Active Steering, is it worth the money?

Originally Posted by chuck92103

The 530 comes standard with "Power Rack and Pinion" steering. A/S varies the ratio of the wheel but not the feel.

Your comments make no sense to me. You don't think that adding all that electronical gadgetry and complexity to a steering system will change the steering feel? I would think that it'd feel even more disconnected w/ AS.

Don't trust all the marketing hype you hear. Most of it is just....hype.

Originally Posted by ff

Your comments make no sense to me. You don't think that adding all that electronical gadgetry and complexity to a steering system will change the steering feel? I would think that it'd feel even more disconnected w/ AS.

Don't trust all the marketing hype you hear. Most of it is just....hype.

I speak from experience by owning 5 BMW's over the years of which one has A/S. Which of the cars have you own has had A/S?

Originally Posted by chuck92103

I speak from experience by owning 5 BMW's over the years of which one has A/S. Which of the cars have you own has had A/S?

I've test driven an E60 5'er w/, and w/o the AS. Ownership is not a requirement to determine steering feel.

Were your 5 series all E60's (the ones you're comparing)? Both of them with (or without) the sport package, and with the same wheel/tire packages?

Originally Posted by chuck92103

....Also, you cannot fully appreciate A/S on a 5 minute test drive. Much like SMG, it is a fine wine that gets better with age.....

Whoa!!... Hold on a sec... Who are you??!! What did you do to my friend Chuck??!!



Who ever you are.. this is another one of those rare moments that i agree with you.

Originally Posted by beewang

Whoa!!... Hold on a sec... Who are you??!! What did you do to my friend Chuck??!!



Who ever you are.. this is another one of those rare moments that i agree with you.

Bee you crack me up.

Originally Posted by chuck92103

I speak from experience by owning 5 BMW's over the years of which one has A/S. Which of the cars have you own has had A/S?

My vote goes to Active Steering. IF YOU CAN AFFORD IT... GET IT!!

I have driven my own E60 and E63 on the "Green Hell" of Nordschlief Circuit. I strongly believe that the AS make superior performance driving machine for any bimmer. I love it!! Given me a choice I will ALWAYS GET IT!

Originally Posted by ff

...You don't think that adding all that electronical gadgetry and complexity to a steering system will change the steering feel? I would think that it'd feel even more disconnected w/ AS.

Don't trust all the marketing hype you hear. Most of it is just....hype.

Oh.... no..no.. Its not hype..

to call it hype is much like people who thinks BMW's are just over price VW. Its ignored...

There is DEFINITELY a difference, I know its hard to believe this... but at the end of the day BMW actually knows what they are doing!!

Originally Posted by beewang

My vote goes to Active Steering. IF YOU CAN AFFORD IT... GET IT!!

I have driven my own E60 and E63 on the "Green Hell" of Nordschlief Circuit. I strongly believe that the AS make superior performance driving machine for any bimmer. I love it!! Given me a choice I will ALWAYS GET IT!

I did not realize how much it improved driving. I have 10k miles on my 6 now. When I went to the 6 driving school a few weeks ago, the car I had for the class did not have A/S. It was then I truly appreciated what it does.

I understand what AS does. Whether what-it-does is necessary for me or you, is one thing. However, we're talking about steering feel.

a mixed bag. some love it. some dont. anyone have any idea if bmw is going to find a way to make it work in conjunction with the x-drive?
most of the people who seem to love actove steering are the same folks who love sports packages and SMG. i am not a sport driver per se although i would be open to it on my next car. i am more into bmws for the way they feel, look etc. i think the standard steering is just fine for me...as i say though the next time i am in the market (estimated 2010-11) i will certainly give active steering a hard look. i am quite sure by that time it will be improved over what is available now..

Overall, I love the sport pack on my 2005 545i, which of course includes AS. I would agree with those who claim that power steering robs some road feel in any car, but I would also disagree with anyone who claims that AS has any additional impact on "road feel." Also, if given the choice between manual steering in a 4000-lb car with perfect road feel and my Bimmer with AS, it's a no-brainer. Anyone who really believes a 4000-lb car does not need power steering must be a sub-30-year-old power lifter. Which does not describe me.

The E60's steering is not on par with the old 5 series, and it's not on par with the 3 series. From what I read, it's not on the same level as the new 3 series.

I truly think the car was engineered to have active steering in place with the sport package. The steering is vague, and I'm going to take it to the dealer to look at the steering wheel position sensor . . . .maybe that will tighten up the feel.

The active steering E60 that I test drove just felt better . . . my opinion.

Originally Posted by chuck92103

Your comments make no sense to me.

The 530 comes standard with "Power Rack and Pinion" steering. A/S varies the ratio of the wheel but not the feel.

If you guys think A/S varies the feel you do not understand A/S. The standard power steering is what is varying the feel, not A/S.

I don't think many people understand the difference between "Variable Assist Rack and Pinion Steering" and "Active Steering". Most of the posts on this thread state comment that have nothing to do with A/S.

Also, you cannot fully appreciate A/S on a 5 minute test drive. Much like SMG, it is a fine wine that gets better with age.

Do you have SMG as well? What do you think about it?