I drove the IS350 and the 330i yesterday. Both had a light a zippy steering feel. My sedan feels like a truck in comparison. Can we turn up the boosting to get that lighter feel?

 

Someone asked me if I had power steering the other day while parking in a tight spot. I think the steering is so suppose to make it feel "sporty."

 

I have not heard many good things about the steering in the IS350. It's electro-magnetic, or something like that.

Personally, I don't like a lightweight feel in the steering. It makes me feel disconnected with the car. I actually think our G's have an almost perfect balance in that department........

 

I agree....
overboosted steering = no feel

 

The "zippy" feeling steering probably comes from a quick steering ratio. You can't change that without changing out the rack. If you want more steering boost, get a Crown Vic!

 

I like the steering feel and I have no particular problem with parallel parking effort. Too much boost and the steering starts to feel numb.

 

Although I've grown used to the heavyish low-speed steering effort, it did bother me at first. Of all the cars I test drove before going with the G35, I liked the Audi A4's the best by far. It electronically adjusts the steering effort according to road speed. At low/parking speeds, you can turn the steering wheel around with one finger. As the car moves faster, the steering becomes much firmer. At highway speeds its just about perfect, with phenomenal road feel -- the polar opposite of the Japanese carmakers "NUMB" feel they all seem to have. The new Audis have the best steering systems on the market imo.

 

I really like the firmer steering feel of the G35. Personally, I think "sport" sedans should always require a decent amount of driver input. "Light" steering is for luxury cars and "girl cars". No thanks!

 

No thanks. As a matter of fact I'd prefer the steering to be even firmer than it is now. It makes me sad that other "sports-sedans" are being released with increasingly light steering. If you want light steering you may want to look into a less sporty car, perhaps a Lincoln?

RE: the 330i - I assume you mean an e90? The last gen had very firm steering, much like the G35.

 

I think it could be a tad lighter....but it is not even worth mentioning

 

Agreed. My '99 328i (Sport Pkg) had very firm steering, much like my '05 G Sedan.

 

I hate light steering. That was my biggest complaint with the IS350. You could steer it with a few fingers through a slalom. It's hardly firmer than my mom's Element. Totally disconnected. Heavier steering is a must-have trait for sports cars and sport sedans. Yesterday I had to do some heavy braking and turning to avoid missing my intersection. Even with the stereo up and talking to my wife I could feel everything through the steering wheel in the G35. I knew exactly how much slip was in the tires to control and limit oversteer even though I couldn't hear it. I think the steering is perfect.

 

electric power steering sucks on the IS350

my logitech GT4 steering wheel provide more feedback

 

Firmer is always better.

 

Then you and my wife agree.........