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Servotronic upgrade?

Specific discussion about the E89 2009 Z4 (sDrive35is, sDrive35i, sDrive30i, sDrive23i)
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flybobbie
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Servotronic upgrade?

Post by flybobbie » Mon Nov 24, 2014 9:31 pm

How can you tell if you have the Servotronic option programmed, other than going to a dealer.
I have always found the steering a bit heavy and not very precise. Takes effort to steer and not second nature, to the point of being tiresome. When I tried my colleagues 2012 car, the steering, certainly at slow speed felt much nicer. Even when stationary there seemed less effort to turn the steering wheel. Didn't have chance to try at speed.
Looks like its programming upward of £200 at dealer.

Maniac
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Re: Servotronic upgrade?

Post by Maniac » Mon Nov 24, 2014 10:05 pm

Afaik all e89s are servotronic. At least in the UK.

Perhaps it's just different software between cars or a difference in engine weight if a different model.

E89_Gaz
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Re: Servotronic upgrade?

Post by E89_Gaz » Mon Nov 24, 2014 10:25 pm

Different size wheels? They all have Servotronic (electric) power steering. My steering is certainly heavier in Sport/Sport+ mode though, is yours?

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Angie4m
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Re: Servotronic upgrade?

Post by Angie4m » Mon Nov 24, 2014 10:32 pm

flybobbie wrote:How can you tell if you have the Servotronic option programmed, other than going to a dealer.
I have always found the steering a bit heavy and not very precise. Takes effort to steer and not second nature, to the point of being tiresome. When I tried my colleagues 2012 car, the steering, certainly at slow speed felt much nicer. Even when stationary there seemed less effort to turn the steering wheel. Didn't have chance to try at speed.
Looks like its programming upward of £200 at dealer.
Just out of curiosity what model does your colleague have? I know that the 35is has something called sport steering set up, not sure what difference this makes really. However if it's not a 35is then I'd put it down to weight, software or a combination of both.
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flybobbie
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Re: Servotronic upgrade?

Post by flybobbie » Tue Nov 25, 2014 10:08 am

This caught my eye;
http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts.do ... g=32&fg=95
Tried Cooper BMW for a price check, their site is down, but;
http://www.etk.cc/bmw/EN/search/selectG ... 2106796480
And seen it discussed on other BMW models.
So all it seems to be is a software mod.
Would be quite happy to pay the money if it improved the feel of the steering, which I find spoils the car.
Or is this just a parking aid.
Someone posted a vin number checker, that showed what factory options were fitted. Anyone have a link.

Problem I find normal mode tolerable, but the throttle lag annoys me, then sport mode the steering heavy.
Both cars 23i. Mine 2009, t'other 2012.

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Re: Servotronic upgrade?

Post by Maniac » Tue Nov 25, 2014 11:27 am

As mentioned, I believe in the UK all cars are servotronic. It could just be software versions or as pointed out tyre/wheel sizes having an impact. The part you outline in realoem is generic and is likely for other markets that don't have it standard.

See here: https://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&rct=j ... 5997,d.d2s

E89_Gaz
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Re: Servotronic upgrade?

Post by E89_Gaz » Tue Nov 25, 2014 1:57 pm

Isn't the M Sport wheel quite a bit smaller than the standard wheel? That would make a big difference.
Failing that, if you really don't like it, I would consider a swop for my 'classic' 09 3.0i? :)

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Re: Servotronic upgrade?

Post by Maniac » Tue Nov 25, 2014 1:59 pm

Steering wheel size is the same AFAIK, its just got thicker padding in the m sport with black inserts instead of silver.

flybobbie
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Re: Servotronic upgrade?

Post by flybobbie » Wed Nov 26, 2014 7:58 pm

Compared my vin with the other vehicle and mine hasn't got Servotronic, so will investigate an upgrade.
They have EPS but not necesarily the Servotronic option, or so it seems.
Well at least in my 2009 must have been an option.

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Re: Servotronic upgrade?

Post by flybobbie » Thu Nov 27, 2014 8:54 pm

Been to local dealer.
Servotronic upgrade possible provided a 80ah battery fitted.
Cost £245+vat plus labour...call it £500.
Plus the tech. i talked to, never done one before. So goodness knows how it would turn out.

Think i will skip it for now.

Wondering what a difference going from 17 to 18 wheels might make.

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Re: Servotronic upgrade?

Post by Maniac » Thu Nov 27, 2014 9:13 pm

That's a lot of cash for a software upgrade.

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