C300Kid

Somehow during the test drive I missed the fact that the W204 steering is SUPER light and numb. I only test drive it with the 18" AMG wheels, and mine now has the basic 17" sport wheels. Would the smaller wheels make the steering feel lighter?

I love the car and this isn't that big of a deal, I just prefer the heavier feel of a BMW. Even Toyotas have more steering feel than this Benz.

I plan on throwing some 19" wheels on in the near future...would that make a difference? Any other ways to improve the steering feel?

hmc

It's definitely heavier than Toyota.

It's lighter than BMW 3 series but similar to 5 series. I feel 3 series is a bit too heavy and Toyota is too light.

Increase air pressure will help on steering wheel feedback. Make sure you have an accurate gague and put front tire at 30+ psi.

C300Kid

This could be the problem...I'll check tomorrow. Trust me...it's LIGHT. I drove a Lexus GS tonight and the steering was way heavier.

My MB steering feels good at high speeds but at low speeds it has no feel at all.

micropower99

Mine feel's good. As hmc suggested check the tire pressure.

C300Kid

I really hope that's the problem.

cvx5832

I have the 18's and agree is (still) too light. We also have a 3-series sport, but that gets heavy on some days. Long term, I think I prefer the light steering on the Benz.

Regards,
Paolo

akbro93704

Thats just how the car is....I dont know why MB made the steering so light in the W204. The W203 has better steering.

tanktube67

Check regularly the tire pressure is a plus and get your self a digital gauge

myinternetsucks

OMG! thats the one thing i hate about BMW....its the steering. feels like driving a trunk no matter what car it is. super heavy steering makes the car feel much bigger and less nimble than it should. they should offer an optional suicide knob package!

pmb600

I think a good balance is nice. W204 is way to light, W203 was a bit too heavy. The speed sensitive steering in my 2009 E350 sport is perfect.

akbro93704

Ya the refreshed '07+ E-class's have perfectly weighted steering. We have an '06, and the steering will all the sudden get very heavy in corners....the '03-'06's had odd power assist programming.

C300Kid

I checked the tire pressure...it was fine in all 4 tires. I'm already getting used to the steering though, it was just a shock coming from a Cooper S.

webada

I actually think the w204 light steering is a design for certain demographic buyers that the w203 is popular for.

C300Kid

who, women and old people? who else likes lifeless steering...lol

C300Kid

Is the steering electric? If so, maybe theres a chance they'll update it and we can get our software updated.

Carsy

I don't know what you are going on about. The steering is nicely weighted , the cars tracks perfectly & is so stable that it almost steers itself. Your problem is that you did not research the car sufficiently before purchasing... & get off old people & womens backs. They have a lot more experience than you mate.

micropower99

+1 Steering if anything feels fantastic on this car. I don't know what the big fuss is about.

C300Kid

oh I was just kidding...I guess over the net it didn't come off that way. And the steering isn't bad, I already said i'm getting used to it and I still LOVE the car. I think it was just because I'm used to super heavy steering.

akbro93704

Yeah...I had an '05 Volvo S40 T5 before the C300, and that had heavy steering. When I got my C300, I thought there was something wrong with it at first since it felt SO light. But now that I got used to it, the weighting is just right.

e1000

Not that this matters but the 2006+ W203's feel like the W204.

FrankW

my c350's steering is more direct then my C32's. drove the 07 C230 loaner and C350 loaner back to back they feel much the same.

C300PO

I find the steering in my C300 Sport to be similar to my Lexus 94 SC 300 Coupe. Just a tad more road feel in the C300. The Early Lexus Coupes were pretty sporty for a Lexus (at least compared to the ES, GS and LS at the time) plus I had a 17" wheels and a 5MT in that SC...I loved that car...

acr2001

I just got me 05 C back after having an 08 C loaner for about 4 days. I have to say, although the pre 2006 steering is a bit heavy I *much* prefer it over the lighter 06 - 08 steering. You get a lot less steering feedback. I feel the same way about the brakes but maybe that one is just me.

micropower99

The W203 design was until 2007. From 2008+ it's a whole different design.

acr2001

Not quite. The steering in the W203 was updated in 2006 - 2007 and from those years is nearly identical to the W204 steering. Obviously the vehicle was completely redesigned in 08, but the steering is still pretty much the same. The 05 W203 steering on the other hand feels completely different.