Adaptive Drive - Is it Worth it?

[onesixeight]

Don't walk, but RUN to your dealer and check the Adaptive Drive (or Sports Pkg) option! Initially when I had no intention of getting a Sport Pkg x5, and in fact, based on the rather harsh ride quality of my old E53 4.4 sport, I thought I'd get a non-sport X70. I was wrong!

I was so surprised at how well the X5 w/ Adaptive Drive rode. While the handling was great as always, it has to be the best riding of the sport SUV (or SAV for BMW). I've had Adaptive Drive on my 7 and ABC (similar system) in my old CL 55 and current S550, and I the X5 is the system that makes the most difference in terms of body control and ride.

The difference in ride quality make it a must get option!

[X5FX]

as I said earlier, on the E70 its pretty amazing. Test drive both and you will instantly see the difference. It is an expensive option, but imo it really isnt an "option".

[StumpyPete]

I cannot comment on Adaptive drive, but I do have an E70 on sports suspension - and in comparison to the E53 it is chalk and cheese. The E70 suspension has a much better ride. The choppiness of the E53 has gone. It is a lot more comfortable. I even had my E70 on a forestry track at the weekend - it dealt with it so much better than the E53.

[Denalio]

Originally Posted by X5FX

as I said earlier, on the E70 its pretty amazing. Test drive both and you will instantly see the difference. It is an expensive option, but imo it really isnt an "option".

I agree. I love the feature. You need to drive with it to appreciate the technology.

[PeteM]

Thanks for all the replies, I appreciate you taking the time.

[Dean Phillips]

I have it on my car. If you have the £££ get it. It makes the car go round corners like you car`nt believe!
It does make ride slightly stiffer, but just switch it off for a smoother ride.
My brother has my old ML, an `06 with Airmatic suspension and back to back the X5 rides as good as the ML in `comfort`, but walks away in the handling department. With the ML, you need to change the suspension settings before you go to attack mode, the X5 is there straight off, then if you really want to go for it hit `SPORT` button. With the sport setting on the ML, it just seems to make the ride very stiff, but with X5 in sport the ride is still quite complient and much more passenger friendly.
It really is an impressive car, but not miles ahead of the ML in any department. The ML has some nice features over the X5, but I would`nt swap.....

[asnpcwiz]

This seems like a great feature when you are talking about luxury cars, but this sounds kinda scary too. I mean...it tries to eliminate any feel of the car's body and it's flex. If that's true, it seems it would be easy to lose control of the car (if you push it too hard), and crash...am I wrong on this?

[X5FX]

Originally Posted by asnpcwiz

This seems like a great feature when you are talking about luxury cars, but this sounds kinda scary too. I mean...it tries to eliminate any feel of the car's body and it's flex. If that's true, it seems it would be easy to lose control of the car (if you push it too hard), and crash...am I wrong on this?

yes, it is just the opposite. It makes the vehicle safer.

[jamesboags]

AT $6700 in AUS I let it go through to the keeper .. looked at the mechanics of it - pretty awesome... I keep my cars for longer than the warranty period also, so repair costs should anything go wrong were also a factor (not that it ever would it's a BMW right ?)...I'm sure it drives extremely well.... I do city driving so it wasn't that important for me...

[watrob]

Originally Posted by jamesboags

AT $6700 in AUS I let it go through to the keeper .. looked at the mechanics of it - pretty awesome... I keep my cars for longer than the warranty period also, so repair costs should anything go wrong were also a factor (not that it ever would it's a BMW right ?)...I'm sure it drives extremely well.... I do city driving so it wasn't that important for me...

Hi Mate,

My car arrives in Brisbane on the 10th June (Sunday), I should get it about 10-14 days later once the Aero kit gets do. Will let you what the adaptive drive is like as I am looking forward to it.