Why doesn't BMW use a flat bottom steering wheel?

Tyga11 · 05-22-2023, 08:00 PM

Mercedes AMG does and so does Audi...why doesn't BMW? Makes no sense

Burrcold · 05-22-2023, 08:41 PM

Not sure, but it would be nice if they did offer one at least. I know not everyone is a fan of them.

KevinC · 05-22-2023, 09:49 PM

I have one in my Golf R. Yawn. I’m glad that BMW doesn’t copy VAG here. It’s a gimmick.

Burrcold · 05-22-2023, 10:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KevinC

I have one in my Golf R. Yawn. I’m glad that BMW doesn’t copy VAG here. It’s a gimmick.

Future M models will have one.

https://www.bmwblog.com/2022/10/26/b...teering-wheel/

https://uk.motor1.com/news/618779/20...ior-spied/amp/

PYE46M3 · 05-22-2023, 10:17 PM

Because benz drivers are fat and the bottom of the steering wheel reduces leg space. specially when you want to spread your legs and smoke your cigar on cruise control doing 65 on the highway.

BMW drivers on the other hand are slim and perfectly round steering wheel makes it easier to take corners on the track... aka faster lap times.

NickyC · 05-22-2023, 10:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PYE46M3

Because benz drivers are fat and the bottom of the steering wheel reduces leg space. specially when you want to spread your legs and smoke your cigar on cruise control doing 65 on the highway.

BMW drivers on the other hand are slim and perfectly round steering wheel makes it easier to take corners on the track... aka faster lap times.

100% correct answer.

G35POPPEDMYCHERRY · 05-22-2023, 10:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PYE46M3

Because benz drivers are fat and the bottom of the steering wheel reduces leg space. specially when you want to spread your legs and smoke your cigar on cruise control doing 65 on the highway.

BMW drivers on the other hand are slim and perfectly round steering wheel makes it easier to take corners on the track... aka faster lap times.

CarPoor · 05-22-2023, 11:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tyga11

Mercedes AMG does and so does Audi...why doesn't BMW? Makes no sense

As was said, those are for fatties.

NOSSY · 05-23-2023, 03:39 AM

Previous car had flat bottom steering wheel (not a bmw). When I jumped into other cars I would notice it straight away. In the bmw I don’t notice it. Maybe down to seating position, car handling etc. or I’m too distracted by other stuff in the car that I don’t notice?

What I will say is in city driving a flat bottom steering wheel is brilliant.

grannyknot · 05-23-2023, 06:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NOSSY

What I will say is in city driving a flat bottom steering wheel is brilliant.

If you're fat

Sorry, couldn't resist.

NOSSY · 05-23-2023, 07:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by grannyknot

If you're fat

Sorry, couldn't resist.

Lol I am very over weight

But driving, you grab the flat bit and turn in tighter when doing a 3 point turn. UK roads I imagine are different to over the pond.

unluky · 05-23-2023, 09:37 AM

I actually didn't think I would like it, but I test drove a SQ5 once that just happened to have it and after I adjusted, I got use to it fast. I liked hooking my thumbs in it when turning around town. I'm not sure I would look for one with or without it - but I'd take it. Flat bottom on the SQ5 means no heated though - which does not matter to me, but does to some.

ren · 05-23-2023, 09:40 AM

Just picked up a 2023 760i loaner with this M steering wheel:
Name: 2023-bmw-760i-xdrive-107-1650340311.jpg
Views: 1798
Size: 92.9 KB

brad850csi · 05-23-2023, 02:26 PM

Mostly because BMW owners like to go around corners and having something the same shape all the way around is surprisingly useful.

The whole concept is just a stupid gimmick and exists only because in race cars the wheels sit lower and are shaped to allow drivers to get in and out. The shape isn't relevant to race cars because they don't use enough lock to ever need to move their hands around the wheel.

Its kind of like how everyone bought 355s with an F1 gearbox because it was similar to what Schumacher had in his F1 car. But it just didn't work in the real world.

Tyga11 · 05-23-2023, 03:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brad850csi

Mostly because BMW owners like to go around corners and having something the same shape all the way around is surprisingly useful.

