[silvrsurfr]

Does anyone know if Active Steering is standard on the 1 series? Or if it's even offered on the car. I understood it was, but building one on bmw.ca does not offer the option.

However, if you build a 3 series, it's listed as an option?

Let me know.

Thanks.

[kenneth]

Originally Posted by silvrsurfr

Does anyone know if Active Steering is standard on the 1 series? Or if it's even offered on the car. I understood it was, but building one on bmw.ca does not offer the option.

However, if you build a 3 series, it's listed as an option?

Let me know.

Thanks.

If it is not offered as an option, I very much doubt it's standard.

[ik999]

not standard for sure

[silvrsurfr]

I hear active steering is the only way to go on a BMW, as opposed to the regular setup.

Any ideas on this opinion?

Thanks.

[ik999]

imo, one of the great characteristics of the 3 series is the steering feel

the quality of which you don't get on a 5/6/7 series

active steering just interferes with that

waste of money, imo

[markymarc1979]

Originally Posted by ik999

imo, one of the great characteristics of the 3 series is the steering feel

the quality of which you don't get on a 5/6/7 series

active steering just interferes with that

waste of money, imo

Agreed

[ians]

Originally Posted by ik999

imo, one of the great characteristics of the 3 series is the steering feel

the quality of which you don't get on a 5/6/7 series

active steering just interferes with that

waste of money, imo

+ 1, I really doubt ne1 over here has this option!

[silvrsurfr]

This is what active Steering does! It improves the handling of the car. Take a look at this review;


Active steering is an automotive technology utilised by BMW which varies the degree that the wheels turn in response to the steering wheel. At lower speeds, this technology reduces the amount that the steering wheel must be turned -- improving performance in situations such as parking and other urban area traffic maneuvers. At higher speeds, the performance is such that steering becomes more responsive and provides improved directional stability.

In a parking situation, the computer varies the ratio so that the steering wheel needs less than two turns to move the wheels lock to lock. As vehicle speeds increase, the steering ratio increases, so it takes more turns of the steering wheel to move the wheels and increases vehicle stability. Besides providing variable steering ratios, the computer is linked with the vehicle stability control system to aid in directional stability of the vehicle.

If the driver experiences a skid or slide because of poor road conditions, the Active Steering will react to information from the yaw rate sensors to modify the steering angle of the front wheels to stabilize the vehicle. This occurs much faster than the driver can react. If the Active Steering angle is not enough, then the Stability Control system intervenes to help as well.

Safety is one of the prime objectives of this system. Steering angle sensors on the steering column sense the direction the driver wants to go and the system only intervenes if the car is beyond stable limits. If an error or problem occurs in the electronics, the computer shuts down the operation of the electric motor, locking the ring gear of the planetary gear set and making it fixed ratio steering. Finally, if there is a problem inside the planetary gear unit (an unlikely scenario), there is a second shaft that runs all the way through from the steering wheel shaft to the steering rack so that conventional steering is available.


So I can see where this may get in the way sometimes, but overall, this would be excellent to have in your car. I bet people have it, they just don't know they do!

Just my two cents.

[davedave]

i like it,

[kenneth]

Those who don't have AS should not bash it! I have it and it's great on street and on track.

[kenneth]

Thinking of it they must have it as an option on the 1. Friend of mine went testing the 1 series and his comments were that the AS on this car is absolutely sublime.

[mekael]

I second that.

[silvermist99]

Originally Posted by ik999

imo, one of the great characteristics of the 3 series is the steering feel

the quality of which you don't get on a 5/6/7 series

active steering just interferes with that

waste of money, imo

I don't understand what is so "great" about the 3 series steering. I've driven plenty of cars, the e90's steering really don't impress me. They feel pretty dead and don't comunicate much of the road to driver. with RWD cars, I much prefer Infiniti's feedback which is slightly lighter and more jumpy and fwd mazda wins... altho mazdas are very light.

my 323i don't have active steer & my 335i do.. imo, the 323i's feel is clearly gives me a better picture of what is going on under the wheel BUT it is extremely slow and it is still not what i'd call good feedback... minivan like slow plus it is unnessaracy heavy. the 335 active steer on the other hand... makes the car feels VERY articifcal

I haven't race my 335 on the circuit or autocross yet like my previous rides, if the AS can keep up with me, it will give me a huge benefit.

In my opinion, I'm 50/50 with active steering, I don't have a preference as the regular system is too slow, and AS is too 'fake'. If I'm a city person and move the car a lot, Active steering will be what i'd get... if not a city car then... I don't know. I guess the M3's 13:1 steering will solve all my issues

There you have it, someone with both AS and non AS.

[marakbai]

Is this the same as Servotronic? We have that on our X3 and I must admit it's grown on me. Makes the SAV handle like a dream.

[Built My Way]

Originally Posted by kenneth

Those who don't have AS should not bash it! I have it and it's great on street and on track.

I there an easy way to know if a car has Active Steering? Mine is 'pre-owned' and seller didn't know.