Consensus on Active Steering Option
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My Ride: 2008 Space Gray 550i, Light Poplar Wood, Anthracite Head Liner, Sport Package, Sport Automatic Transmission, Cold Weather Package, Front Ventilated Comfort Seats in Black Nasca Leather, NAV, HUD, Active Steering, Comfort Access, Night Vision, Lane Deviation Warning, Active Cruise Control, Heated Rear Seats, Folding Rear Seats, Power Shade w/ Rear Side-Shades, Rear Air Bags, Logic 7, HD Radio, Sirius Satellite Radio, iPod/USB Adapter. Car in BMW Body Shop, estimated completion 01/24/07.
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Has a consensus developed about Active Steering? I am close to placing an order after lots of study, and am undecided on this one. Absent a strong "must-have" recommendation I'll skip it at this point. Concerned about a different, less direct feel of the road, also wonder if it will turn into a maintenance headache. I'll keep the car 10+ years.
Cal
Cal
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Love it ! Could I live without it? yes, but why? it's something that you'll regret as cars become more sophisticated (if you really plan to keep it 10 years)IMHO
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Originally Posted by calpalmer' post='511184' date='Dec 27 2007, 07:46 PM
Has a consensus developed about Active Steering? I am close to placing an order after lots of study, and am undecided on this one. Absent a strong "must-have" recommendation I'll skip it at this point. Concerned about a different, less direct feel of the road, also wonder if it will turn into a maintenance headache. I'll keep the car 10+ years.
Cal
Cal
If I test drove a car without it and thought the steering wasn't to "luxury car" loose, I wouldn't pay $1,400 for it. My .02
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I've tried it on a E92, but couldn't really appreciate it. I don't have it on my car, so I don't feel like I'm missing out on anything. ![](http://www.e90post.com/forums/images/smilies/iono.gif)
You're not going to get a straight answer here, everyone has their own opinion. The best way is to test drive them both yourself and see how you like it.
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You're not going to get a straight answer here, everyone has their own opinion. The best way is to test drive them both yourself and see how you like it.
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Originally Posted by calpalmer' post='511184' date='Dec 27 2007, 04:46 PM
Has a consensus developed about Active Steering? I am close to placing an order after lots of study, and am undecided on this one. Absent a strong "must-have" recommendation I'll skip it at this point. Concerned about a different, less direct feel of the road, also wonder if it will turn into a maintenance headache. I'll keep the car 10+ years.
Cal
Cal
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I think its an excellent option. I've driven plenty of E90s and E60s without Active Steering and prefer ones with AS.
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I extensively test drove a 550i with and without AS and decided against it.
1.) I found the "light" steering at slower speeds to feel somewhat artificial
2.) I found the non-AS car to provide somewhat more road feel
3.) Right about the time I was thinking about this, several people posted problems cropping up with AS failures of one sort or another
4.) I found that the AS corrected strangely during cornering, specifically its assist changed during sudden deceleration but that made steering the corner more difficult
1.) I found the "light" steering at slower speeds to feel somewhat artificial
2.) I found the non-AS car to provide somewhat more road feel
3.) Right about the time I was thinking about this, several people posted problems cropping up with AS failures of one sort or another
4.) I found that the AS corrected strangely during cornering, specifically its assist changed during sudden deceleration but that made steering the corner more difficult
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I was faced with the same dilemma...had it on the 545, not on the 330. Thought I liked non-active steering better based on those cars, but they are different cars. After driving several 535s, 550s, with and without AS, here is my opinion... 535 would pass (lighter more nimble car to begin with) 550 would get it. The turn in on a 550, probably because of the increased weight, is just a bit slow without AS especially on sub-50 speeds. BTW, if you want to get further confused, look up my similar post awhile back.
http://forums.e60.net/index.php?showtopic=...&hl=jmatthe
http://forums.e60.net/index.php?showtopic=...&hl=jmatthe
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I passed, not a "must have" in my opinion. My feelings mirror JSpira's in terms of feel, particularly at low speeds and potential for future issues...