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      01-25-2019, 05:14 PM   #1
robby818
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How much more comfortable is the air suspension?

I love how my X5 rides, but I didn't get nor have I driven the air suspension option. Is it that much better because the standard model is pretty unbelievable and that's coming from a former Lexus owner.
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      01-25-2019, 05:25 PM   #2
JGoodell
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I liked it a lot. I didn’t feel that you lost any tightness in the suspension. We drive it long thru pothole, bumpy suburbia and it made a difference. With that said I am considering canceling my order due to the amount of times people seem to be returning their cars to the the shop. I have a 3 year old and a baby on the way and we looked at the X5 over the RRS due to reliability, but it seems like this generation is about as reliable as the RRS. We’re torn because the car is amazing, but I don’t have the time to go back and forth to the dealer for the foreseeable future.
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      01-25-2019, 05:29 PM   #3
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Quote:
Originally Posted by JGoodell View Post
I liked it a lot. I didn’t feel that you lost any tightness in the suspension. We drive it long thru pothole, bumpy suburbia and it made a difference. With that said I am considering canceling my order due to the amount of times people seem to be returning their cars to the the shop. I have a 3 year old and a baby on the way and we looked at the X5 over the RRS due to reliability, but it seems like this generation is about as reliable as the RRS. We’re torn because the car is amazing, but I don’t have the time to go back and forth to the dealer for the foreseeable future.

You obviously have to go with how you feel and what you are comfortable with but in reality there have been very, very few people that have had to take their new X5 in. If it was a widespread problem we would have seen it more than just the handful of people here. Good luck with whatever you get.

To the OP: We have the air suspension and so far we really like it. Given we only have the X5 for a day for on our 150 mile road trip today it was a great ride.
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      01-25-2019, 06:00 PM   #4
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I really like it. Very comfortable but not floaty. No regrets at all.
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      01-25-2019, 06:13 PM   #5
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I got air suspension this time around. Last time standard but previous gen comparison is a bit apples and oranges. For what it's worth with the air suspension-it's like butter!
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      01-25-2019, 07:17 PM   #6
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I love the air suspension ! A lot more comfortable than my old X5 without it.
A very smooth ride that can also handle curves very well.
I can also lower the car to make it easier for grandma to get in.
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      01-25-2019, 07:21 PM   #7
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I went with the comfort handling package which has air and integral active steering. The air ride is the best in my opinion.
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      01-26-2019, 04:34 AM   #8
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From the comments not much more comfy for it’s not floaty so I assume it’s thete for off-road.
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      01-26-2019, 08:39 AM   #9
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Love the air suspension and rear steering (IAS), makes it much better in tight U-Turns etc. With IAS, turning radius is significantly better! No regrets.
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      01-26-2019, 08:58 AM   #10
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The air suspension is noticeably more comfortable than F15 with DHP but is also a bit floaty even in sport mode. Also, G05 with air is firmer than Audi Q7 with air. I am currently looking to test drive a car with adaptive M suspension as I am not sure about the air.
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      01-26-2019, 09:07 AM   #11
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In my opinion you get the best of both worlds, when I switch the G05 to Sport mode it lowers the car, the suspension becomes firmer and handles very well. In comfort it feels so smooth and comfortable ride which is 80% of my driving.
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      01-26-2019, 12:09 PM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Forrera View Post
In my opinion you get the best of both worlds, when I switch the G05 to Sport mode it lowers the car, the suspension becomes firmer and handles very well. In comfort it feels so smooth and comfortable ride which is 80% of my driving.
I just don't feel anything when it lowers down
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      01-26-2019, 12:22 PM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by msi200 View Post
G05 with air is firmer than Audi Q7 with air.
Agree fully with above; noticeable difference.

Also, you can configure "Sport Individual" mode to get 'Sport' damping and lowered suspension, and still leave steering, engine and transmission in 'Comfort' setting; I think this also turns Auto Stop off.

However, I really wanted IAS (Integral active steering), so had to get Air Suspension in US.

Otherwise, I would have been happy with regular mSport adaptive suspension and IAS (as available in Canada and EU).

