2010 2011 BMW 5 Series Forum F10
BMW Garage BMW Meets Register Search Today's Posts Mark Forums Read
 

2010 2011 BMW 5 Series Forum F10 BMW 5-Series (F10) Forums General 5-Series Sedan and Wagon (F10 / F11) Forum I wish I got the integral active steering option!
Post Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
      03-13-2012, 03:22 PM   #1
aosman
Private
aosman's Avatar
United_States
23
Rep
57
Posts

Drives: 2023 760i G70 & 2020 M8C F91
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Phoenix, AZ

iTrader: (0)

I wish I got the integral active steering option!

BIMMERPOST
     Featured on BIMMERPOST.com
I came from a E60 545i where the AS was standard (on the 2004 model) and I really got used to the effortless steering especially in garages and parking...

But this is not why I wish I got the AS in my F10. The real reason is that I find the F10 hard to steer at speeds over 45MPH even on a mild bending roads. I live in Houston where most roads are straight but on the curvy ramps and some parkways I feel that the steering is too heavy and take considerable effort to keep the car turning with the road...

Steering the rear wheels as in AS option would've helped a lot I think.

I also wish BMW designed the steering with a lighter feel.

Just venting out...
Appreciate 0
      03-13-2012, 04:01 PM   #2
JNoSol
Brigadier General
JNoSol's Avatar
United_States
1378
Rep
3,834
Posts

Drives: 750 MSPORT & E90M3
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Kansas City

iTrader: (0)

I thought AS feels heavier than the standard. Do you have the xDrive model?
Appreciate 0
      03-13-2012, 04:38 PM   #3
aosman
Private
aosman's Avatar
United_States
23
Rep
57
Posts

Drives: 2023 760i G70 & 2020 M8C F91
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Phoenix, AZ

iTrader: (0)

I have the rear-wheel drive (no x-drive) 550i.
The back wheels in AS are supposed to turn up to 2.5 degrees to help out... why would it make it harder?
Appreciate 0
      03-13-2012, 05:10 PM   #4
stealth.pilot
Knight Commander
stealth.pilot's Avatar
United Kingdom
554
Rep
5,948
Posts

Drives: 2014 911 Turbo S
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Buckhead

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
Quote:
Originally Posted by aosman
I have the rear-wheel drive (no x-drive) 550i.
The back wheels in AS are supposed to turn up to 2.5 degrees to help out... why would it make it harder?
Active steering is fantastic. Not only does it improve ease of parking, but it dramatically improves handling in high speed corners and lane changes.
__________________
2022 Mercedes-Benz EQS 580
2020 Mercedes-Benz GLE 450
Ordered: EQS580, BMW IX, Lucid Air Touring, Corvette Stingray
Appreciate 0
      03-13-2012, 05:52 PM   #5
Needsdecaf
Major General
Needsdecaf's Avatar
6360
Rep
6,570
Posts

Drives: 2024 G80 Comp xDrive
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: The Woodlands, TX

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by aosman View Post
I came from a E60 545i where the AS was standard (on the 2004 model) and I really got used to the effortless steering especially in garages and parking...

But this is not why I wish I got the AS in my F10. The real reason is that I find the F10 hard to steer at speeds over 45MPH even on a mild bending roads. I live in Houston where most roads are straight but on the curvy ramps and some parkways I feel that the steering is too heavy and take considerable effort to keep the car turning with the road...

Steering the rear wheels as in AS option would've helped a lot I think.

I also wish BMW designed the steering with a lighter feel.

Just venting out...
If you came from an E60 to an F10 and you think the steering should be lighter, then something is wrong with your car. The F10's steering is quite a bit lighter than the E60 steering (note, I have not driven an AS E60).

But honestly, you may want to drive another car and see if it's the same. Because you would be the first to have this issue.
Appreciate 0
      03-13-2012, 05:59 PM   #6
bimmerjph
Colonel
bimmerjph's Avatar
United_States
121
Rep
2,023
Posts

Drives: 2005 Z4 3.0
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Tennessee

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Needsdecaf View Post
If you came from an E60 to an F10 and you think the steering should be lighter, then something is wrong with your car. The F10's steering is quite a bit lighter than the E60 steering (note, I have not driven an AS E60).

