[DgjoX6M2016]

Originally Posted by lair12

The car I want to love is the X6 with luxury seating, but it is bigger than anything I've ever owned (318, 535, 530,roadster,. When I test drove an X5 xDrive 40i x-line (as X6's are just not available), it felt really floaty with steering feedback very disconnected from what I am used to after 8 BMW's.

I've been told that the X6 will ride the same and feel the same as the X5 (true/not true). SO MY QUESTION IS: If I add the Dynamic Handling Package, will the whole steering feel and drive performance be tighter?

Mind you I am mostly a suburban driver and not interested in more power or 22" wheels...I still want a comfortable ride similar to my 2020 X3.

Thanks for your feedback!!

You will want the suspension with the active roll bars. That keeps car flat in turns. My '16 f86 is flat on acceleration, turns and braking. My wife's new g05 with M package and suspension leans substantially compared to my f86.

[lair12]

I did get the DHP in my order which also required M-package. All tolled, I spent almost $8000 more given that I was going with the S-drive. Sure hope it was worth it. Expected October delivery.

[MystroX5]

DHP is a must for hiding the weight of a SUV. It’s a magic trick you have to experience to understand. This is what BMW does best.

[Pumxee]

Might be an unpopular opinion, but I own an X6 with M-sport but no DHP. I do have the air suspension and honestly, it rides great when it's in either adaptive or sport. The steering is tight and the body becomes stiff. It stays flat on turns and I barely get any body roll. I have driven the x5 with air suspension prior to this and the body roll was terrible. That being said, I have NOT driven an x6 or x5 with the DHP so I am uncertain what that is like but just from my ownership experience so far that is my 2 cents.

One other thing, anyone who assumes that the x6 drives/rides the same as the x5, please don't. Despite their similarities, the one thing that really separates them is the ride itself. They ARE different and you can feel it when you go back to back on them. I encourage anyone considering to purchase either vehicle to do a proper back to back drive on similarily spec'd models to feel the difference.

[TestnDoc]

I had a BMW X50i with DHP and 21” wheels. I recently traded it in for a 2020 M50i, with M suspension, but not with DHP. As I have stated in previous posts, I opted for a late 20 due to the numerous options dropped on the MY21. My M50 has the same wheels, but different tires. The 50 had PZeros, the M50 has Hankooks. The M50 is smoother over bumps but still handles extremely well when cornering. Which is better? Hard to say, but I’m fine with the M suspension. The one thing I liked about DHP was the rear wheel steering, which shines at low speed and tight turns. Just my 2 cents....

[nvsocr7]

I'm still amazed by my m50i with dhp on every turn and bend, even the straight aways are more sturdy. definitely get the dhp package.

[lair12]

I did, I did!

Originally Posted by nvsocr7

I'm still amazed by my m50i with dhp on every turn and bend, even the straight aways are more sturdy. definitely get the dhp package.

[keeva381]

I WISH there was a way to test drive and compare with/without DHP on the G06. I've got the trailer hitch problem....you can't get DHP with trailer hitch.

I test drove the MY2021 yesterday with M adaptive suspension, and would also order air suspension, and seemed great. Especially in sport mode. But then you read these forums, and people can't live without out!

[SmartSaves]

Originally Posted by keeva381

I WISH there was a way to test drive and compare with/without DHP on the G06. I've got the trailer hitch problem....you can't get DHP with trailer hitch.

I test drove the MY2021 yesterday with M adaptive suspension, and would also order air suspension, and seemed great. Especially in sport mode. But then you read these forums, and people can't live without out!

keeva381, do understand that 50i model variants has m sport limited slip differential standard (at least in Canada). It can send torque on the rear axle from one side to the other without braking. Even without the DHP package 50i should still handle better than 40i as a result. Just understand the difference.

[spyfish007]

I drive a 2018 M550i with DHP and I am looking at X5 and X6 right now. I have now driven X5 40ix with base suspension (loaner), X5 M50i w/o DHP, X5 M50i w/ DHP and X6 w/o DHP. I hopefully can add some perspective. I also have owned a 1993 Acura Integra with modified coilovers, 1993 RX-7 R1, 2004 BMW M3 with a Moton custom coilover setup among other cars over the years. I rate cars by how many multiples they can do above the rated curve speed (ie if 30mph curve then that becomes the baseline at 1X, so 60mph car limit would be 2X car, 90 mph 3X car, etc.). I live in East Tennessee with loves of nice roads and fun curvy roads. I like corners as much or more than raw speed. I will walk you through the various cars for personal perspective so hang in there with me.

