Dynamic Handling Package

[DSB'12X5]

What are your thoughts & experience on ZDH, specifically on X5? (Dynamic Handling Package)
It comes with

2VM Dynamic Damper Control + rear axle air suspension
2VP Dynamic Performance Control + Active Roll Stabilization
7SZ Dynamic Handling Package

For someone who doesn't drive very long distances, but drives every day to and from work with short weekend trips, but almost all city driving, is it worth getting this? I read a lot about body roll on new BMW compared to old one. I must add that I never found old BMW X5 (2012) to have excessive body roll on my daily commute, is it really that much worse on 2014/2015 models?

[DSB'12X5]

Anyone?

[DSB'12X5]

Whoa, what happened to this place? Is it abandoned or something?

[rayxi]

Perhaps the lack of response means very few people ordered it, myself included. I haven't noticed any difference in body roll (normal driving mode) compared to our E53 without sports package.

[campsteag]

Personally I find the active roll stabilization a waste on older models as my E70 does great on ramps and rapid turns with VERY little body roll. I do have Dynamic Damper Control + rear axle air suspension but not active roll.

But I have a 2014 X3 M and I think the newer body styles have more roll to them granted it is an X3.

[McDonaldD]

BMW's Dynamic Handling Package (ZDH) has the greatest impact on the X5 - while nice to have in the 7, 6 and occasional 5 - the X5 is where this option really shines. I have an e53 with sport suspension. I love the way it handles but I feel guilty when I have passengers. I feel like I'm punishing them. My parents purchased an e70 and it happened to have adaptive drive. I had experienced it in a friend's 7 series but the e70 w/adaptive drive felt impossibly solid - nothing seemed to disturb its chassis AND it was unbelievably comfortable. Fast forward a few years and I still feel a sense of loss each time I return to my e53 sport from a road trip in my parent's e70. Overall, I would prefer my e53 to my parent's e70. However, the e70's adaptive drive was too nice to ignore and I knew that my next vehicle would have it. My 2015 X5 (F15) entered production today and it absolutely has the new version of Adaptive Drive: Dynamic Handling Package (ZDH). I will not order another vehicle without it.

ZDH is elusive because dealers rarely order it for dealer-stock - no one pays 4500 for an option they don't understand. Customers that do understand just order it.

The Dynamic Handling Package is not something that needs to be activated, you do not need to change modes or hit "sport" to see a benefit. It is always improving your comfort, handling and safety. It is always there regardless of which mode you're in (comfort, sport, sport+) - I actually find BMW's modes to be unfortunate and misleading...unless you have DHP.

With ZDH, the the modes actually mean something: ZDH gives you the best of two previously distinct worlds. Comfort and Sport. ZDH outperforms all other suspension options on a track but, more importantly, does so in complete comfort. ZDH is also the most comfortable of any suspension option AND it is still the best performing. ZDH means you no longer have to compromise between sport or comfort...just between $ and $$$. Even if your X5 is never tracked (do people actually track their X5s?) you will always benefit from improved handling and safety - think safety maneuvers or times when you feel unsettled (like accidentally taking a corner a little too fast).

Unfortunately, given its unobtrusive manner, the Dynamic Handling Package is not something you'll truly appreciate until you lose it; when you are forced into the unfortunate experience of driving/riding in a vehicle without it - like I was, returning to my e53 from my parent's e70. ZDH changes the way you think a vehicle should perform - it makes any other vehicle, without ZDH, seem broken. Other vehicles require you to lean into each turn, cause your head to bob and sway. Rides in other vehicles will evoke an involuntary flight response - you'll want to politely scramble from such an "unsafe vehicle." Other cars will seem broken. Thats ZDH. other vehicles will seem broken/unsafe because they do not have ZDH. Reentering your car, you'll be wary of such an pompous assumption. Is ZDH really the difference? You'll be wary of entering corners and lean in, anticipating the centrifugal force. Leaning in will make you'll feel like a fool, thankful that your seatbelt kept you from falling out of your seat. Relax, you're back in your vehicle with ZDH. The dynamic handling package really does make that much of a difference.

If you have the money, buy it. If you're weighing several options, move ZDH to the top of the must-have list and go from there. You'll likely only realize how nice it is when you are forced to drive/ride in something else...but you'll never question ordering it again. ZDH gives you, silently, whatever driving style you'd like. You'll hear your tires hit bumps but the car does not become unsettled. The harshest of potholes are acknowledged but not disturbing. Curbs and speed bumps are taken in stride, a smooth transition. Winding roads and freeway onramps induce a maniacal grin.

