Question for M5 drivers who owned another E60
01-06-2006, 07:59 AM
#11
Senior Members
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: S. California
Posts: 1,968
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My Ride: 545i; Manual Shifter
Don't own an M5, but have a 545i w/ sport package (including AS), and test drove an M5 for an hour a while back, and as much as I like AS, the variable ratio M5 steering would make me not miss AS--here's post with my comments:
http://forums.e60.net/index.php?s=&showtop...ndpost&p=195172
http://forums.e60.net/index.php?s=&showtop...ndpost&p=195172
[/quote]
From BMWNA's product information catalog:
...the M5's steering ratio - the number of degrees the steering wheel must be turned to steer the front wheels by 1 degree - is variable; the ratio gradually becomes "quicker" (greater steering angle relative to steering-wheel turns) as the steering wheel is turned away from its center position. This is not Active Steering, which varies the steering ratio more widely and does so in response to vehicle speed; instead, the BMW M engineers chose to tailor the 5 Series' "standard" steering system to the attributes of this ultimate sports sedan.
This is in addition to Servotronic which reduces the driver's efforts during low speed driving and parking situations.
Lastly, there are two levels of assist selectable by the driver: Normal, which has the typical assist level, and Sport, which provides even less assistance during steering.
Originally Posted by wolverine' post='219140' date='Jan 4 2006, 10:40 AM
I've been driving an E90 525 loaner, and this steering is superb also. I have to say, I prefer having the connection to the road that direct steering gives you, at the expense of a bit more wheel movement.
01-06-2006, 08:02 AM
#12
Contributors
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Providence, Rhode Island
Posts: 543
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My Ride: 2005 545i Titanium Silver/Black/Poplar: Steptronic, Sport, Cold Weather, Premium Sound, Comfort Seats, Sat Radio, NAV & Shades
Thanks for that info. That explains it well. 
01-07-2006, 05:00 AM
#14
Senior Members
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Seattle, Wa.
Posts: 386
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like
on
1 Post
My Ride: 2006 550i Titanium Silver Metallic, Black Dakota Leather, Anthracite Maple Wood Trim, Cold Weather Package, Premium Sound Package, Sport Package, Steptronic, Navigation, Electric Rear Sunshades, Heated Rear Seats, Sirius Radio
Does anyone here have a non active steering 550i?
[/quote]
I have not driven the e90 M5, but I am not that impressed with the non-active steering on my 550i. My previous car was an e46 M3 and that steering was fantastic. Not that the steering is horrible on the 550, it is just not nearly as tight or communicative as the M3. I suspect the e60 M5 is more like the M3.
01-26-2006, 05:52 PM
#15
Contributors
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Winter Park, FL
Posts: 2,298
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My Ride: 2005 545i (SMG)
Titanium Gray
Black Interior, Anthracite Trim
M-tech kit
Sport Package
Premium Sound
Satellite Radio
Active Cruise
Comfort Seats
Navigation
Folding rear seats
I have AS on my 545i SMG, and I drove an M5 on the race track at the BMW performance center.
The steering on the M5 was the single most impressive aspect for me.... even better than the power. The steering made the car feel lighter and more nimble than my E60. It has to be experienced to be fully understood... but once you drive one, you'll see why the M5 does not offer AS.
The steering on the M5 was the single most impressive aspect for me.... even better than the power. The steering made the car feel lighter and more nimble than my E60. It has to be experienced to be fully understood... but once you drive one, you'll see why the M5 does not offer AS.
01-27-2006, 11:53 PM
#16
Members
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Vancouver, Canada
Posts: 63
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My Ride: 2004 530ia, saphire black on black dakota leather, steptronic, sports package and premium package; heated front and rear seats, heated steering wheel, auto bixenon headlamps, rain sensor, dynamic drive, active steering, 18" rims, Harman Kardon L7, CD Changer, poplar wood with chrome accent on steering wheel and shifter, build date 10/2003
Very good question...
I had a 530i sport for a year os so with active steering, and I loved the AS. I thought of the very same thing. I have now 2800km on the M5, and the steering is SO incredible that it makes up for it. Trust me! it almost feels as though the is actuallly has active steering. You really have to try an new M5 to understand. (unless you have already). The steering weight also changes with the EDC settings. 'comfort' setting makes the steering feel light and electronic like the 530 did. 'Normal' and 'sport' put a bit more weight on it, at speed.
hope that helps!
I had a 530i sport for a year os so with active steering, and I loved the AS. I thought of the very same thing. I have now 2800km on the M5, and the steering is SO incredible that it makes up for it. Trust me! it almost feels as though the is actuallly has active steering. You really have to try an new M5 to understand. (unless you have already). The steering weight also changes with the EDC settings. 'comfort' setting makes the steering feel light and electronic like the 530 did. 'Normal' and 'sport' put a bit more weight on it, at speed.
hope that helps!
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
socale39
Complete Car Sales
9
09-05-2023 08:30 AM
JonathonK
Other BMW Models
0
03-11-2015 03:13 PM