Quote:
|
Originally Posted by JCL
IMO, from an engineering standpoint, there is an optimal ride height that balances handling dynamics, ground clearance, etc. While I understand rear adjustable suspension (to compensate for different loads), making it adjustable on four wheels is a negative. It is the result of the designers admitting that they couldn't figure it out so they will let each owner try on his own. I would vastly prefer not to have an adjustable ride height gimmick on a new road vehicle. And just because another manufacturer does it doesn't make it right.
If it is so important to get another inch of ground clearance, this is the wrong vehicle to be looking at. If traction is so compromised that the 1" extra ground clearance actually helps in deep snow, then there are other problems at work here, including the lack of snow tires, malfunctioning of the AWD system, lack of snowplows, and driver skill.
|
I kind of agree with you but as far as not needing extra ground clearence it does come in handy. Its actually almost 2inches not one. We have had some bad ran storms and flooding and i used it and it help me get through about 20 inches of water with less of a problem than if i didnt use it. And last winter we had a blizzard which yes is rear. But there was close to 18in of snow with 3ft snow drifts. I actually got stuck at first because the X5 was slightly off the ground since the snow was pushing up on the body. I realized i forgot to use my hieght adj susp and i lifted it and got loose from the snow. Lastly if you are gonna go offroading which i never will the extra 2 inches of ground clearance makes a huge difference in serious offroading. And before you start saying that the X5 is not a capable offroader or not designed ofr offroad or not good at it your wrong. all though i will never take my X5 offroad mainly because it cost 65k I recently did the Performance center delivery in SC and they let you use one of there X5s in a Extremely tough off road course they built. and they basically tell you to drive it like you stole it. I did shit with that X5 that i didnt think were possible with Jeeps. And jeeps are pretty serious offroaders. The X5 with Xdrive has serious offroad capabilities and anyone who has done the pcd will attest to that. And if you say its not good offroad you dont know what the hell you are talking about. Ive done it first hand. So i dont wont to hear anyones shit. Also while I was down there I screw up on the offroad course when i wasnt listening closely to the driving instructor and got hung up on a large man made hill. The bottom of the X5 got hung up on it. The instructor told me to lift the suspension setting and he got out and rocked the X5 side to side till i got loose. So dodnt tell me that Hieght adj suspension is useless. The lowering setting is very useful for easier access in and out especially for your 80 year old grandmother believe it makes a difference to her. And trying to lift your 150LB plasma 50 inch TV which i actually just bought the 1 inch means alot. With all that being said. Its not a deal breaker for me. I just love the X5 and even if that option is not available i will still purchase it but i do hope its available
__________________
Dinan M3
2006 X5 4.4i Sport Current Vehicle
2006 CLS 55 AMG Current Vehicle
2010 FORD F-450 King Ranch Current Vehicle
2012 GL 550 Current Vehicle
1999 M3 Dinan S3 SOLD
2001 M3 Dinan S2 SOLD
2002 M5 SOLD
2004 X5 4.4i sport SOLD
2007 335 XI Lease ended
2009 E92 M3 SOLD
Last edited by DINANM3; 09-08-2006 at 02:28 AM.
|