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      07-27-2014, 03:31 AM   #1
gspannu
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Question New Car Order - Adaptive Drive (Option 2VA) - worth the £2770

Hi,

I am about to press the button on a custom order 535D. I am thinking of ordering this with Adaptive Drive (Option 2VA). Is it worth the money?

A bit of a background...

I had a 520 with VDC (Variable Damper Control - Option 223) and am convinced I would not buy a car without it. The VDC difference in driving is very much noticeable. I then swapped this for a 535D (the 2.0 just did not have enough oomph); again with VDC and as before, no complaints - love the ride. This was on 18" wheels.

I am now going in for another 535. Should I update to Adaptive Drive? I am also looking to get 19" wheels this time or should I stick to the 18s?

So, any first hand experiences of Adaptive Drive with 19" - Is it worth the extra money over VDC?.
(I am definitely buying at least the VDC; no debate there)

Highland Pete: Any comments - I am aware you are a fan.

Other users: Please shed some light and some feedback
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      07-27-2014, 07:30 AM   #2
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I have had 19's twice now, E60 and F10. Personally, the F10 is too big a car for 18's visually anyway, and ride does not suffer as a result of 19's, so a no brainer for me. Downside? Tyres cost more, but I can suffer that every £20k miles!!
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      07-27-2014, 08:17 AM   #3
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Piers View Post
I have had 19's twice now, E60 and F10. Personally, the F10 is too big a car for 18's visually anyway, and ride does not suffer as a result of 19's, so a no brainer for me. Downside? Tyres cost more, but I can suffer that every £20k miles!!
Do you have either VDC or Adaptive on your F10 with your 19". How would you rate the ride quality?
I am assuming you are on run flats.
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      07-27-2014, 10:33 AM   #4
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Quote:
Originally Posted by gspannu View Post
A bit of a background...

I had a 520 with VDC (Variable Damper Control - Option 223) and am convinced I would not buy a car without it. The VDC difference in driving is very much noticeable. I then swapped this for a 535D (the 2.0 just did not have enough oomph); again with VDC and as before, no complaints - love the ride. This was on 18" wheels.

I am now going in for another 535. Should I update to Adaptive Drive? I am also looking to get 19" wheels this time or should I stick to the 18s?

So, any first hand experiences of Adaptive Drive with 19" - Is it worth the extra money over VDC?.
(I am definitely buying at least the VDC; no debate there)

Highland Pete: Any comments - I am aware you are a fan.
You are correct, I rate AD as the best option on my car. I run 18" summer wheels out of choice, "function over fashion" for me. 17" winter wheels, as I'm after the same ride quality in winter when the tyres typically run colder. This definitely works out well for me, no downsides to winter use on RFTs.

I tried AD on an F10 with 19" wheels, I'd say there is only a little difference over 18" wheels, but 18" do give the edge for ride quality over poor surfaces. I understand AD was set up around the OEM fit 18" wheels, so really is the 'sweet spot'. For me no regrets, as I have got what I was after in the F11 wagon, helped a little by the rear self levelling air suspension.

Regarding Adaptive Drive itself, you clearly know the benefits of VDC, but it is the active roll bars (ARS) which is the feature which impresses most. The ability to have a car as big as the 5-series cornering so flat, even in the more comfortable settings. ARS has two base modes, one used for Comfort and Comfort+, a firmer control working in Sport and Sport+. ARS also helps for straight-line ride comfort, as single wheel bumps don't copy across the car. To get such benefits, without any lack of handling ability and body control, is what we really all want from a suspension system.

Adaptive Drive is a brilliant bit of kit, shrinks the 5-series, IMO. The ability to set the modes, widen the driving envelope, without the limiting compromises of a passive suspension system.

HighlandPete
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      07-27-2014, 10:56 AM   #5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by HighlandPete View Post
You are correct, I rate AD as the best option on my car. I run 18" summer wheels out of choice, "function over fashion" for me. 17" winter wheels, as I'm after the same ride quality in winter when the tyres typically run colder. This definitely works out well for me, no downsides to winter use on RFTs.

I tried AD on an F10 with 19" wheels, I'd say there is only a little difference over 18" wheels, but 18" do give the edge for ride quality over poor surfaces. I understand AD was set up around the OEM fit 18" wheels, so really is the 'sweet spot'. For me no regrets, as I have got what I was after in the F11 wagon, helped a little by the rear self levelling air suspension.

Regarding Adaptive Drive itself, you clearly know the benefits of VDC, but it is the active roll bars (ARS) which is the feature which impresses most. The ability to have a car as big as the 5-series cornering so flat, even in the more comfortable settings. ARS has two base modes, one used for Comfort and Comfort+, a firmer control working in Sport and Sport+. ARS also helps for straight-line ride comfort, as single wheel bumps don't copy across the car. To get such benefits, without any lack of handling ability and body control, is what we really all want from a suspension system.

