Test Drove New X5- need serious advice pleasee

benz715 · 11-07-2010, 08:53 PM

Ok so currently have a 2008 535xi and test drove the new X5. Car was great but had 1 problem. The car I drove was a 3.5 SAV without active steering or adaptive drive.

The cars steering wheel was very stiff and when it was parked making a U-turn or just turning when stopped compared to my 535. Will the adaptive drive or active steering help this, I am getting the M package which includes the adaptive drive but should I get the active steering to help with the stifness or hard steering??

I think I might test drive it again with the active and adaptive to see if this problem is fixed.

Sorry for the rant- thanks

PS I am going to order it definitely with convenience, M package, technology, rear climate and convenience package. Still haven't decided wether I will get a 3.5 or 5.0- just depending on the lease price. Any comments or help would be appreciated.

Thanks
Yusuf

Jazzman · 11-07-2010, 10:34 PM

Yusuf, that sounds weird. I don´t believe adaptive drive will affect low-speed steering. Active steering may. I have both a 2005 X5 and have a 2011 X5 on order. I also have a 2008 M3. The steering is relatively similar in all three.

Perhaps something was up with your tester? Sounds like a good idea to test-drive a different vehicle.

richard in NC · 11-07-2010, 10:43 PM

M Sport with 20s is definitely heavy steering at parking lot speeds. Active steering makes a huge difference there and doesn't seem to reduce road feel or anything at speed. I'd highly recommend it.

Rattmann · 11-07-2010, 11:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jazzman

Yusuf, that sounds weird. I don´t believe adaptive drive will affect low-speed steering. Active steering may. I have both a 2005 X5 and have a 2011 X5 on order. I also have a 2008 M3. The steering is relatively similar in all three.

Perhaps something was up with your tester? Sounds like a good idea to test-drive a different vehicle.

It will only be different if it is Servotronic instead of standard hydraulic power steering on every non-active drive X5

benz715 · 11-08-2010, 06:26 AM

I know i think I might need to test drive another one but will active steering help with the reduce speeds???

Thanks for all responses

benz715 · 11-08-2010, 06:33 AM

Or U- turns, pulling out of driveways etc- will active steering help in that to make it a little softer??

D.B.S · 11-08-2010, 11:53 AM

I don't have active steering, and my X5 turns and handles almost (but not quite) like my 335xi... I do have adaptive drive though, and always have it in sports mode, so that may have something to do with it. At low speeds the steering is very precise (atleast for me it is). Guess it really depends on the person driving and how it feels to them, so ones person experience, may or may not be the same as someone elses...

roadkillrob · 11-08-2010, 12:42 PM

I love the standard steering feel and like it a little heavy, active steering will make it easier to steer as it boosts it more at lower speeds - I don't like how it feels, but others do and it will give you what you are asking for.

benz715 · 11-08-2010, 02:21 PM

alright cool- looks like the problem i am having should be sorted with active steering bc the steering is very stiff compared to my 535xi.

Thanks and any more info would be great
Yusuf

chuck92103 · 11-08-2010, 02:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by benz715

alright cool- looks like the problem i am having should be sorted with active steering bc the steering is very stiff compared to my 535xi.

Thanks and any more info would be great
Yusuf

535 steering may be over boosted and weighs a lot less that is what you are noticing. You just got use to slop/easy feel.

The X5 is more in line with what the steering should feel like. However, BMW has to dumb down the steering on the 5/7 series for their less performance oriented customers who are cross shopping MB and Lexus.

If you are not too much into performance and like a softer steering feel, then yeah get active steering.

roadkillrob · 11-08-2010, 03:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chuck92103

535 steering may be over boosted and weighs a lot less that is what you are noticing. You just got use to slop/easy feel.

The X5 is more in line with what the steering should feel like. However, BMW has to dumb down the steering on the 5/7 series for their less performance oriented customers who are cross shopping MB and Lexus.

If you are not too much into performance and like a softer steering feel, then yeah get active steering.

+1 the 5 series sedan's I have driven have much lighter steering effort than my 3 series or X5 does.

Rob

benz715 · 11-08-2010, 04:30 PM

so the active steering will get me on the same page with the 5 series similar steering then.

Thanks-
I think I might have to test drive it to see

TurboFan · 11-09-2010, 08:37 PM

My 2011 X5d (no sport, no active steering) isn't what I'd call heavy at parking speeds. My 2008 MDX was far worse. My M3 is too light.

Fester · 11-10-2010, 01:03 AM

I'm driving 2010 528i loaner while my e92 335 is in freaking workshop a week before warranty expires due to sudden "engine malfunction/reduced power issue"....that's another story BUT I like how 5 series steering feel...I own Lexus GX also whose steering is feelingless but I think e60 5 series just has the right feel...IMO...

