[RGB]

In one Spanish BMW forum there is a little quarrel about the E90 Active Steering.

Some posters say that standstill it is very light and, in other´s opinion, it is from medium to rather heavy.

Before buying my BMW I need to know for sure how light it is.

These of you that have the Active Steering; How do you rate its heaviness standstill?

Originally Posted by RGB

In one Spanish BMW forum there is a little quarrel about the E90 Active Steering.

Some posters say that standstill it is very light and, in other´s opinion, it is from medium to rather heavy.

Before buying my BMW I need to know for sure how light it is.

These of you that have the Active Steering; How do you rate its heaviness standstill?

I would describe it as light (at standstill).

At low, (or no), speeds, for every 10 degree turn of the steering wheel, the tires turn 1 degree. Or a 10:1 ratio.

[bimmer4me]

Originally Posted by CMD

I would describe it as light (at standstill).

At low, (or no), speeds, for every 10 degree turn of the steering wheel, the tires turn 1 degree. Or a 10:1 ratio.

CMD, after having Active Steering now for a couple of months do you think it was worth the cash for this option?? It's an option that I think I may get next time around. I'm not totally sure, however, and I would be interested to hear your $0.02. Thanks.

[cntlaw]

Basically, one of the purposes of AS of BMW or PS of Benz are they both serve to reduce stiffness of steering at slow speed for ease of parking but to narrow the steering turning angle as car speed increases.

I found the PS of the Benz 'just right' and there is no 'learning curve' required when swapping cars regularly. Even high speed cornering is just natural i.e. I won't have a sense of 'uncomfort' that the actual turning is not corresponding to how I am turning the steering wheel.

I dont know when you will place the order. My E90 should be delivered by mid Jan.06. By that time, I will post a comparison of the E90 AS and the Parameter Steering (PS) of my Benz.

[Papa13]

Just to let you know.. I have had my e90 for 1 month. It has active steering. Now when i purcase my next car or even the car after that and the car after that and so on. It WILL have active steering. Now that i have it in my car i will never own another car without it. It is a PAIN to get back in my X5 and drive it. It is absoulty mind blowing how amazing it is at ALL speeds. It will take your breath away. My 2 cents!!

[petefalzzz]

I am a big fan as well. The steering response on my 330i is nearly perfect at both fast a slow speeds.

[bimmer4me]

Originally Posted by Papa13

Just to let you know.. I have had my e90 for 1 month. It has active steering. Now when i purcase my next car or even the car after that and the car after that and so on. It WILL have active steering. Now that i have it in my car i will never own another car without it. It is a PAIN to get back in my X5 and drive it. It is absoulty mind blowing how amazing it is at ALL speeds. It will take your breath away. My 2 cents!!

Interesting. That's great info, thanks. Now, what about the Crome Tire Fill Nipples? Is that a must have too?

[Arby 330]

its easy to turn at low speed. I love my active steering. I havnt driven the e90 without it. I cant compare the non active stearing cars to the active stearing cars. My car is easy to take into sharp turns.... very easy.

[Papa13]

Interesting. That's great info, thanks. Now, what about the Crome Tire Fill Nipples? Is that a must have too?

Haha.. i like my crome home dog. Haha. Nah i just had a extra set lying around from my e46 so i slapped them on.

[bimmer4me]

Originally Posted by Papa13

Haha.. i like my crome home dog. Haha. Nah i just had a extra set lying around from my e46 so i slapped them on.

For the sake for sounding like a newbie, what are "Tire Fill Nipples"??

Originally Posted by bimmer4me

CMD, after having Active Steering now for a couple of months do you think it was worth the cash for this option?? It's an option that I think I may get next time around. I'm not totally sure, however, and I would be interested to hear your $0.02. Thanks.

I it!

[cntlaw]

Originally Posted by Papa13

Just to let you know.. I have had my e90 for 1 month. It has active steering. Now when i purcase my next car or even the car after that and the car after that and so on. It WILL have active steering. Now that i have it in my car i will never own another car without it. It is a PAIN to get back in my X5 and drive it. It is absoulty mind blowing how amazing it is at ALL speeds. It will take your breath away. My 2 cents!!

100% support that.

And that is why I would wait 3 months for a custom order of my E90 to incorporate the AS option ($2500 here) (and AHL) even I did not have a chance to test drive a E90 with AS.

[ksfrogman]

So having active steering doesn't make your arm muscles shrivel up and atrophy for lack of physical effort?

[MIKEYMIKE]

I'm not saying they are God, but the guys at car and driver really loathed active steering. However, everyone on this post so far has been raving about.

Anyone who regrets getting it?

[Black325i]

Here is what you will find. Those that have it, love it (present company included). Those that don't have it, will justify why they don't have it.

I bought mine off the lot (love at first site !) and it had AS. I had really no idea if I wanted it or not, but would certainly purchase my next car with it. Its not just about making parking easier...

Drive it yourself, take your time, trust your own judgement, as you will then fall into the "own it and love it" or "don't own it and will find a way not to like it".

Good luck.

[cntlaw]

In short,
One really won't feel any difference with the car with AS but you will if without.

[RGB]

Well, it seems that the Active Steering will be light enough for my weak arms. I test drove one series 5 with it and I found it to be very light. Let´s hope it will be the same in the E90...!

Many thanks to all of you for your valuable opinions, and CNTLAW please tell me about yor car as soon as you have it, though I will probably order mine soon due to the very long 2 -3 months delivery time in Spain.

[petefalzzz]

The active steering in the e90 has been refined quite a bit from the initial version on the e60 that the automotive press hated so much. I can't recall reading a review of the e90 that had active steering in the test car.

[NaTuReB0Y]

Besides the ratio steering....is active steering softer?

Cause my 330i drives like it has no POWER STEERING at all!

[RGB]

Originally Posted by NaTuReB0Y

Besides the ratio steering....is active steering softer?

Cause my 330i drives like it has no POWER STEERING at all!

Good question! That´s what I am triyng to find out long ago without clear results, although it seems that Active S. is much softer than the standard one.

I also find the E90 steering way too heavy. In my opinion there is no need at all to make a stiff steering AT PARKING SPEEDS.

By the way, Fiat makes a model that has a "city button" that makes the steering very light.

[NaTuReB0Y]

No power steering in my E90....one reason why my wife hates driving it!

[flipmde786]

Originally Posted by petefalzzz

The active steering in the e90 has been refined quite a bit from the initial version on the e60 that the automotive press hated so much. I can't recall reading a review of the e90 that had active steering in the test car.

http://motortrend.com/roadtests/seda...ny/index4.html
http://motortrend.com/roadtests/seda...ny/index5.html

Take a look starting at the bottom of the page of the first link. The next link is just the next page of the MT article.