But honestly, you may want to drive another car and see if it's the same. Because you would be the first to have this issue.
Yeah I was going to say that too. If you think that the F10 steering is too heavy, please refrain from telling BMW. I don't want its successor to have a corolla steering weight.
Appreciate 0
      03-13-2012, 10:10 PM   #7
JNoSol
Brigadier General
JNoSol's Avatar
United_States
1378
Rep
3,834
Posts

Drives: 750 MSPORT & E90M3
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Kansas City

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by bimmerjph View Post
Yeah I was going to say that too. If you think that the F10 steering is too heavy, please refrain from telling BMW. I don't want its successor to have a corolla steering weight.
+1, My F10's steering feels too light compared to my E70 Sport. Damn electric assist.
Appreciate 0
      03-14-2012, 02:52 AM   #8
LiveLarger
Second Lieutenant
Norway
4
Rep
261
Posts

Drives: F11 520d M-sport
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Oslo

iTrader: (0)

I have a problem seing how the active steering would improve high speed cornering?
Appreciate 0
      03-14-2012, 04:50 AM   #9
delvek
Major
delvek's Avatar
Germany
32
Rep
1,134
Posts

Drives: 2014 550i Msport
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Tampa, FL

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by stealth.pilot View Post
Active steering is fantastic. Not only does it improve ease of parking, but it dramatically improves handling in high speed corners and lane changes.
Agree with you 110%

I had an e60 535i prior to my f10 550i. My f10 550i far surpasses the handling capabilities of my e60 535i. My own personal observation.

For my driving purposes, I would never consider this car without the IAS if your going to be taking slopping highways very fast as the stability that is created by IAS is incredible.
__________________
2014 550i M-sport
Appreciate 0
      03-14-2012, 05:51 AM   #10
AC_S5
First Lieutenant
AC_S5's Avatar
9
Rep
343
Posts

Drives: 2011 F10 523i
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Hong Kong

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by LiveLarger View Post
I have a problem seing how the active steering would improve high speed cornering?
I think the active steering, like all driver aids help stability by electronically eliminating the tiny input/movement that the driver mistakenly made on the steering wheel during high speed (ie. unstable hands).
__________________
2011 F10 - Sophisto Grey / Cinnamon Brown
You can find me in E60.net too!
Gone (but not forgotten)
2005 E60 523i, 1999 E39 523i, 1998 E46 323i
Appreciate 0
      03-14-2012, 06:26 AM   #11
LiveLarger
Second Lieutenant
Norway
4
Rep
261
Posts

Drives: F11 520d M-sport
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Oslo

iTrader: (0)

To me that sounds like making the steering worse, not better. It should be direct!
Appreciate 0
      03-14-2012, 06:42 AM   #12
AP
Major General
AP's Avatar
2702
Rep
5,023
Posts

Drives: G30 M550
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: UK

iTrader: (0)

I never thought I see the words 'heavy' and 'steering' in the same sentence when talking about a F10!
Appreciate 0
      03-14-2012, 07:41 AM   #13
delvek
Major
delvek's Avatar
Germany
32
Rep
1,134
Posts

Drives: 2014 550i Msport
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Tampa, FL

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by AP View Post
I never thought I see the words 'heavy' and 'steering' in the same sentence when talking about a F10!
After my intimate experience with my F10 I would relate "heavy" more closely to my steering then "light".
__________________
2014 550i M-sport
Appreciate 0
      03-14-2012, 10:45 AM   #14
stealth.pilot
Knight Commander
stealth.pilot's Avatar
United Kingdom
554
Rep
5,948
Posts

Drives: 2014 911 Turbo S
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Buckhead

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
Quote:
Originally Posted by LiveLarger View Post
I have a problem seing how the active steering would improve high speed cornering?
At high speeds, both wheels move in the same direction which reduces body roll and reduces centripetal force on the tires.
__________________
2022 Mercedes-Benz EQS 580
2020 Mercedes-Benz GLE 450
Ordered: EQS580, BMW IX, Lucid Air Touring, Corvette Stingray
Appreciate 0
      03-14-2012, 11:41 AM   #15
LiveLarger
Second Lieutenant
Norway
4
Rep
261
Posts

Drives: F11 520d M-sport
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Oslo

iTrader: (0)

In cornering you are limited by grip and four wheel steering isn't going to change that. Same reason it's not used in racing. Ads complexity and weight, but no real benefits.

I do see your point about it feeling nice and stable. It's probably great if you are pulling a trailer. Same for lane changes. But for pure handling when having fun in the car, I still can't see how it would be any good.
Appreciate 0
      03-14-2012, 12:54 PM   #16
Bimmernerd
Second Lieutenant
Bimmernerd's Avatar
Sweden
6
Rep
242
Posts

Drives: 530dM xDrive F11 2012
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Stockholm

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by bimmerjph View Post
Yeah I was going to say that too. If you think that the F10 steering is too heavy, please refrain from telling BMW. I don't want its successor to have a corolla steering weight.
I'm glad I have a F11 with xDrive and thus hydraulic steering instead of the criticized electric steering...I think the steering in my car is perfect, light at low speeds but with a heavy but not too heavy feeling at highway speeds
Appreciate 0
      03-14-2012, 01:54 PM   #17
hinckley
Brigadier General
hinckley's Avatar
3488
Rep
3,206
Posts

Drives: '24 M4C Conv
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: South Florida

iTrader: (1)

Quote:
Originally Posted by aosman View Post
I came from a E60 545i where the AS was standard (on the 2004 model) and I really got used to the effortless steering especially in garages and parking...
I had AS in both my 04 545 and my 08 550. It was and is an optional item (never standard).

