Adaptive Drive - Is it Worth it?

[PeteM]

Can you UK members with adaptive drive option give me some help and let me have some feedback.

Does it make a difference on UK roads? If so how much of a difference? ( I ask as our roads are so different from US roads) Do you notice the difference between Normal and Sport?

Is it worth the extra money?

Would you recommend it?

I would appreciate your comments, Thanks in advance.

[X5FX]

Adaptive drive is far more than just the Normal and Sport button....worth every penny imo.

Look at the video about 1/3 of the way down this page for an explainaton of exactly what the adaptive drive is in the E70. Dont be fooled by posts from those with the E53...the E70 is a totally different animal.

http://paultan.org/archives/2006/11/...ive-in-athens/

[omegaelite]

Hi pete

I had it on my 730d and still crashed!

Based on the sales literiture with adaptive drive and what you read in the manuals it said it should make the car go flat rather than striaght on.....in sharp bends.

Nope it didnt in reality. Came up to so traffic lights a little fast turned right and the car went striaght on into the traffic light on the other side of the road.....rahter than driving flat round the corner as the book says it will. So they lied.

However I had a 4.6is with sports suspension which was very hard, the 730d/745i sport both had sports suspension but there was a setting on the edc (part of adaptive drive) which made it lovley and soft for driving on motorways...

If the dynamic drive on the x is like that then its worth every penny....

Any body got a comparison between an x with the sports suspension and one with dynamic drive (on both comfort and sports settings)?

[PeteM]

Thanks for the replies and the link, very interesting.

From my understanding then, adaptive drive is constant in the vehicle, the Sport button allows for a harder riding style, is that right?

If so, what if you were to pick up your driving into a sportier mode without switching the Sport button? Would the vehicle recognise and compensate for that? Would it act differently than if you had switched the Sport button?

[X5FX]

Originally Posted by omegaelite

Came up to so traffic lights a little fast turned right and the car went striaght on into the traffic light on the other side of the road.....rahter than driving flat round the corner as the book says it will. So they lied.

???

[X5FX]

Originally Posted by PeteM

Thanks for the replies and the link, very interesting.

From my understanding then, adaptive drive is constant in the vehicle, the Sport button allows for a harder riding style, is that right?

If so, what if you were to pick up your driving into a sportier mode without switching the Sport button? Would the vehicle recognise and compensate for that? Would it act differently than if you had switched the Sport button?

The button only chages the ride characteristics from a very smooth ride to a stiffer more responsive ride. Otherwise the adaptive drive is still doing its thing regardless of position.

[PeteM]

Originally Posted by X5FX

The button only chages the ride characteristics from a very smooth ride to a stiffer more responsive ride. Otherwise the adaptive drive is still doing its thing regardless of position.

Thanks again, but just to be clear. If your in normal mode, but working the car, (IE you overlooked hitting the Sport or your reacting to a situation) does the adaptive drive just keep the 'levels' {X,Y,Z} so to speak but remain soft or does it harden up the drive as well.

Thanks Again.

[Beefy]

I took the adaptive drive, previously had a 3.0d with sport suspension. The new 3.0d 2007 with adaptive drive is so much better, goes into bends like a dream. Having said that I have not tried without. from what I have read in editorials adaptive drive has been very positivley accepted. I think go for it,

[omegaelite]

pete

in the e70 reference manuals section of this site is a pdf on verticial systems which includes Adaptive drive...some of its a bit techy but it does explain how it all works and when....

http://www.xoutpost.com/pdf/e70/04c_E...%20Systems.pdf

Hope that helps

[X5FX]

Originally Posted by PeteM

Thanks again, but just to be clear. If your in normal mode, but working the car, (IE you overlooked hitting the Sport or your reacting to a situation) does the adaptive drive just keep the 'levels' {X,Y,Z} so to speak but remain soft or does it harden up the drive as well.

Thanks Again.

I dont think so.

correction...for example if you suddenly made a quick turn to avoid an accident, yes the adaptive drive will make radical adjustments.