5 Series - Adaptive Dampers vs Standard (without)
Discussion
So I'm in the market to replace my 3 series with an F10 5 series.
I wanted a Mercedes C or E class but more open to BMW F10.
I tried to do a bit of research on adaptive dampers or adaptive suspension for these models. I've seen such varied opinions. Some people say it's a must and some say without adaptive dampers is still fine.
I don't need sports performance as in firm sporty chassis because I have a weekend sports car which is firm.
I use the BMW as an everyday car, fuel efficient and spacious to fit in friends and family.
So my question is what are the differences between adaptive dampers and without on daily driving.
Ideally I'd get the one with the softest and smoothest ride.
Cheers
I wanted a Mercedes C or E class but more open to BMW F10.
I tried to do a bit of research on adaptive dampers or adaptive suspension for these models. I've seen such varied opinions. Some people say it's a must and some say without adaptive dampers is still fine.
I don't need sports performance as in firm sporty chassis because I have a weekend sports car which is firm.
I use the BMW as an everyday car, fuel efficient and spacious to fit in friends and family.
So my question is what are the differences between adaptive dampers and without on daily driving.
Ideally I'd get the one with the softest and smoothest ride.
Cheers
Yeah the thing is I found it a little bit hard compared to my 3 series which I thought was crazy.
I know you lose performance the more softer it is but I take my other car out often which is a proper firm car.
I was going to buy the 2010-2015 shape 7 series which are very good value right now but it's probably a bit too big for a quick town daily driver.
I know you lose performance the more softer it is but I take my other car out often which is a proper firm car.
I was going to buy the 2010-2015 shape 7 series which are very good value right now but it's probably a bit too big for a quick town daily driver.
I have a 2014 530D Luxury with full adaptive suspension. Your last sentence in your first post sums up my approach and my choice was between a Mercedes CLS and the F10.
In terms of ride the F10 adaptive was streets ahead of the Mercedes and significantly quieter and more comfortable than a standard F10.
In terms of performance the car's very good for its size in Sport or Sport + though I'm mostly in one of the other 3 modes which suit my use of the car much better.
In terms of ride the F10 adaptive was streets ahead of the Mercedes and significantly quieter and more comfortable than a standard F10.
In terms of performance the car's very good for its size in Sport or Sport + though I'm mostly in one of the other 3 modes which suit my use of the car much better.
The options are:
Standard suspension: Soft, poor in a corner.
Standard suspension with variable dampers: Soft or firm, OK in a corner.
Standard suspension with adaptive drive: Soft on a straight (but further improved ride due to de-coupled ARBs), very good in a corner.
M Sport suspension: Firm/bumpy, but good in a corner.
Once you have sipped from the AD cup... The key benefits are: unparalleled ride on the straight, firm and precise in a corner, understeer/oversteer characteristics automatically modified with varying speed. It's unpopular in the UK, because most BMW buyers would rather spend £2k on "look at me" big wheels and tinted windows than on an option where you don't even get a button, let alone a light.
Standard suspension: Soft, poor in a corner.
Standard suspension with variable dampers: Soft or firm, OK in a corner.
Standard suspension with adaptive drive: Soft on a straight (but further improved ride due to de-coupled ARBs), very good in a corner.
M Sport suspension: Firm/bumpy, but good in a corner.
Once you have sipped from the AD cup... The key benefits are: unparalleled ride on the straight, firm and precise in a corner, understeer/oversteer characteristics automatically modified with varying speed. It's unpopular in the UK, because most BMW buyers would rather spend £2k on "look at me" big wheels and tinted windows than on an option where you don't even get a button, let alone a light.
apotts said:
The options are:
Standard suspension: Soft, poor in a corner.
Standard suspension with variable dampers: Soft or firm, OK in a corner.
Standard suspension with adaptive drive: Soft on a straight (but further improved ride due to de-coupled ARBs), very good in a corner.
M Sport suspension: Firm/bumpy, but good in a corner.
