Suspension Question re: Adaptive Drive

[ard]

First, we should keep 'elitism' out of the discussion, and in fact I apologize for bringing that in... (the whole money thing, relative values, etc) Lets just talk about the system.

I drive an E39M5 as a DD, and a modified 996TTX50 for 'fun'. I can tell you that the AD in the X5 is really extraordinary and well behaved. (One comparator is the 1991 Infitnit Q45 with their adaptive suspension.... but the other is the linear (not progressive) coilover suspension in th ePcar) The AD on the X5 is very well behaved and modulated. One may imagine that it is 'artificial' and 'interferes with the true handling'.... perhaps, but I've not felt it.

Now, is the system heavier, more 'bloated', and an additional failure risk? Absolutely.

My opinion is this: It is undeniably a better handling and better driving experience, FOR AN SUV. It also costs more to buy and maintain in the long run.

Each person needs to weigh this for themselves- but to say it is inferior I think misses the mark.

[Alan Smithee]

Originally Posted by Jim E.

Dynamic Drive has two active anti-roll bars, which have a positive influence on body
roll and handling characteristics. The fundamental feature of Dynamic Drive is the
divided anti-roll bars on each axle. The two halves of the anti-roll bars are connected
by a hydraulic oscillating motor.

One half of the anti-roll bar is connected to the shaft of the oscillating motor, the
other to the housing of the oscillating motor. These active anti-roll bars control stabilizing moments:

• which reduce the reciprocal movement of the vehicle body,

• which make it possible to achieve high levels of agility and target precision

over the entire road speed range,

• and produce optimum self-steering characteristics.

During straight-ahead travel, the system improves suspension comfort because the
anti-roll bar halves are de-coupled, with the effect that the basic suspension tuning does not additionally harden when the suspension on one side is compressed."


As you can see, comfort is one important characteristic of adaptive drive. The FlexRay bus system is used in the E70 for the first time in a standard production vehicle. I found it interesting that it is capable of 10Mbps. Flexray is not owned by BMW but is part of a consortium. FlexRay - The communication system for advanced automotive control applications

This post made me thankful that the AD is now a stand-alone option, rather then bundled with the 'sport' package.

Considering that my last BMW (E46 M3) had issues with just basic electronics (power window regulators, fuel tank sending unit), there is no way I would get involved with the complexity of AD. Especially since one of the reasons I have an X5 is for occasional use on unpaved roads.

[Jim E.]

Originally Posted by Alan Smithee

This post made me thankful that the AD is now a stand-alone option, rather then bundled with the 'sport' package.

Considering that my last BMW (E46 M3) had issues with just basic electronics (power window regulators, fuel tank sending unit), there is no way I would get involved with the complexity of AD. Especially since one of the reasons I have an X5 is for occasional use on unpaved roads.

What will we all do when BMW makes these types of suspensions standard?

Isn't that the case with the 7 series? Not sure.

[Alan Smithee]

Thankfully, the move towards lighter weight due to upcoming high fuel economy standards here and abroad will negate the need to control body motions of heavy vehicles through technology in future model generations. Back to basics, if you will.

Now, if we could get them to ditch the silly electronic shifter and e-brake in the process...

[Pex5]

Originally Posted by Alan Smithee

This post made me thankful that the AD is now a stand-alone option, rather then bundled with the 'sport' package.

There is a water down appearance package without the AD (sport steering wheel, seats black trim big wheels etc...), BUT, the "sport package" which is about twice as much as the appearance package comes with the AD and stiffer baseline suspension settings. However, apparently the M sport package (another $2k over the sport package) is no different mechanically than the sport package. It just offers body kit, bespoke wheels and M trim inside.

You've really got to know your stuff with all these offerings...

I walked into my local dealer and asked about the 4.4 LCI in the month that it was hitting dealerships. He had no idea what I was talking about... "Turbo V8? You must mean the X6 sir"

[Pex5]

Originally Posted by Jim E.

What will we all do when BMW makes these types of suspensions standard?

Isn't that the case with the 7 series? Not sure.

Not buy another BMW unfortunately...

I was in them for 9 years and loved them to pieces. But I had to go. The brand is moving in the wrong direction for me.

