01-17-2020, 02:10 AM | #1 |
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To get Air Suspension with M packaged 40i or not?
We are about to order my wife's 2020 X5 x40i through military sales in Germany. We are going with the M package with 22inch rim's and are debating whether to add air suspension and possibly interactive steering. The German dealer has very limited stock to test drive, do we only have a 21 inch M packaged 40i to compare. I am tracking that the air suspension would replace the M suspension modes, but it is a cheap option.
The X5 will be our road trip car and predominantly be driven by wife, who skews toward comfort over ultimate sportiness. The choice here is obviously rather subjective, but has anyone completed an extensive comparison? Ordered one way and were very happy? Or had regrets? Thanks.
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01-17-2020, 07:58 AM | #2 |
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I had the same thoughts and ultimately chose the 2 axle air suspension after test driving one at my local dealer that had the air suspension. In sport mode, the car lowers, and tightens up the suspension and it's more than enough "sport" for an SUV. In comfort mode, it's plush and compliant, but not overly floaty (not like a 1970's Cadillac) just more compliant than in sport. I think you will be very happy with the 2 axle air suspension. Unfortunately I have not had any time with the m-adaptive Suspension which comes standard on msport package but there are plenty of members here that do that have suspension.
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01-17-2020, 12:20 PM | #3 |
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The air suspension is a bit floaty but it is very very comfortable. Bad roads, speed bumps, potholes and so on are very smooth. If skewing toward comfort, I would recommend them. Full disclosure: I have a 45e with air as standard so I didn't fully test all other options.
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01-18-2020, 06:47 AM | #5 | |
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My recommendation is to option 2VR air suspension. It's not floaty at all and you can dial in a slightly firmer ride while maintaining comfort in Sport level. I took delivery of my xDrive40i M Sport optioned with air suspension and integral active steering at BMW PDC and had one of the best 500+ mile test drive home. I'm susceptible to motion and float sensations but no regrets so far at 1531 miles riding on air. Depending on how you or your wife personally drive the vehicle and the road conditions here are my thoughts on suspension options from reducing roll angle to ride comfort: Best handling in regards to significant reduction in roll angle: 1. Dynamic Handling Package (only available on M50i in USA) - includes E Active Roll Stabilization, M rear differential, Adaptive M Professional 2. Adaptive M Suspension 3. Air Suspension in Sport level Firm, sporty ride 1. Dynamic Handling Package 2. Adaptive M Suspension 3. Air Suspension in Sport level Daily comfortable ride to long distance cruising 1. Air Suspension in Normal level 2. Air Suspension in Sport level 3. Tied - Adaptive M or DHP Adjustable ride height and cargo loading flexibility 1. Air Suspension Wife's daily driver with 22" 1. Air suspension in Normal or Sport level 2. Adaptive M Note all of the following suspension options include Electronic Damper Controls - Sport+, Sport, Comfort, Adaptive and Individual. My daily 32mile commute includes local roads, congested highways, and scenic curvy back roads. Majority of the commute I'll dial in Adaptive EDC, air suspension set to Sport level and destination set. With that the EDC utilizes navigational data to automatically adjust suspension dampening and your driving style. There's a thread in the main forum that covers this: Adaptive mode the most confortable https://g05.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=1685781 The primary purpose of air suspension is to maintain a constant vehicle position through self-leveling and ride-height control. The ground clearance can be adjusted using the rocker switch on the center console. And to make it easier to load the car, you can also select Loading Level using a button in the center console or luggage compartment. The byproduct of maintaining constant vehicle position is ride comfort. TLDR; hope this helps on a $150 option! Oddly entertaining video review that was posted in the main forums but skip to time stamp 11:12
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01-18-2020, 09:23 AM | #6 |
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You answered the question with "skews toward comfort over ultimate sportiness." I have the air suspension on both of our 40is and don't find it "floaty" in the least, except for the overall immutable physics of a 70" high, two-and-a half ton SUV being "floaty"(er) than an Audi R8. If you want non-floaty in a vehicle, get a Formula 1.
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01-21-2020, 05:43 AM | #7 | |
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Thanks Auricom. Your post was very helpful. I do have some questions. The below two options is what I would be doing mostly.
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Do you know if the "adaptive" EDC controls is only available in MSport variant? Is this what Adaptive M suspension is or is there something more in Adaptive M suspension. If this adaptive EDC mode is available in xLine variant, I would prefer that. Please let me know. Thanks a ton. |
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01-21-2020, 06:09 AM | #8 | ||
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Adaptive M suspension tunes EDC for a more sport ride compared to base suspension or air.
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01-21-2020, 06:17 AM | #9 | |||
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I was hoping to stay on Xline variant. One last question - with the XLine which obviously doesn't have DHP, can you still configure any of the modes? Eg: configuring sport mode to keep its stiffer suspension but everything else as normal. I feel, if I find the air suspension to be too bouncy/floaty on some road, I can shift to sport to just lower the vehicle by air suspension and tighten it but keep transmission the same. |
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01-21-2020, 07:46 AM | #10 | ||||
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You can either enable Sport driving mode or you can pull the air suspension rocker switch backward one from Normal level to Sport level.
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01-22-2020, 01:07 PM | #11 |
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Thanks for the input! We added Air Suspension and Integral Active Steering to our 40i MSport build.
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01-22-2020, 04:16 PM | #12 | |
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However all words - I wish I could try to see if I need it. Whats your experience ? |
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01-23-2020, 09:43 AM | #13 | |
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01-29-2020, 12:53 PM | #14 | |
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01-31-2020, 05:46 AM | #15 | |
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01-31-2020, 06:05 AM | #16 | ||
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G05/G06 Technical Training documents https://g05.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=1563063
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02-01-2020, 03:38 AM | #17 | |
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02-01-2020, 06:24 PM | #18 |
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The Air Suspension is fantastic. It is amazingly comfortable for long road trips. I was worried about all the floaty comments, but it really is not bad at all and when you lower it in Sport mode it is very sporty.
IAS is also fantastic, whenever I get a loaner without it I can really tell the difference in parking lot navigation.
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02-07-2020, 05:10 AM | #19 | |
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02-18-2020, 05:08 PM | #20 |
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I test drove air (40i) vs adaptive M Sport (M50d) suspension and although I usually like a firm and sporty ride, the M50d while good handling was just a little too choppy on typical UK roads.
Air was not floaty at all in comfort mode and I hate floaty cars so I would be sensitive to it(I typically always take M Sport suspension on my cars to avoid that). Its actually very comfortable. Sport mode on air is nice and firm. Adaptive as said is always somehow just right though - firm but comfortable at the same time. It really does adapt. The height adjustment swung it for me as a big bonus - I love being able to choose my ride height any time. Honestly, air has a really wide range of usability and goes from very comfy to very firm. At its firmest, its not as firm as adaptive M suspension but I haven't found that necessary. The above is all in an X6 by the way, but not sure how much difference that makes. |
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02-18-2020, 09:49 PM | #21 |
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I have Air and IAS on my M Sport xdrive40i and it is simply amazing.
I had a menu glitch that took several days at the dealer and had a 2020 X5 base option xline as a loaner and it was a world of difference. The maneuvering of IAS is simply amazing and yet feels right. The air and ride and the fact it lowers in sport, and then allows me raise it when up in the CO mountains on deep snowy roads is exactly what I liked about my Overland Jeep. No test drives before I took the leap to order air and IAS and I am very pleased. My two cents. |
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