Didn't want to go to 50i to get DHP, which would have been a nobrainer if it was offered in US with 40i; WHY BMW????
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      04-01-2019, 09:59 AM   #14
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How much higher can you make it than models without it? I'm coming from a Range Rover Sport and I wish my X5 was higher. I'm ordering another one and considering air suspension for more height.
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      04-01-2019, 10:26 AM   #15
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Depends on what you want from the X5. I didn't go air because I got the DHP, otherwise, I would have.
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      04-01-2019, 11:18 AM   #16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by JGoodell View Post
I liked it a lot. I didn’t feel that you lost any tightness in the suspension. We drive it long thru pothole, bumpy suburbia and it made a difference. With that said I am considering canceling my order due to the amount of times people seem to be returning their cars to the the shop. I have a 3 year old and a baby on the way and we looked at the X5 over the RRS due to reliability, but it seems like this generation is about as reliable as the RRS. We’re torn because the car is amazing, but I don’t have the time to go back and forth to the dealer for the foreseeable future.
One thing you should keep in mind is that people who have issues complain online, but people who are happy usually keep it to themselves. That's true for anything; cars, computers, cameras, etc. I don't let it deter me. I've seen enough good feedback to be comfortable. I also read and watched every review I could get my hands on and they're overwhelmingly positive. Consumer Reports called the X5 "One of the best SUVs that CR has ever tested." and ranked it in its 10 Ten Auto Picks of 2019.

Good luck whichever way you decide.
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      04-01-2019, 01:03 PM   #17
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Quote:
Originally Posted by frank19x5 View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by JGoodell View Post
I liked it a lot. I didn’t feel that you lost any tightness in the suspension. We drive it long thru pothole, bumpy suburbia and it made a difference. With that said I am considering canceling my order due to the amount of times people seem to be returning their cars to the the shop. I have a 3 year old and a baby on the way and we looked at the X5 over the RRS due to reliability, but it seems like this generation is about as reliable as the RRS. We’re torn because the car is amazing, but I don’t have the time to go back and forth to the dealer for the foreseeable future.
One thing you should keep in mind is that people who have issues complain online, but people who are happy usually keep it to themselves. That's true for anything; cars, computers, cameras, etc. I don't let it deter me. I've seen enough good feedback to be comfortable. I also read and watched every review I could get my hands on and they're overwhelmingly positive. Consumer Reports called the X5 "One of the best SUVs that CR has ever tested." and ranked it in its 10 Ten Auto Picks of 2019.

Good luck whichever way you decide.
a RRS will truly breakdown while the X5 at most will have a software hiccup which is what people mainly complain about here. If he gets a RRS I'm sure we will see the regret after a few months (maybe days)
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      04-01-2019, 08:51 PM   #18
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ThreeBimm View Post
How much higher can you make it than models without it? I'm coming from a Range Rover Sport and I wish my X5 was higher. I'm ordering another one and considering air suspension for more height.
You can make it higher than other X5s w/o 2-axle air but the height is limited based vehicle speed or programming mode if you get the Off-Road package - so you can't ride jacked up at 65mph.

Here are the height adjustments:

40 mm - Offroad level
20 mm - High level
+/–0 mm - Normal level
-10 mm - Dynamic level
–20 mm - Sport level
–40 mm - Load level

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      04-02-2019, 08:15 AM   #19
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Auricom View Post
You can make it higher than other X5s w/o 2-axle air but the height is limited based vehicle speed or programming mode if you get the Off-Road package - so you can't ride jacked up at 65mph.

Here are the height adjustments:

40 mm - Offroad level
20 mm - High level
+/–0 mm - Normal level
-10 mm - Dynamic level
–20 mm - Sport level
–40 mm - Load level

Attachment 2022952
Thanks!!! this is very useful!
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      04-02-2019, 08:43 AM   #20
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Going from an adaptive M suspension on a F15 to an adaptive M Suspension on the G05 is night and day different. The G05 is on the CLAR platform which gives a ride that's firm when you want and soft when you want and very much car like. The F15 road like a bouncy pick up truck compared to our G05. I personally didn't like the air for two reasons. 1. Seemed a little floaty when I wanted it firm. 2. We had air bag issues on our F15 and they're not cheap to fix. I'd rather deal with 2 airbags instead of 4 and we're keeping this car hopefully more that the 4 yr warranty.
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      04-02-2019, 12:11 PM   #21
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Quote:
Originally Posted by skalberti View Post
I personally didn't like the air for two reasons. 1. Seemed a little floaty when I wanted it firm.
This is so true, except I found the difference night and day.
I'm just surprised that so many members here think otherwise and are happy with how firm the air is. I'm beginning to think something is wrong with me....
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      04-02-2019, 01:26 PM   #22
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Auricom View Post
You can make it higher than other X5s w/o 2-axle air but the height is limited based vehicle speed or programming mode if you get the Off-Road package - so you can't ride jacked up at 65mph.

Here are the height adjustments:

40 mm - Offroad level
20 mm - High level
+/–0 mm - Normal level
-10 mm - Dynamic level
–20 mm - Sport level
–40 mm - Load level

Attachment 2022952
Thank you!
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