Hey guys, I test drove a 91 318is this afternoon and was a bit surprised how light the steering was. It has the airbag steering wheel and the car was on 17's with a really tiny amount of sidewall. Is this a characteristic of the 318is model or is there something wrong with the car (suspension wise)? I really like the car but my dad and I were just concerned about the light steering on the car.
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light as in loose feeling, or it just took little pressure on the wheel to turn in? Power steering could just need to be bled... stock wheels will feel much much better also. It probably felt really light because the suspension is soft and it's sky high on 17's.. but if the price is right power steering isn't such a costly endeavor. And you can probably hauk the 17's for stock and have change for a new rack... worst case haha... all of this is assuming by "...the car was on 17's with a tiny amount of sidewall..." that you sound kind of disinterested in the rims on it. -
^ light as in took a little pressure to turn the wheel. Although it also felt a bit loose on the road, but I guess those could be the control arms being shot? What would bleeding the power steering do?
You're right, I don't like the wheels that are on it. I'd rather have some set of weaves and some fat tires.Comment
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I'd be more concerned if the steering is "heavy." If it's light then that just means everything is working. Maybe you're just used to cars that aren't as responsive?
Our GMC Yukon had a really sensitive steering like you describe, which I hated in a huge SUV. I wouldn't worry about it in an e30 at all.Comment
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bleeding was in reference to the "if it doesn't turn much but the wheel's easy to turn" comment. My eta was a little loose because it had some air (gay) in the system and needed to be bled, feels perfect now, although the steering will never be very heavy on a properly working E30. The gas pedal on the other hand... those are meant to be stiff, like my E30 is a virgin and I don't pound that pedal daily... very deceptive haha.
Also, cheers to fat tires. Although dropped on stock bottle caps my car looks like it has 44inch superswamper muddin' tires haha.. luckily, I have almost killed them and will be replacing them with something a little less beefy and a little stiffer and stickier.Comment
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^well, compared to my e90 330i, it really is light, like my dad's benz, which I hate. I just hope it is because everything is working right and over inflation of the tires?Comment
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I wouldnt worry about the steering being too lose but it being to stiff is completly different. I had and old jeep that you could go 4x4 with your pinkyComment
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All stock 91 318s are like that. They used the same PS pump as the heavier 325. You can steer these cars with your pinky. Get rid of the PS pump and you'll never miss it.
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a whole lot of things contribute to steering feel. contact patch, camber, toe. my 88 is bone stock and very light feeling on 215's
my 87 runs 225's and 3- camber up front and it steers like a tank. as long as it centers i wouldnt worry about it. 318's typically feel lightComment
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