Adaptive drive
 

My business partner wants the xdrive50i spor pack with ad. I had adaptive drive on my 2009 xdrive48i and I assured him that it's worth the extra 3500. If anyone has ad in their 2011 X5, how do you like it. He is an agressive driver like me.

I have the X5 50i MSport with AD. The difference is subtle but worth it in my opinion. It would take back to back drives over the same roads to know whether the non-AD leans towards the soft setting or sport setting but having both choices is nice. I wish the button did more such as steering or throttle response as in other models.

I'd recommend active steering even over AD (I think). Without it, parking lot speeds is very heavy. With it, parking is a breeze plus low speed corners have less steering turns, quicker than my Z4. Unlike test drives of older cars with it, I've not been bothered by the changing ratio as speeds increase.

I have had the Active Drive on my 2007, 2011 and now 2012 and honestly would not have the X without it but I am accustom to the added stability to the car. Every once in a while (when paying the loan) i had buyers remorse that I may have ticked a few too may options. That was until my 2011 was in the shop for 60+ days and was driving a 535 and then a X5 50 loaner w/ 20's(like mine) and no AD for 3 weeks. It took me all about 2 min to notice the difference.

Minor swerving in the road had much more pronounce body role.
Going around the same corner( 4 years now) at the same speed was very noticeable.

When taking back the Loaner to pick up my new 2012, I did a bunch of swerving, going around corners faster ect. Got the 2012 w/ AD and did the same thing and now I will never have buys remorse on that option.....

The AD give the car a much sportier feel and you can handle the car more like a sedan than a truck.

I wouldn't get an X5 without Adaptive Drive or the Sport suspension at least.

He purchased it with AD. he is very happy. Just one thing... His car is 2 weeks old and the doors are sqeeking.... Why is it that 2007 to 2010 models never had that problem, but 2011 and 2012 models do. Other than that the car is great fun.

Not sure because my 2011 and my 2012 have not had this issue that people have been talking about. I have No squeaks in my car.