As I am looking at and driving lots of e60's the last week looking for a replacement for my recently totaled 530i so there are lots of features that I am experiencing or will experience for the first time next week.

What is everyones thoughts on Active Steering. I remember reading the basic concept on here years ago but I dont believe I have ever driven one. First off is it something very readily noticeable when you drive one if you didnt know otherwise. What are the telltale signs? Do you enjoy it? I had one sales guy (who CPO 535i I was driving of course didnt have Active Steering on it) who said some people like it, but others hate it and find it unnerving? I chalked that up to a guy trying to sell a car that didnt have it.

But I figured on here I i will get a knowledgeable and honest opinion from everyone.

Thanks,

 

I have never liked active steering, passed on my 2004 545 and on my 2008 550. Others have it, love it and swear by it. You really need to spend some extended time in cars with and without active steering to see what you think of it...

I found it a bit disconnected feeling and even twitchy, for lack of a better description. The early version that was offered in my '04 545 was such a turn off that I ordered my car without the sports package because it was part of that package. By 2008 it was a stand alone option so I got the sports package and passed again on the active steering.

It has been greatly improved over the years with software updates but I could never get comfortable with it. Go spend a lot of time driving the cars, both at highway speeds and in tight situations. The tight situations is where active steering shines for many...

 

Search this forum for "Active Steering".

 

I have active steering on my 2004 and LOVE IT. I've driven loaner cars without it and did not like how they drove. To me, active steering makes my car feel nimble, responsive and and "go cart like". My daily driver without active steering pales in comparison.

 

How does one know if they have active steering??? (>>me 2004 545i)

 

Love the active steering in my 2004 545i, makes the car feel sharp at any speed but best at slower speeds, when less turn of the steering wheel gives you more turn at the wheels. Ive driven a few other cars and you immediately feel a huge difference when driving. Seems like you are turning the steering wheel forever just to make a turn where as the BMW with active steering puts you into the turn at 60% of what it takes in other cars.


for one you can feel it but the proof is under the hood directly in front of the coolant reservoir there is a unit with metal lines coming out of it...theres a sticker on it that says active steering

 

double post

 

If I remember right, the guys on top gear had some funny comments about active steering when they tested the (then newly released) E60.

 

I love it too

 

Me too .
+1. There's no road feel disconnect since it's imperceptible at speeds more than 15 mph.