Once you have sipped from the AD cup... The key benefits are: unparalleled ride on the straight, firm and precise in a corner, understeer/oversteer characteristics automatically modified with varying speed. It's unpopular in the UK, because most BMW buyers would rather spend £2k on "look at me" big wheels and tinted windows than on an option where you don't even get a button, let alone a light.
Standard suspension: Soft, poor in a corner.
Standard suspension with variable dampers: Soft or firm, OK in a corner.
Standard suspension with adaptive drive: Soft on a straight (but further improved ride due to de-coupled ARBs), very good in a corner.
M Sport suspension: Firm/bumpy, but good in a corner.
Once you have sipped from the AD cup... The key benefits are: unparalleled ride on the straight, firm and precise in a corner, understeer/oversteer characteristics automatically modified with varying speed. It's unpopular in the UK, because most BMW buyers would rather spend £2k on "look at me" big wheels and tinted windows than on an option where you don't even get a button, let alone a light.
That's about it, I avoided the big wheels too, went for 18s with a relatively high profile tyre, full comfort pack including seats. It's a great car, for long journeys particularly, very easy to live with.
Picked up my new F10 yesterday, I went with standard suspension as used mainly on work commute of 60 motorway miles, it is still a lovely ride and also very quiet. You will have to be quick if you want the car brand new as dealers are now hoarding all the stock so hard to find exact specs. I went for pro nav but had to forfeit sun protection and boot spoiler. It's the best mile muncher I have had and in my eyes better than the wife's merc.
I had an F11 Msport with 19" rims, runlets and std suspension and the ride was generally awful I wish I'd specced Adaptive, I've subsequently bought an M135i with adaptive and the ride is amazing in comfort mode and much better than my F11 in Sport as well.
I suspect much of the issue with the F11 was the rim size, the 18" with corresponding taller sidewall would be better as would non runflats
I suspect much of the issue with the F11 was the rim size, the 18" with corresponding taller sidewall would be better as would non runflats
I had a F11 with 19's, ditched the run flats with a vast improvement in comfort. Then fitted a genuine set of M5 alloys which are significantly lighter than the std 19's and again, a further improvement. Also had Eibach's at the front, but it didn't make any difference either way to the ride, more for cosmetics.
No need for adaptive at all if you're prepared to ditch the run flats.
No need for adaptive at all if you're prepared to ditch the run flats.
I've had SE and M Sport suspension both with and with runflats.
I have noticed no night and day ride differences between any of them, which surprised me. By contrast sticking non runflats on a Mini Cooper and a couple of Z4's completely transformed the way the cars drove.
Irrespective of my suspension and tyre setup I find the overall ride quality excellent but the cars tendancy to transmit every minor road imperfection into the cabin annoying, even down to surface grain.
I have noticed no night and day ride differences between any of them, which surprised me. By contrast sticking non runflats on a Mini Cooper and a couple of Z4's completely transformed the way the cars drove.
Irrespective of my suspension and tyre setup I find the overall ride quality excellent but the cars tendancy to transmit every minor road imperfection into the cabin annoying, even down to surface grain.
scz4 said:
I had a F11 with 19's, ditched the run flats with a vast improvement in comfort. Then fitted a genuine set of M5 alloys which are significantly lighter than the std 19's and again, a further improvement. Also had Eibach's at the front, but it didn't make any difference either way to the ride, more for cosmetics.
No need for adaptive at all if you're prepared to ditch the run flats.
No need for adaptive at all if you're prepared to ditch the run flats.
Couldn't agree. Adaptive is far more than just the ride; changing to non RFTs might soften the ride and cut noise but not that much compared to the latest RFTs and still not a patch on full adaptive.
Secondary ride, each line in decreasing quality:
17", 18", 19" (sidewalls, wheel weight)
Non RF, run-flat (sidewalls, tyre weight)
Light wheels, heavy wheels (er, wheel weight)
Primary ride, each line in decreasing quality.
