Active Steering
05-19-2006, 09:03 AM
#41
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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 colejl' post='284821' date='May 19 2006, 09:30 AM
Well yes and no... Active steering varies the ratio from about 10:1 to 20:1 depending on the speed.
I would be guessing but the range of variation on the M5 would be far narrower than that - perhaps 14:1 to 16:1?
I think the main 'beef' that people have with Active Steering is that it has an electronic factor, even though it is a physical link. The M5 is purely mechanical and arguably 'purer'.
Not a million miles, but still quite different I feel.
I would be guessing but the range of variation on the M5 would be far narrower than that - perhaps 14:1 to 16:1?
I think the main 'beef' that people have with Active Steering is that it has an electronic factor, even though it is a physical link. The M5 is purely mechanical and arguably 'purer'.
Not a million miles, but still quite different I feel.
05-19-2006, 09:14 AM
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My Ride: MY05 545i Jet Black with Auburn interior. SMG, Logic7, Sport Package, Comfort Seats, Navigation.
Originally Posted by Merv the Derv' post='282005' date='May 13 2006, 04:52 PM
No I wouldn't order it again and I didn't order it again. I much prefer the standard setup. At speed the std setup is perfect. I found with my AS the car wandered at speed and the steering felt vague. Maybe its better now on the later models. The M5 I drove didn't have it which tells me something. 
The M5 doesn't come with automatic transmission either. Does that mean the automatic tranny is not worth ordering? A lot of people wouldn't think so
05-19-2006, 10:00 AM
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My Ride: 2005 545i Titanium Silver/Black/Poplar: Steptronic, Sport, Cold Weather, Premium Sound, Comfort Seats, Sat Radio, NAV & Shades
Absolutely!! I miss it when in a car without it.. 
05-19-2006, 11:41 AM
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Originally Posted by swajames' post='284836' date='May 19 2006, 06:03 PM
I think we're on the same page, my point (primarily) is that perhaps the "the M5 doesn't have it so it must be crap" attitudes to AS aren't necessarily based on a particularly solid foundation.
Your brain adjusts to the steering over time - it can take a while to adjust to AS, thus why many reviews 'slate' it because they haven't given it time...I would agree that AS isn't useful on a track but around public highways it's sound!
05-19-2006, 12:07 PM
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My Ride: '05 545i - scheduled for ED pickup in Munich on 7/22!
AS is an electroninc system.
M5's (and Porsche 997) variable steering is a mechanical system.
The mechanical systems "feel" better and give much more feedback than AS.
Since I find AS too vague and can't feel the road/tires, I would probably not order AS again. But the mechanical systems are acceptable to me.
M5's (and Porsche 997) variable steering is a mechanical system.
The mechanical systems "feel" better and give much more feedback than AS.
Since I find AS too vague and can't feel the road/tires, I would probably not order AS again. But the mechanical systems are acceptable to me.
05-19-2006, 12:24 PM
#47
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My Ride: 2006 Alpine White 550i, Auburn Int., AS, CA, SMG, Premium Sound, Sport Pkg, Cold Weather Pkg, Fold Down Rear Seats, HUD, Navi, SIRIUS, M Body Kit
I have AS and I would order it again in a heartbeat... its just a great feature to have and you realize how convenient it is when you go to a non AS car... whewwww I almost smacked into a few cars on turns.
05-19-2006, 07:41 PM
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My Ride: 2010 750Li M sport
I got it and like the way the car drives...a lot. This is a tough one for me. I think I would go through the same difficulty with the decision again. I have never had the opportunity to drive a 550 with and without it back to back, which would be ideal for making a decision. Actually never driven one without AS, so difficult to say. I occasionally wonder if the weighter feel of a non AS 550 would be better, but the ease of steering is really nice. It is too bad you can't turn it off and on. The bottom line after all of that rambling...I would probably get it again. It really is nice at low speeds around town and in parking lots, which is where I seem to spend a lot of time.
05-22-2006, 08:27 PM
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My Ride: Arrived on 12/31/09 2009 Black Sapphire Metallic 535i with Steptronic, Auburn interior, Sport and Sport Auto, Active Steering, Premium, PDC, Nav, Comfort Access. Additions include Valentine 1 Hardwire and Dinan Stage II! Graduating from a 2006 - 530i
Yes, I would order active steering again. It makes the car a lot more manuverable and seem smaller around town or on twisty roads, yet on the highway it is stable like a larger car. The forum talked me into it and to those members who recommended it, Thank You.