AS is often misunderstood. It does not in any way change the "effort" as it relates to the steering's relative heaviness or lightness. Instead, AS changes the steering ratio at different speeds. At slower speeds it takes fewer rotations to go "lock-to-lock" than it does at higher speeds.

For those of us who live in cities with tight corners or a lot of parallel parking, AS is absolutely fantastic. OTOH, some enthusiasts dislike the fact that the steering ratio can change pretty dramatically on hard acceleration through a sharp curve, like a freeway onramp.

But like most technologies, it's pretty easy to get acclaimated to AS. Back in 04, I almost hit a curb by turning the wheel too far on my first day out. After that, I've never had a problem.

To me, it's one of those things that you'll never miss if you've never had it. But once you get it, you'll be hooked (you'll noticed that the only people that dislike AS are ones that don't have it).

Last edited by hinckley; 03-14-2012 at 01:59 PM..
Appreciate 0
      03-14-2012, 04:21 PM   #18
aosman
Private
aosman's Avatar
United_States
23
Rep
57
Posts

Drives: 2023 760i G70 & 2020 M8C F91
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Phoenix, AZ

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by hinckley View Post
I had AS in both my 04 545 and my 08 550. It was and is an optional item (never standard).
.
Sounds like you payed for something that was supposed to be included in the 04 545! it was part of the sports package on the 04 545i only.
Appreciate 0
      03-14-2012, 06:40 PM   #19
Needsdecaf
Major General
Needsdecaf's Avatar
6360
Rep
6,570
Posts

Drives: 2024 G80 Comp xDrive
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: The Woodlands, TX

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by LiveLarger View Post
In cornering you are limited by grip and four wheel steering isn't going to change that. Same reason it's not used in racing. Ads complexity and weight, but no real benefits.
It's not used in racing because it's banned, not because it doesn't work.
Appreciate 0
      03-14-2012, 07:20 PM   #20
hinckley
Brigadier General
hinckley's Avatar
3488
Rep
3,206
Posts

Drives: '24 M4C Conv
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: South Florida

iTrader: (1)

Quote:
Originally Posted by aosman View Post
Sounds like you payed for something that was supposed to be included in the 04 545! it was part of the sports package on the 04 545i only.
ah . . . well . . . AS was part of the Sport package, a $3,300 option on the 04 545. I think that makes it an option, right?
Appreciate 0
      03-14-2012, 09:10 PM   #21
AC_S5
First Lieutenant
AC_S5's Avatar
9
Rep
343
Posts

Drives: 2011 F10 523i
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Hong Kong

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by LiveLarger View Post
To me that sounds like making the steering worse, not better. It should be direct!
I don't think so. Although I don't have that option, but imagine if you have the same steering ratio at any speed, a quarter turn at low speed doesn't have as much effect as say when you are travelling at 100+km.

So by change the steering ratio during high speed, it helps with stability as the steering is so light on the F10. You may not notice it as much on the E60, but on the F10 I can definitely feel the steering is too light, in fact the steering has been lighter and lighter on newer models. The best steering I think was the E39, nice and firm but not too much effort like on the E46 and E90.
__________________
2011 F10 - Sophisto Grey / Cinnamon Brown
You can find me in E60.net too!
Gone (but not forgotten)
2005 E60 523i, 1999 E39 523i, 1998 E46 323i
Appreciate 0
      03-14-2012, 09:16 PM   #22
AC_S5
First Lieutenant
AC_S5's Avatar
9
Rep
343
Posts

Drives: 2011 F10 523i
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Hong Kong

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Needsdecaf View Post
It's not used in racing because it's banned, not because it doesn't work.
The idea of active steering just like all other safety features that we have on our cars like traction control, ABS all comes from racing technology. But it was banned because FIA thinks it takes the driver out of the equation and speed was getting faster and faster with all the drivers aids.
__________________
2011 F10 - Sophisto Grey / Cinnamon Brown
You can find me in E60.net too!
Gone (but not forgotten)
2005 E60 523i, 1999 E39 523i, 1998 E46 323i
Appreciate 0
Post Reply

Bookmarks

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 06:38 PM.




5post
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
1Addicts.com, BIMMERPOST.com, E90Post.com, F30Post.com, M3Post.com, ZPost.com, 5Post.com, 6Post.com, 7Post.com, XBimmers.com logo and trademark are properties of BIMMERPOST