[jmonier]

Originally Posted by Zeroday

What exactly is so difficult about turning a steering wheel? I didn't get this option for the same reason i didn't get CA and that I got a manual tranny. I have full use of my limbs and enjoy using them.

It's about responsiveness. Active Steering doesn't mean that it takes less force to turn the wheel. It means less turns lock-to-lock at lower speeds. I never have to go hand-over-hand around low speed turns (especially 90 deg street corners). Just like a race car except not so twitchy at high speeds.

It's amazing how many people put down Active Steering without understanding how it really works.

[Spool]

Actually i take it back, stuff that i said active steering is useless...


I drove a 335i without AS....feels really weird, like the car require a lot of force to maneuver at low speed. and at high speed, the steering feels lose....


i love my AS...not sure i wanna pay 1400 bucks again though.

[AndreyATC]

+1
I cant wait for my AS to arive

[Zeroday]

Originally Posted by jmonier

It's about responsiveness. Active Steering doesn't mean that it takes less force to turn the wheel. It means less turns lock-to-lock at lower speeds. I never have to go hand-over-hand around low speed turns (especially 90 deg street corners). Just like a race car except not so twitchy at high speeds.

It's amazing how many people put down Active Steering without understanding how it really works.

I completely understand how it works. Amazing how people assume things. My post said nothing about force; I was actually referring to more turns of the wheel like you said. As for it being just like a race car, that's a bit absurd IMO.

[jmonier]

Originally Posted by Zeroday

I completely understand how it works. Amazing how people assume things. My post said nothing about force; I was actually referring to more turns of the wheel like you said. As for it being just like a race car, that's a bit absurd IMO.

So you prefer to turn the wheel further (and go hand-over-hand) when you take a tight turn? I didn't think that could be the case, which is why I thought you were talking abut force. If fast steering didn't add to the ability to go fast then race cars wouldn't have it, so don't put down people who enjoy driving a (IMO) much more responsive car. That, for me (and for many others), adds to the fun of driving (and it's not about somehow saving my arms).

I didn't say it was JUST like a race car, but the responsiveness gives (again IMO) a feeling much more like a race car than the standard steering does. If you feel that is absurd then I hope you'll be a little more specific as to your reasons for feeling so.

If you've driven the 2nd generation BMW Active Steering for long enough to really get the feel of it and still prefer the standard steering then, by all means, save your money. There's plenty of room for different opinions. But please don't imply that people who do like it only could like it because they are somehow wimps.

When I have pressed people with comments like yours in the past it often turns out that they have never driven it and, in fact, seem to think that it just lessens the steering force. I apologize if I incorrectly lumped you in with that group but comments that talk about being able to use your arms just ask for it.

[Zeroday]

I don't see why you're getting so defensive about this. I never implied you or anyone that bought this option were wimps. That's ridiculous. I just don't like driver assist technology encroaching too much into my driving experience. I like hand over hand turns. Been doing it that way for years and the way I look at it, if it aint broke, don't fix it. It's why i'm not driving an automatic. Personal preference that's all. I like to be very involved with the car while i'm driving. Yes, I have driven an e90 with active steering and it definitely was not for me.

[DaveStinsman]

Originally Posted by Zeroday

I don't see why you're getting so defensive about this. I never implied you or anyone that bought this option were wimps. That's ridiculous. I just don't like driver assist technology encroaching too much into my driving experience. I like hand over hand turns. Been doing it that way for years and the way I look at it, if it aint broke, don't fix it. It's why i'm not driving an automatic. Personal preference that's all. I like to be very involved with the car while i'm driving. Yes, I have driven an e90 with active steering and it definitely was not for me.

He doesn't like change. That's why he still has a rotary phone. He won't buy a car with power steering or power brakes. Take That. He doesn't like change.

[Zeroday]

Originally Posted by DaveStinsman

He doesn't like change. That's why he still has a rotary phone. He won't buy a car with power steering or power brakes. Take That. He doesn't like change.

What's wrong with you?

[Ceda]

Hi everybody,

If In understand well, BMW used 3x types of steering.
A) hydraulic
B) electric
C) electric with active streering

I have electric, without active steering. Question is: what is the difference between them? Only active steering control unit is missing? Because the steering rack with electric motor seem to me same.

Did anybody make AS retrofit? Is it pluy&play (and coding) case?

[Tambohamilton]

16.5 years. That's got to be some kind of a record!?

As far as I know there never has been AS with an electric rack; all active steering has a specific hydraulic rack and a specific hpas pump...even a specific reservoir! But I could be wrong.

[Matrix6048]

Originally Posted by Tambohamilton

16.5 years. That's got to be some kind of a record!?

As far as I know there never has been AS with an electric rack; all active steering has a specific hydraulic rack and a specific hpas pump...even a specific reservoir! But I could be wrong.

Exactly. Active steering is hydraulic.