[sevarino]

I miss my old e39 so am looking at the new G30 to replace one of my Audis. Unless I misread things, it looks like you cannot get IAS with DHP suspension, only with M-sport suspension. Is this right?

[remmib]

It's possible on the M550i.

[midwest 340xi 6sp]

I am looking forward to hearing if IAS is a thumbs up or thumbs down from some owners on the forum.

[AP]

I get the impression that it is quite a rare option fitted to cars...

[HighlandPete]

Originally Posted by AP

I get the impression that it is quite a rare option fitted to cars...

If the F10 is anything to go by, hardly any cars in the UK had the option. Impossible to get a test drive. So even if IAS made the car a much more agile chassis, no way to personally judge it.

There was negative comment, due to some testers not liking the way the front variable ratio was setup.

IAS in the G30 should be more predictable, as it uses the VSS rack, rather than the older electronically variable steering. Let's hope some users can get to test it and pass on opinion.

[Laki021]

I was brave and ordered my car with it

The thing is, all the test cars they gave to the journalists for the first reviews were with IAS, so I guess it must be good if they did so. Additionally, all reviewers liked the drive. Keep in mind that all those reviews we are reading about G30s handling are with IAS!

[HighlandPete]

Originally Posted by Laki021

I was brave and ordered my car with it

The thing is, all the test cars they gave to the journalists for the first reviews were with IAS, so I guess it must be good if they did so. Additionally, all reviewers liked the drive. Keep in mind that all those reviews we are reading about G30s handling are with IAS!

Good one, what chassis/suspension setup have you opted for?

We are waiting for your review!

[Laki021]

Your gonna wait quite long for my review I'm getting the car around mid of May.

I took 540i xDrive, DDC + IAS, 19" 664 M wheels but still thinking to change them for 20".

[Laki021]

I got my car with IAS, few weeks ago, so I can try to make a short review on IAS.

To be honest, I still have mixed feelings for it, and still not sure if I should have ordered it or not. Depending on the road and a specific situation, I either love it or hate it

After almost a 1000km with the car, I'm still not completely used to the rear wheel steering, it still occasionally feels strange and surprising. When you do tight turns at low speed, it feels like your rear end is sliding, I don't really like this. If you try to do fast left/right/left/right while driving 30km/h (just for fun) it really feels terrible, like driving a boat on the water and not a great handling car. So for the low speed driving and the city, I would probably prefer to switch of the system, I don't really care for the improved maneuverability, it is a minor benefit that causes car to behave strange and "slide" trough the turns. Sure it is nice to have a smaller turning radius for the U turns, but this is a minor difference.

What I like about the IAS at low speed is the variable ratio of the steering wheel. It is really convenient that even for 90 degree turns I can easily keep both hands on the wheel, turning also feels much sharper which I like a lot... Now when I take another car for a ride, it feels like the steering wheel is detached from the wheels since it barely moves them

Now second part, driving with IAS at higher speeds. In this case, instead of turning the rear wheels in the opposite direction, the rear wheels turn in the same direction as the front wheels. The result is, an incredible handling in the fast corners. Instead of fighting with the forces, RWS makes the car cooperate with the lows of physics making it possible to go troughs the at incredible speeds without even making a car sweat.
So in this case IAS is really great.

What I also noticed, if you really push the car and the rear end to the limit (almost drifting it), RWS will intervene and magically put the rear end back in the line. At the same time this feels amazing, but also a bit unpredictable and surprising.


So there you go, IAS experience from the first hand. Unfortunately I still cannot say if I recommend it or not, my advice is that you should try a car with it to see if it suits you or not. It is a bit strange and amazing at the same time

[Nivarox]

Thanks for your review on Integral Active Steering . Whenever I have asked G11 Owners whether or not it's necessary I get a solid unchanged answer : YES

Your car is X Drive may be if you had ordered RWD you would have said a must-have item for G30 RWD Owners . X Drive being 4x4 should have different driving characteristics than RWD .Son in this sense, Integral Steering System may differ car to car depending on X Drive or RWD
When I asked sales persons , they said it was not that necessary for X Drive .

[Ab3_Fr0man]

I never had IAS on my F10, but I do on my 540 Xdrive. I personally find it amazing at all speeds. The feeling is noticeable right away behind the wheel, I love how the car responds. I've only put 1300 km on so far but it's been all enjoyment with IAS so far!

