A couple of weeks ago, I took delivery of an X5d with sport package and 20s, but without Adaptive Drive. I read all of the Adaptive Drive 'must have' posts here before I ordered, but I resisted; I do not like artificial feedback from 'active' suspensions. Besides, if the vehicle ended up being a wallowing beast, I have other weapons for canyon carving. Of course a back-to-back comparison on some twisty roads would have made it easy to decide for myself, however dealer inventory around here has been slim.

I must say that I am very pleasantly surprised by the standard X5 suspension. It is proper BMW; nicely starched, but not stiff, with surprisingly little body roll. This thing really moves through the turns if you push it. While Adaptive Drive may reduce body roll further while smoothing out the ride, I can't see how it would feel natural to have the vehicle respond in that way.

For a little background, this is my 7th BMW, the last two being M3s, which saw plenty of track time. I took a break from BMW the last 9 years (during Bangle's tenure), and have used Porsches on the track instead. So I do appreciate good handling...but I see no need for Adaptive Drive. (And as was mentioned by somebody else, the fewer electronics to go wrong in a BMW, the better.)