[kjando]

I have a 2004 545i with the Active Steering. I am toying with trading in the 545i for a 2011 535 or 550. I pretty much know what accessories I will get but still undecided on the Integral Active Steering option. Is it any different in feel and performance in comparison to the active steering on my 2004 545i?

I have visited several dealers but none of them carry a 535 or 550 with the new version. Does the fact that it also steers the back wheel make a significant difference?

Anyone out there driven the F10 5 series with the active steering and do you feel that its worth the price that they are charging for it?

[ibimmer954]

My 535i has IAS and I drove a 550i that did not have IAS. I really like IAS. At low speeds, you don't have to turn the steering wheel as much to get around a parking lot and making turns on residential roads. Once you are up to speed you have to turn the wheel less to make turns around corners. Makes it feel more sporty to me. I think IAS changes the handling almost to the point of oversteer. Makes the car pretty nimble. I think it's really cool. I can't comment on how it changes the steering "feel". The feel is OK for me, but not a lot of people like the steering feel in the F10 in general.

[kjando]

IBimmer,

Thanks for your comments. When I bought my 2004 545i, the Active Steering was part of the sports package bundle. Now the IAS is not included in the sports package but costs an additional $1500 or so. I like the active steering on my current 545i especially at low speeds where the car steers like a go-cart. However, at highway speeds, I find it to be a bit touchy and it seems difficult to keep the car in the lane. I assume that the new version that steers the rear wheels does better in this respect.

By they way, my wife loves the Active Steering and insists that I get it if I purchase a F10 535 or 550. I am still deciding between the 535 and 550.

[akhter]

Does the regular (non-IAS) power steering in the F10 have variable ratio (like active steering 3 sereis)?

[pharding]

Originally Posted by kjando

I am still deciding between the 535 and 550.

I own a 550i. The fun factor favors the 550i, but the 535 is no slouch. Value strongly favors the 535i with substantially better gas mileage and resale value. The residual value on a 3 year, 15,000 miles per year lease on the 535i is 58% versus the 54% on the 550.

[kjando]

I have owned my 545i for 6 years and I intend to keep either a 2011 535 or 550 for 6 years again. Consequently the difference in residual value between the 535 and 550 will be negligible for me. I understand that it is a factor if you lease a car for 3 years.

Changing the subject, I still would like to hear from other member's experience with the IAS. I am still trying to decide between the 535 and 550 and also whether I should order the IAS.

[535daHEfan]

Originally Posted by kjando

Changing the subject, I still would like to hear from other member's experience with the IAS. I am still trying to decide between the 535 and 550 and also whether I should order the IAS.

I ordered a 535dA last week, after test-rides in a bare 520dA as well as a fully loaded 530dA. Although I wasn't planning on ordering the IAS at first, after the test-rides for me it was evident that this is a must have option, especially because of the steering rear wheels. Making turns at low speed with IAS is unbelievable at first: it almost seems that if you want you can make a turn on the spot without going 'forward'. I would strongly advise you to choose for this option, and definitely for only $1500, because in the Netherlands we have to pay almost twice that amount because of the taxes. (535d with a respectable set of options, but not even fully loaded, costs about $135.000 inc taxes).

And I've had my current 530d for seven years and intend to keep the 535d for seven+ years, so for me also the residual value arguments are not so important. If it were than I should also not order the expensive options, cause they have even less residual value. So since it's not, I chose lots of options (like pro nav, pro hifi, xenon, comfort seats, adaptive drive, headup display, surround view, lane departure warning, active cruise control etc.) to enjoy them for again seven or more years. Maybe that's also an argument for you when you decide for IAS.
__________________
2003 E60 530dA E
2010 F10 535dA HE (coming up)

[bm323]

There are diametrically opposite views on IAS. Better not tick this option unless you've tested F10s with and without it.

[kjando]

Originally Posted by bm323

There are diametrically opposite views on IAS. Better not tick this option unless you've tested F10s with and without it.

