Just my take, but I think the steering is over boosted esp. at low speeds. Since it seems to be variable depending on road speed, any chance that it can be adjusted at all, or the extra boost at low speed short circuited? This may not help that the steering is somewhat uncommunicative, but a little "weight" would make it seem.......more German. This and the light clutch are going to take some getting used to.

 

BMW 330i, 2001 was "overboosted." The BMW community rose up in such a rebellion that BMW fixed it. They had to replace the whole rack to do it, at no cost to the car owner. Since there is no such community or expectation of a steering feel here, I doubt it.

 

The overboosted steering is my only serious gripe about the car. It's otherwise just right for me. I mentioned the steering in the survey that Acura sent me a couple of weeks ago. My wife's Accord has more steering feel than this car, but I've adjusted.

 

Its not just the overboosting, its the feel of isolation. The newer steering systems just don't have any roadfeel. No kickback at all.

My '97 TL has pretty good feedback in the steering and is reasonably boosted. My '88 Accord had the best. NO boosting about 40 mph. It felt great. Oh well, those were the days.

 

I also agree. Lets see how many posts we can hammer up on this and bring some attention on this steering issue

 

my very first impresson upon test driving the new TL was that the steering wheel was overboosted

 

The HP tires will make the isolation better, perhaps a lot better. We need someone with them to comment.

 

I changed out my tires to Potenzas 245/45/17 and the steering lightness has all but gone away. Much better feeling and tracking with the new tires. They also don't trip over themselves during hard cornering.

 

Hey, rkilian, could you do us a huge favor, and take some more shots of your TL with the new 245/45/17 tires from front, rear and three-quarter views, and post them up here? I'm thinking about doing exactly the same swap, and wanna see just how much wider they look than the stock tires on the 17" wheels.

Thanks, man...

 

I tend to agree that the steering is overboosted. Audi has a bad tendancy of doing this as well. One of my few gripes with the car.

 

The steering feel has also been my main gripe since testing the TL 6MT. I had my heart set on trading in my S2000 for the TL but the overboosted steering feel and to some extent the FWD dynamics has prompted me to look at a 330i with performance package.

The Bimmer is about $5K more compared to a 6MT Navi and doesn't have all the high tech gizmos, but it drives so much better! For me, the driving feel will ultimately be what I really look for in a car as compared to having all the high tech toys!

I wish I could test drive a 6MT with better tires which may allay some of my gripes about the TL, but that may not be possible this winter.

 

Ok sorry guys but can someone explain what is steering being overboosted? Thanks

 

sonusfaber - if you want to take a trip you are welcome to come to Lancaster and drive my car with the Pzero Neros on it. It certainily is much better then the stock tires but still more overboosted then I personally like.

 

chadr

That's very nice of you to offer!

I might actually be making a trip out to Lancaster this weekend to do some shopping, so if I haven't already gotten the Bimmer, I might just take you up on your offer!

Will let you know...

 

2k,

The TL, along with many other new cars, has variable assist power steering. Basically, it makes it very easy to manuver into a parking space at <10mph, moderatly easy at 30mph and tight (with the ability to "feel the road") at higher speeds.

Many are conserend that it's "overboosted" or it's too disconnected from the road especially at those higher speeds. It's very much a personal preferance and something that the engineers who designed the car should have had a lot of control over. That makes me think it's part of that sports/sedan compromise that go into a car like this.

Others, feel free to correct me.

 

You and I think alike. Aside from my a '99 TL, I also have an S2000. Prior to the TL, I drove a '95 Prelude VTEC. That was a significant (downgrade for me ) change in steering response with both a slower ratio and decreased effort. Those are characteristics that I dislike most in my older TL that I understand were both addressed with the TLS. I hope that the current generation is at least as good as the TLS in those regards. You may be aware that the '04 S2K also has somewhat slower steering than the first gen models.

As for a BMW alternative, a fairer comparison would be to the 530. A base 530 would run $10k higher than the TL while comparably equipped, the differential would be more like $15k. I, too am considering a smaller alternative such as the TSX.

I gather by your moniker, that you are also a music lover.

rw

 

sparky57,

Regarding the steering feel, I guess I'm just too used to the S2000's feel, which to me is just about perfectly weighted.

