I use the same analogy except I mention it only drives like a go-cart in the parking lot and at low speeds.

I remember the first time I test drove an E60 with a sport package (prior to ordering mine) that's the first thing I said to myself -- "it's like a freaking go-cart!"

 

Understand that I think the 545i is a vastly superior car to

the 540i in almost all respects and personally I don't see what the

fuss is about the I-drive in the press[although older individuals tend to

accept the new design and tech less easily than younger folks...I,m

44...];however the previous 5er had a somewhat telepathic ability

to know where it was to be steered next almost before I gave it any

steering input. IMHO the steering ,not necessarily the variable planetary

gear setup,but perhaps the power assist may have slightly diminished that

particular aspect of feedback involved in managing the car on the road.

I've owned 2 540i sports and and a 330xi

 

I think we've pretty much established that now.

To bring the thread back on topic, does anyone else feel a numbness in the steering compared to the E39? [/quote]
Have you noticed when the steering ration changes? I mean while driving and passing the theoretical 120km/h mark.

I love AS, but only in urban driving.

At high speeds and with some wind combinations the car has some strange steering reactions...

 

I cannot tell when the steering ratio changes[I read somewhere

that it is at 40 mph]. I do agree that at high speeds with winds the

car does get a bit loose in terms of yaw and stability control. Again IMHO

this reflects on the more loose steering [overboosted?] compared to the

540i.

 

I have Active Sterring on my 545i auto, but last night it failed, it was the most scary thing I know , wheels would not turn and it was emergency braking time. Luckily i was only doing 10-15 mph and stopped about an inch from a kerb. Restarted the car (I do not know if the car stalled before or after stopping - if before would explain it) and the steering was OK. Car now in the dealers looking at it. What if it was at 70mph ?

 

Are you saying you turned the wheel but nothing happened or are you saying the wheel wouldn't turn?

An active steering failure is supposed to still allow the car to be steered like a car without AS. (There is still a mechanical link between the steering wheel and the front wheels -- it's not a "steer by wire" type system.)

 

Having not owned a E39 I can only offer this; In compairision to my carrera the AS is a pleasure to drive in most conditions. It is not as responsive as the Porsche, but then I didn't expect it to be. The only draw back that I can see to date is the "twitchy" feel the car has in windy conditions at highway speeds. Beyond that it has a wonderful feel, and very compatable with the 545's stature.

 

Love the AS too, only the "twitchy" feeling at high speed driving in windy conditions is a minor annoyance, I hope that a future software update will fix this (if possible ofcourse).

And for the guest that had a problem with the AS, maybe the power steering (servo) function failed as well resulting in a really heavy steering feel, which might feel like you could no longer turn the steering wheel?

 

The post earlier from Guest about the Active Steering failure was mine (I was at work at the time of posting and not signed in).

I could not turn the wheel at all (thinking about very similar to steering wheel lock)

Been to dealer today , (fault was logged on the cars computer) and they are running diagnostics today and tomorrow.

 

This is a scary one. Stuck steering wheel?

Keep us informed as soon as possible.