Has anyone driven an E70 with both sport and non sport suspensions back to back?
 

I read all the sport suspension questions in the archives and it seems that the sport package cars have a sport button to stiffen up the suspension.

What I am wondering is how the sport package car rides without pressing this button in comparison to the non sport car.

I read one post that expressed that the sport package car rides better than the non sport when the button is not pressed, can anyone confirm or deny this?

From what I read, most of the impressions in the archives are based on experiences with the E53. (My E53 has the sport package and the ride is pretty poor)

I can't make the decision for myself because my dealer doesn't have an E70 4.8i sport demo cars at this time, so I'm hoping someone was able to drive both.

Sport package adds Adaptive Drive which is worth every penny. Dont get the X5 w/o it.

I saw that and was planning on getting it, but did you drive a non sport car as well?

I am just trying to get an understanding of the difference on an E70.

Thanks!

Yes I test drove both. I prefered the ride of the sport model. In non-sport mode the ride is very plush, like a 7 series...with the push of a button the suspension is very stiff, more like a sports car.

That's good to know, as long as it's better than the sport E53 in non-sport mode, I'll be happy.

yes, it is very different.

As wierd as it may sound, the Adaptive Drive Sport model rides BETTER than the non-sport 4.8i. I drove both back to back and could not believe what I was feeling. Pushing the Sport button near the shifter does stiffen up the suspension, but my passengers could barely feel the difference, but the driver certainly notices the body roll is reduced and you do feel more of the road.

As a former 4.4i Sport E53 owner, I can certainly understand your concerns abou the rough ride and the sports package. BMW has done a great job with the ride of the E70 Sport Package.

Chris

Sounds great! I appreciate everyone's feedback as I sort through the option list.

If I recall correctly, sport suspension = adapative drive in the US. But in UK/Canada there are 3 settings for the suspension - (1) standard suspension setting; (2) Adaptive Drive; and (3) sport suspension setting. Any views on difference between the Adaptive Drive and the sport suspension setting? I remember some people said that the sport suspension is very good as well.

In Australia there are four options 1) Standard Shocks/springs (standard on 3.0 models) 2) Self levelling (standard on 4.8 models and option for others) 3) Sports suspension settings (same as standard except stiffer shocks Option for 3.0 models) and 4) Adaptive drive which has totally different adjustable shocks, electronic damper control (EDC), sway bar etc using flexray which I believe also has the normal setting and a Sport setting (option for all models)... but I am most probably wrong...!