Stand alone adaptive drive!!! ???

[darwin316]

I would have definitely gotten the adaptive drive on the x5 if it was the only vehicle in the garage. Fortunately, I have an M3 for all the hi-speed cornering I could ever want...so I configured my wife's x5 to be more of a tourer, rather than a performance vehicle. At that note, I also would've gotten the 50i or the x5m if I didn't have the M3.

[Pex5]

I drove a 2011 X5 5.0 with 20s, sports suspension delete and no adaptive drive. I loved it! Yes it rolls in corners like a normal vehicle should, but its fine b/c the roll angle seems to remain constant. The benefit is a much better dampened ride on run flats. Feels much more like a BMW sport sedan ride.

The power is wonderful and strong. I drove a 2011 Cayenne S and wouldn't buy it if it were cheaper (instead of the $20k premium). Was nice, but no better than the X5 performance-wise.

My only complaint is that BMW didn't figure this out before. They always seem to correct a model's issues with the LCI refreshes.

I got a 2007 550i sport before the LCI and after a week of driving it I said: This car needs a bit firmer suspension without runflats; an exhaust so you can tell its a V8 and better wheels to look more aggressive. Three months later the car got all that, and the body kit. It transformed the car - I know this b/c I paid a la carte for suspension, wheels, tires, body kit and exhaust ...all on a leased car! It was worth every penny. And I had a similar punchlist after driving my 4.8 sport. Well BMW addressed everything again, but I'm not touching the X5. It's off lease in a year.

Regards,
DRP

[FatX5]

Before i ordered my 2011 5.0, i drove both the M sport and a reg 5.0. Huge differance in handling. I felt standard was too soft for the new motor. Yes my 2008 current 4.8 is loaded with Nappa and goodies but the pricing on the LCI is higher for a comparable X. I opted to give up some of the goodies for the Msport, which just made more sense if you want the adaptive drive. Also, ive had Black saphire Bmw's for 10 years now and wanted a change. My X is in production (paint shop) and is scheduled to be finished on Friday.

[X5FX]

I wouldnt get another X5 w/o Adaptive drive...it is the single best option I have.

[TheWanderer66]

Originally Posted by X5FX

I wouldnt get another X5 w/o Adaptive drive...it is the single best option I have.

+1.. my current 5.0i msport has it, as will every future vehicle I get. Not only is the vehicles body motion well controlled compared to the non-adaptive drive version, the ride is better. In sport mode it becomes more aggressive in damping and roll control and the ride quality stays much better than I'd expect.

[bimmerpwr]

When I get my next X5, my must have options will be:

Adaptive Drive:
Heads Up Display:
Preminum Sound:

Personally, I wouldn't buy X5 without adaptive drive. I think it is a single option that makes X5 a BMW. I am concerned about its longativity though. I assume these will need to be replaced around 100k or so (like that Audi air drive)? I put about 20-25k a year so that may come sooner than later...

[paqs]

I just changed from an 08 4.8i M Sport without active drive to an X5 M which has it as standard, for me this was like going from a bus to a sports car, I'm not talking power wise here purely the handling, I believe it is the active drive which is making all the difference, would never buy without it now.

[barbja]

Originally Posted by TRAINER

If it showed one without it going into a high speed lane change maneuver and two wheels came off the ground and then the one with AD in the same situation showing a flat X5 w/o any body lean/roll then I may have included it in my order..

I went from an '03 E53 to an '11 E70 35d. One of the things that I didn't like about my E53 was the body roll during 'quick lane changes'. I was used to it and had no problems recovering, but I'm sure it looked like I couldn't drive to everyone around me.

I got adaptive drive on my 35d. I LOVE it. I did a PCD. They equip the cars that you drive at the PC as close as they can to your purchased car and my selection did have AD.

Oh my! In the cone slalom course that guy pushes you to go faster and faster. I was slaloming those cones at over 75 without a problem (I remember because I pointed it out to my sister at the time -- the 75 part, not the no problem part). What a blast! My E53 probably would have rolled!