, then its certainly a good enough reason for me..
- BladeRunner919
- Joined: Fri 17 Feb, 2012 20:18
- Posts: 2225
Re: Power steering
MIne's fine. The Z doesn't have speed-sensitive power steering as far as I know, but then your SD1 wouldn't have been either, so it doesn't provide more assistance at low speeds. Is your complaint that it's too heavy? If so, the Z3 isn't over-assisted, which many cars are, because it is supposed to have a sporty nature, rather than a floaty manoeuvering-about-town feel.
Re: Power steering
Okay, it must be down to the "sporty" experience. It does work, but it has more of a frog-eyed sprite or Spitfire feel.
I'll get back to you on the SD1.
Cheers
I'll get back to you on the SD1.
Cheers
If it ain't broke, don't fix it
Z3 1.9 2000, Cosmos Schwartz
Z3 1.9 2000, Cosmos Schwartz
Re: Power steering
What? Immediate, nimble and precise?Z3crazy wrote:but it has more of a frog-eyed sprite ... feel.
The Z3 power steering is not as assistive at that found on some more modern cars - you can't turn the wheel with your little finger - but believe me, parking the zed is a lot easier than parking the frog.
Cheers R.
Arctic Silver '99 Z3 1.9 & Black '59 Frogeye 1275cc
Re: Power steering
I'm a new z3 owner and also found the steering quite heavy initially. Having now had the car up to a decent speed, the steering weight feels perfect to me, when 'making progress'. That little extra weight feels superb and nicely sporty to me.