Quote:
Originally Posted by McDonaldD
Unfortunately, given its unobtrusive manner, the Dynamic Handling Package is not something you'll truly appreciate until you lose it; when you are forced into the unfortunate experience of driving/riding in a vehicle without it - like I was, returning to my e53 from my parent's e70. ZDH changes the way you think a vehicle should perform - it makes any other vehicle, without ZDH, seem broken. Other vehicles require you to lean into each turn, cause your head to bob and sway. Rides in other vehicles will evoke an involuntary flight response - you'll want to politely scramble from such an "unsafe vehicle." Other cars will seem broken. Thats ZDH. other vehicles will seem broken/unsafe because they do not have ZDH. Reentering your car, you'll be wary of such an pompous assumption. Is ZDH really the difference? You'll be wary of entering corners and lean in, anticipating the centrifugal force. Leaning in will make you'll feel like a fool, thankful that your seatbelt kept you from falling out of your seat. Relax, you're back in your vehicle with ZDH. The dynamic handling package really does make that much of a difference.
If you have the money, buy it. If you're weighing several options, move ZDH to the top of the must-have list and go from there. You'll likely only realize how nice it is when you are forced to drive/ride in something else...but you'll never question ordering it again. ZDH gives you, silently, whatever driving style you'd like. You'll hear your tires hit bumps but the car does not become unsettled. The harshest of potholes are acknowledged but not disturbing. Curbs and speed bumps are taken in stride, a smooth transition. Winding roads and freeway onramps induce a maniacal grin.
If you're lucky enough to find an F15 w/ZDH on your dealer's lot, take it around a cloverleaf freeway onramp in comfort and in sport mode - then, immediately, swap to any other ZDH-less vehicle and do the same thing. Swap, again; repeat the same loop in the one with ZDH. The difference will be truly night and day.
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I think this sums up pretty much why I did not get ZDH in my new X5 order. I am sure it makes a huge difference and I am coming from non-ZDH E70 to a F15, and while I really would like having it I had to sacrifice at least 2 or 3 packages to get that, it might be worth it in the end for sure but I figured F15 should not be that much worse than E70. I actually never felt the need for better stabilization or control on E70, it felt like it was glued to the road with almost no body roll unless you really pushed it, taking curves and corners were never a problem when coupled with right gear selection, all this with stock 19" RFT.
Thanks again for the comments, your post above alone could be an "editorial" piece on DHP.
Oh, I checked 3 dealers, non of them had anything with DHP, not even Air Suspension or Damper Control, nope, not one. I guess living in the city, driving less than 20 miles a day does not push people to get DHP.