The whole concept is just a stupid gimmick and exists only because in race cars the wheels sit lower and are shaped to allow drivers to get in and out. The shape isn't relevant to race cars because they don't use enough lock to ever need to move their hands around the wheel.

Its kind of like how everyone bought 355s with an F1 gearbox because it was similar to what Schumacher had in his F1 car. But it just didn't work in the real world.

Ferraris do have flat bottom steering wheels.

Burrcold · 05-23-2023, 03:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tyga11

Ferraris do have flat bottom steering wheels.

Not to mention future BMW M models will have them as well. I guess everyone is fat and only likes to go straight now? Hah

Rocket455 · 05-23-2023, 04:19 PM

So, this doesn't contribute directly to OPs question, but I bought my mom a new VW Taos recently that has a flat-bottomed steering wheel, the first I've ever driven with. I have to say, I really like the way it feels when turning. Fat/big people aren't necessarily the only ones benefiting from flat-bottomed wheels, seating position can make a difference to the utility derived from that type of wheel design as well: I drive all my cars with a higher seating position for a better view, but my steering positioning is always the lowest possible since that's what is most comfortable for my arms (I'm a fairly average physical specimen at 5ft 11", 215 lbs) and I immediately noticed that the steering wheel just felt more comfortable. While turning, I got used to grabbing the flat part with my right hand and found it easier/better for one-hand driving.

Tyga11 · 05-23-2023, 07:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ren

Just picked up a 2023 760i loaner with this M steering wheel:
Attachment 3187906

How do you get a 760 loaner?

avantegardestyle · 05-24-2023, 12:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NOSSY

Previous car had flat bottom steering wheel (not a bmw). When I jumped into other cars I would notice it straight away. In the bmw I don’t notice it. Maybe down to seating position, car handling etc. or I’m too distracted by other stuff in the car that I don’t notice?

What I will say is in city driving a fat bottom steering wheel is brilliant.

THERE, FIXED for you........

ren · 05-24-2023, 10:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tyga11

How do you get a 760 loaner?

I'm assuming it was a canceled special order that they kept as a loaner.
I will have to return it very soon though.

The flat steering wheel feels nice.

visionaut · 05-24-2023, 11:19 AM

They do… but it’s more subtle.

BMWGUYinCO · 05-24-2023, 11:40 AM

I just returned from a 2 week vacation in Europe where we rented a 2023 740D "M" version; it had the flat bottomed steering wheel. And no, I'm not fat.

