Active steering worth the money?
Banned
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 2,882
Likes: 0
From: San Francisco Bay area
My Ride: '05 545i, silver gray, black leather with anthracite maple wood, sport package, premium sound, navigation, cold weather package, electric rear sunshade, folding rear seat, satellite radio prep, PIAA 4150K fogs, red rear reflectors, hardwired Valentine One
I like active steering--it makes low speed maneuvers (parallel parking, U turns, etc.) a lot easier. As somebody else said, you take it for granted and don't notice it after a short while.
There's also a lot of discussion on the Porsche boards regarding their new variable steering on the '05 Carrera.
There's also a lot of discussion on the Porsche boards regarding their new variable steering on the '05 Carrera.
Contributors
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 168
Likes: 0
From: Westchester, New York
My Ride: 2005 e60 Titanium grey Auburn premium Sport 6-speed Logic-7 folding rear seats with ski bag Bi-xenon Cold weather package
My .02 - in a crosswind I have felt the steering correct my path.
Members
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 119
Likes: 0
From: Mystic, CT
Active steering is definitely a must have. As said above, it makes handling much better at slower speeds. The only pitfall is when you get in a car without the active steering and realize how much more effort it takes to corner.
Now that I have had my car for 17,000 miles, it is one of my favorite features.
Now that I have had my car for 17,000 miles, it is one of my favorite features.
Contributors
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 970
Likes: 0
From: Central Cal, California USA
My Ride: -SOLD- 530i Alpine White. Sport package, comfort seat package, premium sound package, power rear shade, premium package, rear red reflectors, and adaptive headlights with xenon’s
I love it 
Senior Members
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 925
Likes: 0
From: Boston, MA USA
Originally Posted by KenTO' date='Feb 10 2005, 10:52 AM
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.
[snapback]88562[/snapback]
Contributors
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 2,070
Likes: 0
From: Stourbridge, UK
My Ride: 535D Sport Auto
Originally Posted by streak' date='Feb 10 2005, 06:16 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]
Members
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 140
Likes: 0
From: San Diego, CA
My Ride: 2004 BMW 545i, Olivin Green, w/Sports Package, basic stereo, chrome wheels, tinted windows, Bluetooth enabled with Moto V710 (Verizon), Sirius Sat Radio (aftermarket), Auxiliary Input for Ipod.
I love it. Can't do without it. Unfortunately I almost get in accidents when I drive my Lexus. I forget i need to make more effort to turn my other car.
I love being able to drive with only one hand.
Teriyaki
I love being able to drive with only one hand.
Teriyaki
Senior Members
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 328
Likes: 0
From: one of the square states in the middle, USA
Originally Posted by teriyaki88' date='Feb 10 2005, 05:07 PM
I love it.? Can't do without it.? Unfortunately I almost get in accidents when I drive my Lexus.? I forget i need to make more effort to turn my other car.
I love being able to drive with only one hand.
Teriyaki
I love being able to drive with only one hand.
Teriyaki
[snapback]88716[/snapback]
Members
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 227
Likes: 0
From: Boston, MA
Originally Posted by hinckley' date='Feb 10 2005, 03:30 PM
[quote name='KenTO' date='Feb 10 2005, 10:52 AM']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.
[snapback]88562[/snapback]
[snapback]88628[/snapback]
[/quote]Right on! I agree completely. AS is lame - sorry! The M5 got it right if it doesn't have this gimmick. It's the only reason I opted out of the sports package on my car. It's up there with Adaptive Cruise Control in terms of sillyness to me. *I* like to drive my car.... how lazy are people getting? It's scary. I like the BMW ad where they show a guy driving through cones in one instance with and in one instance w/o AS. I almost burst out laughing at how lame and pointless it was.