no adaptive suspension and active dampers. You only feel them during hard high speed cornering (60 km+)

Here's a great post on the differences between McPherson Strut and Double Wishbone suspensions. Attaching pictures from the post as well. http://www.club-tc.com/forums/suspen...-wishbone.html

Double Wishbone is more compact and allows the weight of the suspension components to sit lower, thus bringing down the center of gravity, but is inherently more complicated.

First one is McPherson Strut and second is the Double Wishbone assembly in the E70 X5

I'm looking for help in deciding on suspension options for a 35d for my wife. She currently drives an 2001 E53 4.4i with sports suspension. She seems to prefer a softer ride however (she likes the ride in the Escalade). From what I can tell, there are several suspension options available (please correct me if I'm wrong):

1. standard suspension
2. standard suspension with adaptive drive
3. sport suspension
4. sport suspension with adaptive drive

Would I be correct in assuming that the standard suspension would provide the softest ride? I like the sport package and was thinking that ordering it with the sport suspension deleted (I realize that the lower profile tires on the 19s will be more harsh). I understand that the RFTs are a factor, but they are something she will want to keep on the car. Thanks for any advice.

I don't think this is correct.

The Sport package cannot be ordered with a Sport suspension! If you order the sport package, it must come with a sport delete!!! Unless you add Adaptive Drive?!? WTF!

If your wife wants and Escalade ride, don't buy a BMW.... ;)

A

Thanks for clarifying options. Basically, the choices are:

1. Standard Suspension
2. Sport Suspension
3. Adaptive Drive

We are getting the 35d regardless of my Escalade comment - just looking for the softest ride.

Those are your options. If you want a softer ride, don't get adaptive drive. AD is the X5's "sport suspension." You can still get the Sport Package (it's just an appearance package), or not. The only option for non-standard suspension is AD.

I think you should have your wife drive an X5 with adaptive drive. I find that when I turn the sport button off, the ride is much more compliant--which is nice for passengers. But when I drive alone, I can push the sport button and have a ride that's reminiscent of my 330i sport. Best of both worlds.