It isn't the vastly improved navigation, it isn't the increased cornering ability, it isn't even the increase in power that I now miss having to go back to my 2001 330I...it’s the active steering that I miss most. I fully expected the new 3 to handle, brake and accelerate as well as it did, what I never expected was just how much enjoyment the quick ratio steering added to the overall experience of driving the New 3. At low speeds, a little bit of steering wheel input adds even more tire turning, an action I've longed for in every car I've ever owned or raced. As vehicle speed is increased, so is the amount of steering wheel travel needed to turn the car. The steering maintains a perfectly weighted feel; gone is the granny-light-weight effort. It is something better experienced trying for yourself than reading about, but for those quick-ratio steering lovers out there, this is exactly what you have been waiting for.
I originally thought the steering had a bit of a dead spot a few degrees off center, which I wrongly blamed on the active steering option, but after having driven the non-active steering equipped cars as well, this was not the case. I'm not sure if it’s a mechanical issue, or if it’s due to the tires, but there WAS tire movement given any amount of input to the steering wheel. The car just wouldn't turn in the first few degrees of steering wheel input. My guess is it had more to do with the tires; stick some SO3's or Toyo T1-S' on the car and I bet that deadness would go away.
In any corner, at any speed, the lack of body roll on the sport package-equipped cars added to the pleasure and ease of putting this car through the twisties. The new sway bars I would rate as being stiffer then the e46 Performance Package (ZHP), but not as stiff as aftermarket manufacturers like Dinan or UUC Motorwerks. Having installed the UUC sways on my 2001 330, I know what flat cornering feels like…unfortunately I also know what clunking and squeaking sounds like as well. BMW's sway bars, with their improved cornering ability, will come as a welcome modification to those looking for less body roll, without the expense of a blown suspension warranty or the seemingly inherent noises of aftermarket sways.
2006 BMW 3-Series, First Drive, Part 2
2006 BMW 3-Series, First Drive, Part 2