To active-steer or not?
 

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!

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.

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

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?

Servotronic is now standard.

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

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

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.

I have the option and enjoy it. As you all know... at lower speeds you do not need to turn the steering wheel as far to make your turns. This comes in real handy doing U-turns. 1.5 turns of the wheel and I am turning on a dime!!

It took a little getting used to at first. I have owned an X5 since 2001 and love the model. I have nothing bad to say about active steering.

Go test drive the new model and see for your self. It is not a "must have" option... just something nice to add if you have the money.

Take the Active steering ! I have it on mt E60 and I cannot live without it !

i got it and i cant tell the difference to my 03 x5, except when parallell parking

anyone care to share that has it on their current E70?

Thanks!

i got it and i cant tell the difference to my 03 x5, except when parallell parking

As stated above... I have the E70 with the option. I notice it daily on my normal U-turn. I used to have to do a wide turn almost hitting the far curb. But with this option... I have to watch out that I do not hit the closer curb. It let you make real sharp turns.

I would also notice it while traveling slow and turn the wheel a bit to avoid something. I would be shocked when the Vehicle turned more than I had expected.

I have not done any paralel parking yet.

I have become used to it now and really I like it.