SE, M Sport (spring/damper rates)
(For SE) Adaptive drive, VDC, conventional. (AD wins with ARB decoupling, VDC beats conventional when set in Comfort+).
Mix and match how you wish. With adaptive drive, non run-flat 17" wheel/tyres the ride is S Class. With 19" heavy and huge wheels/run flats on M Sport suspension, the primary ride is firm but the secondary ride is hugely annoying and not needed in a fast barge. Unless, of course, you suspend your drivers seat from the roof by means of bungee cords.
17", 18", 19" (sidewalls, wheel weight)
Non RF, run-flat (sidewalls, tyre weight)
Light wheels, heavy wheels (er, wheel weight)
Primary ride, each line in decreasing quality.
SE, M Sport (spring/damper rates)
(For SE) Adaptive drive, VDC, conventional. (AD wins with ARB decoupling, VDC beats conventional when set in Comfort+).
Mix and match how you wish. With adaptive drive, non run-flat 17" wheel/tyres the ride is S Class. With 19" heavy and huge wheels/run flats on M Sport suspension, the primary ride is firm but the secondary ride is hugely annoying and not needed in a fast barge. Unless, of course, you suspend your drivers seat from the roof by means of bungee cords.
REALIST123 said:
scz4 said:
I had a F11 with 19's, ditched the run flats with a vast improvement in comfort. Then fitted a genuine set of M5 alloys which are significantly lighter than the std 19's and again, a further improvement. Also had Eibach's at the front, but it didn't make any difference either way to the ride, more for cosmetics.
No need for adaptive at all if you're prepared to ditch the run flats.
No need for adaptive at all if you're prepared to ditch the run flats.
Couldn't agree. Adaptive is far more than just the ride; changing to non RFTs might soften the ride and cut noise but not that much compared to the latest RFTs and still not a patch on full adaptive.
Edited by scz4 on Saturday 10th December 16:22
scz4 said:
REALIST123 said:
scz4 said:
I had a F11 with 19's, ditched the run flats with a vast improvement in comfort. Then fitted a genuine set of M5 alloys which are significantly lighter than the std 19's and again, a further improvement. Also had Eibach's at the front, but it didn't make any difference either way to the ride, more for cosmetics.
No need for adaptive at all if you're prepared to ditch the run flats.
No need for adaptive at all if you're prepared to ditch the run flats.
Couldn't agree. Adaptive is far more than just the ride; changing to non RFTs might soften the ride and cut noise but not that much compared to the latest RFTs and still not a patch on full adaptive.
Edited by anonymous-user on Saturday 10th December 16:22
Fair enough but surely what is necessary is up to the buyer?
I have the roof too, which is good but I rarely use it. I would choose AD over the roof every time if I count have both. Each to his own.
apotts said:
I wouldn't have an F10 without adaptive drive. I'd go back to the XF (it was the AD that took me away in the first place).
The XF drives better than the current crop of BMWs. It feels light and agile, soaks bumps well yet retains sportiness. Jags are class leading at the minute with suspension, handling and driver feedback. I've had 3 F10 and driven a few others the suspension/wheel combos I've had or driven with opinions below:
SE non VDC on 19", quite soft, lacking in body control and still managed to crash over certain bumps didn't like mid corner ripples and bumps.
SE VDC on 19" the VDC isn't worth it, doesn't do anything that you can actually feel still steered/cornered like boat.
SE Adaptive drive on 19", superb and gives the F10 "BMW" handling, flat, taught and planted.
Passive M sport on 18", A really pleasant surprise being both firm but well damped and comfortable whilst still feeling controlled.
silent ninja said:
apotts said:
I wouldn't have an F10 without adaptive drive. I'd go back to the XF (it was the AD that took me away in the first place).
The XF drives better than the current crop of BMWs. It feels light and agile, soaks bumps well yet retains sportiness. Jags are class leading at the minute with suspension, handling and driver feedback. 
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