What is active steering?

tl9015 · 08-14-2007, 01:18 AM

As my title says.

nmulax · 08-14-2007, 01:20 AM

it's when you.....

NPDAN · 08-14-2007, 01:23 AM

I have it and I love it... Read below

"Active Steering." Unlike regular power steering, which has either a fixed or narrowly variable steering ratio, or full steer-by-wire, where the only connection between the steering wheel and the road wheels are electrical wires, Active Steering connects the steering wheel and road wheels through a planetary gearbox. An electric motor--acting through a self-inhibiting planetary gear transmission--adds or subtracts steering angle based on information from a rotational sensor in the steering wheel, vehicle speed, and information from the vehicles stability control system. Steering force is determined by BMW's Servotronic power steering system.

At low speeds, the motor adds an appropriate amount of wheel lock. Parking, for example, the ratio is such that just two turns are needed to go lock-to-lock. Around town, the steering ratio is increased, though the system is tuned to be much more direct than a conventional power steering unit. The idea is to make the car feel more agile and nimble, and cut driver fatigue by reducing the input from the driver through the steering wheel. At high speeds, Active Steering makes the steering much more indirect so small movements won't change the vehicle's path.

BMW claims Active Steering increases the dynamic envelope by quelling incipient oversteer in maneuvers like high-speed lane changes, reducing the need for steering input when braking on uneven surfaces, or adjusting steering angle to changing levels of grip. As a result, Dynamic Stability Control is called upon less often, and can be initiated less aggressively to keep the car heading in the right direction

davedave · 08-14-2007, 01:25 AM

i have it .. but i never know what it is ...

NPDAN · 08-14-2007, 01:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by davedave

i have it .. but i never know what it is ...

I didnt either. I have it too. I just looked it up though.

NaTuReB0Y · 08-14-2007, 01:28 AM

I want power steering for my 330i..........

Year's_End · 08-14-2007, 01:34 AM

Wasn't there a thread a ways back debating the pro's and con's between Active and non-Active steering?

I didn't get the option 'cause it was mighty expensive for being something that isn't exactly a necessary option. Hope I didn't make a mistake.

esquire · 08-14-2007, 04:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bimmer Loyalist

Wasn't there a thread a ways back debating the pro's and con's between Active and non-Active steering?

I didn't get the option 'cause it was mighty expensive for being something that isn't exactly a necessary option. Hope I didn't make a mistake.

it's definitely not a necessary option. but i've driven both AS and Non-AS 335's, and the difference is palpable. active steering is great, but i do agree its pricey considering. behind the ridiculous cruise control option, active steering might be the next most forgoable option. test drive both, and if you feel the difference is worth the money. then pick it up. for me it was.

- esquire

Year's_End · 08-14-2007, 04:39 AM

I'm already set...check the sig. My fear was a loss of steering feel. What made you choose it? I've test driven 3 335i's (2 e90's, 1 e92), and each did without it.

Mummiez · 08-14-2007, 06:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by esquire

behind the ridiculous cruise control option, active steering might be the next most forgoable option.

- esquire

Ridiculous cruise control ....are u nuts. I'm using active cruise control all the time. It's a must have.

dawgdog · 08-14-2007, 07:42 AM

I'm am very fond of the active steering on my 335. I live in a dense urban area and do a lot of quick turning in lots etc. My car really has the go-kart steering feel.

I read the article in this month's Rondel on how it works. I simply could not really grasp the mechanism. Probably would be able to if I was an engineer. Eleven years of college down the drain!

BMW__Power · 08-14-2007, 07:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dawgdog

I'm am very fond of the active steering on my 335. I live in a dense urban area and do a lot of quick turning in lots etc. My car really has the go-kart steering feel.

+1

NPDAN · 08-14-2007, 08:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BMW__Power

+1

+2 i love the way it is at slow speeds.... Cool

FJc335 · 08-14-2007, 08:39 AM

I say- if its $.. prbly cool gadget, but if it's $$$$$.. it must be good and we'll prbly not know if it works or not.
Just like these fuel efficient Dodge V8's where they shut off 4 cylinders while cruisin'. Why didn't they just give us a button to shut it off, rather than automatically shut off. HOw do we even know if it really shut off 4 cylinders or not.

croaker · 08-14-2007, 08:42 AM

It's the perfect way to screw up a BMW. Just my opinion of course. Some people love it. I think they all have beards.

NPDAN · 08-14-2007, 08:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by croaker

It's the perfect way to screw up a BMW. Just my opinion of course. Some people love it. I think they all have beards.

ha ha ha.... No beard here though

Rothstein · 08-14-2007, 09:39 AM

I have AS in my order list also. No beard either :P

UncleWede · 08-14-2007, 10:16 AM

It a funky steering system that lets you curb the back end of a 5 series on a test drive

going around a normal corner that you drive all the time and had no problem with in the non-AS 3 . . . GUILTY as charged. They didn't let me park the 5 when I got back to the lot

M3ti Compact · 08-14-2007, 10:37 AM

I've recently had the opportunity to drive a regular steer E90 330i against my 325i with active steering back to back - there is no question in my mind that the AS system is worth the money.

