Learning to use an E90

[andrewlim8]

Description of BMW Active Steering:
At low speeds, the motor adds an appropriate amount of wheel lock. Parking, for example, the ratio is such that just two turns are needed to go lock-to-lock. Around town, the steering ratio is increased, though the system is tuned to be much more direct than a conventional power steering unit. The idea is to make the car feel more agile and nimble, and cut driver fatigue by reducing the input from the driver through the steering wheel. At high speeds, Active Steering makes the steering much more indirect so small movements won't change the vehicle's path.

Just out of curiousity

isn't it rear wheel drive will tend to oversteered whereas front wheel drive will tend to understeered?

anyone care to explain, thanks!

 

[Schwepps]

In the E21 and E30 oversteer was dominant, but E36 onwards no longer the case. We're paying for UDM engineering mah

 

[AlexNg]

fwd usually is understeer.

rwd usually is neutral for UDMs. hehe... but can induce oversteer which leads to powerslides / drifts...

hahahaha....

 

[astroboy]

Just out of curiousity

isn't it rear wheel drive will tend to oversteered whereas front wheel drive will tend to understeered?

anyone care to explain, thanks!

Oversteer and understeer has little to do with the drive terrain..

Oversteer means rear wheel skid while understeer means front wheel skid. Something to do with the grip and grip is a function of weight, thread design & condition, tyre compound, tyre pressure, speed, chassis balance, suspension set up, camber adjustment and few other things..

A balanced weight car like 3 series with weight equally distributed among all 4 wheels should get good score when it comes to oversteer or understeer situation, ceteri paribus..

Now when it come to the tendency for the car moving straight, its part of all car design so the moment we let go the steering, car should move straight. The toe-in adjustment on the wheel is directly influencing this tendency to move straight. More toe-in means higher tendency to move straight while less toe-in means less tendency to move straight. Toe-out means car cannot go straight..

And different car has different factory specified toe-in degree. Wider tyre also would amplify the effect la.

If you feel uncomfortable, go check your toe-in in a normal front wheel alignment job. I am not surprised if it can happen to a brand new BMW. My E90 was returned to SC the immediate next day for alignment redo, the E90 alignment job was so badly set up until the steering wobbles.. I wonder why the PDI (pre-delivery Inspenction) did not check this..

fwd usually is understeer....

That's because of the inertial or momentum of a FWD car with chassis weight concentrated to the front wheel.. so it takes more grip to "change" its original direction. That's why I say the 3-series should get good score due to the balance chassis weight. More camber would help..

 

[Schwepps]

Well said, astroboy! :rock: I'll add: road cars are designed to understeer at the limit of grip, as understeer is easier for a normal driver to control than oversteer.

The first thing that manu3116m should check is the basics like tyre pressure and wheel alignment. As E46F said, PDI ain't infallible. My 3 was delivered okay this time, but my previous purchase was delivered with handbrake stuck in 'on' position and the car needed rear disc and handbrake assembly replacement before it hit 500km. And that was a W211 Merc! :thefinger:

 

[astroboy]

No long after the 2k run in period, she finally broke 200kph.. very relaxing, no engine stress, very enjoyable.. :top:

Was with a blue E60 525i M-Sport and I have problem keeping up..

The E90 320i handling is superb at high speed... still plenty of room for maneuverability.. unlike any Japanese/Local cars I have driven before.. no sweaty palms..

 

[shangkar]

Hi fellas,

Does anyone know, if the side mirrors will fold automatically when the engine is switched off? Is there a way to set it ? Please do let me know if this is possible. Thanks.

Regards
Shangkar

 

[astroboy]

I don't think the E9x (all models) side mirror is motorised to fold like Perdana... have not seen one before. Mine (2007 E90 320i) confirm cannot. Pakai tangan lipat can la!

 

[David Yong]

Hi fellas,

Does anyone know, if the side mirrors will fold automatically when the engine is switched off? Is there a way to set it ? Please do let me know if this is possible. Thanks.

Regards
Shangkar

Bro, as spoken, yes ours is without this function. And congrats on your new ride. Must be enjoying every moment of it yeah.

 

[MSport]

Even on the 325, the mirrors have to be folded in via the push button. Wished it was automatic. But if you forget to unfold it after moving off, it will unfold itself automatically when you hit about 20km/h.

 

[David Yong]

Even on the 325, the mirrors have to be folded in via the push button. Wished it was automatic. But if you forget to unfold it after moving off, it will unfold itself automatically when you hit about 20km/h.

Bro, are u sure that there is a button for us to fold the side mirror automatically ? As far as I know, our cars are without this feature and the side mirror need to be folded manually. We are talking about E90 here. Pls confirm.

 

[astroboy]

So M-Sport ada the motorised side mirror fold function la. Good info.. can go chop shop to check around..

Auto fold (follow ignition or alarm) is not common and not practical unless there's a timer and set it to maybe few minutes. Your don't want the side mirror to keep folding in and out just because you need to off your engine/lock the car to pump petrol or similar short engine off situation.

I did that to me formal JDM.. maximum cool factor seeing side mirrors fold by itself after few minutes while I am already long gone into mamak shop enjoying my teh tarik..

 

[MSport]

David, confirmed lah. Yeah, my E90 325i Sports has a button beside the wing mirror adjustment selector (left/right). Sorry, if i didn't make it clearer earlier.

 

[David Yong]

David, confirmed lah. Yeah, my E90 325i Sports has a button beside the wing mirror adjustment selector (left/right). Sorry, if i didn't make it clearer earlier.

Wow, this is cool. Never knew that M-Sport is with this feature

 

[wooihau]

David, confirmed lah. Yeah, my E90 325i Sports has a button beside the wing mirror adjustment selector (left/right). Sorry, if i didn't make it clearer earlier.

I assume urs is late 07 model or later..as i believe early 07 M sports do not have folding mirror. correct me if i m wrong...

 

[E46Fanatic]

David, confirmed lah. Yeah, my E90 325i Sports has a button beside the wing mirror adjustment selector (left/right). Sorry, if i didn't make it clearer earlier.

Interesting! Looks like they are adding more goodies to the specs. Can you check to see what color is your engine valve cover i.e. silver or black? Also the engine code printed on the B pillar on the driver's side?
I'm curious if 08 Sports comes with the N53?

 

[BlackE90]

Interesting! Looks like they are adding more goodies to the specs. Can you check to see what color is your engine valve cover i.e. silver or black? Also the engine code printed on the B pillar on the driver's side?
I'm curious if 08 Sports comes with the N53?

Bro E46F, the BMW N53 is BMW's latest and most modern straight 6 engine, released in 2007 in the facelifted BMW 5 Series (BMW E60). It is an improvement on the N52 Naturally Aspirated (NA) engine mainly since it has Gasoline Direct Injection technology and can burn stratified. However, unlike it's predecessor, it does not contain BMW's Valvetronic technology due to space limitations in the cylinder head.
The N53 is BMW's 14th generation production straight six engine.

Looks like you ought to upgrade your ride.....E60 facelifted?

 

[racheltoh]

damn..got motorised folding mirrors....when off-engine.. i didnt know that..

what i know is..when i reversing, the mirrors will start turning n twisting so that u can see the belakang.

let me blog about this finding..*sigh*

 

[ALBundy]

I don't think BMW Msia will introduce the N53 until our fuel quality improves.

Cheers

 

[MSport]

Interesting! Looks like they are adding more goodies to the specs. Can you check to see what color is your engine valve cover i.e. silver or black? Also the engine code printed on the B pillar on the driver's side?
I'm curious if 08 Sports comes with the N53?

Black cover & N52B25. Sept '07 model.