The M550i w/ DHP is an incredible sports sedan. Not nearly as raw as the M5, but you can get tossed in jail for the speeds you can achieve in a straight line or curvy one with the M550i let alone the M5. It sticks to the ground and you always feel planted. I role on the 20" rims with PS4S tires. Yes I ditched the run flats as they suck. It sticks as you expect a car with a low center of gravity to do. My previous RX-7 and M3 allowed for loads of fun with the back end hanging out like Ford vs Ferrari when Matt Damon takes Mr. Ford for a ride! The M550i with full time AWD can't do that but it can have fun in surprising waya. Now there is an interstate on ramp near my house with a downhill grade and a left then right sweep with it. The M550i with so much power challenges this on ramp, because it can continue to accelerate while still holding the left curve and changing to the right curve. You can feel the Gs and the car feels completely settled the entire time. It is a blast and always puts a smile on my face. The best results are sport plus with DSC in traction only mode. I can get on the highway and go back to comfort mode with full DSC and it feels like a very nice luxury ride. I drive plenty of adults around in comfort mode that have zero interest in speed and they love the ride.

Now enter X5 40i with base everything. Comfortable, floaty. What you would expect.

Now enter X5 M50i w/o DHP. Lot more fun with the power and a little bit less floaty. Luxurious ride on the highway cruising on 22". Not air suspension and not air suspension smoothness of a ride either, but 9/10 adults would be ok and I would say that 8/10 adults might even compliment the ride quality. Now take a right or left turn from a stop and punch the accelerator, you can feel the time delay for the car to settle out as the front corner in the direction you are turning lifts and settles. Not horrible but definitely made worse by the power available. Now take the on ramp mentioned above and well you have to back off to give the car time to settle. You also have no confidence it will hold because the chassis is still moving around. You could probably learn to go fast through the corner, but you are going to freak out the passengers with that body roll.

Now enter the X5 w/ DHP also with 22" wheels. Everything just gets better. Smoother overall. The turns from a stop while pressing the accelerator are almost flat and very little delay to settle. The on ramp is flat and nervous just from driving in a tall position. The grip is not as solid as the M550i, yet that could also be the tires. I can't push the X5 as had as the low to the ground sedan. No getting away from that. The chassis still had to settle out a bit.

Now the the X6 w/o DHP also with 22". My sales guy stated they would ride the same. I scoffed at that idea. It is 4" lower and has a better front/back weight ratio. A few online tests show better test numbers with the X6 than X5. Riding on the interstate was the same as the X5. The difference came to the on ramp test. The X6 w/o DHP did much better than the X5 w/o DHP. You can tell the lower center of gravity is helping. It was definitely not as composed as the X5 w/ DHP, but it was closer to that configuration than without DHP in this scenario. In the end the sales guy did say his perspective was about driving "normally".

Yeah I don't qualify as normal. I am also not in my 20s anymore and don't have time for the track, so a midline performance model M50i with DHP is the car for me. I will get the X6 with DHP and be very happy with that decision. Hopefully this review will help others understand the shades of gray in the suspension when it comes to real world driving. Think about how you drive and go from there.

[SmartSaves]

Thank you spyfish007. You explained it very succinctly. It took many days of research on my end to understand DHP setup. I am getting it on my X5 40i build.

I'll also swap out the RFT as soon as I can. Do you think staggered wheel size is a factor with DHP? Between 20/21/22 inch would there be a lot of handling compromises if someone get 20 inch square wheels setup?

[spyfish007]

Originally Posted by SmartSaves

Thank you spyfish007. You explained it very succinctly. It took many days of research on my end to understand DHP setup. I am getting it on my X5 40i build.

I'll also swap out the RFT as soon as I can. Do you think staggered wheel size is a factor with DHP? Between 20/21/22 inch would there be a lot of handling compromises if someone get 20 inch square wheels setup?

Square vs staggered wheel widths impact under/over steer. To me this a difference as you get near the limits verses how the car feels every second. Pick what you like then put on the best tires you can. I value the tires before sidewall height. I value suspension setup and capabilities before sidewall height. I hope I answered your question.

[SmartSaves]

Originally Posted by spyfish007

Square vs staggered wheel widths impact under/over steer. To me this a difference as you get near the limits verses how the car feels every second. Pick what you like then put on the best tires you can. I value the tires before sidewall height. I value suspension setup and capabilities before sidewall height. I hope I answered your question.

