Self leveling suspension and active drive (questions)
 

I've done a search and saw a few threads that talk about this. But I haven't seen anything concrete (even on BMW's website).

(1) I must have/order "3rd row seats" to get self-leveling suspension?

(2) The 128's can only be installed with self-leveling suspension?

(3) Active drive is essentially the sports suspension?

(4) What is the difference between active drive and self-leveling? How does it really affect ride quality?

Thanks for the help. I'm seriously considering trading in my 4.8 for a 35d and am figuring out what I really want this time around. If possible, I want to get rid of the 3rd row seats.

(1) Don't know. I have 3rd row seats and "Self-Leveling Suspension" shows up as code 220 on my order sheet but I did not "add" it and it is not offered as an optioon.
(2) Don;t know. Seems odd.
(3) You are thinking of "Adaptive Drive" (versus active steering), and nio it is not teh same as the sports suspension. Adaptiove Drive is no longer included in the U.S. Sports Package. Adaptive Drive is an active suspension system; for example, it reduces body roll in turns.
(4) Self-leveling will simply raise adn level the suspension when there is additonal or unequal load in the vehicle. It does not affect handling per se. Adapative Drive is desigend to improve handling.

Yeah. I didn't see Code 220 as an option anywhere. But I remember when I was looking back at the 128 wheels in 2008 on BMW's website, I could have sworn that the self leveling was a requirement.

Is the "Sports" button by the gear box (not DS mode) part of Adaptive Drive? Would driving with the "sports" button off be the same as not having adaptive drive? I do notice more body roll when it is off.

So if I don't intend to tow things, would I even notice if I don't have self-leveling? (with only a passenger on one side of the passenger seat)?

im still on the edge of either getting a used 4.8 or a new 35d, care to share why you would want a 35d over your current 4.8?

See below from BMW re: Adaptative Drive. I wouldn't worry about self-leveling suspension. The "sports" button alters the throttle input (i.e., less pressure on the pedal increases amount of electronic throttle input; that increased input means the car feels as though it is accelerates more quickly with less pedel effort) and stiffens the suspension. I do not know if that button is Sports Package specific or also requires Adaptive Drive.

Adaptive Drive.


On every curve, on every road surface: Adaptive Drive counteracts the forces that cause body roll. Your BMW handles with outstanding sporting agility, while also ensuring a very comfortable journey for you and your passengers. Body roll is practically eliminated, and winding roads can be enjoyed with a maximum of stability and safety.

The proven effectiveness of BMW's innovative chassis control systems, Dynamic Drive and Variable Damper Control (VDC) work closely together to deliver an outstandingly smooth ride and enhanced agility. Sensors in your BMW permanently monitor vehicle speed, steering-wheel position and the pitch and yaw forces acting on the chassis. Using this data, the system precisely adjusts the stabilisers and the dampers, changing their settings quickly and accurately. This coordinated interaction of dampers and stabilisers counteracts the forces that cause the body to roll or sway. Your BMW hugs the road, delivers neutral self-steering behaviour, outstanding agility and shorter braking distances.
Furthermore, Adaptive Drive adjusts the suspension settings to suit the character of the road surface. Each axle has its own independent motor that can adjust the dampers on each individual wheel. When the road surface under one side of the vehicle differs in character from that on the other side - such as when driving on roads with gravel shoulders - Adaptive Drive instantly adjusts the suspension settings of the wheels on one side to practically eliminate any perceptible unevenness in the road. In addition, you can choose between a more comfortable default setting for the suspension, or a more sporting setting.
Such high-speed calculations and responses demand a high-performance electronics system. Adaptive Drive utilises FlexRay, a high-speed data transfer system that networks sensors, control units and stabilisers.

jayjay04x5. Get the 35d. I would have if it was available in 2008 when I had to buy a car.

