Got the update from my dealer which aligns with feedback in this thread.

1. Standard on the V8
2. Optional on the inline six (gas and diesel) if the rear seat package is ordered.

Cool to know the second seat can move forward with that package while still being up.

Sorry to hijack, but does this apply to the older models as well? I have an 07 4.8 with the Adaptive Drive and the 3rd Row. Does that mean I have the load leveling suspension as well?

Not sure how this aligns with my previous post? Maybe I'm getting a little old but can you ask the dealer to please show us where on the attached OFFICIAL BMW dealer order guide for the 2011 x5 50i does it show option 220 as "standard"?

In contrast please look at the X5 M order guide which in fact shows option 220 as standard.

My only guess is that they are talking about the X5 M which I do not think you are - or are you?

Easiest way is to get underneath the back of the car and look for traditional coil springs. If you see them then you don't have self leveling. My guess is that you have self leveling because you have the 3rd row seats.

Thanks, I'll check it out when my wife gets home.

I posted this on the "other" thread the OP started, but for the record:

There are some great advantages to the 3rd row seat. But (to me at least) the "fatal" disadvantage is that getting the 3rd row negates your ability to have a spare tire (unless you want one riding in the luggage compartment, pretty much unrestrained). And that in turn forces you into over-priced, over-weight, rough-riding and bubble-prone RFT's for as long as you have the vehicle.

Some folks like the RFT's and that's fine. Personally I hate them. The snow tires on both our X5's are non-RFT, and I will shortly be replacing the X5D's 20" Dunlop "Summer Performance" tires with non-RFT Conti DWS's. So not having a spare would be a deal killer for me.

As always, YMMV.

I got the third row seat as an option solely because it was the only way I could get the self leveling suspension. My X5 is a work vehicle, the rear seats are down 99% of the time and I carry about 200 lbs of stuff back there. Towing a boat and having to put more stuff in occasionally makes the SLS a no brainer for me.

What I don't understand is why the lack of a spare is such a concern. I put a set of Blizzaks on for the winter and went with conventional tires. Purchased a small 12V compressor with tire repair plug kit and a bottle of slime and it all fits in the left rear storage compartment. Hope I never have to use it, but if it doesn't get me going, I probably would have needed a flatbed anyway. Is it a chance? sure but everything is a gamble of some type and for me it's a chance I'm willing to take.

Some here may have statistics, for me the last flat I had was 3 vehicles ago which represents a total of 210,000 miles since 2003.

4 months ago I probably would have agreed with you. But on the SECOND day I had my 2011 X5, I got an irrepairable flat in the left rear 20" Dunlop. The piece of metal poking through the tread was about 1 1/2" by 3/4". As soon as the TPMS came on, I pulled into a rest area, whipped out my VDO tire gauge and found ZERO PSI. Tire would not hold air - leaked out as fast as I pumped it in. For all its good intentions the goop wouldn't have stood a chance.

The OE Dunlop was a RFT, but I still didn't trust it (had about a 50 mile drive home, then another 40 miles to the dealership the next morning), so having the spare was a Godsend.

PS the replacement tire cost $635 (not a typo). Another reason I hate RFT's.

Quote:

Originally Posted by jdbretz (Post 807029) Sorry to hijack, but does this apply to the older models as well? I have an 07 4.8 with the Adaptive Drive and the 3rd Row. Does that mean I have the load leveling suspension as well?

Aside from looking for the air suspension under your vehicle, you could ask the parts department at a dealership to send you the PDF/printout of your vehicle’s information sheet (lookup via VIN). This can come in handy anytime you want to know if your vehicle has an option.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim E. (Post 807071) Easiest way is to get underneath the back of the car and look for traditional coil springs. If you see them then you don't have self leveling. My guess is that you have self leveling because you have the 3rd row seats.

In 2007 the Self-Leveling Suspension (option 220) was not exclusive to the third-row seat. I have a 2007 X5 4.8i with Sport Package (included Adaptive Drive), without the third-row seat, and my vehicle has the self-leveling rear suspension. I don't recall exactly what facilitated option 220 to be on my vehicle (was it "standard" with the engine selection, due to the Sport Package, etc) but I know it was something I wanted and did not have to select as an individual option.

Don't know if this helps but I picked up my 2011 35d on Saturday, I didn't get the 3rd row seat but self leveling suspension is listed under the "factory options" section of the bill of sale. Not sure about other models but appears to be standard on the 35d.