Experience or thoughts regarding "Adaptive Drive" ??
 

Anybody have experience or thoughts regarding "Adaptive Drive" ... also called "Active Roll Stabilization & Electronic Damping Control" (Option Code # 2VA) on the BMW 7 series ?? ... Some also called it "Dynamic Drive".


"Adaptive Drive" will also be available on the 2007 X5 E70 for the first time as Option Code # 2VA in the 'Sports Package' (USA) and in the 'Dynamic Handling Package' (Canada).

Your comments would be greatly appreciated !


As per BMW Customer Service ....

"Adaptive Drive is based on active stabilizers on the front and rear axles. Depending on the driving situation, the suspension response is sporty when cornering and relaxed when driving straight ahead. This system constantly acts within a fraction of a second while the car is on the move. This has the effect of minimizing the side tilt of your car and optimizes dynamic stability when cornering or taking evasive action.

Also included in this option is the Electronic Damper Control (EDC) technology. EDC is a processor-controlled wheel suspension system that adjusts the shock absorbers to changing road or driving conditions. EDC regulates damper forces electronically, adapting to road, load and driving conditions. EDC allows you to choose between a comfortable ride or sporty handling."

I drove a 7 with this and was simply amazed at how well it rode as well as how well it handled - for such a big, heavy car. I think this will be awesome on the X...

Eliminates (most of) body roll.

Eliminates all roll at low speeds, some roll at higher speeds. + the system stops intervening as much at high speeds (i.e. gives you more roll than it can handle) to alert you that you are reaching the cars limits...

The 5 (w/ sport package) & 6 have it too... Pretty amazing stuff. And now other manufacturers are copying with their sedans...

i'm not sure if this system works the same as in the other cars... can someone clarify? the other cars use hydrolics and adjust the shocks appropriately... while from the stuff i read, the x5 just uses hydrolics to adjust the control arms..... am i misunderstanding?? thanks.

Adaptive Drive = Dynamic Drive + EDC-K

Dynamic Drive = Active Roll Stabilization (ARS)

EDC-K = Continuous Electronic Damper Control (CDC)


Both ARS and CDC are systems developed by ZF Sachs.

For more general info, details, animations etc see:

http://www.bmw.com/com/en/index_highend.html (find the systems in 5er & 7er microsites, or within "Technology Guide" in "BMW Insights" menu),

or ZF SACHS sites:

ARS: http://www.sachs.de/direkt.php?link=...000000000.html

CDC: http://www.sachs.de/direkt.php?link=...000000000.html


Many sports & luxury cars use Damper Control systems (EDC, MagneticRide, etc) which continuously control & adjust damper stiffness regarding to road conditions. Like the animation shows dampers are set stiffer when needed (high speeds, corners, etc) and softer when needed (bad road surfaces etc). This results in better comfort, better handling, better overall driving dynamics. So dampers in this case can be either hydraulic, pneumatic, or magnetic. While sturts can be either steel springs, or pneumatic "springs" - air suspension. Such systems can help by eliminating some body roll as well. But not entirely. Still sway bars are used for anti body roll function mainly.



Therefore some cars use Active Roll Stabilization (eg. DynamicDrive by BMW, ABC by Mercede-Benz) - when systems actively prevent & elimenate body roll with counter forces produced by ARS systems.

When using dampers & springs also (beside sway bar) for anti body roll function this can be done only when dampers / air springs becoming very stiff - but in this case ride comfort is hurt badly. But when ARS systems are used they perform Anti Body Roll function, while dampers & springs can do their primary job.

DynamicDrive is actually an active sway bar, so it works "independently" from dampers & springs.

Get it?

Btw, X5 E70 uses hydraulic dampers & steel coil springs (optionaly air springs on rear axle). While Dynamic Drive usessway bar active hydraulic stabilizers which can generate stbilizing counter-forces to prevent / eliminate body roll.

Hey Scott27:
Many Thanks for the extra info and links !!!

ok, thanks for the info. so in summary, are you saying that the x5 system is among the best of these systems out there... or not?

I'm saying X5 E70 is the only SUV with active roll stabilization system (beside damper control), while other SUVs have damper control only.

ARS will noticably affect car's driving dynamics. In a positive way of course.

E70 production has just begun, so the dealers will get the first showroom examples in the next weeks. Contact your dealer & arange yourself a test drive ...

I'm sure you'll be pleasently surprised.

i don't think dealers will have this car in the next few weeks.... i don't think they will have it until after thanksgiving... which is when the debut is.

i wish i can test the car before i manage to buy it .. :)