One of the few options that I did not order on my 08 550 Sport was active steering. I have AS now and i get along fine with it. I looked at the 550 Sport as having more emphasis on SPORT. Any thoughts on whether I should add it?

 

I would say skip it. I have AS that was included in my sport option. Unless you drive in parking lots all day, its probably not worth the money.

 

I had AS on my last car, 2004 530 sport, and I did not order it with my present car. I can honestly say that although I never had a problem with it, I do not miss it a bit. Skip it and buy yourself something else.

 

I cannot even tell a difference with it on or off. I have it but always turn it off since I always disable the DSC/DTC which disables active steering as well (I checked this in my manual)-I sometimes leave it on and to not notice a difference at slow speeds or going 120mph down the freeway when feeling like gunning it. Id say if you gotta pay than say nay

 

I think a bit different here.
I had AS on both E60s and I had several loaners without it. I definitely missed it A LOT and I think I will never buy a car without it again.
Also, every time I get into my dad's E60, I really miss it. My card feels like a go cart, his feels heavy.

 

The reason it doesn't feel any different is because you haven't switched it off. Disabling DSC (and this may only be on later models) disables only the active intervention feature, not AS' underlying variable steering ratio.

 

AS is greatly improved with later SW versions. I for one ordered it. It came standard with my 545i and I have always appreciated the ease with which one can maneuver in city traffic and parking lots. If there was a sacrifice at higher speeds I would think twice, but I do not find I give up anything even in spirited cornering. Driving even a 3 series without AS is more cumbersome for me.

 

No it definetly (that is why I sited my cars manual) disables active steering. I have an 07 and it is right in the manual. Maybe I will try see if I can tell again but if I am trying that hard it must not be THAT noticable

 

I love my AS and it's supposedly improved on the LCI so for me, I'm ordering it again...

(Oh, and no, you can't disable AS with the DSC switch...)

 

Nope. It doesn't disable AS. You're misreading the manual. Only one specific feature, the active steering intervention - when the car itself will induce some limited self-steering to help you when you run of talent - is disabled. In all other respects AS is exactly the same, DSC on or off. Which is why you couldn't tell the difference, as AS itself isn't disabled.