Steering feel on s650 vs s550

[Klipshpoke]

I loved the new steering at first.....then doubted it (as I got hooked on videos of the car).....and now I'm back to loving it with just driving the car.

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[steveo1960]

Coming from an 03 GT vert, I actually like the steering in the s650. I test drove a new 2023 Mach 1 and to me it was ok but what sold me on the s650 was the interior/creature comforts which seem far ahead of the s550. I also have a 2024 VW Atlas which believe it or not feels a lot like the Mustang. I was surprised but even wifey noticed it.. Go figure!

 

[BoostRabbitGT]

I wouldn't say it droned, but there was definitely a constant thrumming in the cabin particularly at highway speeds. Not like drone though, which is that obnoxious resonance that feels like someone's pressing a bass speaker up against your skull.

Sounds promising for the new Ecoboost. And that description for drone sounds like the current-gen WRX I test drove.

 

[Upacurb]

I had a 15 GT PP and a a 20 GT350, also rented a new base EB S650 for just shy of a week not long ago. If I had to summarize the characteristics:

15 GT PP
- pros: very few; since feedback was nonexistent, it was laidback to operate at city speeds
- cons: the weighting felt super gummy and artificially heavy, on center lacked accuracy, mid-corner lacked intuitive linearity requiring constant mid corner adjustments even at basic cruising speeds, made highway driving a chore and you could never "tune out" if you wanted to maintain a laser accurate line mid curve
- overall: 4/10 for pushing, 5/10 for dailying

20 GT350
- pros: peak weighting was much lighter mode-for-mode vs the GT and way more natural in its ramp up, actually had some level of decent feedback from bumps, deflections, weight transfer, and scrub; on-center accuracy was much tighter but not ideal, but in combination with the feedback and weighting, at least you could easily stay locked to the center of a lane with one hand without having to focus much
- cons: still had a slow ratio; tramlining was a real nuisance, layer in said feedback on top and it was fatiguing on days where you were under the weather
- overall: 9/10 for pushing, 7/10 for dailying

24 EB Base
- pros: most accurate on-center, ratio is faster than S550's by just enough to be noticed and appreciated; resistance is lighter, but coupled with the improved accuracy and ratio, it's the least fussy to cruise in
- cons: yes, the steering is much lighter, but the issue is the lack of linearity in its build up (almost the same issue that the S550 GT had, just with less weight involved); it doesn't transmit any sensation of road surface, weight transfer, or increased turning lock; the steering weight change in the different modes is literally imperceptible, so you have a reduced range of configurability
- overall: 6/10 for pushing, 9/10 for dailying

The S650's steering feels like 90% of the EPAS racks fitted to other cars being produced these days. "Tight" inputs, featherweight resistance, easy to guide, dampened to create the sensation of refinement. It's just extremely generic, modern steering. Nothing to write home about.

But the steering was my least favorite aspect in that 15 GT, nothing redeeming, kept it in comfort mode because that was the least "fake" resistance level and sport mode should've been relabeled to "try hard" mode. The S650's steering is the lesser of two evils if I had to choose. It would be an annoyance on a track, but if you had to live with one on a road car, it's the better setup.

As someone who has owned an 18 PP1, driven an S650 GT, and own a GT350R ....I approve of this message.... very nice write up

The slightly stiffer springs and lighter wheels - and the pre GT500 knuckles (I have never driven a 20 R) create a slightly different feeling then the non R cars - but based on the 350 bases I have driven ....I feel your description is spot on....

I just wrote in another thread here I have a love hate relationship with my car lol - would NEVER daily it- its not fun in traffic or around town- but on the right road ...its amazing.....

 

[OppoLock]

As someone who has owned an 18 PP1, driven an S650 GT, and own a GT350R ....I approve of this message.... very nice write up

The slightly stiffer springs and lighter wheels - and the pre GT500 knuckles (I have never driven a 20 R) create a slightly different feeling then the non R cars - but based on the 350 bases I have driven ....I feel your description is spot on....

I just wrote in another thread here I have a love hate relationship with my car lol - would NEVER daily it- its not fun in traffic or around town- but on the right road ...its amazing.....

The S650 has long-term-girlfriend steering, the GT350/R’s is one-night-stand-with-bipolar-disorder steering

 

[Upacurb]

The S650 has long-term-girlfriend steering, the GT350/R’s is one-night-stand-with-bipolar-disorder steering

LMAO holy crap....... but so freaking spot on!!!!

