Electric Power steering ... How does it work??

[zippy320]

So this is bothering me and I cant get this out of my head , How does it work ?

On our F30 , does this system have a steering column? Is the steering wheel just some sort of electric computer type steering joystick with maybe motors in it?

Is the steering wheel physically attached to the steering rack like that of my E30 and E46 through the column and joint etc?

On my E46 and E30 , If I have the wheels up and I turn the wheels left to right by hand , the steering wheel will also move around.

Will this also happen on the F30 ( If switched on while its in the air) ?

When driving on a road that has ridges and such , on my E30 and E46 , the wheels kind of follow the road , ridges and such , I can feel it in the steering wheel I can also feel if and which tyre goes over a stone etc.

On the F30 I cant feel anything , I don't even feel it following the road .

This steering is supposed to be an improvement over the Pre LCI F30 but I just find it so Boring compared to those of my E30 and E46 .... I have the same feeling when driving my friends F30 Pre LCI and another 4 series M-Sport Gran Coup .
It just does not feel like a car anymore.

 

[Ratslaaf]

There's also a traditional steering rack on the new f30. Difference is that it has an electric motor assisting the steering as opposed to an engine driven hydraulic pump to assist the steering.

 

[frikkieh]

That electric pump sits on the steering rack:

I still :inlove: my e46

 

[peanut125i]

Replaced my F20 with a E82 and the steering feel is 100x better. First test drove a F30 and the steering feel was so bad I just couldn't buy it.

 

[zippy320]

Thanks guys! So the F30 steering is just like the E46 steering with a column joints and such attached to the steering rack but only has an electric pump for its power assistance .

Why does it feel so Different and disconnected.