I was basically looking for a 4-door sedan that was more practical than the S2000 (I just had a baby!). The 530 has decent power for its weight, but ultimately I felt it was too slow for me. The same engine in the 330i feels so much more peppier. I did look at used 540i's, but was concerned about warranties and maintenance.

In the end, I felt that I would just be paying more for the space and sacrificing performance if I chose a 530. The 330 has enough space for now and has great performance while not costing too much more than the TL. I'll really miss the S2000 though!

And yes, I'm into audio and music. I've delegated my SF Concertos to HT duties and currently have Meadowlarks for my music only speakers. What about you?

 

btw i also think the TSX's steering is over boosted. I drive an RSX...very heavy in comparison

 

SONUSFABER


ur looking at this the wrong way....get rid of the wife an d baby, there problem solved, now u can still keep the s2k

 

I'm a tubes and electrostat guy. I've got an old pair of Acoustat 2+2s, driven by VTL MB450s, GamuT CD-1 or VPI Scout/Souther/Dynavector source, ARC preamp, and JPS Labs cables.

I'm lucky to have the best of both worlds. While the wife usually drives the S2K and I drive the TL, I also have a two wheeled Honda that will leave either in the dust.

rw

 

ok i understand what overboosted is thanks guys

 

chadr

Looks like I won't need to take up on your offer. I traded in the S2000 for the 330i w/ Performance Package a couple of days ago. The package comes with a 235 hp engine with 18" rims.

I'm still breaking in the engine, but the Bimmer feels as quick as the TL but with better driving dynamics (great steering feel!). It's a very well balanced car with handling that comes close to the S2000, just not as "raw". The TL has more space and an interior that's a little nicer.

The Bimmer is certainly a fun car to drive, but I do miss my S2000!

Thanks again for the kind offer.

 

sonus - no worries. Good luck with the BMW. They are certainily nice cars (at least until Chris Bangel designs them). Given the funds I would have taken an M3 in a heart beat but the TL satifies what I am looking for at this point, now if we can just get them to offer a true sport version or package I would be thrilled.

 

chadr

I agree with you...I'm picking up the last of the E46s as it's a design that I still like and hasn't been really hit with the Bangle stick. Don't like the designs of the new Z4s, E90 5 Series and 7 series. I like the M3s too but unfortunately they don't come in 4 door versions. Enjoy the TL!

 

Sonusfaber, the 330i w Perf Package was also high on my list. As far as a drivers car it can't be beat. Enjoy your new ride. If Ididn't want a bigger car I would likely already have one myself. Hope to have my TL soon.

 

lesser german hp = higher japanese HP

 

Do you think the overboosting is leading to some of the torque steer in the new TL that was not really evident in the previous TLS/CLS?

 

I don't think the overboost is the main cause of the torque steer, its just the set-up. But the overboost is very evident at very high speeds. The responsiveness is so quick its downright scary.

 

yes the overboost at high speeds is very noticeable... a slight flick and and a huge leap in momentum

 

I'm glad others are confirming what I felt while test driving the 6MT. The thought did cross my mind at times that it was just me, and I was not used to a lighter steering feel.

I realize I may just be a bit nit-picky, but in the end I just couldn't imagine having to "get used" to the TL's steering feel, which in my book plays a large part in whether I would like driving the car or not.

The BMW's steering feel, on the other hand, is nicely weighted and much more communicative than the TL's. Too bad, cos the TL is otherwise an excellent car and great value for the money.

 

Two comments on this:

First, if you were living a long time ago, far far away....

Opps, that is something else... But, for real, the cars of the 60s and 70s were so overboosted that you could turn the wheel with one finger.....

Also, I test drove the ES330 and it is a lot more overboosted than the TL. I could not feel the road at all.

I wish it had a better feel as it would be more sporty, but I think I can live with it. I will let you know when I get mine.

 

ES300... overboosting up the wazoo. my dad has one. i could steer the car using telepathy its so overboosted. The tl during slow speeds actually feels heavy.

 

I feel the same. The heavy steering at initial start. Because it's the torque sensor? Not speed sensitivity...

Anyone knows difference..?

Thanks.