Adaptive Drive is a brilliant bit of kit, shrinks the 5-series, IMO. The ability to set the modes, widen the driving envelope, without the limiting compromises of a passive suspension system.

HighlandPete
Thanks, Highland Pete.

What would be your direct recommendation - 18" or 19"?
Mine is a Saloon and will mostly be driven in Southern UK; so I guess roads are not all that bad.

The reason I ask is that I too have 18" at the moment; and am very happy with them; but would love to have the 19" for the better looks.

My mind says, with the additional Adaptive Drive (instead of the VDC); it will compensate enough for the 19" - or is that somewhat of a wishful thinking?

I understand that 18" will always be more comfortable than 19"; but will 19" be too bad or just a minor difference?
Will the better looks of 19" with AD be marred by my existing experience of 18" with VDC?
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      07-27-2014, 11:16 AM   #6
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I'm on the M Sport Plus pack so got the 19's .. I personally find the ride absolutely fine .. I've swapped from a 3 series Coupe on 19's and the ride quality on the 535 is so much better! I was considering swapping to non run flats on the 3 series, but wouldn't be so worried now (would still consider it as everyone who has seems to be much happier with the ride quality and cost!) , but I've got no complaints on the ride quality at all ... (but I am used to quite a stiff ride so I guess it is all relative!)
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      07-27-2014, 11:19 AM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by gspannu View Post
Thanks, Highland Pete.

What would be your direct recommendation - 18" or 19"?
Mine is a Saloon and will mostly be driven in Southern UK; so I guess roads are not all that bad.
I've driven my F11 "down south", Swindon- Chippenham- Devizes area and must say I was using Sport mode far more than I do up here, as the roads allow for it. My local roads are, as a Bridgestone engineer said, "more challenging than most". 18" was a conscious decision for my local driving. 19" wheels would not be an issue if I was around Wiltshire.

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      07-27-2014, 11:41 AM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by HighlandPete View Post
I've driven my F11 "down south", Swindon- Chippenham- Devizes area and must say I was using Sport mode far more than I do up here, as the roads allow for it. My local roads are, as a Bridgestone engineer said, "more challenging than most". 18" was a conscious decision for my local driving. 19" wheels would not be an issue if I was around Wiltshire.

HighlandPete
Thanks, I think the votes are stacking for the 19" then - mine included
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      07-27-2014, 11:44 AM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by GMTRB5 View Post
I'm on the M Sport Plus pack so got the 19's .. I personally find the ride absolutely fine .. I've swapped from a 3 series Coupe on 19's and the ride quality on the 535 is so much better! I was considering swapping to non run flats on the 3 series, but wouldn't be so worried now (would still consider it as everyone who has seems to be much happier with the ride quality and cost!) , but I've got no complaints on the ride quality at all ... (but I am used to quite a stiff ride so I guess it is all relative!)
Thanks, I do have a 330 Coupe on 18" - and the ride those 18" is harsh. It probably has the 2nd gen run flats and these were not great; the ones on the F10 are (I believe) the 3rd gen run flats.
I agree that the F10 is just more comfortable, my current 535 is on 18" and the ride is very different from the 330.

I think I will be going for the 19" on my new 535...
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      07-27-2014, 12:02 PM   #10
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Agree, on looks alone the 19's are a must for me
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      07-28-2014, 07:54 PM   #11
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Decided.... going for the 19"

Another quick question: Which alloys do you guys prefer?

2FB or 2MZ or 2W4.

Thanks...
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      07-29-2014, 02:12 AM   #12
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2W4 for me, what colour car are you going for?
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      07-29-2014, 03:02 AM   #13
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Glacier Silver
Individual Amaro Brown Leather
Individual Auburn Sycamore Trim

Order of photos:
2FB
2MZ
2W4
2PY

Also attached a picture of the interior.
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      07-29-2014, 03:02 AM   #14
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Quote:
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2W4 for me, what colour car are you going for?
Glacier Silver. Post above contains photos.
Have also added one more wheel to the mix.
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      07-29-2014, 03:14 AM   #15
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2FB mate, without a doubt.

Lovely car all round.
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      07-29-2014, 03:43 AM   #16
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Quote:
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2FB mate, without a doubt.

Lovely car all round.
Thx...
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      07-29-2014, 04:15 AM   #17
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Quote:
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2FB mate, without a doubt.

Lovely car all round.
Yep agree changed my mind now that I can see them on the car
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      07-29-2014, 05:51 AM   #18
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2 more perspective views... and some interior shots.
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      07-29-2014, 06:47 AM   #19
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Wood doesn't do it for me but it's a fabulous car.
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      07-29-2014, 08:00 AM   #20
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Does this one look better (in your opinion)?
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      07-29-2014, 08:34 AM   #21
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By a huge margin! First one looks like the contents of a baby's nappy IMHO.
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      07-29-2014, 08:55 AM   #22
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Looks lovely. I don't think I could buy a 5 that isn't Sophisto now though, but I understand why people like the silver.
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