[SROC3]

If you ordered it - the X3 comes with the additional "adaptive" setting next to the 3 regular settings we usually have (sport, comfort, eco). I'm just so used to selecting "sport" or "comfort" and figured this additional mode may prove a good addition to the driving dynamics of the car.

I was wondering if anyone here uses it a lot and does it really work well? I saw a video of it, explaining how it is supposed to work but wanted to hear some real-world thoughts on it. (I know that's a 5 series but couldn't find a video about it on the X3...I'm assuming its the exact same system)

[allen3ybq]

Originally Posted by pheerIx

Whenever I use it I can't tell what it's doing and it feels like Comfort mode. I just end up using Comfort or Sport Plus that's it.

Same here honestly

[frank23]

I use it a lot, and consider it to be Comfort mode for most of the time, but when you floor the gas it feels like it moves a lot quicker and makes a lot more noise

[sinbad4]

Like frank23 says, like Comfort, but will "Sport up" quickly and stay like that as long as you're driving spiritedly.. then fail back to Comfort. Basically, an aggressive Comfort mode.

[SROC3]

Originally Posted by sinbad4

Like frank23 says, like Comfort, but will "Sport up" quickly and stay like that as long as you're driving spiritedly.. then fail back to Comfort. Basically, an aggressive Comfort mode.

Interesting....That's actually really cool if it worked that way. In the video it says that it also guided by GPSs and road maps. So maybe on "curvy roads" or freeways it changes as well. I guess if you select adaptive mode, its a great way to also not to have to think of switching modes on the fly.

[RichM50d]

More pointless crap

[Bored of Audi]

Not sure about the X3 but my 6 had it and it added comfort plus which was softer than comfort and ok for the road where I live, howerver on a motorway comfort plus was too soft and it felt like an old merc I had, a bit like being on a boat and a bit floaty so I would always flick to comfort for motor way driving.

In the UK when you order a 40i or 40 d and pick the msport plus pack it comes inclusive so you can t get rid of it to save some cash and use it on another option. From memory I think it was best part of £1k on a 3 series....

[Tchgrif]

I use adaptive most of the time, I prefer the sport mode but between the switch not working properly and the neighbors getting an ear-full of the pops and burbbles i just use adaptive.

[verysideways]

Originally Posted by frank23

I use it a lot, and consider it to be Comfort mode for most of the time, but when you floor the gas it feels like it moves a lot quicker and makes a lot more noise

100% agree with this.

[shoptb]

What was this packaged with in the US -- the M Adaptive suspension? I have everything except for that, and I don't have the "adaptive" mode -- just Sport, Comfort, and Eco Pro.

[munna]

Originally Posted by shoptb

What was this packaged with in the US -- the M Adaptive suspension? I have everything except for that, and I don't have the "adaptive" mode -- just Sport, Comfort, and Eco Pro.

I believe you need the dynamic dampers

[AndroidRobot]

I either drive in Adaptive or Sport+ so yes I use it quite frequently.

[Yobyot]

Originally Posted by pheerIx

Whenever I use it I can't tell what it's doing and it feels like Comfort mode. I just end up using Comfort or Sport Plus that's it.

I had an adaptive system on a 2012 Volvo XC60 and never noticed any different at all -- until the suspension needed replacement in early 2018. Then, I discovered that the shocks, due to low take rate, are only available via OEM at $700 per side.

New England weather rots out suspensions no matter how clean you keep the underbody. So for both my MY18 30i and MY19 M40i, I passed on this option. In five or so years, I'll have to a lot to replace shocks and bushings but at least I won't have to pay to replace the even more expensive electronic shocks that come with adaptive suspensions. Hopefully, there will be good aftermarket products for the 30i at least and maybe even the M40i.

