To active-steer or not?

[Steve Germany]

I've talked to a few folks that have driven the active steer option and have had mixed reviews. Some say that it is not needed and messes up the driving feel. Others say that the convience of being able to have steering lock in two turns makes low speed steering a joy enough to make the option worth while and the high speed stability is really noticable making long trips much leass stressful.

Can anyone provide a long term evaluation? Is it worth the $1250? All these options are adding up!

[bigx5er]

As someone who has owned many BMWs over the years (including a current 2006 X5 that is an electronics trainwreck), I can't imagine paying more for active steering.

BMWs have traditionally had excellent steering feel. My current X5 is no exception. To me that weight of the steering is part of the driving experience.

I also would be concerned about adding yet another technology item to a new BMW (expecially is the first year of production). BMW has a very mixed track record with reliability of newer technologies. Examples for me personally are Bluetooth, Reverse Parking Mirrors, and Automatic Seat Adjustments.

[motordavid]

I did a short test spin with Active Steering, but no xpert:
my opin is that unless one is doing a lot of city-style
parallel parking or their wife is really arm strength challenged,
or one is used to overly powered steering, (GM cars circa 1970s),
it is an "answer" in search of a question...I'd skip it.
GL,mD

[Coffeeman]

Originally Posted by motordavid

I did a short test spin with Active Steering, but no xpert:
my opin is that unless one is doing a lot of city-style
parallel parking or their wife is really arm strength challenged,
or one is used to overly powered steering, (GM cars circa 1970s),
it is an "answer" in search of a question...I'd skip it.
GL,mD

M.D., I agree...too bad they did away with Servotronic

[Slalom]

Unfortunately BMW Canada does not sell adpative drive without it. When mine comes in, I will post my impressions. I cocluded that as I wanted adaptive drive and since my architect designed a driveway with several chicanes, it may not be the worst choice.

[xnsf]

Originally Posted by Slalom

Unfortunately BMW Canada does not sell adpative drive without it. When mine comes in, I will post my impressions. I cocluded that as I wanted adaptive drive and since my architect designed a driveway with several chicanes, it may not be the worst choice.

in canada active-steering comes with adaptive drive?

[vinuneuro]

Originally Posted by Coffeeman

M.D., I agree...too bad they did away with Servotronic

Servotronic is now standard.

[vinuneuro]

To the OP: find a E60 with it and test it out.

[Slalom]

Originally Posted by xnsf

in canada active-steering comes with adaptive drive?

Yes, in Canada adaptive drive is not part of the Sports package. Instead the two are bundled as the Dynamic Handling Package.

[marcx5]

you are all missing one important point about the active steering... it's NOT just about "feel"... it offers an active safety feature. With active steering, if the car senses under or oversteer, it will provide quick and slight steering correction to prevent your car from losing control. in addition, because of this correction, it has been shown that active steering provides IMPROVED braking distances. read more about it at BMW. for those reasons, i want to get it.