2012 X5 50i -- about to order, question on adaptive drive and wheel size! Help please

[flyfisher]

Hi everyone,

I have an order already in place but not yet in production so I can still tweak it, but time is running out. I've spent hours poring over what information I can find, but I'm still stuck on:

1) Should I get adaptive drive? It is around $2600 to upgrade to it, since I already have the M Sport package. I am leaning "yes" here, but would *love* to hear some arguments for/against.
2) 19" or 20" wheels? I prefer the looks of the 20" wheels, but I'm concerned about ride quality (I live in an urban environment, though the roads are decent). Also, will it affect the quality of whatever winter tires I put on?

Here's what I have so far:

2012 X5 50i
Carbon Black Metallic/Black Nevada Leather/Dark Burl Walnut wood trim
M Sport Package
Cold Weather Package
Premium Package
Premium Sound Package
3rd Row Seat
Multi-Contour Seats

Huge thanks in advance for any advice!

[blue dragon]

I came from an E46 M3, I can't live without adaptive drive. I also have two little girls, so the 3rd row seat makes sense whenever I have to carry any of their friends. 20s look a helluva lot better than the 19s, and as long as the air pressure is set correctly, the ride is not overly harsh

[Syndicate]

Like blue dragon, I also came from and e46 M3 and love the adaptive drive. When around town I'll usually turn it off, then switch it back on when I'm hitting the twisties on the ride back home. The ride comfort is not an issue with the 20's, and there are plenty of quality winter tires (Pirelli, Michelin) that you can choose from.
Enjoy.

Cheers,

[Jen]

+1 on the adaptive drive!!! You might want to consider the bamboo wood trim. I personally like it better than the burl.

[Gregory34]

Great build! Consider adding the Nappa leather dash and console. It adds a real hi-end feel.

[barbja]

Yet another vote for adaptive drive. I have a 35d+adaptive and I really like it.

I'm considering trading my x5 for an x6 and spent this weekend driving ones with and without the sport package (hence adaptive drive). I Really wanted to be able to get away with not spending the extra $4600. I found that if you're used to adaptive drive, anything less is not acceptable (kinda like the multi-contour seat issue).

I think if you get it you won't regret it. Get it, and then to make yourself really happy that you did, go back to the dealer after you've had the car for four months and drive an x5 without it. You'll be glad to get back to your own car!

[ard]

Love AD...but I will add there are 10 threads and 100 posts on it pro and con that a search would reveal.

Stick with 19"..better ride, better tire choices, better HANDLING (different than 'ride')

[MJim]

+1 for the 19s. I currently have a 40d M Sport on order, and deliberated with the same question. I think the 333Ms look great and the 19in 223M pretty average. I had a test drive with the 20s, on good roads and thought they were fine. Then I took a second test drive (in central London), again with the 20s and encountered a pot hole and also a speed bump, and was shocked at how rough the ride was over these. I ended up deselecting the sports suspension and going for the 19s as a result.

I'd had quite a few owners on forums telling me the ride was fine on the 20s with sports suspension, and I'm sure for them it is. It is subjective after all. However for me, and as the car is the primary family transport rather than my toy, I felt the set up I went for was better for us, and will still be a sport orientated ride. It's worth noting that are still some independent reviews complaining even this is too firm.

As ard suggests, in the unlikely event you were to take the car round a race track, the 19s would I am told be faster. The unforgiving nature and reduced flexibility given the reduced side wall costs connection with the tarmac and loses time. That's why race cars will always have a bit more sidewall. Tbh that was never a consideration for me though.

I agree, however, that the 20s do look better. So at the end of the day it comes down to what your priorities are, and how sensitive you are to ride quality. The ideal would be to test drive the 20s set up and look out some rough road.

Can't comment on the adaptive drive as it's not an option on the diesels over here...

[flyfisher]

Thanks, everyone, for the helpful replies.

I am 100% sold on adaptive drive.

On the wheels, the opinion here (and in other threads) seems to be that 20" wheels (vs. 19") may look better but they could adversely affect the ride and handling, and exactly how much is a function of driving conditions. Does that sound accurate?

Would it also be accurate to say that adaptive drive would help to some extent with the ride quality aspect? Or is that hoping for too much?

[barbja]

I like the look of 20s too and am concerned about the ride. What I've decided to do is order with the 19s (unlike most, I hate 214 wheels and don't want the summer tires BMW ships on 20s), then switch out to some 20" 259s with Conti DWS or Toyo Proxes.

I'm hoping that the 20" + non-RFT will be a good combination. I do tend to take rough pavement and speed bumps pretty fast, so the 19s won't leave the stable until a good evaluation period is over.