[Fenders]

I had Almaretto code mine to default to Adaptive on start-up, so I use it almost all the time. The differences between Comfort and Sport steering/suspension feel pretty subtle, but I assume when I take corners at speed it's switching over to Sport for the curve. I hadn't seen this mode advertised as employing other Sport settings but from a couple of comments above, it sounds like it's also using Sport transmission mode at least, which makes sense - my car hangs at 5k rpm in Adaptive longer than I'd expect when I give it major throttle on the highway.

[allen3ybq]

Originally Posted by sinbad4

Like frank23 says, like Comfort, but will "Sport up" quickly and stay like that as long as you're driving spiritedly.. then fail back to Comfort. Basically, an aggressive Comfort mode.

I agree on that but it doesn't change the suspension settings which makes the car handle dramatically better if in sports mode.

[Fenders]

Originally Posted by allen3ybq

I agree on that but it doesn't change the suspension settings which makes the car handle dramatically better if in sports mode.

Part of my point above was that even switching manually between comfort and sport, the suspension change is subtle. Adaptive (as included with Dynamic Dampers, which is included in the Dynamic Handing Package) is marketed as effectively pushing the Comfort and Sport buttons for you based on various criteria. What makes you think Adaptive does or would do something different?

[allen3ybq]

Originally Posted by Fenders

Part of my point above was that even switching manually between comfort and sport, the suspension change is subtle. Adaptive (as included with Dynamic Dampers, which is included in the Dynamic Handing Package) is marketed as effectively pushing the Comfort and Sport buttons for you based on various criteria. What makes you think Adaptive does or would do something different?

It's VERY noticeable on my X3 M40i. I can feel the car planted onto the ground so much better and I can feel the road a lot better. Sports mode is a must to show exactly why we bought the M40i.

[Fenders]

Originally Posted by allen3ybq

It's VERY noticeable on my X3 M40i. I can feel the car planted onto the ground so much better and I can feel the road a lot better. Sports mode is a must to show exactly why we bought the M40i.

That’s good to know. They must have tuned the dynamic dampers with a much narrower range in the 30i to align with the target market. Lower profile tires on the 40i may reveal more as well. Still would be good to get a definitive rundown on what adaptive is doing across all drivetrain and chassis parameters between both models when so optioned, and at which condition thresholds.

[AndroidRobot]

Originally Posted by Fenders

That’s good to know. They must have tuned the dynamic dampers with a much narrower range in the 30i to align with the target market. Lower profile tires on the 40i may reveal more as well. Still would be good to get a definitive rundown on what adaptive is doing across all drivetrain and chassis parameters between both models when so optioned, and at which condition thresholds.

That's entirely possible because the M40i gets extremely firm while in the sport suspension setting. You can feel everything on the road but it handles so well you won't care.

[MarkyM]

Originally Posted by Fenders

That’s good to know. They must have tuned the dynamic dampers with a much narrower range in the 30i to align with the target market. Lower profile tires on the 40i may reveal more as well. Still would be good to get a definitive rundown on what adaptive is doing across all drivetrain and chassis parameters between both models when so optioned, and at which condition thresholds.

I've seen it mentioned in reviews that the M40 adaptive suspension is slightly lower than the standard adaptive or passive M Sport suspension but don't know how true that is?

[AndroidRobot]

Originally Posted by MarkyM

I've seen it mentioned in reviews that the M40 adaptive suspension is slightly lower than the standard adaptive or passive M Sport suspension but don't know how true that is?

the M40i is 0.8in lower overall per BMW

[darrylo]

Originally Posted by Fenders

That’s good to know. They must have tuned the dynamic dampers with a much narrower range in the 30i to align with the target market.

As another x30i owner w/dynamic dampers, I tried to like the adaptive mode, but it's really no different than comfort and performs poorly. One time, I pressed down on the accelerator to pass a car. While the transmission shifted, and the RPMs jumped way up, the car accelerated very slowly -- almost like an old prius.

I'm now using Sport Individual (everything sport but comfort suspension). and it's a lot nicer. Sucks to lose ASS, but I can hit eco while sitting in a drive-through line.