why is Adaptive Drive so rare?
 

seems like everyone loves it, but I've yet to find a used 2011-2012 anywhere in the US with this option? I wrote the dealers to make sure it wasn't an error, and none of the cars have the AD option. and these are fully loaded, every other option on the car?

Because it used to be part of the sport package, and now its not. People don't want to pay $3500 for something they can't see.

$3500 is a pretty expensive option for an already well-handling vehicle. I think it's worth it, but most folks probably won't, especially when the description "sounds" like a rougher ride.

I'm on the fence about it (I have it in mine) and I don't think I would buy it again

Cost vs value, it is just overpriced to most people for what you get, like a lot of other options. A lot of other things were more important to me and maybe if it was $1000 it would be more ordered!

once you get used to it (i had it on my 2008 with sports package), you can't leave (or corner well) without it... You WILL feel the lean in high-speed cornering.

However, if you dont take sharp turn and overall a "mellow" driver, then you dont need it!

The unfortunate thing is that in earlier years one could get a sports pkg with adaptive drive for less than if you separately order them now. BMW is essentially making more money on the sports pkg now and once people pay for the sports pkg they don't want to pay an extra bundle for something they cannot really associate a value to. I personally have it and I will not buy another X5 without it. I have been a passenger in a non-sports pkg X5 and it's ride was noticeably rougher than mine with sports pkg with adaptive drive. That alone would be more than enough for most people not to mention the handling improvements.

I wouldn't order another X5 without it.

So the consensus is not to get one without AD, yet they are impossible to find, doh!

As far as the sport package, seems like the "sport suspension delete" option is common, do you all have sport with/without sport suspension?

Drive both, decide if it makes a difference to you or not. I drove one with it and enjoyed the difference. Some people can't tell the difference, some can.