The only difference between the two apart from the steering ratios was that the 330's steering felt slightly more weighter at city speeds- which is why some people might mistakenly believe this for reduced "feel" - but other than that, the road surface, the steering feedback through corners, and the vibration of the engine though the steering wheel was exactly the same.

AndreyATC · 08-14-2007, 11:11 AM

Honestly, AS worked so well on my last test drive (E92 TT) i had a hard time figuring out it was there. It works so seemlessly that you never know it's there, just the fact that you dont take your hands off the steering wheel going into 99% of corners
Feel and weight is almost the same.
Well, i ordered this option
:rocks:

Zirenz2006 · 08-14-2007, 11:13 AM

Have it and love it. I probably won't get a BMW without it. This is my second one with it.

dmboone25 · 08-14-2007, 11:23 AM

I've never driven a car that has it, but I like being able to turn my wheel very slightly and know exactly where I'm going--regardless of whether I am on Main Street or I65. That's why I was never interested....

08-14-2007, 01:18 AM	#1
tl9015 Private First Class 34 Rep 179 Posts Drives: e90 Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Canada iTrader: (0)	What is active steering? As my title says.
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08-14-2007, 01:20 AM	#2
nmulax Brigadier General 379 Rep 4,320 Posts Drives: '07 Z4 M Coupe Join Date: May 2006 Location: Metro-Detroit iTrader: (5) Garage List 2007 Z4M Coupé [7.66]	it's when you..... __________________
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08-14-2007, 01:23 AM	#3
NPDAN Colonel 95 Rep 2,573 Posts Drives: AW DCT M3 Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: So.Cal iTrader: (7) Garage List 2008 E92 M3 [8.00] 07' E92 335i [0.00]	I have it and I love it... Read below "Active Steering." Unlike regular power steering, which has either a fixed or narrowly variable steering ratio, or full steer-by-wire, where the only connection between the steering wheel and the road wheels are electrical wires, Active Steering connects the steering wheel and road wheels through a planetary gearbox. An electric motor--acting through a self-inhibiting planetary gear transmission--adds or subtracts steering angle based on information from a rotational sensor in the steering wheel, vehicle speed, and information from the vehicles stability control system. Steering force is determined by BMW's Servotronic power steering system. At low speeds, the motor adds an appropriate amount of wheel lock. Parking, for example, the ratio is such that just two turns are needed to go lock-to-lock. Around town, the steering ratio is increased, though the system is tuned to be much more direct than a conventional power steering unit. The idea is to make the car feel more agile and nimble, and cut driver fatigue by reducing the input from the driver through the steering wheel. At high speeds, Active Steering makes the steering much more indirect so small movements won't change the vehicle's path. BMW claims Active Steering increases the dynamic envelope by quelling incipient oversteer in maneuvers like high-speed lane changes, reducing the need for steering input when braking on uneven surfaces, or adjusting steering angle to changing levels of grip. As a result, Dynamic Stability Control is called upon less often, and can be initiated less aggressively to keep the car heading in the right direction __________________
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08-14-2007, 01:25 AM	#4
davedave Captain 41 Rep 788 Posts Drives: Godzilla Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Somewhere iTrader: (7)	i have it .. but i never know what it is ...
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08-14-2007, 01:28 AM	#6
NaTuReB0Y Powered By 36DD 339 Rep 7,369 Posts Drives: 2006 E90 Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Inland Empire iTrader: (12)	I want power steering for my 330i.......... __________________ 2006 E90 330i Jet Black \| 20" WORK VS-XX \| FK452 \| H&R Sport on Koni Yellow \| REMUS QUAD
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08-14-2007, 01:34 AM	#7
Year's_End Lieutenant General 1149 Rep 12,445 Posts Drives: 2020 Shelby GT350 Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: FL iTrader: (0)	Wasn't there a thread a ways back debating the pro's and con's between Active and non-Active steering? I didn't get the option 'cause it was mighty expensive for being something that isn't exactly a necessary option. Hope I didn't make a mistake. __________________ Past: '08 E92 335i\|ZPP\|ZSP\|6AT Past: '15 Mustang GT\|401A\|PP\|6MT Current: '20 Shelby GT350\|6MT
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08-14-2007, 04:39 AM	#9
Year's_End Lieutenant General 1149 Rep 12,445 Posts Drives: 2020 Shelby GT350 Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: FL iTrader: (0)	I'm already set...check the sig. My fear was a loss of steering feel. What made you choose it? I've test driven 3 335i's (2 e90's, 1 e92), and each did without it. __________________ Past: '08 E92 335i\|ZPP\|ZSP\|6AT Past: '15 Mustang GT\|401A\|PP\|6MT Current: '20 Shelby GT350\|6MT
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08-14-2007, 07:42 AM	#11