I agree. I have one advantage in that I have 6 years of experience with an earlier version of the IAS (without the rear wheel steering) with my 545i. I have already driven both a 535 and 550i without the active steering and need to take that final step and drive one with the IAS. Unfortunately, it seems that the IAS is not a popular option and I am having difficulty finding a dealer in my area that has the new F10 series with the IAS.

[Mr. Magic]

I believe IAS is a "Priority #1" option, meaning they will only come on cars that are ordered by customers and not be carried as regular inventory. Similar for some of the unusual colors and other options like 4-zone climate, nightvision, aluminum trim, active cruise control. Dealer stock will usually NOT have these unless a customer abandoned their order or some other special arrangement.

This is what I've heard and also observed myself.

I was fortunate enough to test an F10 IAS on the Ultimate Driving tour that came around in early June. For me, I cannot live without it on this larger car and my curvy commute. They did it well.

[kjando]

Originally Posted by Mr. Magic

I believe IAS is a "Priority #1" option, meaning they will only come on cars that are ordered by customers and not be carried as regular inventory. Similar for some of the unusual colors and other options like 4-zone climate, nightvision, aluminum trim, active cruise control. Dealer stock will usually NOT have these unless a customer abandoned their order or some other special arrangement.

This is what I've heard and also observed myself.

I was fortunate enough to test an F10 IAS on the Ultimate Driving tour that came around in early June. For me, I cannot live without it on this larger car and my curvy commute. They did it well.

Mr Magic,

Thanks for your insight on the IAS. I can now see why the IAS is a special order item. Having experienced the earlier version of the IAS on my 545i for 6 years, I fully expect that with the rear steering addition, the response and driving experience should be even better and will not bother with trying to find a F10 to drive with the IAS. I will add the IAS to my list of options for my order. I still need to decide between the 535 and 550.

[faarcanal]

I too am befuddled by the IAS V AS. I have an AS car currently and could not suffer losing it's function. I have driven the new 7series with IAS and it was not as nimble as my AS e60. Am waiting for local BMW to get a F10 in stock with IAS to test drive before I commit moving from my e60.

[TunedIn]

Originally Posted by kjando

I agree. I have one advantage in that I have 6 years of experience with an earlier version of the IAS (without the rear wheel steering) with my 545i. I have already driven both a 535 and 550i without the active steering and need to take that final step and drive one with the IAS. Unfortunately, it seems that the IAS is not a popular option and I am having difficulty finding a dealer in my area that has the new F10 series with the IAS.

Kjando - Have you had a chance yet to test drive an F10 with IAS ? If so, what'd'ya think ?

[kjando]

TunedIn,

I have done a search of the inventory of dealers in my area on the Web. I found only 1 dealer that had a F10 with active steering. Unfortunately, the dealer is over 90 miles away. I am leaning toward "bitting the bullet" and ordering a 535 with the active steering.

[TunedIn]

Originally Posted by kjando

TunedIn,

I have done a search of the inventory of dealers in my area on the Web. I found only 1 dealer that had a F10 with active steering. Unfortunately, the dealer is over 90 miles away. I am leaning toward "bitting the bullet" and ordering a 535 with the active steering.

Thanks for the update. Just for clarification, don't all F10 535i's/550i's come with Active Steering ? (speed sensitive, variable steering effort, electric steering). I believe you really meant to type Integral Active Steering (IAS), (4-wheel steering). There seems to be a lot of mislabeling on the discussion forums. Thx.

[ibimmer954]

Originally Posted by TunedIn

Thanks for the update. Just for clarification, don't all F10 535i's/550i's come with Active Steering ? (speed sensitive, variable steering effort, electric steering).

No, the F10s come with electric steering by default. But I don't believe it's variable or speed sensitive. Only the IAS features variable steering. And, of course, it features the 4-wheel steering.