benz715 · 11-10-2010, 06:10 AM

The e60 has a beautiful feel to the wheel

11-07-2010, 08:53 PM	#1
benz715 Private 7 Rep 81 Posts Drives: 535xi soon to be X5 Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: NY iTrader: (0)	Test Drove New X5- need serious advice pleasee Ok so currently have a 2008 535xi and test drove the new X5. Car was great but had 1 problem. The car I drove was a 3.5 SAV without active steering or adaptive drive. The cars steering wheel was very stiff and when it was parked making a U-turn or just turning when stopped compared to my 535. Will the adaptive drive or active steering help this, I am getting the M package which includes the adaptive drive but should I get the active steering to help with the stifness or hard steering?? I think I might test drive it again with the active and adaptive to see if this problem is fixed. Sorry for the rant- thanks PS I am going to order it definitely with convenience, M package, technology, rear climate and convenience package. Still haven't decided wether I will get a 3.5 or 5.0- just depending on the lease price. Any comments or help would be appreciated. Thanks Yusuf
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11-07-2010, 10:34 PM	#2
Jazzman Enlisted Member 1 Rep 48 Posts Drives: X5d, X5 4.0 Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Iowa iTrader: (0)	Yusuf, that sounds weird. I don´t believe adaptive drive will affect low-speed steering. Active steering may. I have both a 2005 X5 and have a 2011 X5 on order. I also have a 2008 M3. The steering is relatively similar in all three. Perhaps something was up with your tester? Sounds like a good idea to test-drive a different vehicle.
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11-07-2010, 10:43 PM	#3
richard in NC Colonel 1229 Rep 2,602 Posts Drives: 2009 Z4 35i Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Charlotte, NC iTrader: (0)	M Sport with 20s is definitely heavy steering at parking lot speeds. Active steering makes a huge difference there and doesn't seem to reduce road feel or anything at speed. I'd highly recommend it. __________________ 2020 X3M non-comp, Alpine White over black : Exec Pkg, ventilated M Sport seats, 20"s 2020 M2 Comp, Sunset Orange/Blk: Orange stitching, DCT, exec pkg, bicolor rims Gone '18 M550i, '16 X4 M40i, '15 M5, '13 X3 35i, '12 335is, '11 X5 50i, '09 Z4 35i, '08 550i, 06 X3, 06 650i, '02 M5, '99 540i
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11-08-2010, 06:26 AM	#5
benz715 Private 7 Rep 81 Posts Drives: 535xi soon to be X5 Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: NY iTrader: (0)	I know i think I might need to test drive another one but will active steering help with the reduce speeds??? Thanks for all responses
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11-08-2010, 06:33 AM	#6
benz715 Private 7 Rep 81 Posts Drives: 535xi soon to be X5 Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: NY iTrader: (0)	Or U- turns, pulling out of driveways etc- will active steering help in that to make it a little softer??
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11-08-2010, 11:53 AM	#7
D.B.S Lieutenant Colonel 30 Rep 1,748 Posts Drives: '11 X5 35i / '13 S5 Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Deployed to Kuwait iTrader: (2)	I don't have active steering, and my X5 turns and handles almost (but not quite) like my 335xi... I do have adaptive drive though, and always have it in sports mode, so that may have something to do with it. At low speeds the steering is very precise (atleast for me it is). Guess it really depends on the person driving and how it feels to them, so ones person experience, may or may not be the same as someone elses... __________________ BMW X5 35i: Boopie Exhaust & Intercooler, K&N Drop in Filter, JB3 (3+ psi) 2013 Dodge Challenger R/T: CAI, Catch Can, Custom Exhaust, Headers, 87MM Throttle Body, Diablo Custom 93 OCT Tune
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11-08-2010, 12:42 PM	#8
roadkillrob Major General 866 Rep 5,451 Posts Drives: 08 335i,22 X3M, 2012 C63 Black Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Boston iTrader: (15)	I love the standard steering feel and like it a little heavy, active steering will make it easier to steer as it boosts it more at lower speeds - I don't like how it feels, but others do and it will give you what you are asking for. __________________ 2022 X3M Brooklyn Grey 2008 E93 335i FBO 2012 Mercedes C63 Black Series Alanite Grey
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11-08-2010, 02:21 PM	#9
benz715 Private 7 Rep 81 Posts Drives: 535xi soon to be X5 Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: NY iTrader: (0)	alright cool- looks like the problem i am having should be sorted with active steering bc the steering is very stiff compared to my 535xi. Thanks and any more info would be great Yusuf
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11-08-2010, 04:30 PM	#12
benz715 Private 7 Rep 81 Posts Drives: 535xi soon to be X5 Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: NY iTrader: (0)	so the active steering will get me on the same page with the 5 series similar steering then. Thanks- I think I might have to test drive it to see
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11-09-2010, 08:37 PM	#13
TurboFan Ski bum 317 Rep 6,198 Posts Drives: sideways Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Knee deep in the pow iTrader: (8)	My 2011 X5d (no sport, no active steering) isn't what I'd call heavy at parking speeds. My 2008 MDX was far worse. My M3 is too light. __________________ 1999 e46 328i Ti Silver / Black[retired] 2007 e90 335xi Jet Black / Black[retired] 2011 e70 X5 35d Vermillion Red / Cinnamon 2011 e92 M3 LeMans / Fox Red extended
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11-10-2010, 01:03 AM	#14
Fester Major 27 Rep 1,129 Posts Drives: '13 Porsche 911 (991) 4S Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Silicon Valley, CA iTrader: (0)	I'm driving 2010 528i loaner while my e92 335 is in freaking workshop a week before warranty expires due to sudden "engine malfunction/reduced power issue"....that's another story BUT I like how 5 series steering feel...I own Lexus GX also whose steering is feelingless but I think e60 5 series just has the right feel...IMO... __________________ 2013 911 4S ...GT Silver/Espresso custom build w/ lots of options and all alphabets soup! 2007 335i Coupe ...TiAg/Grey custom build...Sold!
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11-10-2010, 06:10 AM	#15
benz715 Private 7 Rep 81 Posts Drives: 535xi soon to be X5 Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: NY iTrader: (0)	The e60 has a beautiful feel to the wheel
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