Lets get this straight - AS decreases the lock to lock ratio at slower speeds and increases it at higher speeds, so it doesn't provide any more assistance, just reduces the number of turns when doing lower speed maneuvering.

Having never driven an AS car before, on my test drive of a 545 I was lane changing quite quickly in relatively slow moving but tight traffic - I found it very difficult to guage how much I was steering and often oversteerd with the effect of almost hitting another car on one occasion.

I am absolutely sure that one would get used to this, but switching from car to car you would have to readjust each time.

 

If you look at the post I was replying to and read it, MAYBE it would make sense to you....

 

I've had a number of discussions on AS, and here's my $.02.

Active steering is a great feature for casual driving around town, and maneuvering at low speeds. It is absolutely unnacceptable if you are flogging the car through turns on the backroads or a track. I't also seems to detract slightly from on-center feel at highway speeds, although that may just be the particular suspension settings.

I have the advantage of being close to a number of great roads where I can drive the car at the limits of adhesion without worrying about hitting something (farmland), and I do this regularly. When approaching a turn at high speed and braking, active steering will change the steering ratio as you enter and proceed through the turn. This is really bad news, since it requires you to continually correct the wheel angle. This is one of the reasons you will never see active steering in racing.

Someone suggested what I think is a great idea. That would be to have active steering switchable on-off, or even better, let the driver choose the right steering ratio for themselves. You could use active steering for everyday driving, if you wanted to thow the car around you could switch it off, and choose a tight steering ratio, or if you're going to be doing a lot of highway driving you could just choose a wider ratio, or whatever felt best to you. The technology they have today would allow this without any mechanical redesign, just software. It's an interesting concept.

 

My suggestion, but it will never happen! BMW has had a enough grief about iDrive being complicated already...

Perhaps they'll open source one day...

 

[quote name='New535' date='Feb 11 2005, 06:39 AM']
Lets get this straight - AS decreases the lock to lock ratio at slower speeds and increases it at higher speeds, so it doesn't provide any more assistance, just reduces the number of turns when doing lower speed maneuvering.

I believe it does, it corrects for yawl variations and applies some correction.
I maybe all wet about this , but I though this is what it did.
It sure felt that way to me on a high level bridge with high cross winds.

All I can say as I'm glad BMW had the sense to offer the new 5 with and without this option.
Giving us a choice, many manf. don't .

If A/S was standard I don't believe I would have bought a E-60, at least not a 2004.
I see they have adjusted the firmness of the low speed ratio already in a software update for 2005.

DR.Z

 

Sorry, but a perfect example why AS is S T U P I D. Lazy people... Christ!
[/quote]

Just because I like it and you don't makes it stupid? Jeez. It's a freakn free country. So I bought my car for different reason than you. So what? Shouldn't you critize all other owners that bought a different color THAN YOU as well?

Bottom line: People buy things for different reasons. People have different tastes, That's not stupid.

To quote Cher, "calling you stupid would be an insult to all stupid people"
Sorry to vent. Sheesh!

Teriyaki

 

AS is good in moderation. I am enough of a purist to insist on rowing my own and to have removed the ridiculous CDV. Now back to AS.

I drove my car 2000 miles at very high speeds in Europe. I did get somewhat used to it and liked the convenience in negotiating tight parking. I also nicked a curb in Florence as a result of a quick manouver that would have been fine in any other car. Would I like the old AS back? No!!!!!

The later software updated AS ratio change provides a perfect blend of convenience and road feel. I do not notice it until I drive another car. I think AS is a keeper at the current turns to lock. Could I live without it on my E60. Yes ofcourse. Could I live without the Active Suspension. NO WAY.

I'll take it, but IMO BMW overhyped the feature.

 

Sorry, but a perfect example why AS is S T U P I D. Lazy people... Christ!
[/quote]

Just because I like it and you don't makes it stupid? Jeez. It's a freakn free country. So I bought my car for different reason than you. So what? Shouldn't you critize all other owners that bought a different color THAN YOU as well?

Bottom line: People buy things for different reasons. People have different tastes, That's not stupid.

To quote Cher, "calling you stupid would be an insult to all stupid people"
Sorry to vent. Sheesh!

Teriyaki
[/quote]

You can like whatever you like, but to me AS is still a stupid idea. Just look at the reasons you say you like AS:

"Can't do without it" - really, why is that - why CAN'T you do w/o 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." - this is the part that is dangerous and makes AS stupid to me

"I love being able to drive with only one hand." - need I say more?

So while I have no quarrel with anyone who may like AS, the reasons you listed are big reasons why I think AS is a stupid idea. For one, it makes drivers lazier and also more dangerous in non AS cars since they get used to AS - you proved this point. So I stand by what I said. AS has made you a worse driver. And that in my book is a STUPID thing, because it's no longer an aid.

PS Note I didn't say YOU were stupid, but AS. I can also list 10 other reasons why I think it's a silly/stupid gimmick and nothing more. But why should I?

 

I saw this quote re. separation of AS from Sport Package on the M5board forum. I have NO idea whether it's true or just BS . If true, it might imply that feedbacks have not been entirely positive for AS.
Could someone with "connections" (Beewang, Iceman?) please confirm whether or not this is true?
Thanks and regards,
Can

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

http://www.m5board.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=50436

The sales rep went on line and found a new rev of the E60 order sheet that was just posted today.

It (0650/NE73-530i) confirms 2006MY Production Cycle: 3/05

Additional items will be of interest:

1. NASCA leather is a priority 1 interior upgrade
2. Yeah! Active Steering has been removed from the sport package. It is now a stand alone option only.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

 

Its true.