1 series steering: yay or nay?

[buckwheat986]

Great topic.

I think the handling of the one series is the one area where its performance is slightly inflated when discussed by the addicts here.

Its a nice, solid handling car but it is not on par with some sports cars that they are sometimes compared against.

[sredish]

i've been driving 3/4t and 1t trucks for the last bunch of years, with an occasional Yukon in there.... i'm not picky.

[TazioNYC]

Originally Posted by scs

i would think the lack of feel could be attributed to the run flat tires...

Could be true -- I'm eagerly awaiting the demise of my set. Can anyone who has run both speak to this?

[TagMan]

A couple of points to clarify for a couple of you guys.

Any suggestions that BMW designed Active Steering to help out the old ladies in the parking lot are beyond absurd. Active Steering is about intense highly-responsive and precise stable steering.


The next point... I read a post about being concerned about the A.S. ratio being too fast at high speed... This is a natural mistake to think that the faster ratio would be a problem at higher speeds. Well, guess what? The Active Steering actually SLOWS the ratio slightly at high speeds to a ratio that is slower than the standard steering! So, for those suggesting they like a slow ratio when going fast, the A.S. Sytem delivers the goods and adds the stability of a slower ratio during high-speed driving.

Goodness, lots of weird misunderstandings about A.S.

[RobLS]

Originally Posted by TagMan

A couple of points to clarify for a couple of you guys.

Any suggestions that BMW designed Active Steering to help out the old ladies in the parking lot are beyond absurd. Active Steering is about intense highly-responsive and precise stable steering.


The next point... I read a post about being concerned about the A.S. ratio being too fast at high speed... This is a natural mistake to think that the faster ratio would be a problem at higher speeds. Well, guess what? The Active Steering actually SLOWS the ratio slightly at high speeds to a ratio that is slower than the standard steering! So, for those suggesting they like a slow ratio when going fast, the A.S. Sytem delivers the goods and adds the stability of a slower ratio during high-speed driving.

Goodness, lots of weird misunderstandings about A.S.

I can understand your frustration TagMan. Nothing gets me going more than someone talking crap on another thing yet they have no idea what they are talking about. I personally have driven both, I like both for different reasons. I do know how A.S. works as well as many other technologies BMW implements in their cars. I personally like the non A.S. just a little more for the 1er. But if me and a friend we're to switch 135i's just to check out the others' car, and he had A.S., I'd be perfectly fine with it.

[gio]

Originally Posted by TagMan

Oh God yes, I do love the A.S.

Guilty as charged!!! :wink:

I am totally addicted to high performance, fast-response and precision control!

I'll try to keep it to myself... LOL!!!

TagMan is awesome because he loves active steering. On the other hand, he hates Sedona Red... I'm so torn.

[TagMan]

Thanks! I think the steering in my recent Lotus was one of the most enjoyable. It was totally direct... no typical hydraulic power steering like the standard 1er has.

I like the fact that you have driven both steering versions on the 1-Series, as have I. My current Coupe has the standard power steering like most 1ers. When I gave the A.S. a thorough test drive, I knew I wanted it on my 135i Convertible.

[RobLS]

Maybe its the fact that I've driven so many BMWs, and all of them that I have driven had no A.S. So its probably that I am just so use to non A.S. Not a reason to knock on it though.

[TagMan]

Originally Posted by gio

TagMan is awesome because he loves active steering. On the other hand, he hates Sedona Red... I'm so torn.

LOL...Can't agree with everyone on everything... but CAN be respectful of differences.

FYI, I have a bug about Sedona because I originally ordered it, expecting it to be like those glorious photos on the BMW website. Then, I saw it. I felt betrayed. Betrayal is a strong emotion, so I am probably irrational in my view of Sedona. I so much loved the Sedona pics. So... pardon me about the Sedona, as it broke my heart!... LOL!!

[Spook]

This is the best steering I've experienced in this type of vehicle ever. Better than my E36 M3. Better than my WRX snow car. Better than a G35. I have the 135/sports package/no AS.

[lacrosse]

My 330i was worse. I haven't really pushed her yet, but I think the 135i is slightly more responsive.

Another point to consider when talking about road feel/responsiveness is the Bridgestone RFTs. I replaced the Bridgstone RFTs on my 330i with Contis and the ride improved dramatically.

[Tom K.]

Originally Posted by lacrosse

My 330i was worse. I haven't really pushed her yet, but I think the 135i is slightly more responsive.

Another point to consider when talking about road feel/responsiveness is the Bridgestone RFTs. I replaced the Bridgstone RFTs on my 330i with Contis and the ride improved dramatically.

For a contrary view, when I replaced the 050A RFTs on my Z4 with Goodyear F1 GS D3s, the ride only improved marginally - and there was little difference in either handling or road feel.

My early E46 has the "heavy" steering feel that folks complained about so BMW increased the steering boost for 2000 & 2001 and got even more complaints. The 128i, without A.S. feels about the same (only newer and tighter) as my E46 - even though the 128i comes with less aggressive "touring" summer tires.
Tom

[adc]

Replace runflats with UHP/EP summers. Replace OEM wheels with LTW ones. Add some neg camber at the front (doesn't have to be a lot). Replace bushings with harder ones. Get stiffer sway bars.

Your steering will be significantly improved.

[RobLS]

Originally Posted by adc

Replace runflats with UHP/EP summers. Replace OEM wheels with LTW ones. Add some neg camber at the front (doesn't have to be a lot). Replace bushings with harder ones. Get stiffer sway bars.

Your steering will be significantly improved.

Too much for the majority.