Double Wishbone vs Sport Suspension

[M6X]

hi all, just picked up the e70. it's a beauty. far better than my retired e53. it came with the sport package. anyone have technical info on the difference between the two? the sales guy told me it gives the car a more sports car feel.

[Denalio]

Both have front wishbone suspension. The Sport package adds a "sport" button on the shifter console (electrinic dampening)that when engaged firms up the suspension. I believe it function is more to do with lateral stability/body roll in cornering than plush ride versus stiffness since the standard suspension is still quite firm. At least this is my experience. Also anthracite headliner (charcoal black), three spoke leather steering wheel, shadow line trim and 19" alloys.

[StumpyPete]

It depends on what the Sport package includes in Canada - if it includes Adaptive Drive (like it does in US) then Denalio is 100% correct. However if the sport package just includes "sports suspension" (as in Europe) then this only gives you uprated springs and dampers (in the same way as sport suspension on the E53). You need to pay more for the Adaptive Feature in Europe - the easy way to tell is if you have the sport button beside the shifter - if you have the button you have adaptive, if not it is the same as the European option.

[pb48]

Sport package in Canada only includes the uprated dampers & springs among other bits and pieces - the sport button on the console below the shifter only comes when you order the adaptive handling package (adaptive suspension & active steering). All E70 X5 use a double wishbone front suspension setup, the difference is in the springs and dampers.

[King]

Originally Posted by pb48

Sport package in Canada only includes the uprated dampers & springs among other bits and pieces - the sport button on the console below the shifter only comes when you order the adaptive handling package (adaptive suspension & active steering). All E70 X5 use a double wishbone front suspension setup, the difference is in the springs and dampers.

I'm not sure about that. When you build your X5 on the BMW Canada website and you select the 20" wheels, here's what it says...

Requires selection of:
Sport Package

Requires de-selection of:
Double Wishbone Front Suspension
Front seats, 10-way power adjustable with driver memory
18" Star Spoke Wheels - Style 209
All Season Run-Flat Tires: 255/55 R 18

The total price of this vehicle will increase by $3,800

So I would assume selection of Sport Pkg. means no double wishbone front suspension.

[firegabe]

Wow so the Sport button has nothing to do with the throttle? My 2007 MZ4 Roadster the difference between the throttle was night and day! but it did nothing to the suspension.

[soldmystang]

Originally Posted by firegabe

Wow so the Sport button has nothing to do with the throttle? My 2007 MZ4 Roadster the difference between the throttle was night and day! but it did nothing to the suspension.

to get different throttle response on the E70 one must pull the beer tap to the left. i highly recommend it in a 4.8

[StumpyPete]

Originally Posted by King

I'm not sure about that. When you build your X5 on the BMW Canada website and you select the 20" wheels, here's what it says...

Requires selection of:
Sport Package

Requires de-selection of:
Double Wishbone Front Suspension
Front seats, 10-way power adjustable with driver memory
18" Star Spoke Wheels - Style 209
All Season Run-Flat Tires: 255/55 R 18

The total price of this vehicle will increase by $3,800

So I would assume selection of Sport Pkg. means no double wishbone front suspension.

That message is an anomaly in the system. removing the wishbones would mean a fundamental re-design of the front of the car.

If you look at this link http://www.realoem.com/bmw/partgrp.d...42&hg=31&fg=10 it shows you the differences between the various suspension set-ups in the bottom two pictures. If you click on the pictures, you can see that the only real differences are in the front spring strut assembly, and the EDC/mounting parts. In the first picture (std suspension) you have the choice of normal or sports dampers. In the second picture you have the EDC (or adaptive suspension components).

[Denalio]

Originally Posted by StumpyPete

That message is an anomaly in the system. removing the wishbones would mean a fundamental re-design of the front of the car.

Stumpy is correct.

[wdc330i]

Originally Posted by M6X

hi all, just picked up the e70. it's a beauty. far better than my retired e53. it came with the sport package. anyone have technical info on the difference between the two? the sales guy told me it gives the car a more sports car feel.

From Edmunds:
Ride, handling, whip and whoa
If the original X5 had a major fault, it was its sometimes flinty ride. But the '07 model barrels down the highway with the stability and serenity of a large luxury sedan. This is particularly impressive given that the standard wheels on all X5s (3.0 and 4.8 alike) are 18-inchers, wearing run-flat tires.

And it hasn't traded any of its signature handling prowess for this improved comfort. In fact, the X5 handles brilliantly. The narrow, rain-soaked roads we drove should have made driving this 5335-pound SUV feel like riding a pig wearing roller blades. Yet, even without the optional sport package (electronically adjustable dampers, trick antiroll bars, 19-inch wheels), we could place the X5 with surprising accuracy. The front end bites with unexpected tenacity and will hold its line without correction. It's easy to flow smoothly through transitions without the disconcerting weight transfers normally associated with SUVs. How much of this can be attributed to the new double-wishbone front suspension (the first non-strut front on a BMW since 1961), we cannot say.