[dopper99]

So it appears you can have.....


Variable Dampers and integral active steering which comes to just under £2K

Or

Adaptive drive which is £2400

Unfortunately you can't have active steering with adaptive drive. But which is best of the above 2 options?

I'd be more inclined to have sharper, quicker steering which rules out the better Adaptive Drive. I thought the steering on the F10 530d I had for a while was slow. Not as quick a rack as my old 335d with VSS.

So for me, I'd prefer improved steering.

Thoughts?

[teaston]

On an X5 or 7 series the active ARB's would probably be more useful, but on the G30 which is lighter than the F10 I wouldn't think they're necessary if you have variable dampers.

IAS would be useful I'd say, mainly for the improved manueverbility helping park such a long car.

So I'd go with VDC & IAS

[Tengocity]

I'm pretty sure adaptive drive includes VDC, so it's a choice between active anti roll bars or the rear wheel steering really.

The rear wheel steer in IAS seems more beneficial in the agility it will give a long wheel base car when on the move, making it feel like a smaller car. Given the size of the thing this would probably be a very good thing.

Adaptive anti roll bars will allow the car to corner very flat, and yet still retain great ride comfort and suppleness when required. For me the outright stiffness of ARBs is what separates out and out sports cars like 911s and M cars from sporting saloons, so adaptive ARBs which can do both performance and comfort would seem to be great too.

So a really tough decision for those who really care how a car drives. I think given that a 5 series wouldn't be a sports car for me, but a long journey cruiser I'd forego the adaptive drive as the biggest concern I'd have with the 5 is its sheer size and how that makes it feel.

I'd try to drive both option first though before deciding.

[dopper99]

Another question ....... anyone know what springs are fitted to the G30 xdrive's? Is it SE springs like the F3x?

[HighlandPete]

Interesting question.

Seeing as IAS was even rarer than hen's teeth in the F10/11, (couldn't get to try it), I'm guessing you have to be a particular kind of driver to specify it on a new car. Whether that will change with the G30, we are yet to see.

Saying that, Adaptive Drive isn't an option on many F10/11 models either. Unless you've driven with Dynamic Drive (E60/61), or the full works Adaptive Drive, most have no real idea what ARS does to change the car's comfort/handling balance.

I'd opt for AD, having lived with it for over 4-years, no doubt about the choice whatsoever. For me the F10/11 steering has not been an issue, sure it is a bit slow in ratio, (long wheel base, etc.), but nothing that messes with the placement of the car. The caveat, not all F10/11 steering I've driven have been the same. (An F10/11 complaint by users).

What AD does, and will be even better in a slightly lighter car, IMO, it adds agility to the chassis, it is more than simply improving comfort and better body control. It is the handling balance which sets the car up which in turn, adds to steering precision, (less disturbance) tuning the handling balance as you drive. Steady driving there is a neutral feel to the chassis, (that in itself shrinks the car), as you press on harder it tunes in a little understeer. All done on the stiffness ratio of front vs. rear roll bars.

I suppose it is what is our priority, don't let the weight changes on the G30 models be exaggerated, as some of the material suggests. Many models, particularly if you add xDrive and options, won't make for much of a weight saving in real terms. It is a big car and still weighty.

IAS and VDC may suit some drivers, if ultimate body control and controlling extra roll is not the priority. VDC is not a roll stopper, it only slows weight transfer, not lessen it.

AD is more for those who want the best of comfort levels and the better handling balance, both at the same time. ARS and VDC have comfort benefits, without compromising the body control. In fact it is enhanced, ideal if you carry passengers or loads.

For me, ARS is one of the best pieces of technology to be added to the 5-series. Does what most drivers want (335d xDrive anyone?) but can't get without stiff springs and thicker roll bars, but at the cost of sacrificing comfort levels.

Looking forward to trying the G30 with Adaptive Drive, see how it is improved over the F10/11 system.

[HighlandPete]

Originally Posted by dopper99

Another question ....... anyone know what springs are fitted to the G30 xdrive's? Is it SE springs like the F3x?

There are changes. From my reading we can have M-sport suspension with xDrive.

[Tengocity]

Originally Posted by HighlandPete

Interesting question.

For me, ARS is one of the best pieces of technology to be added to the 5-series. Does what most drivers want (335d xDrive anyone?) but can't get without stiff springs and thicker roll bars, but at the cost of sacrificing comfort levels.

Indeed, and I've been there with mine.

If this was a decision on a 3 series sized car then in my own head it would be the Active ARBs, but for a 5 series I wonder if my expectations and priorities would be different, and also my concerns about size of car are much more of an issue.

Given the added propensity of xdrive cars to understeer I also wonder if the choice of adaptive ARBs will make more difference here to retain a more neutral feel?

I'm pretty sure though that a drive in both options would soon help one decide which was more relevant to one's own preferences. However, I'm equally sure that finding said cars to test drive prior to ordering will be a challenge.

[Wills2]

VDC on the SE F10 for me was a waste of money, AD was lovely and transformed an SE's handling and gave the car a real 4 square feeling on the road which my VDC SE totally lacked (I drove them against each other)

If going SE then I'd pick AD over VDC and the 4 wheel steering but if choosing the M sport a different combination might be better.

As an example I followed up my SE with VDC on 19" with a passive M sport model on 18" and that was way better to drive much closer to the AD equipped car.

[HighlandPete]

Originally Posted by Tengocity

Indeed, and I've been there with mine.

If this was a decision on a 3 series sized car then in my own head it would be the Active ARBs, but for a 5 series I wonder if my expectations and priorities would be different, and also my concerns about size of car are much more of an issue.