I want a smooth accelerating BMW
I test drove both at the BMW Breast Cancer Drive event. (I'm not sure if that was the 35d or a European diesel variant). I loved how smooth the diesel with the twin turbo drove. I kept telling myself that I could "learn" to drive the 4.8i smoothly too. But up till now (even after the software update), it's still not the case. Half the time I feel like I'm lagging or I'm jumping off the line uncomfortably. It's hardly ever a smooth start. (I just wish the car would drive in DS mode from 0-40, then switch to regular D mode from 40 on. The problem with driving in DS mode all the time is that it eats a lot of gas + doesn't allow the car to cruise enough as driving in a higher gear permits). Plus at event, I drove the 4.8 pretty hard. The 4.8 is great if your always racing off at a stop light. I'm moody. I like driving fast (in general), but not always pushing the car at it's limit (sometimes). Plus when I have passengers, I'm typically a lot more mellow. I want enough power so I don't feel bogged down, but don't want any comments like "slow it down". I found that most of the time if I drive fast (smoothly) no one complains, it's the jerks and leaping off the line that makes my passengers unhappy. The diesel actually is noticeably slower accelerating at high speeds on the highway. From 60+, accelerating with the 4.8 is a rocket, but the diesel was adequate (not slow, just not as fast as the 4.8). In retrospect, the diesel's acceleration is perfect for everyday and weekend driving.

A Rear Backup Camera that is readily available
This essentially boils down to having the new iDrive (and assuming the new I drive fixes the problem with the boot up time. From the new 7 series with the new iDrive, the boot up time for the backup camera is fine). I can live with the current iDrive if the backup camera booted up faster. So with the new iDrive, I wouldn't mind having the Google Maps integration too. Entering nav addresses is a pain. Love to be able to e-mail/message it to the car. The slow backup camera takes 1/2 the utility away from Comfort Access. I have to unlock the car before I get to it from afar to have the camera available. I want to forget about my key period if I pay for comfort access.

Gas Consumption
Now I know diesel prices flucuate (more expensive in winter and less expensive in summer compared to premium gasoline). But at the end, the 35d will still get better mileage than the 4.8. In the beginning, I did some highway driving (in traffic) and averaged around 14mpg. Low, but expected. Lately my commute has changed where I do more local driving. Needless to say I'm only getting about 11-12 mpg. All this without a heavy foot. Not very fond of having a range of about 230 miles and needing to get gas again. Just feels like I'm wasting money. It's not that I can't afford it. I'm just not at a place where I can take something like paying for gas for granted either (to those that can. I'm sure you'll be upgrading to the awesome X5M).

Have you driven both cars? Why do you want a 4.8 anyways?

Thanks for the info on adaptive drive.

Very interesting about the sports button affecting the throttle. Gonna test that out when I get off work today.

and my answer is....


plus, i havent owned a V8 yet... but based on your experience, i think i should look more into 35d... i think everyone on this board that owns a 35d have only good things to say about it...

Agreed, the 4.8 is faster than the 35d. But the 35d really feels fast enough. Unless you actually plan on racing someone off the line. I'm sure the feeling you get accelerating with the 35d won't leave you disappointed.

I love V8's. The Mercedes S550's V8 is so nice and smooth. But the X5 4.8 leaves a little more to be desired. BMW could have done a better job with this one.

We drove a 2001 X5 4.4i V8 since it was new. It was our city car out on the town, all washed up and looking sharp. And it was our down and dirty country truck, hauling a couple of tons of road base in our HD utility trailer without breaking a sweat. We loved that X5; but it was totaled (hit from the rear). We've had our 35d now for a couple of weeks. It does everything the 4.4i did, but with much better mileage :)

FWIW I was at the local quarry today and hauled back 4,320lbs (2+ tons) of sharp sand. The 35d and loaded trailer tipped the scales at 10,860 lbs. The 35d got 21 mpg hauling the empty trailer to the quarry and 18 mpg on the way home. We've seen 27 mpg on 50 mile runs fairly often; but a more 'normal' average mpg on these hilly roads has been roughly 25mpg. By comparison, the 4.4i on a very good day with no head wind, could get 22mpg on long runs of flat interstate. But when towing the trailer, the mileage dropped into the mid to lower teens, even when empty.

Funf Dreisig