Cheap shot Rudy coming from you..

Still you haven't given me a reason for why you prefer AS over a car w/o AS. It looks like most people got AS just because it came with the sports package, not for AS itself. And then they got used to it naturally. But that doesn't make it good. BMW obviously agrees as they are not putting it in the M5 and now are now making it an option with the sports package (which it should have been from the beginning) on the E60s.

Regarding expert driving, I don't need to prove my abilities to you or anyone else, nor do I care to (how can I can anyway over the Internet), but if you are telling me that you or anyone else *NEEDS* AS to drive, then it's time to retire from driving and get off the public roads.

 

I like these heated arguments, sometimes internet blogs are too "nice", it's nice to see some passion in this forum. It's like the discussions I have with my friends at the local pub after a few beers, always entertaining.

My main problem with AS is that it is not really necessary. BMW has produced a technology which I am sure was expensive to develop. To recoup costs they have to jack up the prices of all the 5 series, even without AS, to cover R & D etc.

I think BMW should put more research into making the car more sportier, eg., better engines, etc. There cars have always been great without too much technology. Technology is something that the Japenese do better.

I bought my 545 because I felt it was the best driver's car, the sportiest car in its class. I bought it despite i-drive, the software issues, the stupid lawyer's message, etc.

Don't get me wrong, I love my 545. But I think when people say it is "stupid" this is not really directed at BMW drivers, but BMW itself. I think BMW rushed a lot of technology in this car without getting all the bugs out, especially in the early model year. They spent R+D on new gimmicks, like AS, without spending it on getting the car perfect right off the start. The last 5 series really was a perfect car, with rock-solid reliability.

 

To me it s a gadget...anybody knows why the M5 doesn t have it?

 

That's exactly how I feel. This is my first BMW so I don't have a reference point, but I really like it, especially in parking lots. When I drive my other car I feel like I'm slumming (for many reasons). Of course if I had a choice between AS and a power boost to the I6 there's no question which I'd choose. It's only been six months but I'm already looking forward to upgrading to an 8.

It took about three days to become accustomed to it. The finance guy warned me to be careful as I was driving off the lot. I'm an idiot though and didin't heed his warning until I almost hit a telephone pole that was located close to the road. I missed it by inches. I've done some stupid things over the years but wrecking the front end of the car I've waited 15 years to buy on the way home from the dealer would have topped the list. JJ.

 

I forgot to log on again. Anyway, I wouldn't have spent the dough either if it didn't already come with the sport package because I thought it was unnecessary, but have enjoyed it more than I expected. JJ.

 

BMW has decided to un-bundle AS from the Sport Package for MY2006 (see my post above, hopefully this is true); I am sure in part due to feedbacks from "passionate" drivers like you.
It's obvious there are 2 camps when it comes to AS. Vive la difference! The un-bundling gives me reason to believe that BMW thankfully is listening to its customers.
FWIW, I will order my 550 with Sport Package without AS. I keep my fingers crossed that indeed the unbundling is true.
Regards,
Can

Cheap shot Rudy coming from you..

Still you haven't given me a reason for why you prefer AS over a car w/o AS. It looks like most people got AS just because it came with the sports package, not for AS itself. And then they got used to it naturally. But that doesn't make it good. BMW obviously agrees as they are not putting it in the M5 and now are now making it an option with the sports package (which it should have been from the beginning) on the E60s.

Regarding expert driving, I don't need to prove my abilities to you or anyone else, nor do I care to (how can I can anyway over the Internet), but if you are telling me that you or anyone else *NEEDS* AS to drive, then it's time to retire from driving and get off the public roads.
[/quote]

 

I like AS, and it ain't for the lame reason of driving in the city and in the parking lot.

Altough not a professional driver, my passion is driving and have logged hundreds of hours behind the wheel time driving on racetrack and other unlimeted-speed higway to sharpen my driving skills both on sustainable top speed as well as high G turns. I've used active steering one several well known places including on the hairpins of Nurburg and Adenau, and I swear by it. If you are a qualified driving instructor w/ the proper experince and creditial, I am all ears to listen to your pointer. Otherwise, crack open a cold one and calm down. I am not the one who is having problem and almost crashed the Lesux pal.

Oh yeah... and as a car guy, I'd never admit owning a Lesux, YMMV thou..

 

Passionate driver??!! Steptronic?? non-sports pkg??

:winkcool: Just busting your chops pal... no need to get PO'd at me again

The real reason as told to me from by the managers at Garsching is actually pretty stupid. It is the same reason that 6-spd will be selling as a 2007 model on the M5 for nowhere else in the world other than North America. I can't say what it is but I think there is enough here for you to figureout what it is.

cheers,

beewang

 

In the end I am sure we all love our BMWs. BMW should just give us choice, unbundling AS from sports package is a good idea. Next they should give the option of non-run-flat performance tires with the sports package. Everyone is different, and we should be able to configure our car exactly the way we want it.

As a side note, I hate the fact that the Europeans get more options, such as M-package. I wish they would bring that over here, I would choose it in a snap.

 

I know how to drive a car well..... and I love my 545 SMG with AS.

I just like the way the steering seems to feel right no matter what speed I am going. I can't give you the technical superiority example you are looking for.... but I don't ever want to drive a car without active steering again. I love it.