[Luminor513]

About to pull the trigger on G05 msport X drive 40i, but can't decide whether I should get the 2 axle air suspension. It's only a $150 dollar option and seems like a obvious box to check, but I have read some conflicting stories about the performance (cornering/handling) of the 2 axle air suspension versus the standard msport suspension(adaptive m). Can anyone share their experiences with these two suspensions. Thanks for the input.

[dream54ing]

depends what your looking for. pretty obvious, if your looking for a smoother ride, air susp all the way. if your going to drive like a racer, msport susp.

we have the air susp and we love it. my wife drives it 95% of the time and prefers a softer ride.... I've taken sharp corners with it on sport mode and it handles pretty well. I have not driven a msport susp so I cannot comment on that, but heard handling is day and night between the two.

[darioenter]

On my m50d I have air. In comfort mode its VERY comfortable. Put it in sport and it gets stiffer, but I would not mind to be even more stiffer. Put it like this: stiffnes of the g05 on sport mode (with as) is close to my F10 with normal standard springs. Im not a rally driver, I bought g05 to be comfortable

[Marty in NY]

In the context of this thread, some of you are saying the air suspension is more comfortable. Can each of you who have said that, explain what comfortable means to you?

[wtwo3]

Agree with the above posts. I have air suspension and it's incredibly comfortable, feels like you're gliding.

On the other hand if you're looking for a sportier ride, air suspension probably isn't the one to go with.

[wtwo3]

Originally Posted by Marty in Bgm

In the context of this thread, some of you are saying the air suspension is more comfortable. Can each of you who have said that, explain what comfortable means to you?

To me it means the bumps are smoothed over. You may go over a patch of road that is broken up but with the air suspension you barely feel it.

On the other end of the spectrum, in my m340i you feel each and every bump.... you even feel bumps you can't see.

[scottjays]

Originally Posted by Luminor513

About to pull the trigger on G05 msport X drive 40i, but can't decide whether I should get the 2 axle air suspension. It's only a $150 dollar option and seems like a obvious box to check, but I have read some conflicting stories about the performance (cornering/handling) of the 2 axle air suspension versus the standard msport suspension(adaptive m). Can anyone share their experiences with these two suspensions. Thanks for the input.

I am in SoFla and opted for 2-axle air on my 2020 M50i. There are no really twisty spots to drive here. I like the 2 axle air alot. very comfortable driving and major power when I want.

[AEC]

I agree with the other posters. I went with the air suspension and find it to be much more comfortable than my previous X5 and very smooth over bumps and potholes. It firms up nicely in Sport mode. If I had to decide again, I’d stick with the air suspension over the adaptive M.

[dream54ing]

Originally Posted by wtwo3

To me it means the bumps are smoothed over. You may go over a patch of road that is broken up but with the air suspension you barely feel it.

On the other end of the spectrum, in my m340i you feel each and every bump.... you even feel bumps you can't see.

yep, exactly how i would describe it. coming from other smaller BMW, bumps feels much more smooth.

[Aaaaaaaaa]

Is the air suspension effectively the same across all the trim levels? For example, the M50i with air suspension has the same suspension as 40i with air suspension. In contrast I'm assuming the M50i with adaptive suspension has stiffer springs and more aggressive damping than a 40i with adaptive suspension.

[Mirsaid]

Just yesterday tested out M50i with air suspension and 50i also with air suspension. It seemed to me that m50i were about 20% more stoffer on bumpy roads. I had X4 m40i with adaptive suspension which I could drive only 8 months. It was too stiff, too uncomfortable especially on our bumpy roads. So it depends, on your local road conditions. Believe me, if road quality is not good than you will be tired with adaptive suspension very soon.

[Habsone]

I leased my 50i out of lot . One thing i regret not having is 2 axel air suspension for an option to lower my SAV to reduce wheel gap for flush look and put spacers on it for aggressive/mean stance . I would have traded my night vision for 2 axel if i had choice. I live in relatively small town and roads are nice 99% of the times incl.Interstate. I don't have to worry about pot holes and such. I'm not technically/mechanically savvy as most of you are to understand DHP etc. I just want to drive my SAV fast whenever i get a chance.

[Paladin1]

Had an adaptive suspension in a previous X5 35d, and the ride was somewhere between a covered wagon and a '57 Chevy. It did corner acceptably for a 2+ ton high profile vehicle, but not exceptionally, and not like a Lamborghini - it's a tall truck with a relatively short wheelbase. If you're looking to make an X5 a track killer with 22" wheels and a flattened suspension, you're started with the wrong DNA. My opinion. The air suspension in my Q7 and my current 40i was/is the best type of general suspension for this vehicle - my opinion - and the ability to stiffen it some with Sport settings is icing on the cake.

[mgnmpl]

I’ve tested both, air and adaptive M. The former one was so soft that it ruined for me everything. Whenever I pushed the pedal it felt like the car wanted to turn over it’s back. On the other hand adaptive M when you put it in corners it just stays flat whatever you do.

Adaptive M for me. Air if you’re 60+

[RacerxG5]

I just ordered a 2020 Xdrive 40i and had the same thoughts.

When I placed my order on Saturday I opted for the 2 axle air. Today I had the dealer change it to the adaptive m suspension. I kept going back and fourth all day yesterday with my wife and we finally decided to go with the Adaptive.

The reason for us was that she wanted to have a more sporty feel while driving. She currently has a 335i xdrive and likes the feeling of being engaged with the road. She made a comment about she does not like the floating and front end dive of a typical large SUV.

I read as much as I could find regarding the 2 suspensions and from what I could tell the air suspension soaks up the bumps better, but the handling is better with the Adaptive. I am a little worried because we went with the 22" wheel and I hope it not too bumpy.

[TurtleBoy]

Originally Posted by RacerxG5

I am a little worried because we went with the 22" wheel and I hope it not too bumpy.

Depending on where you live, 22" wheels in the Midwest without air suspension may require these.

[atl_1M]

I’m in the same boat. Will have to go and test drive both with the 22” and decide. What’s the lowest setting you can drive on? I see a lot of pics with the car dropped the lowest but doubt you can drive in that setting but want to confirm. And does it adjust automatically depending on speed?

[TurtleBoy]

You can only use the lowest setting for loading/unloading. Going into sport mode will automatically lower it.

[kthankzbye]

I do a lot of back road driving and tested both. Air suspension makes it floaty and not that great around the curves. I had my dealer remove it. It's probably better on smooth straight roads.

[RacerxG5]

Originally Posted by TurtleBoy

Depending on where you live, 22" wheels in the Midwest without air suspension may require these.

That is funny, I must admit that was a good one!!! I am undecided again, lol, but seriously I am. My sales guy is probally not going to like me much during this build and delivery.

[RacerxG5]

Originally Posted by RacerxG5

That is funny, I must admit that was a good one!!! I am undecided again, lol, but seriously I am. My sales guy is probally not going to like me much during this build and delivery.

Then again, I am not the one driving it daily. I will get my wife some for Christmas...haha

[Denk]

I thought the standard suspension on the 40i was too soft, went with the M Sport and I wouldn't want anything more cushy than that. I like a sporty ride though. It satisfies in Sport mode but is also very smooth and comfy on the roads around here.