Ordering a 2005 E60 - Need some advice - BMW Forum

ziabingi · 08-23-2004, 01:26 PM

Hello all,

I'm ordering a 2005 E60 with an October production date. Have a simple question...

I'm a meat and potatoes man, so the only option I choose was the auto trans, but my little family travels alot and I am thinking of adding in the NAV system. At $1,700, it's pricey, but for you 2004 E60 owners, is it worth it? And, will I be able to interface a DVD player and monitor for the kid to its CPU?

Any helps is appreciated. Thanks.

zia

maci4life · 08-23-2004, 02:48 PM

Even though i don't have the car, i personally wouldn't get it. there are a lot of after market units that probably do a better job and have more features. Another advantage is that you can add it afterward if you really need it instead of factory installing it and being pressured to make a hasty decision because they have to complete the car.

BeelZibub · 08-23-2004, 03:37 PM

I've heard the satnav combined with the HUD is worth while - you don't have to keep looking down at it, much safer.

0bmw · 08-23-2004, 08:14 PM

Hi,

i just got one and kinda wish I had gotten the Navigation with the HUD. ofcourse that comes to almost 4K, but I have heard it is really a revolution. One thing, I would never get an E60 without is the Active Steering that comes in the sports package. This is a hand-down from the 7 series also and is a big revolution in steering. It automatically adjusts the steering ratio based on speed and drivign conditions. You will be able to parallel-park with your eyes closed.

Hope this helped!

BeelZibub · 08-24-2004, 04:17 AM

Active steering a revolution??? We've had it for the best part of a decade on such things as renault cleo's and the like - it's so women don't hurt their delicate little shoulders while trying to park.

CosmosBlack · 08-24-2004, 04:24 AM

I think, Beelzibub, you might have gotten confused "powersteering" with this "activesteering" by BMW.
The active steering has to do with the steering ratio to speed,
I don't know the exact tech terms, but to explain in words,
If the car is slow or parking, it takes just about a half turn or so to get the steering from left to right lock. In a normal car, it would take maybe 2 turns.
At higher speeds...the ratio changes.

The first time I drove the new 545i, I had a shocking jab to my arm when I was parking. You know how you turn on the wheel forcefully and quickly when doing a 3 point turn...the steering just locked in less than a turn and I wasn't expecting that! Felt like I almost broke the steering wheel! But it is a nice feature to have and I believe once you adapt to it, you'd not enjoy a car without it.

BeelZibub · 08-24-2004, 04:36 AM

That's very similar to what I was talking about - what we know as "active steering", lets you feel the car while you're driving at speed (ie slightly heavier more responsive steering - sportier feel on the bends particularly whilst driving hard) but the slower you go ie. town driving and at in particular parking speeds the steering progressively gets lighter and easier to turn - so your old lady can park without pulling her little shoulders.

We've had it years on some Euro cars, it was just an extra that was never that popular.

CosmosBlack · 08-24-2004, 04:43 AM

What you're talking about is the ease of turning the wheel.
Tighter at high speeds and lighter and easy during parking.
That has been around a loooong time.

Active steering lets you turn the steering to move the wheels from left lock to right lock in less than one full turn of the steering wheel.
In a normal car without active steering, it would probably take 2 or more full turns of the steering wheel to do that.

I hope I explained it well this time...

cassidym · 08-24-2004, 05:27 AM

ziabingi, I just ordered a 2005 545I for pick up in October in Munich. I did get the Nav and HUD. Wouldn't get a car without NAV. Very useful plus it comes with voice command although not as well integrated as the ones you get a Japanese cars.

Anyway, I bought my wife a Mini Cooper a couple of years ago and got NAV with that becuase she is new to the area and she loves the thing and it works well. It doesn't always select the best route and occassionally makes outright mistakes but by and large, it is very handy. She bombs all over the place like she's lived here all her life. really convinient to use when we get invited to someones house in a large development we are unfamiliar with. Just enter the address, select the sort of route you want (most use of freeways, least use of freeways, shortest distance etc) and the thing talks you to right where you're going.

I'm I'm not mistaken, the Mini Nav system is made by the same company (NavTech) that makes the BMW system.

Also, teh DVD drive is seperate from the CD player so that isn't a problem.

cassidym · 08-24-2004, 05:48 AM

ziabingi, I just ordered a 2005 545I for pick up in October in Munich. I did get the Nav and HUD. Wouldn't get a car without NAV. Very useful plus it comes with voice command although not as well integrated as the ones you get a Japanese cars.

Anyway, I bought my wife a Mini Cooper a couple of years ago and got NAV with that becuase she is new to the area and she loves the thing and it works well. It doesn't always select the best route and occassionally makes outright mistakes but by and large, it is very handy. She bombs all over the place like she's lived here all her life. really convinient to use when we get invited to someones house in a large development we are unfamiliar with. Just enter the address, select the sort of route you want (most use of freeways, least use of freeways, shortest distance etc) and the thing talks you to right where you're going.

I'm I'm not mistaken, the Mini Nav system is made by the same company (NavTech) that makes the BMW system.

Also, the DVD drive is seperate from the CD player so that isn't a problem.