My

tyres pressurs are spot on yet the fronts always look a little flat to me

 

That's because of the extra weight at the front, due to the engine.  Most front engine/front wheel drive cars are like that if you look closely.

I've had a 2010 and 2011 and I now have the new fl 2014. And I can honestly say I've not encountered this problem on any of mine.

Just to add on the battery hypothesis. The steering module will record a fault I'd the voltage drops below a certain limit. Mine wasn't that bad, but on start up the battery was OK to turn the engine but not good enough to power the steerinh system until the alternator powered in. Heavy steering was obvious, just like there was no assistance for a second or two. Once you blipped the throttle to energise the alternator the assistance came back. New battery solved the problem. Just a thought, always best to start with the simplest thing to test and work from there

David

My non-oem 80 Ah AGM battery died completely last november after only 5 months use. Had the car started two times with booster. As you mention, at times it felt like the steering assistance was nearly absent. But adding a few hundred rpm made it come back. I think this electro-mechanical steering is the reason for the large 140 A alternator. Even 180 A alternators are used in some models. I have never found data on the power consumtion of the power steering.

My non-oem 80 Ah AGM battery died completely last november after only 5 months use. Had the car started two times with booster. As you mention, at times it felt like the steering assistance was nearly absent. But adding a few hundred rpm made it come back. I think this electro-mechanical steering is the reason for the large 140 A alternator. Even 180 A alternators are used in some models. I have never found data on the power consumtion of the power steering.

On my Ibiza, with electrical power steering, you could see the headlights dim when you turned the stereing wheel and the car was stationary. So it must take a fair bit!

My new greenline has noticeably lighter steering than my previous 110bhp elegance with its wide, low profile tyres. Tyre choice by the manufacturer is clearly slignificant.

 

I also get aches in my hands as the steering wheel can't be set at the right angle without obscuring the dials. If anything the new car with its 3 spoke steering wheel is worse, as the wheel seems to be smaller, hence has to be set higher to see the dials.