Given the added propensity of xdrive cars to understeer I also wonder if the choice of adaptive ARBs will make more difference here to retain a more neutral feel?

I'm pretty sure though that a drive in both options would soon help one decide which was more relevant to one's own preferences. However, I'm equally sure that finding said cars to test drive prior to ordering will be a challenge.

There has been talk of having some form of ARS on the next 3-series. Whether that materialises we wait to see. Will have to be a cheaper option on the smaller cars, or the take up will be minimal.

I would expect the xDrive to be setup with a neutral balance. With the hardware installed it is only programming after all. Can do it already, so will simply be what BMW want from the xDrive chassis.

Testing the different suspensions and options will be the issue. It took Grassicks several months to get an F10 (BMW stock) with AD up to Perth, for a couple of customers to drive. I think IAS will be even harder to find, particularly IAS and VDC. Unless dealers option them themselves, it will be almost impossible to get demo cars.

Fives are big cars, many users of the 3/4 models will require a new mind-set to drive them without too much comparison. Not sure we can add any amount of options and make a true 'small car feel' out of a large car. We can improve them and get the best, (for our priorities), but still a big car to drive around. How ever much I like my F11, sometimes I feel there is simply "too much bulk" to the 5-series.

[dopper99]

Originally Posted by Wills2

...If going SE then I'd pick AD over VDC and the 4 wheel steering but if choosing the M sport a different combination might be better.....

You cant have AD and 4 wheel steering, its not an option (well not on the on line configurer). That's the point of this thread.

Therefore you can only have VDC with 4 wheel steering.

I did read on another forum the reason why you cant have AD and 4 wheel steering is due to power requirements. Apparently the 7 series has 3 batteries so this combination is available.

[Wills2]

Originally Posted by dopper99

You cant have AD and 4 wheel steering, its not an option (well not on the on line configurer). That's the point of this thread.

Therefore you can only have VDC with 4 wheel steering.

I did read on another forum the reason why you cant have AD and 4 wheel steering is due to power requirements. Apparently the 7 series has 3 batteries so this combination is available.

I know, where did I say that you could? I just said other combinations and of course that doesn't include combinations that you can't have...

[HighlandPete]

Originally Posted by dopper99

I did read on another forum the reason why you cant have AD and 4 wheel steering is due to power requirements. Apparently the 7 series has 3 batteries so this combination is available.

That's what I have read is the reason. Two batteries are enough in a Five. AD has to have one up front.

Just read the following in one of the user test drive reviews, in the G30 section of the forum.

http://g30.bimmerpost.com/forums/sho....php?t=1348244

540i xDrive on standard suspension.

Originally Posted by hinckley

I drove a 540i xDrive this morning for about 30 minutes. .....

Taking a very long, sweeping exit ramp was very telling to me. The ramp is part of every test drive that I do. The speed limit is 45 mph, and with slowly increasing acceleration, the 540 got up to 84 before my butt-meter told me the nannies were about to cut in. That's pretty good. However, there was considerable body roll. I was hanging on a bit, planting my left leg to keep my body pressed into the right side bolster. It was the only truly negative thing about the drive, and I think would be mitigated or eliminated with the Active Roll Stability part of the Dynamic Handling Package. .....

Interesting, a more sorted ride comes at a cost, roll is often a by-product.

[ajfoggy]

Balls to all that get the 3k B&W stereo!!!

[Isow]

Does IAS make the car easier to park, I.e. Does it work at low speeds ?
I had a Honda prelude many years ago with 4 wheel steer and it aided turning into a parking space.

[dopper99]

Originally Posted by Isow

Does IAS make the car easier to park, I.e. Does it work at low speeds ?
I had a Honda prelude many years ago with 4 wheel steer and it aided turning into a parking space.

From here ..... http://www.bmw.com/com/en/insights/t...ctive_steering

"Different driving situations call for different steering responses. A smaller turning circle with fewer movements and more precise movements is helpful when parking or negotiating hairpin bends. "

[dopper99]

Here's some Trish ...............

Nice demo of the inside .....

[ajfoggy]

So should I add VDC to my order.... M Sport with the M Sport Plus 20" wheels....

[dopper99]

Originally Posted by ajfoggy

So should I add VDC to my order.... M Sport with the M Sport Plus 20" wheels....

I guess you should try to find an F10 with it fitted to give you an idea if it's worth it?

I wonder what's the difference between VDC and the 3 series adaptive suspension, is it the same thing?

[ajfoggy]

Originally Posted by dopper99

I guess you should try to find an F10 with it fitted to give you an idea if it's worth it?

I wonder what's the difference between VDC and the 3 series adaptive suspension, is it the same thing?

Decision is already made, I have dropped the B&W stereo and added the driving assistant plus and VDC for the same money.

[DThr33]

Originally Posted by ajfoggy

Decision is already made, I have dropped the B&W stereo and added the driving assistant plus and VDC for the same money.

yeah but

Originally Posted by ajfoggy

Balls to all that get the 3k B&W stereo!!!

[ajfoggy]

Originally Posted by DThr33

yeah but

I know, i know... But did a little reading about the VDC and the quality of the stereo.

Then got put in my BMW "Experience" car today ....... 420d

But it's got HK and I have been listening to the basic stereo since November, it sounds so much better and good enough so decided to spend the money on other more beneficial toys.

[JustChris]

Originally Posted by ajfoggy

So should I add VDC to my order.... M Sport with the M Sport Plus 20" wheels....

Going for a 5er now Foggy? Good choice if so.