Is the "Active Steering" a MUST HAVE option?

[2thdr]

...in Canada, if you want Adaptive Drive, you are stuck with the funky steering.

[Denalio]

I like it. Once you get used to it...takes about an hour of driving and you forget it is even there. You adapt to the feature.Once you get back into a vehicle without it, then you can appreciate the option. Is it worth the $$? that's a personal choice. I am happy with it.

[xdrive]

I've driven it once and to be honest couldn't feel any difference from normal steering.

[Denalio]

Originally Posted by xdrive

I've driven it once and to be honest couldn't feel any difference from normal steering.

Don't forget it is only activated a slow speeds such as parking lot speeds....or should I say slow parking lot speeds.

[Steve Germany]

I thought that it actually slows the steering to make steering more stable at high speed (over 65mph). At least that is what BMW says... It may not be a consideration in the US but over here in Germany...

[AzNMpower32]

I think it's a great choice............for those who want convenience. Basically, it makes the steering ratio super quick at parking lot speeds so you dont need to turn the wheel a lot. Imagine turning the steering wheel 120 degrees off center and hittin the bumpstop. That's the low-speed advantage.

On the other hand, at high speeds it's more stable since it slows the steering ratio greatly. The same 120 degree steering wheel turn at high speeds barely turns the wheels much themselves. This way a sneeze won't land you in the next lane.

It also compensates for crosswinds by correcting the steering angle without your input. And it can work with DSC to dial in some countersteer in extreme situations. So if you lose control and the wheels dont have equal traction and the car wants to pull to one side, the AS system can counteract that on its own.

That's all fine and dandy, but I don't really like the idea of having the car do something without my input. Maybe for my mom, yes. For myself? no.

And someone says you can adapt to the system. Since when did I have to adapt to a car? Shouldn't it be adapting go me?

[Gilles]

I love it ! I hate when I drive a car that doesn't have that feature.

That was an important reason to selected the X5 instead of Q7, ML.

PS : I have a 5 serie with active steering.

[cpd1]

Reviving this thread, it seems the early European owners of the E70 think the steering is heavy, heavier than on the E53. Active Steering does include Sevotronic so obviously that would help at low speed. AFS got a load of bad press when it launched on the 5 Series over here. It is now offered on the 1, 3 and 6 too but porb remains a marginal option. I would think it does make sense on a heavier vehicle such as the E70 at very low speed but I am also concerned to have a steering feel that changes as the speed varies...Would love to drive one with one without but here the 1st demo cars won't be around til the end of the month nad it will be unlikely to locate an AFS equipped E70 quickly, that would delay my order a lot to wait for this...Is it worth £910? I am plannign to drive a 5 Seies with it over the w-e and see what I think...
C