B8.5 Feels floaty?

[Rookz]

So it's been a few days of driving the new 2013 P+ after upgrading from a 2011 P- and man the steering on this thing sucks, it's always very loose and the car feels floaty as hell.

I don't have the "notchy" steering issue others have reported, instead it's just really really loose. I could literally steer with my pinky at 100 mph. The 2011 was way tighter and felt way more stable on the road. Sport package on both cars, but the 2013 feels like a Lexus...just floats and doesn't feel connected to the road at all.

Despite all the bells and whistles on this car vs the old one, it's really disappointing as I really wouldn't have upgraded had I known this beforehand

[name.goes.here]

Yes - steering was Changed for 2013 and one of the complaints was less road feel.

[Rookz]

Less road feel is a huge understatement imo. I don't have any confidence in this car as opposed to the old one when driving at highway speeds. I'm gonna give the vag com ADS coding a shot to see if that helps at all. At this point I feel like a huge sucker for falling for all the nifty things that come with this car as opposed to what I had in the old one. But I guess a lot of it is my fault for not doing my homework before upgrading.

[name.goes.here]

But I guess a lot of it is my fault for not doing my homework before upgrading.

No, not necessarily. Don't beat yourself up over it; you're driving a very nice car and I'm sure with a bit of adjustments here and there you'll get it at - or near where you would like it to be.

[easytreez]

The eurocode Alu Kruez drivetrain brace will help a lot

[jlaudio]

The eurocode Alu Kruez drivetrain brace will help a lot

i don't understand why people keep pointing to the alu kruez.. if the problem is floaty and essentially effortless steering due to lack of hydraulic feedback, how would a slab of aluminum under your car help?

[Wilbur]

i don't understand why people keep pointing to the alu kruez.. if the problem is floaty and essentially effortless steering due to lack of hydraulic feedback, how would a slab of aluminum under your car help?

Exactly. I can't imagine that would affect anything other than while tracking car.

[coolwater]

I feel the same way in comfort mode.
However when switched to dynamic mode it is very much stiff.

If you don't have drive select or partial drive select you might be able to vag the steering to feel less floaty.
I'm sure a software update to steering might help also.

-cW

[jlaudio]

your not alone. every b8.5 i've driven so far has felt the same way. the electronic steering to me is a big no no, there isn't even a hydraulic system as a backup. if your steering sensor fails and you turn your wheel, your wheels will not turn. scary.

you feel so disconnected from the road its like driving a big lincoln. you never know where your wheels are in the road and you find the car drifting at times away from where you were pointing it.

[name.goes.here]

your not alone. every b8.5 i've driven so far has felt the same way. the electronic steering to me is a big no no, there isn't even a hydraulic system as a backup. if your steering sensor fails and you turn your wheel, your wheels will not turn. scary.

you feel so disconnected from the road its like driving a big lincoln. you never know where your wheels are in the road and you find the car drifting at times away from where you were pointing it.

Sadily, I think that is the direction in which many manufacturers are headed for the perceived gas savings.

[Wilbur]

Sadily, I think that is the direction in which many manufacturers are headed for the perceived gas savings.

Youre right. Virtually every manufacturer is going this way for fuel and emission savings. Mine is too light at slow speed but tightens up nicely at speed.

[coolwater]

I agree. Nothing is going to bring back the same road feel unless the electronic steering simulates road feedback.. processes it.. then sends similar artificial feedback up to the steering wheel.

-cW

[Rookz]

I was not able to vag com the ADS dynamic steering option. Probably because the software is out of date and it's a chinese cable so not much I can do there. I'll go to the dealer and see if there's a software update coolwater mentioned. Also like jlaudio said, I don't see how Alu Kreuz could fix the floaty feel. Comparing it to a big lincoln was spot on.

All in all I'd say at this point the disappointment overshadows the excitement from the upgrade, no matter how substantial (went from P- with only sport package and ipod/bluetooth to P+ with sport package, ipod/bluetooth, nav, B&O, and advanced key). Next time I'll have the foresight to test drive on the highway before taking the plunge.

[jlaudio]

I was not able to vag com the ADS dynamic steering option. Probably because the software is out of date and it's a chinese cable so not much I can do there. I'll go to the dealer and see if there's a software update coolwater mentioned. Also like jlaudio said, I don't see how Alu Kreuz could fix the floaty feel. Comparing it to a big lincoln was spot on.

All in all I'd say at this point the disappointment overshadows the excitement from the upgrade, no matter how substantial (went from P- with only sport package and ipod/bluetooth to P+ with sport package, ipod/bluetooth, nav, B&O, and advanced key). Next time I'll have the foresight to test drive on the highway before taking the plunge.

