why is Adaptive Drive so rare?

[ard]

Originally Posted by Alan Smithee

You are correct, for US models. AD was originally part of the 'sport package', and it still was later when re-named 'sport activity package'. However, for $3,500 less, there was a "sport suspension delete" sub-option to eliminate AD from the 'sport activity package'.

This is partially correct- my understanding:

You are correct, for US models. AD was originally part of the 'sport package', and it still was later when re-named 'sport activity package'. However, for $3,500 less.

In addition, the "Sport activity" package got the SA266 sport suspension (bit stiffer) ...however all US models got the mandatory "sport suspension delete" sub-option to eliminate this sport suspension from the 'sport activity package' as it was felt the US market would not like this.

Again, my understanding.

[Alan Smithee]

Originally Posted by ard

In addition, the "Sport activity" package got the SA266 sport suspension (bit stiffer) ...however all US models got the mandatory "sport suspension delete" sub-option to eliminate this sport suspension from the 'sport activity package' as it was felt the US market would not like this.

You are making a confusing issue even more so by bringing up non-US models, codes on build sheets that people will likely never see, etc.

I cannot speak for all models and all model years. What I do know is that on my 2011 (November 2010 build) 35d, when the 'Sport Activity Package' option was selected, it included AD. There was a 'sport suspension delete' sub-option to delete AD for $3,500 less in both the 'Build Your Own' section on BMW.com, as well the dealer order system. Because there were only two suspensions available, standard and AD, it did appear that BMW NA was equating AD with sport suspension. I believe this is what the OP is referring to towards the beginning of this thread.

Perhaps in other parts of the world a 'Sport Activity Package' vehicle without either AD or 226 (sport suspension, non-Adaptive, not available at the time) would be 'sport suspension delete', hence the confusing name of the sub-option once offered here in the US. Regardless, AD is now a stand-alone option.

[ard]

Originally Posted by Alan Smithee

You are making a confusing issue even more so by bringing up non-US models, codes on build sheets that people will likely never see, etc.

I cannot speak for all models and all model years. What I do know is that on my 2011 (November 2010 build) 35d, when the 'Sport Activity Package' option was selected, it included AD. There was a 'sport suspension delete' sub-option to delete AD for $3,500 less in both the 'Build Your Own' section on BMW.com, as well the dealer order system. Because there were only two suspensions available, standard and AD, it did appear that BMW NA was equating AD with sport suspension. I believe this is what the OP is referring to towards the beginning of this thread.

Perhaps in other parts of the world a 'Sport Activity Package' vehicle without either AD or 226 (sport suspension, non-Adaptive, not available at the time) would be 'sport suspension delete', hence the confusing name of the sub-option once offered here in the US. Regardless, AD is now a stand-alone option.

Uh, I don't think I am confusing the issue. Sorry if it is a complex issue, but the BMW ERP system configures cars for worldwide production- you see vestiges of this reality in the various order options.

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

BMW reconfigured the package to take AD out of the sport package-true. However you are assuming this is what the "delete" is referencing...

But in ROW the sport package gets a sport suspension...in the USA it gets "sport delete".

Configure a car in the UK with the Sport Activity package (without AD) and you will see no automatic "sport delete" in 2010 and 2011.

[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