Last night my brother who owns a 2002 BMW 330i (and has owned a couple other 1997+ BMW'* including a 2001 M3) took my 1998 SSE out for a 80 trip -when he got home he was all grins.
He said he loves the way my car rides, the steering response and the guages especially the HUD -WTF -I thought it was I who was supposed to give these KUDO'* to the BMW owner. :?: None-the-less I accept the comps.
Anyhow, when I asked what he liked so much about the ride, the steering he said how it rode so smooth (I attribute this to the smoother roads around here vs the pothole filled roads in Washington D.C. suburbs, and the fact he probably really needs to take it in to the BMW dealership while it'* still under warranty and tell them that my high-mileage (over 150k) 1998 Bonneville SSE rides better when it really shouldn't -personally I doubt Goodyear Regatta 2'* and Energy Suspension End-links is gonna out-ride a 28k old 2002 BMW 330i.
As for the power he claimed he liked the way he could give the throttle a nice push, but not so much as to down-shift and still the car just takes off really smooth, without the engine sounding like it was being pused beyond it'* capabilities, and even when it did get up in the revs 4k+ it really kept pulling, although my CAI and free-flowing exhaust made it sound it little obnoxious at this point.
As for the steering he said it was dang near as responsive as his Bimmer, and it really held corners surpisingly well (didn't take it to the limits -just pushed it a little around the corner) and was surprised how body roll was not very evident (said he took a couple 40 mph curves at speeds up to 60-65mph). So my tires being filled with 37 psi in the rears and 44 psi in the front teamed up with the Energy Suspension End-links really helped the car.

Put him in a L67.....

I'd say that BMW 330i'* would ride very firm (for the sake of handling) compared to the Bonneville, which is tuned more softly. I'm not surprised that the Bonneville rode better.

These are great cars for the money. I don't care what anyone says about.. you know its FWD so its not a sports sedan. Bull***t its not. These are quick and responsive cars that for a few bucks in mods can run with the best of em. I think GM did a great job overcoming weight distribution issues typicly found in FWD cars and turned Bonnevilles into compitent handlers. I also like the Magnasteer rack and pinion steering most Bonneys and my LSS have. Like Old Blue Eyes said it offers great response, almost like a BMW. Then you got the L67 that stock runs low 15'* to high 14'*. I went a trip with a buddy of mine last week and left my car with his dad. He drove the car and when I got back I told him it was FWD and he said he didn't even notice.

How can you guys like that Magnasteer junk? It'* so numb feeling. I like my good ol' regular power steering. It'* easy when parked or slow moving, then good and firm at higher speeds. Plus I get amazing feedback. I know exactly what my car is doing, and I like that.


-justin

magnasteer is only on newer bonnies.

You do know that the car only needs about 30 PSI in the tires right??? you are probably wearing your out unevenly.

uh... what you described is EXACTLY what magnasteer does. It makes the steering easy to turn in parking lots or other slow speeds, and the faster you go, the more firm it becomes. your steering, and all bonnevilles without magnasteer, you have the exact SAME steering response no matter what speed you're going. Your steering doesn't change firmness in any way. It'* not any more firm when you're moving then when you're standing still... It'* just an illusion.

I've also found that the magnasteer offers you much more road feel than the conventional power steering. Have you actually driven a car with magnasteer before?!

I seen that too, if anything it should be the other way around, with more in the back than the front and thats if your trying to keep the wheels from spining so much. :?

Nope, just topped the front tires off - went a little over since I have to top the front tires off every other day due to leaks around the valve stems. No uneven wear yet. I plan on getting some new valve stems put in this week -had the tires put on back in Septemeber, and even though they charged me $14(!!!!!) for new valve stems they didn't put new VS'* on. Didn't realize it for a week afterwards and since I only get near the shop that installed them about once a month I figured I'd just go to a local shop -hasn't happened yet, but I did set up an appointment at the same shop -will tell them when I get there that I paid for them back when I gave them $527 for the tires, valve stems, mount, and balance back in September.

No, I have not driven a car with "Magnasteer" however I recently drove an '00 Neon [I know, the epitome of great engineering], but it had something like that. The owner [a friend of mine] says he has some sort of electronic steering, but he doesn't know much about it. I felt that 'numb' feeling.. while my car gives me feedback. IMO, I couldn't be happier with my steering. The only thing I wish for, is some new PS lines.. so they stop leaking.


-justin