Consensus on Active Steering Option
12-27-2007, 08:01 PM
#11
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My Ride: 2006 550i, Alpine White, Beige Ltr, Sport Pkg, Cold Weather Pkg, Premium Sound, Active Steering, Comfort Access, Steptronic, Nav, Satellite Radio, Split Fold Rear Seats, V1
I got it on both of my 550s. I do not feel that the steering is desensitized and I do not feel the intrusion is abrupt. It has a very linear feel in how the ratios are changed. Not very noticable unless you are paying attention to it. No problems at all on the mechnical side of this option. It performs flawlessly.
12-27-2007, 08:05 PM
#12
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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 kscarrol' post='511259' date='Dec 27 2007, 08:46 PM
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...
12-27-2007, 08:17 PM
#13
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My Ride: 1996 525 M Sport
Silver Grey on Beige
All E60's in Aus have AS so can not comment on what an E60 is like without it. But I will say that personally I like it. Sure the steering is a bit light at low speeds but I am not so worried about feel at those speeds and it firms up to a better feel at more crucial higher speeds.
One of the most noticeable points about getting out of the E60 and getting into almost everything else (including my wife Golf Sport) is that it feels like driving a truck i.e. you have to turn the wheel twice as far. One of the things I really love about the E60 is taking roundabouts with just a twitch of the wheel
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One of the most noticeable points about getting out of the E60 and getting into almost everything else (including my wife Golf Sport) is that it feels like driving a truck i.e. you have to turn the wheel twice as far. One of the things I really love about the E60 is taking roundabouts with just a twitch of the wheel
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12-27-2007, 11:38 PM
#14
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As usual Cal does not tell us where he lives and what type of driving he will do. YAWN!!!
If you mainly do city driving than I would get it. I have it and love it because I do tons of city driving with tight turns and such at lower speeds. It makes the car really nice to drive. The road disconnection, I laugh at that one every time. The test drive vehicle I drove did not have A/S and I hated the steering. Im not driving this vehicle to get a workout. I want things as smooth and easy as possible especially when taking short trips and weaving in tight traffic.
If you mainly do city driving than I would get it. I have it and love it because I do tons of city driving with tight turns and such at lower speeds. It makes the car really nice to drive. The road disconnection, I laugh at that one every time. The test drive vehicle I drove did not have A/S and I hated the steering. Im not driving this vehicle to get a workout. I want things as smooth and easy as possible especially when taking short trips and weaving in tight traffic.
12-28-2007, 03:31 AM
#16
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My Ride: 07' 530d - M-Sport - Titanium Silver / Black Dakota leather
08' 120i - M-Sport - Alpine White III / Black Sensatec
Originally Posted by JSpira' post='511243' date='Dec 28 2007, 04:15 AM
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
Had it on my last one, didn't order it for the new one. Didn't like the way it acted during cornering. You can't be exactly sure how much you are supposed to turn the wheel; allways have to do some correction when you steer in to a corner fast. It's a comfort option not a sport option. Depends on how you like your car to feel.
12-28-2007, 03:34 AM
#17
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My Ride: 2011 550i, Imperial Blue, Grey, Sport Package, Sport Transmission, Dynamic Handling, Premium 2, Active Steering
2011 335i Cabrolet, Titanium Silver, Black, M Sport Package
2008 550i, Carbon Black, Grey Leather, Cold Weather Package, Premium Sound, Sport Package, Sport Automatic, Navigation, Satellite Radio,
2005 545i, Titanium Silver, Grey Leather, Cold Weather Package, Premium Sound, Sport Package, Automatic, Navigation, Satellite Radio,
I was not thrilled with the AS on my 2005 545 sport. I love the AS on my 2008 550 sport. They have greatly improved the "feel".
12-28-2007, 04:57 AM
#18
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I test drove both before I ordered my 550i sport and decided to get it. It was a close call but I decided to get it as I have a friend in Germany who had driven E-60's with AS and he strongly advocated for it. He told me that once I had it and drove with it for awhile, I would not want to not have it.
It turns out he was right. I love the handling and miss it when I get a loaner. It is obviously personal preference but I don't sense a loss of feel for the road and the handling is extremely responsive. They had problems with the AS ini early models that seems to have been corrected with software upgrades. I've never had an issue with mine and will absolutely get it on my next car.
It turns out he was right. I love the handling and miss it when I get a loaner. It is obviously personal preference but I don't sense a loss of feel for the road and the handling is extremely responsive. They had problems with the AS ini early models that seems to have been corrected with software upgrades. I've never had an issue with mine and will absolutely get it on my next car.
12-28-2007, 06:43 AM
#19
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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.
Thanks for all the replies.... Sorry jcflys for violating an apparent etiquette matter here: I live in the Pacific Northwest of the US, travel a fair amount between eastern and western Washington and Oregon locales, so have both highway and mountain terrain to cover. When "in town" I do commute to Pioneer Square in downtown Seattle -- some of the worst stop n go around.
The dealership close to me does not have a 550i with AS, so I haven't driven one. I did drive a 535i and liked the steering okay under the conditions I was able to create. As many suggested I'll travel to another dealer to drive a 550i. Thanks again guys,
Cal
The dealership close to me does not have a 550i with AS, so I haven't driven one. I did drive a 535i and liked the steering okay under the conditions I was able to create. As many suggested I'll travel to another dealer to drive a 550i. Thanks again guys,
Cal
12-28-2007, 07:08 AM
#20
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My Ride: 2004 550i - AS, SP, CWP, Nav, L7, Rear Sunshades, PDC, Comfort Seats
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
A must have option in my opinion......
You won't want to drive another car without it.