to ZAP (Sports Package) or not to ZAP - that is the question

PasPar2 · #1 03-30-2010, 09:30 AM

This is the ZAP package:

Sport Activity Package
255 Sports leather steering wheel
2LK 19" Y-Spoke Alloy Wheels (Style 335) with all-season tires
or 2LM 20" Y-Spoke wheels (Style 336) with performance tires
481 Sport seats
760 Shadowline exterior trim
775 Anthracite headliner

Some question to help me decide to those in the know:

* does the ZAP include any suspension modification or is it just whats in the list above? Can I expect a sport x5 on 18" oem wheels to ride EXACTLY the same as a non sport x5 on 18" oem wheels? ( I dont see anything about the suspension in the list above) Is the added "stiffness" due to the smaller side wall on the lower profile tires and nothing else?

* Has anyone come across real (non photo-shopped) pictures of the 19" 335? I saw the 336 in another thread - they are very nice but I'd prefer to avoid 20's if I can

* any opinion of sport vs non sport seats? never sat in sport seats - I have the comfort seat option now.

* is this the sport steering wheel? how is it diff from the non sport:

http://www.xbimmers.com/goodiesforyo.../P90055532.jpg

Thanks

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cmyX6go · #2 03-30-2010, 09:38 AM

The sports package used to include the adaptive drive. It no longer does and is a separate option. The adaptive drive is what changes the suspension and ride. The items listed in the sports package are just looks.

If you have comfort seats now, I don't think you'll enjoy the sports seats.

PasPar2 · #3 03-30-2010, 09:42 AM

Forgot to mention that comfort seats "came with the car" on my e70 (dealer stock) and I didnt find them that much more comfortable then the regular seats in the e53 we had before.

I dont commute by car, and we dont drive long distance so Im least worried about the seats.

cmyX6go · #4 03-30-2010, 09:45 AM

I've never had the sports seats but test drove with them. I also had them in the X6 I drove during the performance center delivery. I found them stiff and hard to get in and out of. The side bolsters are much larger and you almost have to navigate around them.

jaaX3 · #5 03-30-2010, 10:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PasPar2

* Has anyone come across real (non photo-shopped) pictures of the 19" 335? I saw the 336 in another thread - they are very nice but I'd prefer to avoid 20's if I can
-Check here: BMW X5 : 360° Visualizer

* is this the sport steering wheel? how is it diff from the non sport:

http://www.xbimmers.com/goodiesforyo.../P90055532.jpg
-yes, that is the ZAP steering wheel; it has the silver trim

.

ard · #6 03-30-2010, 01:51 PM

I got the sport pkg AND the Adaptive Drive.

I only wanted the Adaptive Drive. Believe it or not, we paid $2200 because my wife liked the black trim around the windows.... [shrug]

I concur that there is no difference in suspension between Sport and Non-Sport as they are packaged now. Lots of confusion though...people claiming different harshness, etc.

A

Foxx · #7 09-03-2010, 08:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ard

I got the sport pkg AND the Adaptive Drive.

I only wanted the Adaptive Drive. Believe it or not, we paid $2200 because my wife liked the black trim around the windows.... [shrug]

I concur that there is no difference in suspension between Sport and Non-Sport as they are packaged now. Lots of confusion though...people claiming different harshness, etc.

A

I've been asking and debating myself if there's any difference between the two, I cannot tell the difference, sorry. I keep switching between sport and non-sport and can't feel a difference.

GladiatorOwner · #8 09-03-2010, 10:44 AM

Hey PP2,

I took deliver of a '10 e70 this past spring with the ZAP option. I can tell you this, I concur with the others - the ZAP does not come with the adaptive drive. The difference in the steering wheel is that the sport version is thicker, which gives it a better feel. Essentially the package should be viewed as providing the vehicle with a more refined look (to me anyway). It gets rid of that stupid silver exterior window trim and darkens the inside ceiling. I think if your spending 55k on an auto, you should get in the damn thing and look around the interior and think "damn, this shit is nice! and fast too".

A comment on the sport seats which I have. I have been up and down the NYS Thruway a few times this past month and think the seats are pretty nice and did not exit the car thinking I needed a stretcher. So they are fine. From what I can tell from the other posters, the comfort seats are better but it may be more of a body size thing.

Also, I saw the 335s at the stealer and was not impressed at all, typical standard looking wheels. Kinda looked like bigger x3 wheels. Have not seen the 336s in person but they sure look nice in pictures.

Finally, with the sport package, the vehicle came with style 212 19"ers all-season. I removed them and replaced them with OEM 300Ms 20"ers and the diesel is a blast to drive, unreal power and as fast as you need it. I'm planning on putting the 212s on in the winter and doing the old winter/summer swap system. A bit of a pain but having 20"ers on completely change the look of the car which I'm sure you know. But being in NY, not willing to do the slip and slide in the winter so back to the 19s by thanksgiving.

Good luck, you can't lose with any decision you make here.

ard · #9 09-03-2010, 11:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Foxx

I've been asking and debating myself if there's any difference between the two, I cannot tell the difference, sorry. I keep switching between sport and non-sport and can't feel a difference.

What do you mean by 'switching' between the two???

This thread was about the difference between two different suspensions- NOT between the two different BUTTON settings on the Adaptive Drive Suspension.

If you are referring to the handling between one car with adaptive and anther car without, then for the way you drive, just skip the adaptive.

Take a car with adaptive and jam it through some twisties and you WILL understand what it is doing....

two-five boy · #10 09-03-2010, 02:37 PM

I bought mine with the Sport Activity pkg., specifically because I wanted the staggered rims, the sport steering wheel and seats. The shadowline trim was a nice touch as well. For the price difference between the premium and SA, I thought it was worthwhile.

Didn't bother with the adaptive drive since I can't see myself doing crazy things on a 5K lbs vehicle, esp. when my family is going to be w/me in it most of the time. The stock suspension is firm enough for me to take corners at a "fair rate of speed". If it was a sedan or coupe I'd given the upgraded suspension alot more consideration.

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