Thanks. Do you recommend any particular best quality non-RFT tire? Both summer and winter. Cost isn't a factor.

[spyfish007]

I run Michelin PS4S all year. I don't think you can beat them. I've tried all sorts of tires of the years.

All seasons just kind of suck. If you need winter tires buy a second set of wheels and get winter tires.

[SmartSaves]

Originally Posted by spyfish007

I run Michelin PS4S all year. I don't think you can beat them. I've tried all sorts of tires of the years.

All seasons just kind of suck. If you need winter tires buy a second set of wheels and get winter tires.

Thanks. I'll look into the SUV variant of the PS4S (Michelin Pilot Sport 4 SUV). Some good info here:

https://www.tyrereviews.co.uk/Articl...V-Launched.htm

[GrussGott]

Originally Posted by spyfish007

Now enter X5 M50i w/o DHP. ... You could probably learn to go fast through the corner, but you are going to freak out the passengers with that body roll.

Now enter the X5 w/ DHP also with 22" wheels. Everything just gets better. Smoother overall. The turns from a stop while pressing the accelerator are almost flat and very little delay to settle. The on ramp is flat and nervous just from driving in a tall position. ... I can't push the X5 as had as the low to the ground sedan. No getting away from that. The chassis still had to settle out a bit.

AWESOME WRITE UP! this is exactly the writeup I've been looking to hear for awhile...

One other question if you've got the experience: X5 w air suspension in sport mode vs the X5 w/o DHP ... I"m assuming you get the better benefits of highway cruising for sure, but wondering if the AS is worse than the non-DHP in the corners (or better? some have claimed so ...)

[Auricom]

Originally Posted by GrussGott

AS is worse than the non-DHP in the corners (or better? some have claimed so ...)

Any suspension upgrades are better than standard.

DHP with Adaptive M Pro, IAS, 2T4 differential < 2VR Air with IAS in Sport mode + level <= Adaptive M < standard.

X5 with 2VR Air and 2VF Adaptive M will corner slightly better than standard but they're still going to lean more than X5s equipped with DHP.

Understanding that, I give the 2VR Air with IAS in Sport mode + ride level an edge over 2VF Adaptive M for handling through corners given the benefits of IAS handling and ability to have a lower center of gravity in executing the corner.

I've had the opportunity to drive 4 X5s (2-3 weeks with each vehicle) equipped with all 4 suspension options (DHP, Off-road, Air + IAS, 2VF Adaptive M and X7 with DHP. Only wished DHP was available on xDrive40i in the USA.

[SmartSaves]

Originally Posted by Auricom

Only wished DHP was available on xDrive40i in the USA.

Lucky us in the North

Definitely getting the DHP on my X5 40i build.

As per BMW:

[Auricom]

Originally Posted by SmartSaves

Lucky us in the North

Definitely getting the DHP on my X5 40i build.

As per BMW:

To clarify, BMW CA. Ja ja no need to rub it in or boast.

Too bad BMWNA hasn't delivered in BMW Int'l marketing DHP for USA 40i models back in fall of 2019 for 2020 models.

[SmartSaves]

Originally Posted by Auricom

Ja ja no need to rub it in or boast.

LOL. Our pricing isn't as good though. Lot less discount here.

BMW screw us over on the hitch too. Can't order it with DHP, but they'll happily sell the retrofit tow package, albeit with jacked up price

[spyfish007]

Originally Posted by GrussGott

AWESOME WRITE UP! this is exactly the writeup I've been looking to hear for awhile...

One other question if you've got the experience: X5 w air suspension in sport mode vs the X5 w/o DHP ... I"m assuming you get the better benefits of highway cruising for sure, but wondering if the AS is worse than the non-DHP in the corners (or better? some have claimed so ...)

I have not driven the X5 air suspension. My only experience with air suspension was 3 years of owning an 2013 Audi S6. It was OK but that tech has changed since I had the Audi. The Audi felt like the X5 M50i w/o DHP, but maybe a bit better just because it was a sedan and lower center of gravity. It was very smooth rolling down the highway. Ultimately I wanted more sport and came back to BMW. The M550i is superior to the Audi S6 in just about way.

[keeva381]

Dumb question but if I get DHP on a G06 will I have the "air suspension" button on the center console? Dealer didn't know the answer when I asked.