Servotronic. What is it?

[DINANM3]

What exactly is the servotronic steering system and how does it differ from the regular steering system on the 4.4. Is it worth getting and how does it work?

[rayxi]

Isn't that called Active Steering? If it's the same thing then there's a planetary gear system on the steering rack that is attached to a stepping motor. The stepping motor is used to change the effective steering ratio depending on the speed of the vehicle. At slow speeds the steering ratio is increased for maneuverability. At high speeds the steering ratio is lowered for stability.

[vinuneuro]

Originally Posted by rayxi

Isn't that called Active Steering? If it's the same thing then there's a planetary gear system on the steering rack that is attached to a stepping motor. The stepping motor is used to change the effective steering ratio depending on the speed of the vehicle. At slow speeds the steering ratio is increased for maneuverability. At high speeds the steering ratio is lowered for stability.

No no. Servotronic does not alter the ratio whatsoever. It only adds/subtracts resistive force. It's basically an advanced vehicle speed-sensitive steering system. At lower speeds it provides more boost/assistance, at higher speeds less. I think it even adds some resistive force beyond a certain speed.

[rayxi]

Originally Posted by vinuneuro

No no. Servotronic does not alter the ratio whatsoever. It only adds/subtracts resistive force. It's basically an advanced vehicle speed-sensitive steering system. At lower speeds it provides more boost/assistance, at higher speeds less. I think it even adds some resistive force beyond a certain speed.

I didn't say Servotronic alters the ratio, I said Active Steering did. If Servotronic only affects the steering force then it's different than Active Steering.

[vinuneuro]

Originally Posted by rayxi

Isn't that called Active Steering?

seemed like you were mistaking servotronic for active steering

[xx3]

Originally Posted by vinuneuro

No no. Servotronic does not alter the ratio whatsoever. It only adds/subtracts resistive force. It's basically an advanced vehicle speed-sensitive steering system. At lower speeds it provides more boost/assistance, at higher speeds less. I think it even adds some resistive force beyond a certain speed.

spot on...

Only new gen BMW's have active steering though (new 3, 5, 6 & 7 [E90, E60, E63, E65]). Well as an option for both.

So your X5 would have Servotronic, but not Active Steering (the new E70 X5 will have Active Steering either as an option though)...

Personally, I drove an X3 without Servotronic for the first time the other day, and I thought the heavy steering was awesome. I don't find the steering that heavy without it...

[rayxi]

Originally Posted by vinuneuro

seemed like you were mistaking servotronic for active steering

Yeah, for a moment there I thought the marketing geniuses had dreamed up a new name for Active Steering. Vanos, valvetronic, servotronic...it's hard to keep up with these concocted words.

[vinuneuro]

Originally Posted by rayxi

Yeah, for a moment there I thought the marketing geniuses had dreamed up a new name for Active Steering. Vanos, valvetronic, servotronic...it's hard to keep up with these concocted words.

they prolly worked their nomenclature in oktober. hmm...i could go for some 'oktober' right now..

[Coffeeman]

I have Servotronic on my '05 X5. I ordered it, because I do a lot of parallel parking. When stopped, and at very low speed, the steering wheel can be turned with your finger, which makes parking a breeze. As speed increases, the amount of force needed to turn the wheel is comparable to a BMW with non-servotronic steering. If you need to parallel park frequently, as I do, this is a cheap, and worthwhile option.

[Krunk Man]

how much does it cost?