05-22-2023, 08:00 PM	#1
Tyga11 Lieutenant Colonel 3523 Rep 1,753 Posts Drives: M3 Comp Join Date: Jul 2019 Location: Arizona iTrader: (0)	Why doesn't BMW use a flat bottom steering wheel? Mercedes AMG does and so does Audi...why doesn't BMW? Makes no sense
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05-22-2023, 08:41 PM	#2
Burrcold Brigadier General 6428 Rep 4,624 Posts Drives: 2024 M3 Comp xDrive Join Date: Oct 2019 Location: Toronto, Canada iTrader: (0)	Not sure, but it would be nice if they did offer one at least. I know not everyone is a fan of them. __________________ Current: 2024 BMW M3 Competition xDrive \| 2022 Audi Q7 Gone: 2022 Audi RS5 \| 2020 BMW M340i \| 2019 Audi RS5
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05-22-2023, 09:49 PM	#3
KevinC your average JAMF 3510 Rep 4,186 Posts Drives: '21 M2 Comp, '19 Golf R Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Cochise County, AZ iTrader: (0) Garage List 2019 VW Golf R [5.00] 2021 BMW M2 Competi ... [3.50]	I have one in my Golf R. Yawn. I’m glad that BMW doesn’t copy VAG here. It’s a gimmick.
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05-22-2023, 10:17 PM	#5
PYE46M3 Captain 865 Rep 658 Posts Drives: E46 M3, E92 M3 Join Date: Nov 2018 Location: CA iTrader: (0)	Because benz drivers are fat and the bottom of the steering wheel reduces leg space. specially when you want to spread your legs and smoke your cigar on cruise control doing 65 on the highway. BMW drivers on the other hand are slim and perfectly round steering wheel makes it easier to take corners on the track... aka faster lap times.
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05-23-2023, 03:39 AM	#9
NOSSY New Member 9 Rep 23 Posts Drives: BMW F30 320D XDRIVE Join Date: Apr 2023 Location: UK iTrader: (0)	Previous car had flat bottom steering wheel (not a bmw). When I jumped into other cars I would notice it straight away. In the bmw I don’t notice it. Maybe down to seating position, car handling etc. or I’m too distracted by other stuff in the car that I don’t notice? What I will say is in city driving a flat bottom steering wheel is brilliant.
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05-23-2023, 09:37 AM	#12
unluky Major 7678 Rep 1,262 Posts Drives: 04 z4 3.0 Sport & 15 X5 35i XD Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Sedalia, MO iTrader: (0) Garage List 2015 BMW X5 XDrive 35i [0.50] 2004 BMW Z4 3.0 Spo ... [0.00]	I actually didn't think I would like it, but I test drove a SQ5 once that just happened to have it and after I adjusted, I got use to it fast. I liked hooking my thumbs in it when turning around town. I'm not sure I would look for one with or without it - but I'd take it. Flat bottom on the SQ5 means no heated though - which does not matter to me, but does to some. __________________ 2015 X5 XDrive 35i - 2004 Z4 3.0 Sport
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05-23-2023, 09:40 AM	#13
ren Captain 62 Rep 840 Posts Drives: 2024 X7 M60i Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: U.S. iTrader: (8)	Just picked up a 2023 760i loaner with this M steering wheel:
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05-23-2023, 02:26 PM	#14
brad850csi Colonel 1330 Rep 2,359 Posts Drives: 16 F13 M6 Comp Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: Auckland, New Zealand iTrader: (0)	Mostly because BMW owners like to go around corners and having something the same shape all the way around is surprisingly useful. The whole concept is just a stupid gimmick and exists only because in race cars the wheels sit lower and are shaped to allow drivers to get in and out. The shape isn't relevant to race cars because they don't use enough lock to ever need to move their hands around the wheel. Its kind of like how everyone bought 355s with an F1 gearbox because it was similar to what Schumacher had in his F1 car. But it just didn't work in the real world. __________________ SCOTT26 "So as an admirer of the M5 and a potential customer of an M5 Touring. I would run naked around the streets of Garching if they were to offer one."
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05-23-2023, 04:19 PM	#17
Rocket455 Grumpy Old Relic 528 Rep 452 Posts Drives: 2022 M550i Join Date: Jan 2020 Location: San Diego, CA iTrader: (0) Garage List 1972 Firechicken [0.00] 1969 Toronado [0.00] 1970 Camaro [0.00]	So, this doesn't contribute directly to OPs question, but I bought my mom a new VW Taos recently that has a flat-bottomed steering wheel, the first I've ever driven with. I have to say, I really like the way it feels when turning. Fat/big people aren't necessarily the only ones benefiting from flat-bottomed wheels, seating position can make a difference to the utility derived from that type of wheel design as well: I drive all my cars with a higher seating position for a better view, but my steering positioning is always the lowest possible since that's what is most comfortable for my arms (I'm a fairly average physical specimen at 5ft 11", 215 lbs) and I immediately noticed that the steering wheel just felt more comfortable. While turning, I got used to grabbing the flat part with my right hand and found it easier/better for one-hand driving. __________________ “Science has made us gods even before we are worthy of being men.” Last edited by Rocket455; 05-23-2023 at 04:28 PM..
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05-24-2023, 11:19 AM	#21
visionaut Captain 1421 Rep 966 Posts Drives: 2016 435iX GC & 1976 2002 Join Date: Aug 2018 Location: Mile High City, CO iTrader: (0)	They do… but it’s more subtle. Attached Images
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05-24-2023, 11:40 AM	#22
BMWGUYinCO Second Lieutenant 4378 Rep 284 Posts Drives: 22 M850 Convertible '23 X3 M40 Join Date: Apr 2020 Location: Colorado iTrader: (0)	I just returned from a 2 week vacation in Europe where we rented a 2023 740D "M" version; it had the flat bottomed steering wheel. And no, I'm not fat.
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