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Active Steering Rocks!!!
At a BMW Canada sponsored E90 introduction and test drive session today in Vancouver, I had the opportunity to drive a variety of E90 configurations. My favorite bar-none was the 330i with active steering (and manual tranny, of course). They had an auto-cross style course marked with cones setup with lots of tight corners and I could drive the whole course with hands on 9 & 3 with active steering while in a non active steering car, I was constantly doing hand-over-hand steering manuevers... Active steering was amazing. I was skeptical after reading the magazine reviews but I will not buy another vehicle without it now.  I also noticed that in the slalom I was prone to oversteering with normal steering as I swung around the cones, that is, occasionally, I would have to dial-in some opposite lock to correct for the tail coming out a bit - not at all the case with active steering. (The other thing I noticed is that the DSC in the E90 is not as intrusive or quick to intrude as the DSC in my E46). The 330i was noticably more powerful than the 325. The slush box was absolutely terrible. I have an automatic in my X5 4.4i and it seemes much more responsive than the auto in the 325i that I drove. Why anyone would consider a 325 auto is completely beyond me - it's just a total dog and is a blemish on the BWM brand in my opinion.  As others have pointed out, the clutch feels a lot better in the E90 than the E46... The travel is less and the engagement smoother. Believe it or not, the brakes are better in the E90 as well (either that or I need my brake fluid flushed in my E46). I just can't wait now for the E90 coupe!  | | Reply » Active Steering Rocks!!! |
i feel your pain... i find myself searching every day for official news of a launch date for the coupe... goddamn you BMW just release it!
| | Reply » Active Steering Rocks!!! |
I couldn't have written your review any better. Did the same intro in Montreal last night. The active steering is awesome, particularly in the 330i Manual. The handling was great, the engine was great.
My gripes:
The sports seat is too tight. The interior is uninspiring, the taillights gross. The stock wheels on the 325 are boring. No headroom with the sunroof (6'1"). The start stop button is stupid, really, what's the point except to clutter up the dash? The 325 with AT is horrible.
I guess the drawback of this autocross course is that one doesn't get a chance to open up the car and cruise. That has to be done back at the dealership.
One other opint on the AS, is that, as Motor Trend said, When in my boring 80km commute, is AS really necessary. Er, not too often I guess, in the parking garage, I suppose. But at $1800 extra in Canada, it's worth it anyway on a $50,000car.
Once again, good post.
| | Reply » Active Steering Rocks!!! |
Was on the same course yesterday in Vancouver during the day... the early group was out in pouring rain, but it had really abated by the time we got behind the wheel (ground still wet though, so we were instructed to leave the DSC fully engaged  ). Did anyone else get to drive the E46 325i manual that they had there for comparison, or was it removed for the public event? You could sure feel the difference in the clutch, brakes, steering, and the DSC intrusion - all better in the new car..... I also agree on the comments on AS - very natural feel in the autocross situation.
We were also fortunate to have a 90 min or so drive through Vancouver, up some great hills and twisting roads. Both the 325 and 330 have great low end torque, both off the line as well as when pulling up hills. Another highlight was the dynamic cruise control (edit: I prev. had "active" in here).... you can dial in +/- 10km/h with a push/pull on the stalk, but more impressively, the system engaged the brakes unobtrusively when on a downhill roll to maintain speed without accelerating the car.... I know that there are several spots where the local constabulary prey on downhill sections of road to catch people speeding......
| | Reply » Active Steering Rocks!!! |
stewthebassman = was it at the hippodrome? I'm scheduled for May 28 or something... how was it? Do you get a lot of time behind the wheel, lots of people, type of course?
Can't wait to try the new tech !!!
| | Reply » Active Steering Rocks!!! |
Quote: | ... Why anyone would consider a 325 auto is completely beyond me - it's just a total dog and is a blemish on the BWM brand in my opinion. ... | I agree w/you regarding the AS, but then you had to go and say an asinine thing as that. 
Could it be because 1) it's better than other brands in its class, 2) it suits some people just fine, 3) some people don't have to compensate for other shortcomings, 4) the value proposition is right on the target for some?
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Active Steering Rocks!!!