Our friend Richard Aucock continues his coverage from the 2011 BMW X5 LCI event in Miami, Florida. Today’s topic of discussion: BMW’s steering system in the X5.
“BMW chose not to significantly change the 2010 X5 because customers didn’t want it to, explained BMW’s Heinz Krusche at the car’s launch.
‘We had no complaints, customers were ordering again, so there was no need to engineer big changes.’
It’s not to say Krusche sat idly, though – and again, it is customer feedback that led this development path. Surprisingly, the steering systems was the focus of much of this.
Servotronic is now standard on all models. Why? ‘This makes parking lighter: weighty steering during maneuvering was one of the complaints of the old car.’
But more comprehensive is the re-engineering to the optional Active Steering system. Krusche admitted that those who changed their cars often (just the sort of rich multi-car owner who might choose an option’d-up X5, then…) had difficulty in getting a feel for the system. ‘The change in ratio was too big, too different, especially at low speed.
‘Now, we take care more of actual steering input.
‘If there is higher input at lower speed, we increase the ratio for agility. However, if the driver steers gently, the ratio remains easy.’ In other words, it’s fast when you want it, normal when you’re steady. ‘People now feel less nervous driving it.’
5 Responses to “Customer feedback steers BMW engineers”
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Just from looking at the picture, it appears to be a drive-by-wire system. How does the driver get any steering feedback this way? Is it basically a 2-way feedback/motor system?
The inputshaft of the steering gear is just hidden behind the damper in that picture. If you worked with this every day you would see it but not if you just drive that car.
That pic is wrong anyway, it’s a 7 series (F01) front axle. The DQ-concept may be the same, but the X5’s front axle carrier is made of steel and not aluminium plus the other parts look slightly different as well.
ok, i see it.
Out of curiosity, are you able to tell the material of a part from looking at it? Are there hints from the way it’s formed?
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Just wondering, how does BMW gets “customer feedbacks’?
I had owned 3 BMWs and never been asked about my opinion in any form (voice, forms, emails) whatsoever.
Also been to BMW’s driving events, no forms to fill out either.
Maybe it is just me, but I am not so sure if they listen to its customers (idrive before 2009 MY, anyone).