Adaptive Drive Off-road
 

I keep seeing these remarks as AD dramatically reduces the already tiny off-road capabilities of the X. However, nobody actually explained why is that - it only counter acts the chassis roll and of course, you wouldn't turn the sport mode on either.
Anybody with AD could confirm this?

I have AD, and drive every weekend on the beach (low or high tide). On heavy beach work (rough sand) I turn the AD to normal, lets the body move and roll a little more over the deep wheel tracks left by big 4x4's. Actually the X5 on this rough ground with AD handles very well as is very smooth. I own a normal 4x4 and on the rough beach can only drive at half the speed of the X5 as you get thrown all around the cabin.

I also turn the DC completely off, that means holding the button down for 6-7 secs otherwise it only turns half off. If you don't everytime the computer sensors wheel slip it takes power off that wheel and the X5 comes to a halt.

Also when the beach is soft you need to keep the X5 moving at a fair rate of knots due to it having only 230mm odd ground clearance. I have done 68,000klm in 30 months and have orderred a X5 M50d with AD.

The reason I have kept this X5 for so long as BMW stopped AD on diesel's into Australia since 2010 (stupid I know). it was only available on petrol X5's, anyway its available again so I orderred a new one for May build.

Thanks for the input. Since I first saw the `X5 stuck on the beach` video on youtube, I avoid getting the X any near the shoreline :)
Anyway, I really can't find find any reason for which the AD versions would misbehave. In fact, on paper, when a wheel goes deeper (a hole for instance), the AD should tend to push that car corner down, to compensate the detected body roll, hence actually trying to help. I guess all this `no AD for off-road` fuss came up because people wrongfully interpreted the AD as stiffer shocks/springs.

Yes your right, all AD does is tighten the electronic/hydraulic sway bar, X5's do not have EDC like on the M3 which stiffens the shocks.

I have not seen ONE credible post claiming that AD reduces off road capabilities....

I used to off road quite a bit. You want the wheels to follow the contour of what you are driving on, to retain maximum traction. For example, some guys would disconnect the swaybar end links, to let the wheels drop or retract more, to stay in contact with the ground, while letting the body stay somewhat flat.
My 0.02