You need a Hex+can- usb interface for anything newer than b7 audi's. the ebay cables wont work. spend the $350 for the ross tech cable if you plan on keeping the car, it pays for itself

[Rookz]

You need a Hex+can- usb interface for anything newer than b7 audi's. the ebay cables wont work. spend the $350 for the ross tech cable if you plan on keeping the car, it pays for itself

I used the cable to do everything else though. I.e. convenience windows, DRLs with wink, seatbelt chime, needle sweep. It worked on both the '11 B8 and and this '13 B8.5. ADS is the only thing that isn't showing up.

I was planning on keeping this car for a good while, but I'm not sure if I'll be able to get used to the steering. I guess time will tell, it has been less than a week after all.

[Twista616]

Remember, Audi is a luxury brand that is built around comfort. I too just picked up an b8.5, even without sport suspension.(ill be upgrading that bc I don't like the 4x4 look) I agree, it is floaty, but they are marketing to the everyday consumer. I really don't mind the steering, since I'm not tracking or racing it. just my .02

[unit]

I agree with you. I dont feel confident driving my car on the highway at all

[c3A4]

Mine feels pretty heavy at highway speed. And I like the light touch at low speeds, makes turning in tight city streets a breeze.

[Wilbur]

Mine feels pretty heavy at highway speed. And I like the light touch at low speeds, makes turning in tight city streets a breeze.

I agree. Firm on the highway.

[jlaudio]

Mine feels pretty heavy at highway speed. And I like the light touch at low speeds, makes turning in tight city streets a breeze.

with the b8.5 at low speeds it takes more of a wheel turn to turn the car than i had expected. it almost feels awkward and i have come dangerously close to hitting things because i need to turn the wheel more than what i feel is correct
terrible steering system, its just too artificial

[pcs3366]

I can chime in as well. My 2011 P+ with 18" sports pkg has tight steering(good feedback) even at low speeds and considerably much tighter at highway speeds. I have been driving a 2013 A4 loaner for a week now since my car is getting pistons and rings replaced due to excessive oil consumption. The floaty steering on the 2013 is extremely loose that it feels like an entirely different car, at highway speeds its a little better but still too loose for my taste. I am sure some people do like it though. The 2013 loaner is loaded with navi, b&o, advanced key, wood inlays, but no sports package. I do enjoy driving it for the past week and technically it is an upgrade compared to my 2011 P+ manual, sports package only. All the new touches, MMI, sound, & advanced key has certainly spoiled me, but I still could not wait to get my car back. I also could not stand the beige interior with standard seats in the loaner vs. my black interior with sports seats.

I guess everyone's priorities differs.

[NJRoadFan]

I went from a '09 to '13 A4. The steering is fine with plenty of resistance and the ride is noticeably firmer with the sports package in the '13. Typically you want a power steering system to deliver more assist at low speeds, like in a parking lot, and hardly any assist while on the highway. I have driven electromechanical power steering cars in the past as well. You don't realize that many of them are using that system until you open the hood and look for the power steering fluid!

If one wants to experience what over boosted steering really feels like, try driving a Crown Victoria. You can steer with your pinky and feel nothing as its a road sofa.

[Rookz]

You can steer with your pinky and feel nothing as its a road sofa.

This is my experience so far with my '13 A4 with sport package.

[Pac]

I also upgraded from a 2011 p to a 2013 p+ less than three months ago. The electric power steering is definitely lighter than the previous hydraulic system, but I think that what you are experiencing is not normal but actually a common "issue" of the 8.5 models.
When working correctly, the electric steering should firm up in a progressive manner while increasing speed. Unfortunately, some people are experiencing the opposite when driving at highway speeds. There are several threads discussing this topic, but this seems to be the longest one:

http://www.audizine.com/forum/showth...ng-Issues-2013

According to this thread there are two main issues with the new electric steering.
The first is the constant "notchy" feeling when turning the steering wheel. As you stated, you don't have this issue.

The second problem is known as the "slip", which among other things results in a very vague steering feel, even at highway speeds. Many people report having troubles keeping the car straight. This could be your problem.

Audi is aware of the issue and is supposed to be working on a software fix.

[Rookz]

Many people report having troubles keeping the car straight. This could be your problem.

That sounds like it. I feel like I have to compensate for every move of the steering wheel.

Audi is aware of the issue and is supposed to be working on a software fix.

That's good to know. Although I went to the service department and they said that this is normal behavior.

[name.goes.here]

That sounds like it. I feel like I have to compensate for every move of the steering wheel.



That's good to know. Although I went to the service department and they said that this is normal behavior.

You may want to try a different dealer. I recall Allroad owners with a similar issue, but had succes in getting the steering fixed. I recall treginco made a post about this.

[Rookz]

You may want to try a different dealer. I recall Allroad owners with a similar issue, but had succes in getting the steering fixed. I recall treginco made a post about this.

treginginco had the notchy steering issue, mine is entirely different. I will try a different dealer though.