Sports Button with Adaptive Drive
 

Did the search and read a lot about the Sport Button, but didn't find the exact answer to the question in this thread.

So you only get the "Sport Button" below the shifter IF you have Adapative Drive. Now with this button pressed "on" (so that the green light shows up), the car's ride is definitely stiffer. But with the button pressed "off" (so that the green light is not on), is this the same as having a car without adapative drive? Does a car with adaptive drive with the button pressed off, still benefits from other aspects that come with adaptive drive.

I test drove a 35i and 35d without the adapative drive. The ride felt a lot softer and signifcantly more roll was felt. I think that it felt even more than when I drive with my 4.8 with the "sports button" pressed off. Just wondering if it's in my head. It might be due to the difference in weight. I did notice the 35i and 35d (that did not have 3rd row seats) felt lighter than my 4.8 with the heavier engine and additional weight from the 3rd row seats. Not sure if the 21" vs 20" wheels would have made any difference either. Figured 19" and 20+ would make more of an impact.

Found this while doing research about the Dynamic Handling Package for the new 5 series. Apparently for the 528, it only gets something called Electric Damping Control, while the 535 or 550 gets Adaptive Drive and Active Roll Stabilization.

Wondering if this might apply to what the "sports button" does in the X5.

What I'm thinking (guessing) is that with Adaptive Drive, regardless of if the sports button is pressed on/off, is always working trying to minimize body roll. And that the sports button pressed on/off actually affects the damping or firmness of the suspension (thus the noticeable difference in feeling with it on and off). Which leads to the hypothesis that "The drive of a X5 with Adaptive Drive with the the Sports Button Pressed Off IS NOT the same as a X5's drive without adaptive drive."

Still hoping someone knows a definite answer to this question. :)

NOTE the below information is for a 5 series and may/may not apply to a X5.

your 2nd post seems correct... adaptive drive is always on. Frankly I don't feel a noticeable difference with the sports button on or off as far as suspension stiffness... it's always damned stiff (insert pun).

From 2011 X5 Brochure
 

"Adaptive Drive.
This feature combines Active Roll Stabilization (ARS) and Electronic Damping Control (EDC)– two active suspension control systems that combine sporty handling with enhanced ride comfort. When cornering, ARS generates a strong resistance to body roll, helping to keep the vehicle level. This adds to passenger comfort – and, for the driver, maximum stability and exciting agility. EDC instantly and continuously adjusts the shock absorbers from the softest to firmest settings during changes in vehicle speed, load, or road and driving conditions. The result is a sporty ride that is always solid and controlled – never harsh."

Thanks for the input. rh71. The difference in stiffness is really noticeable at high speeds on freeways.

I've only got about 250 miles on my 5.0i so far so I don't have extensive experience with the difference between normal and sport, but what I have noticed is a more aggressive damping rate of the shocks in sport mode. It's possible that ARS is more aggressive too, but I haven't pushed it hard enough to test the system.

These features were must have for me however. After the last four years in a pickup truck and a lincoln navigator, I had to have something that didn't drive like a truck, by comparison. It's certainly not a proper sports car, but if I had wanted one of those, I'd have bought one.

As it is, the X5 has turned out to be everything I'd hoped it would be and the Adaptive Drive suspension is a major part of that.

I feel the most difference when going over speed bumps and/or really rough roads.

If you're ever in a parking lot where you're going over one speed bump after another, try turning the sport on and off between each bump to see if you can tell.

I personally prefer sport in the "speed bump/bumpy road" conditions because I don't like my car to bounce. However, if I have more than one other person in the car, or I have 60 lbs of bowling balls in the back that I don't want to hit the roof (that's 2 2-ball bags and I have almost done it going over bad RR tracks too fast), I turn off sport to go over the bumps.