Self leveling suspension vs sport suspension for towing

[PAX5]

It won't be long before the boating season is upon us ...

What's your opinion on the following: towing a 25 ft boat on tandem axle trailer, combined weight approx 5200 to 5300 lbs, using:

a) an '08 e70 4.8i with a self leveling suspension, or
b) an '09 e70 4.8i with a sport suspension

and both cars have 20 inch wheel tire combinations.

According to REALOEM the suspension/shocks are exactly the same, except that the sport suspension is missing the self leveling "bladders".

Both cars are rated to tow 6,000 lbs. Towing distance will be no more than 10 miles round trip a couple of times during the summer. The rest of the year I get to enjoy the "sport" suspension, although, and here's the BIG IF, if the suspension set up is the same, will I really notice/feel a difference in the ride? I am told that the "bladders" tend to fail ...

[wsybert]

Not sure what you mean by "sport suspension". Do you mean standard vs one with rear air?
Either will be fine. Weight distribution is key with any tow. If you load the rear of the vehicle properly, it will tow fine with either suspension.
I have rear air, and my X tows better then F150 I used to have.

[ard]

10 miles a few times a year?

Skip the bladders/self leveling.

Better to spring for AD!

THAT you will feel EVERY day.... (FYI, in those years the 'sport package' added AD.)

[blue dragon]

Originally Posted by ard

10 miles a few times a year?

Skip the bladders/self leveling.

Better to spring for AD!

THAT you will feel EVERY day.... (FYI, in those years the 'sport package' added AD.)

Thats the same thing I told him , for such short tows, and light tongue weight, he's not going to miss the self levelling.

You can reference this thread to see how the self levelling suspension sits when towing a boat

http://www.xoutpost.com/bmw-sav-foru...ider-pics.html

[PAX5]

Thanks guys.

It's clear that Adaptive Drive wins over self-leveling suspension.