Compared to a non-IAS car, you have to move the steering wheel *less* on the IAS car at all speeds to get the same amount of steering. That is, the steering is more sensitive. I personally find it more sporty, but I can understand why some people may find it twitchy.

[Mr. Magic]

Santa Barbara and Del Mar - coastal mountains. The F10 handles heavy on these mountain roads coming downhill. The IAS makes the car feel much lighter and responsive on these type of roads. I can go faster and feel comfortable and in control.

No regrets up here in Monterey Bay with IAS.

My only concern was alignment and repair costs, but I got extended warranty.

[TunedIn]

Originally Posted by ibimmer346

No, the F10s come with electric steering by default. But I don't believe it's variable or speed sensitive. Only the IAS features variable steering. And, of course, it features the 4-wheel steering.

Compared to a non-IAS car, you have to move the steering wheel *less* on the IAS car at all speeds to get the same amount of steering. That is, the steering is more sensitive. I personally find it more sporty, but I can understand why some people may find it twitchy.

Okay guys, you forced me to go to my F10 sales brochure. Listed on page 58, under the "Handling, ride and braking" matrix, it shows as Standard for all three versions of the 5-series the following:
"Vehicle-speed-sensitive variable-assist (Servotronic), variable-ratio power steering".

There is of course the Optional feature for the 535i and 550i of:
"Integral Active Steering with Servotronic power assist (requires Dynamic Handling Package)".

Like I said, there's a LOT of confusion regarding these two features on the discussion boards, but in this case I am correct.

[535daHEfan]

TunedIn and ibimmer346, you may both be rigth, or at least partly so.

As far as I know, but I didn't check it further, TunedIn is right in the fact that speed sensitivity is standard as far as the amount of FORCE you have to exert on the steering wheel is concerned. But the speed sensitivity of HOW MUCH you have to TURN the steering wheel is a feature only of Active Steering, as ibimmer346 rightly claims. This was already the case in E60-models. In F10-models BMW 'integrated' the feature of (speed sensitive) 4-wheel steering in Active Steering, and named it Integral Active Steering.

__________________
2003 E60 530dA E
2010 F10 535dA HE (coming up)

[TunedIn]

Originally Posted by 535daHEfan

TunedIn and ibimmer346, you may both be rigth, or at least partly so.

As far as I know, but I didn't check it further, TunedIn is right in the fact that speed sensitivity is standard as far as the amount of FORCE you have to exert on the steering wheel. But the speed sensitivity of HOW MUCH you have to TURN the steering wheel is a feature only of Active Steering, as ibimmer346 rightly claims. This was already the case in E60-models. In F10-models BMW 'integrated' the feature of (speed sensitive) 4-wheel steering in Active Steering, and named it Integral Active Steering.

Very interesting. This is more complicated than it should be, I wish there was a statement from BMW clarifying these differences. So, based on what you just said, is it correct to say that all F10's come standard with Active Steering (and IAS is optional) ?

[535daHEfan]

Originally Posted by TunedIn

Very interesting. This is more complicated than it should be, I wish there was a statement from BMW clarifying these differences. So, based on what you just said, is it correct to say that all F10's come standard with Active Steering (and IAS is optional) ?

No, the only thing that comes standard on all F10 models (as was the case with E60 models), according to my information, is what you mentioned that the sales brochure says: speed sensitivity for the amount of force to be exerted. Active Steering means that also the amount of how far you have to turn the steering wheel in respect to the turning radius is speed sensitive. That's not standard but an option, which in F10 comes together with 4-wheel steering: IAS (and AS is not an option on F10; it was on E60).

And by the way, for me IAS is a great option. I drove a car with IAS as well as a car without it, and the difference was stunning IMHO. It's one of my favorite options on the 535dA I ordered.

I admit BMW made it a bit confusing, just as with the adaptive drive discussions. I think they did it on purpose, (how easy it would have been to make a technical reference website?) just to let people like you and me have something to socialize about in these forums. ;-)
__________________
2003 E60 530dA E
2010 F10 535dA HE (coming up)