 

[Karguy]

I had a 15 GT PP and a a 20 GT350, also rented a new base EB S650 for just shy of a week not long ago. If I had to summarize the characteristics:

15 GT PP
- pros: very few; since feedback was nonexistent, it was laidback to operate at city speeds
- cons: the weighting felt super gummy and artificially heavy, on center lacked accuracy, mid-corner lacked intuitive linearity requiring constant mid corner adjustments even at basic cruising speeds, made highway driving a chore and you could never "tune out" if you wanted to maintain a laser accurate line mid curve
- overall: 4/10 for pushing, 5/10 for dailying

20 GT350
- pros: peak weighting was much lighter mode-for-mode vs the GT and way more natural in its ramp up, actually had some level of decent feedback from bumps, deflections, weight transfer, and scrub; on-center accuracy was much tighter but not ideal, but in combination with the feedback and weighting, at least you could easily stay locked to the center of a lane with one hand without having to focus much
- cons: still had a slow ratio; tramlining was a real nuisance, layer in said feedback on top and it was fatiguing on days where you were under the weather
- overall: 9/10 for pushing, 7/10 for dailying

24 EB Base
- pros: most accurate on-center, ratio is faster than S550's by just enough to be noticed and appreciated; resistance is lighter, but coupled with the improved accuracy and ratio, it's the least fussy to cruise in
- cons: yes, the steering is much lighter, but the issue is the lack of linearity in its build up (almost the same issue that the S550 GT had, just with less weight involved); it doesn't transmit any sensation of road surface, weight transfer, or increased turning lock; the steering weight change in the different modes is literally imperceptible, so you have a reduced range of configurability
- overall: 6/10 for pushing, 9/10 for dailying

The S650's steering feels like 90% of the EPAS racks fitted to other cars being produced these days. "Tight" inputs, featherweight resistance, easy to guide, dampened to create the sensation of refinement. It's just extremely generic, modern steering. Nothing to write home about.

But the steering was my least favorite aspect in that 15 GT, nothing redeeming, kept it in comfort mode because that was the least "fake" resistance level and sport mode should've been relabeled to "try hard" mode. The S650's steering is the lesser of two evils if I had to choose. It would be an annoyance on a track, but if you had to live with one on a road car, it's the better setup.

I like your description and have to say the Mustang has no steering feel at all…This does not give you confidence to push it and when the rear brakes out most likely you end in a spin because the steering ratio is slow too…I know the magazines always dodged BMW for lack of steering feel but at least the rear does not come as quick as a Mustang or Corvette and with the quick ratio you can catch the rear ! As with the Mustang it is a cruiser and when you go fast the front pushes which you can hear and feel when the car goes wide…On the track the S550 never gave me confidence and according to Throttle House the S650 is worse masked by the super sticky Trofeos on the DH which are probably good for 3-5 seconds a lap depending on how many fast turns you encounter…

 

[Karguy]

Forget to mention the tramlining which has nothing to do with steering feel but probably the geometry of the steering knuckles on the front suspension because the GT350 I drove tramlined badly as the DH where the SS1LE ok only 285 on front or Challenger WB with 305 non at all…

 

[Gregs24]

I like your description and have to say the Mustang has no steering feel at all…This does not give you confidence to push it and when the rear brakes out most likely you end in a spin because the steering ratio is slow too…I know the magazines always dodged BMW for lack of steering feel but at least the rear does not come as quick as a Mustang or Corvette and with the quick ratio you can catch the rear ! As with the Mustang it is a cruiser and when you go fast the front pushes which you can hear and feel when the car goes wide…On the track the S550 never gave me confidence and according to Throttle House the S650 is worse masked by the super sticky Trofeos on the DH which are probably good for 3-5 seconds a lap depending on how many fast turns you encounter…

Complete and utter rubbish

 

[Gregs24]

Forget to mention the tramlining which has nothing to do with steering feel but probably the geometry of the steering knuckles on the front suspension because the GT350 I drove tramlined badly as the DH where the SS1LE ok only 285 on front or Challenger WB with 305 non at all…

My S550 doesn't tramline on standard setup with Continental tyres. If you mess with the car geometry, lower it add spacers and wider front tyres then you get what you asked for.

Not sure why you are constantly moaning about Mustangs on a Mustang forum, go and play with your Dodge friends instead.

 

[Zig]

I like your description and have to say the Mustang has no steering feel at all…This does not give you confidence to push it and when the rear brakes out most likely you end in a spin because the steering ratio is slow too…I know the magazines always dodged BMW for lack of steering feel but at least the rear does not come as quick as a Mustang or Corvette and with the quick ratio you can catch the rear ! As with the Mustang it is a cruiser and when you go fast the front pushes which you can hear and feel when the car goes wide…On the track the S550 never gave me confidence and according to Throttle House the S650 is worse masked by the super sticky Trofeos on the DH which are probably good for 3-5 seconds a lap depending on how many fast turns you encounter…

If they didn’t leave us anything to adjust it may have cost a tad more …

 

[Karguy]

If they didn’t leave us anything to adjust it may have cost a tad more …

I think prices are high enough that they should charge for steering feel and no tramlining extra…

 

[JAL]

I also find an alignment improves steering feel/response- these cars love negative camber.

I concur. I put the Steeda Ultimate Handling springs, BMR CB005, and Vorshlag Camber Plates and dialed in almost 3 degrees camber front with zero toe and 2 degrees in the back and the car feels very good with 305 squared. It even tramlines much less than stock.

 

[Dave2013M3]

Complete and utter rubbish

Agreed

 

[Zig]

I think prices are high enough that they should charge for steering feel and no tramlining extra…

Performance pack add on 🥲. Although so far i’ve been able to feel where i’m going each time i close my eyes. I haven’t experienced the same level of tramlining in ours when compared to what is experienced on, let’s say, a bike (motorcycle) crossing a metal-grated bridge.

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