[Nivarox]

Here's an excerpt from Car And Driver on the integral active steering


The most fateful option selection for this particular 530i was the Integral Active Steering, a stand-alone item at $1150. It provides us the opportunity again to bemoan the fall of BMW steering, which once was the industry standard for natural response and nuanced feel. Instead, Integral Active Steering—which combines a variable-ratio rack, varying electric power assistance, and rear-wheel steering—overthinks its reaction to every turn of the wheel, particularly at low speeds. This means that every corner and bend in the road takes a bit more concentration to place the car exactly where you want it. Some of us found it more linear than previous BMW Active Steering systems, but it’s still a far cry from what BMW steering once was. At least we can be grateful that effort levels are reasonable and that the steering is not wholly overboosted in the manner of some luxury sedans

[Roger_M]

Originally Posted by Nivarox

Here's an excerpt from Car And Driver on the integral active steering


The most fateful option selection for this particular 530i was the Integral Active Steering, a stand-alone item at $1150. It provides us the opportunity again to bemoan the fall of BMW steering, which once was the industry standard for natural response and nuanced feel. Instead, Integral Active Steering—which combines a variable-ratio rack, varying electric power assistance, and rear-wheel steering—overthinks its reaction to every turn of the wheel, particularly at low speeds. This means that every corner and bend in the road takes a bit more concentration to place the car exactly where you want it. Some of us found it more linear than previous BMW Active Steering systems, but it’s still a far cry from what BMW steering once was. At least we can be grateful that effort levels are reasonable and that the steering is not wholly overboosted in the manner of some luxury sedans

A very interesting point of view - thanks for that.

What makes the choice to have IAS or not is further complicated, for me at least, when you throw xDrive and/or M-suspension into the equation. Do these features make IAS more or less desirable or appropriate?

It really helps I would think to link up with a very smart sales agent to go through these choices, as testing every possible combination seems out of the question, although I guess at the end of the day it's what kind of drive do you personally want to experience.

[Laki021]

Journalists are exaggerating as usual...

Last few days I got much more used to the IAS. I really like the sharp response and the handling in the bends.
The trick is just not to quick "left, right, left, right" tests at low speed (30kmh) since that will make you think your suspension is very strange But if you do the same test at 50-60, you will not believe how well it holds the road.

[CryptoManiac]

Laki021 wrote:

What I like about the IAS at low speed is the variable ratio of the steering wheel. It is really convenient that even for 90 degree turns I can easily keep both hands on the wheel, turning also feels much sharper which I like a lot... Now when I take another car for a ride, it feels like the steering wheel is detached from the wheels since it barely moves them

If people are considering the Active Steering because of this comment, please know that this feature is *standard* on all G30's. It is called "Servotronic" (optional on the 3 series, etc.) and is not part of the Active Steering option. Just so you know...

[AP]

happy to be corrected but thought servotronic referred to the amount of power assistance - so at low speeds ie parking there is more making it easier and getting heavier at higher speeds for better feel and perhaps stability.

[Laki021]

Servotronic gives you variable power assistance.
For variable steering ratio you need the IAS,

[CryptoManiac]

I stand corrected...

https://secure.bmw.com/com/en/insigh...le=servotronic

I was confusing with "Variable Sport Steering" that I had on my BMW 3 series (it has variable steering ratio and also servotronic). I really liked it...too bad I will not have it on the G31 I ordered as I did not take IAS and assumed the servotronic had it :-( Still, gonna survive I guess ;-)

[naylon]

any other inputs about Integral Active Steering?

[Roger_M]

Originally Posted by naylon

any other inputs about Integral Active Steering?

Seems to have gone quiet on this one.....I would suggest it is something you need to try out before deciding upon....personally I did not like the sensation but only because I sought to retain the "big car feel" rather than making it more "chuckable".

[Mr.blue]

Originally Posted by naylon

any other inputs about Integral Active Steering?

The only problem I have found could be just my fault. Since I have gotten my M550i it has become harder to back into a parking spot straight. I don't notice this until I get out of it and look back at the car and usually the rear end is too far to the left or right making me look like a beginner driver. Pretty embarrassing since I've backed semis with trailers a lot straighter. Everything else about IAS is fine since you get used to it the more you drive the car.

[DBO]

I'm due to receive my car within the next 2 weeks. Will have IAS and dynamic dampeners but lost out on the active rollbars as a result. Still hoping it will be OK -I'll write up a review here when I get the car.