dawgdog Colonel 149 Rep 2,278 Posts Drives: 2015 M3, 2016 GT3 Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Seattle, Wa. iTrader: (0)	I'm am very fond of the active steering on my 335. I live in a dense urban area and do a lot of quick turning in lots etc. My car really has the go-kart steering feel. I read the article in this month's Rondel on how it works. I simply could not really grasp the mechanism. Probably would be able to if I was an engineer. Eleven years of college down the drain! __________________ 2015 f80 M3, 2016 GT3
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08-14-2007, 08:39 AM	#14
FJc335 First Lieutenant 25 Rep 341 Posts Drives: platinum bronze e92 Join Date: May 2007 Location: Smallville- NJ iTrader: (0)	I say- if its $.. prbly cool gadget, but if it's $$$$$.. it must be good and we'll prbly not know if it works or not. Just like these fuel efficient Dodge V8's where they shut off 4 cylinders while cruisin'. Why didn't they just give us a button to shut it off, rather than automatically shut off. HOw do we even know if it really shut off 4 cylinders or not. __________________ Broken promises don't upset me. I just think, why did they believe me?
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08-14-2007, 08:42 AM	#15
croaker First Lieutenant 56 Rep 340 Posts Drives: E90 330i Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Virginia iTrader: (0)	It's the perfect way to screw up a BMW. Just my opinion of course. Some people love it. I think they all have beards. __________________ E90 330i Monaco Blue, Black Leather, Aluminum Trim, Six Speed, Aluminum Pedals, M-Shifter, Sport Package, Premium Package, Winter Package, Comfort Access, Navigation Holding a space for Racing Green Lotus Elise
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08-14-2007, 09:39 AM	#17
Rothstein Enlisted Member 3 Rep 49 Posts Drives: e92 Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: istanbul iTrader: (0)	I have AS in my order list also. No beard either :P
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08-14-2007, 10:16 AM	#18
UncleWede Long Time Admirer, First Time Owner 18085 Rep 9,381 Posts Drives: G01 X3 M40i Dark Graphite Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Oxnard, CA iTrader: (0)	It a funky steering system that lets you curb the back end of a 5 series on a test drive going around a normal corner that you drive all the time and had no problem with in the non-AS 3 . . . GUILTY as charged. They didn't let me park the 5 when I got back to the lot
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08-14-2007, 10:37 AM	#19
M3ti Compact Private First Class 8 Rep 106 Posts Drives: E36 318ti, E90 325i Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Toronto iTrader: (0) Garage List 1995 BMW 318ti [0.00] 2006 BMW 325 [0.00]	I've recently had the opportunity to drive a regular steer E90 330i against my 325i with active steering back to back - there is no question in my mind that the AS system is worth the money. The only difference between the two apart from the steering ratios was that the 330's steering felt slightly more weighter at city speeds- which is why some people might mistakenly believe this for reduced "feel" - but other than that, the road surface, the steering feedback through corners, and the vibration of the engine though the steering wheel was exactly the same. __________________
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08-14-2007, 11:11 AM	#20
AndreyATC Banned 99 Rep 1,828 Posts Drives: 2016 Tesla Model X P90DL Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Near NYC iTrader: (2) Garage List 2016 Tesla Model X [0.00] 2015 Tesla Model S ... [9.00]	Honestly, AS worked so well on my last test drive (E92 TT) i had a hard time figuring out it was there. It works so seemlessly that you never know it's there, just the fact that you dont take your hands off the steering wheel going into 99% of corners Feel and weight is almost the same. Well, i ordered this option :rocks:
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08-14-2007, 11:13 AM	#21
Zirenz2006 Brigadier General 1573 Rep 4,577 Posts Drives: G80 M3 Comp IOMG Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: US - NE iTrader: (0)	Have it and love it. I probably won't get a BMW without it. This is my second one with it. __________________ Current: 2021 ///M3 Competition Isle of Man Green Ordered: 2024 ///M2 Zandvoort Blue Past: 2018 X3 ///M40i \| 2012 *328i* \| 2009 *335i* \| 2007 *335i Coupe* \| 2005 *545i* \| 2001 *325i*
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08-14-2007, 11:23 AM	#22
dmboone25 Lieutenant General 4972 Rep 10,200 Posts Drives: 2024 Golf R / 2022 718 Spyder Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Dallas, TX iTrader: (0) Garage List 2007 E92 328i [10.00] 2007 328i [10.00]	I've never driven a car that has it, but I like being able to turn my wheel very slightly and know exactly where I'm going--regardless of whether I am on Main Street or I65. That's why I was never interested.... __________________ Past rides: 2016 981 BGTS, 2020 MINI JCW, 2017 F80, 2015 981 CS, 2014 F22 235, 2011 E82 135, 2008 E82 135, 2007 E92 328, 2007 E92 328 (My lady drives an OG M2. So does my dad)
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