If you're lucky enough to find an F15 w/ZDH on your dealer's lot, take it around a cloverleaf freeway onramp in comfort and in sport mode - then, immediately, swap to any other ZDH-less vehicle and do the same thing. Swap, again; repeat the same loop in the one with ZDH. The difference will be truly night and day.

[DSB'12X5]

Originally Posted by McDonaldD

Unfortunately, given its unobtrusive manner, the Dynamic Handling Package is not something you'll truly appreciate until you lose it; when you are forced into the unfortunate experience of driving/riding in a vehicle without it - like I was, returning to my e53 from my parent's e70. ZDH changes the way you think a vehicle should perform - it makes any other vehicle, without ZDH, seem broken. Other vehicles require you to lean into each turn, cause your head to bob and sway. Rides in other vehicles will evoke an involuntary flight response - you'll want to politely scramble from such an "unsafe vehicle." Other cars will seem broken. Thats ZDH. other vehicles will seem broken/unsafe because they do not have ZDH. Reentering your car, you'll be wary of such an pompous assumption. Is ZDH really the difference? You'll be wary of entering corners and lean in, anticipating the centrifugal force. Leaning in will make you'll feel like a fool, thankful that your seatbelt kept you from falling out of your seat. Relax, you're back in your vehicle with ZDH. The dynamic handling package really does make that much of a difference.

If you have the money, buy it. If you're weighing several options, move ZDH to the top of the must-have list and go from there. You'll likely only realize how nice it is when you are forced to drive/ride in something else...but you'll never question ordering it again. ZDH gives you, silently, whatever driving style you'd like. You'll hear your tires hit bumps but the car does not become unsettled. The harshest of potholes are acknowledged but not disturbing. Curbs and speed bumps are taken in stride, a smooth transition. Winding roads and freeway onramps induce a maniacal grin.

If you're lucky enough to find an F15 w/ZDH on your dealer's lot, take it around a cloverleaf freeway onramp in comfort and in sport mode - then, immediately, swap to any other ZDH-less vehicle and do the same thing. Swap, again; repeat the same loop in the one with ZDH. The difference will be truly night and day.

I think this sums up pretty much why I did not get ZDH in my new X5 order. I am sure it makes a huge difference and I am coming from non-ZDH E70 to a F15, and while I really would like having it I had to sacrifice at least 2 or 3 packages to get that, it might be worth it in the end for sure but I figured F15 should not be that much worse than E70. I actually never felt the need for better stabilization or control on E70, it felt like it was glued to the road with almost no body roll unless you really pushed it, taking curves and corners were never a problem when coupled with right gear selection, all this with stock 19" RFT.

Thanks again for the comments, your post above alone could be an "editorial" piece on DHP.

Oh, I checked 3 dealers, non of them had anything with DHP, not even Air Suspension or Damper Control, nope, not one. I guess living in the city, driving less than 20 miles a day does not push people to get DHP.

[McDonaldD]

An update regarding Dynamic Handling Package (ZDH) on the F15's. My October 2015 F15 with ZDH now has 20,000 miles on it... I one hundred percent stand behind my earlier post (if one ignores its (and this one's) many grammatical errors). The F15 with ZDH drives more like a sedan (or sport sedan if you're in Sport+) than any SUV I've had the privilege of driving (including the Porsche Cayenne Turbo (with porche's dynamic handling package variant)). It's just a joy to drive. While the normal F15 suspension is nice compared to its competitor's offerings, the Dynamic handling package is just superb. The chassis always feels (and is) composed. The added benefit of Sport+ just makes freeway on ramps all the more enjoyable. It is eerie how much of a difference the various driving modes impact the driver's (and especially passenger's) experience. I was driving some family through Calistoga to a winery, the roads there are...not the best. So, I wanted to see what Sport+would do and also see if anyone noticed a difference (I have the "driving mode" alerts disabled because I find them annoying). Not even 5 seconds after I put the car into sport+, my grandma turned to me and said: "whatever you just changed, put it back. I don't like the harsher ride. It makes me feel like a bobblehead."

Obviously ZDH is a lot of money and I'm not advocating for people to go further in debt...however, if you're not incurring further debt by adding it, it'd be a foolish option to pass up.

An aside: I just wish ZDH included 4-wheel steering, too (or even as an additional option). My aunt's 640i has the dynamic handling package AND 4-wheel steer, it's pretty impressive how tight of a turn it can make. It can U-turn in the middle of a tight, country two-lane road. Living in SF, that'd be an amazing feature for the F15 to have.

Originally Posted by McDonaldD

BMW's Dynamic Handling Package (ZDH) has the greatest impact on the X5 - while nice to have in the 7, 6 and occasional 5 - the X5 is where this option really shines. [...] My 2015 X5 (F15) entered production today and it absolutely has the new version of Adaptive Drive: Dynamic Handling Package (ZDH). I will not order another vehicle without it.

