I had adaptive drive on my 07 w/ 19's and I also have it on my 11 with 20's. I can say that on my 07, you could tell if you had the "sport button" on. I tested this many times on the same route many times. You can feel more irregularities in the road much more when you had the sport button on. My wife could tell if I had it on without even looking to see if it was no. It has been 45+/- days since I have seen my 11 with AD(At the dealer for issues) and cannot remember if i could tell the difference when I had the sport button on but then again I have 20's now. If and when I get my car back I can update.

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2012 X5 50i ZAP(2VA, 336, 465), ZTP, ZPP, ZPS(6VC), ZCW, ZRC, 322, 4UB, 4NC, 610
2011 ///M3 Silverstone II
2011 X5 50i(lemon)
-- SOLD --
08 550 Msport
07 X5 4.8I sport
04 545i sport
02 4.4i sport
01 540I M/sport
00 SL500
97 SL500