Active steering worth the money?
#1
Senior Members
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Johannesburg, South Africa
Posts: 299
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I have been given another 530D loaner while mine without active steering is in the shop. I noticed after driving for a few days that there was an indicator symbol that came on on startup and the manual said that it was the active steering check.
If not for this light I would not have any idea that the car had this option.
Steering feels the same as in my car regardless of driving conditions.
Am I missing something here or is this option really worth the money?
Streak
If not for this light I would not have any idea that the car had this option.
Steering feels the same as in my car regardless of driving conditions.
Am I missing something here or is this option really worth the money?
Streak
#2
Contributors
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: San Jose, California, USA
Posts: 4,119
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My Ride: 2008 Porsche 911 Carrera S Convertible. Midnight Blue, 6 Speed.Retired - 2007 997 Carrera S, Midnight Blue, Grey leather, premium audioRetired - 2007 550i, Monaco Blue over Beige, Navigation, Logic 7, Cold Weather Pack, Comfort Access, Sport Package
Model Year: 2008
Originally Posted by streak' date='Feb 10 2005, 04:16 AM
I have been given another 530D loaner while mine without active steering is in the shop. I noticed after driving for a few days that there was an indicator symbol that came on on startup and the manual said that it was the active steering check.
If not for this light I would not have any idea that the car had this option.
Steering feels the same as in my car regardless of driving conditions.
Am I missing something here or is this option really worth the money?
Streak
If not for this light I would not have any idea that the car had this option.
Steering feels the same as in my car regardless of driving conditions.
Am I missing something here or is this option really worth the money?
Streak
[snapback]88516[/snapback]
#3
Contributors
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Essex, UK
Posts: 2,325
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally Posted by streak' date='Feb 10 2005, 11:16 AM
I have been given another 530D loaner while mine without active steering is in the shop. I noticed after driving for a few days that there was an indicator symbol that came on on startup and the manual said that it was the active steering check.
If not for this light I would not have any idea that the car had this option.
Steering feels the same as in my car regardless of driving conditions.
Am I missing something here or is this option really worth the money?
If not for this light I would not have any idea that the car had this option.
Steering feels the same as in my car regardless of driving conditions.
Am I missing something here or is this option really worth the money?
Although, I have heard of people saying they couldn't tell the difference! (This was the salesman at my dealership)
#4
Members
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: London, UK
Posts: 133
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My Ride: 535d Sport (M sport steering, M sport sills, M sport suspension, 18inch M style wheels) Carbon black, black nasca, dark wood, dechromed, folding mirrors, extended lights, sun protect glazing, grad tinted winscreen, servotronic steering, heated, ventilated active comfort seats, extended voice control, hi-fi speakers, hud, active cruise, split folding rear seats, rear electric blind, rear manual blinds visbility pack (xenons, adaptive headlights), media pack (6 CD, prof nav, bluetooth with telematics and assist)
For what its worth - I have test driven a few cars with AS and found it almost accident inducing - I have no doubt that it was because I wasn't used to it, but quick manoeuvers in traffic can be quite frightening as you end up turning much more than you expected.
I can imagine that over a period of time it would be something that one got used to and then couldn't live without - for myself, however, I can't say I am that fussed about turning the steering wheel that bit more - it certainly isn't worth an extra ?700 for me.
I can imagine that over a period of time it would be something that one got used to and then couldn't live without - for myself, however, I can't say I am that fussed about turning the steering wheel that bit more - it certainly isn't worth an extra ?700 for me.
#5
Contributors
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Dallas, TX USA
Posts: 4,144
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
IMO, it is not "accident inducing" unless you refer to being able to corner more sharply at low speeds "accident inducing." What AS does is give you much better control over a two ton vehicle than you could possibly have otherwise. When I get into a vehicle today wo AS, I am immediately impressed with all of the arm exercise I am getting.
#6
Senior Members
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Sweden, EU
Posts: 1,475
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My Ride: 07' 530d - M-Sport - Titanium Silver / Black Dakota leather
08' 120i - M-Sport - Alpine White III / Black Sensatec
I would say it's a must-have. I've tried a 5er w/o both AS and Servotronic. But never tried one with just Servotronic. Mayby thats enough.
#7
Contributors
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Los Angeles. CA
Posts: 2,008
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My Ride: 2004 545i 6 spd Sports Package | NAV | PDC | Logic 7 | BT retrofit | SW V13.3
Originally Posted by JDN' date='Feb 10 2005, 06:35 AM
IMO, it is not "accident inducing" unless you refer to being able to corner more sharply at low speeds "accident inducing." What AS does is give you much better control over a two ton vehicle than you could possibly have otherwise. When I get into a vehicle today wo AS, I am immediately impressed with all of the arm exercise I am getting.
[snapback]88534[/snapback]
#8
Members
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: New England
Posts: 100
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My Ride: 2010 E63 AMG -- Palladium Silver/Black.
Love this car but looking to switch things up to keep things fresh. 2nd AMG in a row, but toying with coming back into the BMW fold!
Active Steering is simply fantastic. It allows you to have racecar-like steering response around town without being twitchy at high speeds. I would definitely get it again and would go so far to say that I wouldn't buy a car again without it.
Although I said the same thing about AWD, yet here I am driving a RWD 545i.
Note to BMW: Make AWD available on all models a la Mercedes.
Although I said the same thing about AWD, yet here I am driving a RWD 545i.
Note to BMW: Make AWD available on all models a la Mercedes.
#9
Members
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Toronto, Canada
Posts: 181
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My Ride: 2006 BMW M5, Silverstone with black extended leather, brushed aluminium trim, Nav Pro, Logic 7, PDC, 35 % tint.
BMWs always have had great steering and road feel. The only complaint I have is that for some AS diminishes road feel. It is useful for low speed, but how hard are parking manouveres, anyway? I remember in the 3 series a few years ago that BMW made the steering lighter because some people (mostly women) said that the steering wheel was hard to turn in slow speed situations. The problem was that it hurt the feel of the steering at higher speeds. Enough people complained about the new steering that BMW went back to the old ways. Perhaps AS is a compromise of both.
Try both, but I feel the car handles great without it.
Try both, but I feel the car handles great without it.