Had the 07' 550i sport. Loved it. The new 5er is like a 7 series (and about as heavy). So I personally left the brand, sadly. I imagine I'll replace my wife X5 with another BMW, but she is a different driver than I am. She likes luxury doesn't care about weight, handling nuances etc.. She's the reason the new BMWs look the way they do and weight what they do...?

I wanted a QP maserati. Too $$ new and too unreliable used. Merc and Audi offer nothing if you think BMW isn't sporty enough. So, I got a 911 and went completely to the extreme. I may look into a Panamera. Very cool car.

I was really thinking BMW was going to hit a bullseye with the new M5, after all the 2 chinks in the E60 M5's armor were poor low end torque and an annoying gearbox. Those two problems have been solved entirely. But who would have predicted a few hundred extra lbs. and bland styling!!! BMW is loosing the plot. I just wish they'd give M free reign to make the product core customers want. These days the M division is stuck modifying production trucks....

Lets pray for clarity for the BMW board.

DRP

[ard]

Originally Posted by Pex5

There is a water down appearance package without the AD (sport steering wheel, seats black trim big wheels etc...), BUT, the "sport package" which is about twice as much as the appearance package comes with the AD and stiffer baseline suspension settings. However, apparently the M sport package (another $2k over the sport package) is no different mechanically than the sport package.

I agree there is a lot of confusion about the X5 suspension.

Previously there was AD or one suspension. There was no such thing as a "sport suspension"

Since I am not buying one, I am not tracking this issue, but for some while people thought there actually was a "sport suspension"... recently I've seen nothing to indicate there is anything other than two suspensions offered in the US: AD and convention, with or without leveling. You need to look at order codes and not BMW marketing talk.

A

[Alan Smithee]

Originally Posted by Pex5

There is a water down appearance package without the AD (sport steering wheel, seats black trim big wheels etc...), BUT, the "sport package" which is about twice as much as the appearance package comes with the AD and stiffer baseline suspension settings. However, apparently the M sport package (another $2k over the sport package) is no different mechanically than the sport package. It just offers body kit, bespoke wheels and M trim inside.

You've really got to know your stuff with all these offerings...

I have seen no evidence that the 'Sport Suspension' (Adaptive Drive) is stiffer than the standard suspension; if anything, it appears to boast a more compliant ride.

A 'Sport Suspension' that consists of technology designed to filter vehicle responses to road surfaces and steering inputs is pure BMW marketing speak. To your point in another post, I agree that this is not what BMW used to be. I also left BMW for Porsche when it comes to 'fun' vehicles. My issue with the upcoming M-cars is that the powertrains will now be simply more powerful versions of the standard cars, and no longer special or unique. Larger and heavier are issues as well. (Otherwise, I quite like the new 5-series from a design standpoint.)

[Alan Smithee]

Originally Posted by ard

...for some while people thought there actually was a "sport suspension"... recently I've seen nothing to indicate there is anything other than two suspensions offered in the US: AD and convention, with or without leveling. You need to look at order codes and not BMW marketing talk.

I believe the operating words there are "offered in the US". Back in November, when I was sorting through the suspension options for my X5d order, I seem to recall seeing an order code for a sport suspension that is NOT Adaptive Drive, and is NOT offered in the US.

[ard]

Originally Posted by Alan Smithee

I believe the operating words there are "offered in the US". Back in November, when I was sorting through the suspension options for my X5d order, I seem to recall seeing an order code for a sport suspension that is NOT Adaptive Drive, and is NOT offered in the US.

Right. The "sport suspension delete" thing is a vestige of the "Sport Package" that used to include AD by default.

To have AD in the package it must delete the standard (ie the sport) suspension. From 2007 to 2009, selecting the SPort Package gave you AD which means the regular sport suspension was deleted. (this was an internal code, no something one selected)

When BMW hacked apart the options and separated AD from the Sport package, there was this strange and awkward "sport suspension delete" thing that just hung there. Confusion abounded. So then, in infinite wisdom, they turned that into some kind of 'check box' that toggles with AD..and it makes ZERO sense! You can order the Sport with either AD or the regular suspension...but the indicator of "I want just the regular suspension" is to show "sport suspension delete" which actually now means the opposite!!

Stunning bit of website programming.