The Dynamic Handling Package is not something that needs to be activated, you do not need to change modes or hit "sport" to see a benefit. It is always improving your comfort, handling and safety. It is always there regardless of which mode you're in (comfort, sport, sport+) - I actually find BMW's modes to be unfortunate and misleading...unless you have DHP.

[...]

Unfortunately, given its unobtrusive manner, the Dynamic Handling Package is not something you'll truly appreciate until you lose it; when you are forced into the unfortunate experience of driving/riding in a vehicle without it - like I was, returning to my e53 from my parent's e70. ZDH changes the way you think a vehicle should perform - it makes any other vehicle, without ZDH, seem broken. Other vehicles require you to lean into each turn, cause your head to bob and sway. Rides in other vehicles will evoke an involuntary flight response - you'll want to politely scramble from such an "unsafe vehicle." Other cars will seem broken. Thats ZDH. other vehicles will seem broken/unsafe because they do not have ZDH. Reentering your car, you'll be wary of such an pompous assumption. Is ZDH really the difference? You'll be wary of entering corners and lean in, anticipating the centrifugal force. Leaning in will make you'll feel like a fool, thankful that your seatbelt kept you from falling out of your seat. Relax, you're back in your vehicle with ZDH. The dynamic handling package really does make that much of a difference.

If you have the money, buy it. If you're weighing several options, move ZDH to the top of the must-have list and go from there. You'll likely only realize how nice it is when you are forced to drive/ride in something else...but you'll never question ordering it again. ZDH gives you, silently, whatever driving style you'd like. You'll hear your tires hit bumps but the car does not become unsettled. The harshest of potholes are acknowledged but not disturbing. Curbs and speed bumps are taken in stride, a smooth transition. Winding roads and freeway onramps induce a maniacal grin.

If you're lucky enough to find an F15 w/ZDH on your dealer's lot, take it around a cloverleaf freeway onramp in comfort and in sport mode - then, immediately, swap to any other ZDH-less vehicle and do the same thing. Swap, again; repeat the same loop in the one with ZDH. The difference will be truly night and day.

[BMW X5]

Originally Posted by McDonaldD

An update regarding Dynamic Handling Package (ZDH) on the F15's. My October 2015 F15 with ZDH now has 20,000 miles on it... I one hundred percent stand behind my earlier post (if one ignores its (and this one's) many grammatical errors). The F15 with ZDH drives more like a sedan (or sport sedan if you're in Sport+) than any SUV I've had the privilege of driving (including the Porsche Cayenne Turbo (with porche's dynamic handling package variant)). It's just a joy to drive. While the normal F15 suspension is nice compared to its competitor's offerings, the Dynamic handling package is just superb. The chassis always feels (and is) composed. The added benefit of Sport+ just makes freeway on ramps all the more enjoyable. It is eerie how much of a difference the various driving modes impact the driver's (and especially passenger's) experience. I was driving some family through Calistoga to a winery, the roads there are...not the best. So, I wanted to see what Sport+would do and also see if anyone noticed a difference (I have the "driving mode" alerts disabled because I find them annoying). Not even 5 seconds after I put the car into sport+, my grandma turned to me and said: "whatever you just changed, put it back. I don't like the harsher ride. It makes me feel like a bobblehead."

Obviously ZDH is a lot of money and I'm not advocating for people to go further in debt...however, if you're not incurring further debt by adding it, it'd be a foolish option to pass up.

An aside: I just wish ZDH included 4-wheel steering, too (or even as an additional option). My aunt's 640i has the dynamic handling package AND 4-wheel steer, it's pretty impressive how tight of a turn it can make. It can U-turn in the middle of a tight, country two-lane road. Living in SF, that'd be an amazing feature for the F15 to have.

Thanks for your comprehensive review of ZDH I have to say it was the single most reason why I chose to "settle" with one I just picked up. Got a 2016 luxury package 50i with dhp and it was never even on my radar kept wanting the Msport as I had on my e70 but also had adaptive on it so in the sport button activated it was amazing the difference and I couldn't imagine giving it up. I don't have 20"s now which I wonder if it would change the experience even more but question: zdh is always on no matter which mode and just enhances each mode with it's already improved performance? I haven't tried a non dhp so how would you know if a model has it or not if any? No one seems to have any info on dhp differences or functionality which is frustrating.

[JM71]

Had it on both my E70s. Absolute must IMHO but I drive fairly aggressively.

Don't think you will find it on any dealer lot unless a customer backed out of the order. It was a Priority 1 option on E70 and I imagine it's the same on F15.