why is Adaptive Drive so rare?

[AzNMpower32]

Originally Posted by rh71

rode again in a non-sport X5 shuttle vehicle... don't bother with AD unless you're throwing it around corners at 60mph+.

But some of us do that with some frequency.....

I think everyone has a different background and expectations. Based on the rural, two-lane hilly roads in central Virginia, the standard X5 feels cumbersome and floats over crests. I guess if one drives below the speed limit (55mph by default statewide) it's less of an issue but my default speed, as it is in Germany, is 100km/h or 62mph on all rural stretches and I really don't slow down for natural bends or dips in the road. I don't like excess float or slack, ever.

And yes, I do check the tire pressures. Of course this isn't my problem either......its my parents' issue. Just my €0,02 though.

[rh71]

around here on normal roads, the biggest bends are highway onramps and someone's always in front. Blah.

[barbja]

Obviously, if you're interested in AD, it's best to drive a car that has it. That was easier with the 2011 models because the MSport models included AD. If you could locate one of those, you were beauty.

In 2012, MSport doesn't include AD anymore, right? However, it does have a sport suspension. So you can at least try out the regular and sport suspensions on the dealer lot. If you're thinking to yourself 'hey, I think that my suspension could do more for me', go for the AD. Otherwise, save the coin and buy some diamonds (hey, I'm a girl).

When I test drove the 2011 e71s, I HATED the regular suspension. All squshy and bouncy. My SA put me in an MSport to try and I thought: 'yes, this is how this car should drive'. I added AD to my 35d. I suspect that I had something against the normal suspension because I was coming out of an x5 e53 sport that is so stiff it'll make your teeth break (and I loved it). There are probably those coming out of 'softer driving' cars that wouldn't have the same reaction that I did. M3 or M5? Probably so.

[Alan Smithee]

Originally Posted by ard

You are flat out wrong that 'sport suspension delete' is "AD delete".

"Flat out wrong"? Hardly. The context of this thread is used E70s in the US market. Two suspensions have been offered - (1) Adaptive Drive, and (2) 'normal', which was also identified as 'sport suspension delete' when selected with the 'sport activity package' in lieu of standard Adaptive Drive in 2011. So, yes, 'sport suspension delete' does delete Adaptive Drive.

The semantics on why the 'normal' suspension is called 'sport suspension delete' in reference to the BMW ERP may be interesting to some, but largely irrelevant since there were no other suspension configurations available in the US.

[Jim E.]

Originally Posted by Alan Smithee

"Flat out wrong"? Hardly. The context of this thread is used E70s in the US market. Two suspensions have been offered - (1) Adaptive Drive, and (2) 'normal', which was also identified as 'sport suspension delete' when selected with the 'sport activity package' in lieu of standard Adaptive Drive in 2011. So, yes, 'sport suspension delete' does delete Adaptive Drive.

The semantics on why the 'normal' suspension is called 'sport suspension delete' in reference to the BMW ERP may be interesting to some, but largely irrelevant since there were no other suspension configurations available in the US.

Why is this thread so contentious when the OP asked a simple question. Adaptive drive is rare because it costs so damn much.

Alan, I'm sorry but I have to disagree with your statement that SA 225 deletes AD. Let me explain - and I don't mean this to create any additional tension but rather just informative.

I'll use a 2011 X5d as an example since this is when they had the sport suspension delete in place.

If you ordered a bone stock 2011 X5d you would get the following:

Front shocks: 31326781918 with a 27mm front sway bar and spring part number 31 33 6 778 114

Rear shocks: 33526781921/2 with a 21mm rear sway bar and spring part number 33 53 6 779 861. Note, this assumes no self leveling suspension and also note that spring part numbers usually change by one digit at a time depending on options.

If your SA checked off option ZAP (Sport Activity Package) BMW NA forced out what the rest of the world got which is the sport suspension option SA226. This is SA225 known as Sport Suspension Delete.

SA226 would have gotten you different shocks, springs and a 23mm rear sway bar. It appears the front sway bar stayed the same.

Adaptive drive, option 2VA was a standalone option and is the only way at that time to get a "sportier" suspension. I do not know wwhether or not you could have ordered SA226 as a special order.

On the 35i Sport Activity there was no ZAP option package but SA225 was part of the "standard" equipment list and ZMP M Sport Package added 2VA automatically. On the 50i either ZAP or ZMP were available which did the same as outlined above for each one of those options and additionally 2VA was available as a standalone option too.

See the attached order sheets that my dealer gave me back then for reference. Don't ask me why I saved them.

HTH

[Alan Smithee]

Originally Posted by Jim E.

If your SA checked off option ZAP (Sport Activity Package) BMW NA forced out what the rest of the world got which is the sport suspension option SA226. This is SA225 known as Sport Suspension Delete.

SA226 would have gotten you different shocks, springs and a 23mm rear sway bar. It appears the front sway bar stayed the same.

Adaptive drive, option 2VA was a standalone option and is the only way at that time to get a "sportier" suspension. I do not know wwhether or not you could have ordered SA226 as a special order.

As I said before ad nauseum, this was not the case when I ordered my 2011 X5d.

ZAP included 2VA at the time. This was true on both the dealer order guide and on the "Build Your Own" on BMWUSA.com. Selecting SA225 ('sport suspension delete') on both the dealer order guide and BMWUSA.com website deleted 2VA (Adaptive Drive).

I am well aware of the order guide, package codes, option codes, etc. I went through them all prior to ordering my vehicle in an attempt to push some options through that were not officially available. I understand the semantics of the suspension options available here and abroad. No need to educate me, thanks.

Tired of repeating myself. Believe what I am telling you or not; it really makes no difference to me. Moving on...

[ard]

Originally Posted by Alan Smithee

ZAP included 2VA at the time. This was true on both the dealer order guide and on the "Build Your Own" on BMWUSA.com. Selecting SA225 ('sport suspension delete') on both the dealer order guide and BMWUSA.com website deleted 2VA (Adaptive Drive).

.

False. Someone else other than you or I can comment- since you've 'moved on'

In 2010 the ZAP package dropped 2VA. 2VA was, in 2010 and 2011, only a 'stand alone' option...the 'sport delete' was unrelated to 2VA. You wish to believeotherwise, fine.

People Outside the US market who ordered ZAP got the sport suspension. In the US market you got 225, no choice.

There is an erroneous fairytale that the 'sport delete' is how bmw removed the AD from the sport package- this is simply wrong. We know- FOR A FACT- that the 'sport suspension' is (i think) SA226...and that BMW excluded this from the US market with the "sport delete" option.

Credit to AZMpower32:
http://www.xoutpost.com/791539-post8.html

[BGM]

[rh71]

I should send this thread to BMWNA and show them their plan to confuse everyone worked. It's a miracle the salesmen can keep any of this in line.