Discussion
Dynamic Drive is 'OK' - I personally didn't notice much difference the couple of times I went out in a 5 with it over the SE or Sport setups. It certainly wouldn't be a dealmaker/breaker for me, unlike Active Steering, which I found awful, although seems to be quite popular among the golf club set it seems.
I don't really have a benchmark for comparison (never owned/driven other E60's), but my E60 (530d SE) has active steering and dynamic drive and it's a brilliant ride with superb ultraflat cornering to use the huge grip of the tyres. Chassis balance is fantastic too on the E60 IMHO.
I don't know why Active Steering gets such a bad press either, I think it's a masterpiece of engineering, no lack in feel or precision I can make out. Having said that, I picked the car 'cos it was the right price/spec for me at the time, not for those options in particular.
Oh, just realised, Clarkson slated Dynamic Drive and Active Steering didn't he
I don't know why Active Steering gets such a bad press either, I think it's a masterpiece of engineering, no lack in feel or precision I can make out. Having said that, I picked the car 'cos it was the right price/spec for me at the time, not for those options in particular.
Oh, just realised, Clarkson slated Dynamic Drive and Active Steering didn't he
I think there are some misconceptions about dynamic drive and active steering. A lot of people, those in the trade included, see them as automatic systems to adapt the degree of damping or servo-assistance that is applied, depending on what the driver is doing. I think this under-sells both enormously.
Active drive actually varies the steering ratio, not just the assistance. At low speed, the steering ratio is low, so that few turns are needed for tight turns. At high speeds, the ratio is high, so you get better stability. Many critics say it's an answer to a problem that doesn't exist - just design the steering right in the first place (low compliance and linear gain in particular) and you don't need such solutions. That may be right, but there's no denying it's an incredible technical achievement.
Dynamic drive is an active roll-cancellation system, not just something that stiffens up the suspension when you go fast. Go fast or go slow, it compensates for body roll while retaining soft suspension. It still allows the wheels to move up and down over bumps during a corner. For the most part, the car stays flat (especially with the 6-series implementation) and the tyres, springs and dampers carry on working their best without being compromised by the need to cope with corners.
Given time, I would wax lyrical about Valvetronic as well. I'm not convinced by active steering, but I think dynamic drive and valetronic are the jewels in BMWs enormous technology crown. and few people seem to realise.
Nick
Active drive actually varies the steering ratio, not just the assistance. At low speed, the steering ratio is low, so that few turns are needed for tight turns. At high speeds, the ratio is high, so you get better stability. Many critics say it's an answer to a problem that doesn't exist - just design the steering right in the first place (low compliance and linear gain in particular) and you don't need such solutions. That may be right, but there's no denying it's an incredible technical achievement.
Dynamic drive is an active roll-cancellation system, not just something that stiffens up the suspension when you go fast. Go fast or go slow, it compensates for body roll while retaining soft suspension. It still allows the wheels to move up and down over bumps during a corner. For the most part, the car stays flat (especially with the 6-series implementation) and the tyres, springs and dampers carry on working their best without being compromised by the need to cope with corners.
Given time, I would wax lyrical about Valvetronic as well. I'm not convinced by active steering, but I think dynamic drive and valetronic are the jewels in BMWs enormous technology crown. and few people seem to realise.
Nick
Edited by welwynnick on Tuesday 16th September 13:26
Hi,
I had a 530d M Sport without Dynamic Drive or Active Steering. And I've got a 645Ci with both.
I think it just fair to say that although different cars, they are more similar than not, however, I much prefer the ride in the 6. I actually do find the Active Steering useful at low speeds, as being stuck in a lot of traffic it makes the car a lot more nimble. And as for Dynamic Drive, it really lends smoothness to the overall ride over what is, a sporting GT, and then when you want to push on, is very subtle around corners. But still offers all the feedback, I think, that I want.
I'd get it again, put it that way.
I had a 530d M Sport without Dynamic Drive or Active Steering. And I've got a 645Ci with both.
I think it just fair to say that although different cars, they are more similar than not, however, I much prefer the ride in the 6. I actually do find the Active Steering useful at low speeds, as being stuck in a lot of traffic it makes the car a lot more nimble. And as for Dynamic Drive, it really lends smoothness to the overall ride over what is, a sporting GT, and then when you want to push on, is very subtle around corners. But still offers all the feedback, I think, that I want.
I'd get it again, put it that way.
Gassing Station | BMW General | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff