Does Adaptive Drive also mean air suspension front and back?

[Alchemist]

Hi all,

I'm looking at an '07 E70 that's got the Adaptive Drive package (with Sport button at the base of the gear stick). Does this mean the front also has air-suspension (I'm presuming the E70 only has self-levelling air-suspension at the rear otherwise).

This isn't the main reason I'm viewing it, but seems a decent extra to have (conform mode will come in handy for towing and the endless speedbumps around where I live).

[NehalX5]

I believe Adaptive drive means that the car has the adjustable shocks and the adjustable anti-roll bars. They both combine to make up the cars adaptive drive system. There is also a computer and associated sensors for the system to function. This is what allows for the car to remain level in corners, and deal with the bumps, as the shock absorbers change in their stiffness and the ARB's stiffen and loosen to overall change the way the car rides.

The Self-levelling suspension is something that came with the 7 seat optioned cars as they have the extra weight in the boot that needs to be compensated for. Cars with the 7 seat option with adaptive drive may well have both adaptive drive and air suspension, but I believe there never was an option for self-levelling in the front as you can't buy any such parts for the X5.

I believe the air suspension doesn't change when using the adaptive drive system as it is a self-levelling system, meaning that it is always filling up and releasing air from the air bags to keep to a certain level the car remains at.

This is all in the 2009 price list, it is very helpful. I imagine if the car is specced with adaptive drive it may have a lot of options overall, as the option itself is £2250.

[majordamage069]

i have the 07/08 e70 7 seat with adaptive steering and adaptive suspension. a 2 ton go kart at roundabouts  >:D
the first you notice is the steering goes heavier but less turning of steering wheel to actually turn if you follow. ie if your in the right lane coming to an island you can just flick it and keep straight. no real difference in the comfort of the suspension either.

[Graeme]

Nehal X5 is absolutely right.  I have a 2007 3.0sd registered in 2008 that came with adaptive drive and self levelling air suspension with the third row seating.  If the car is up on a ramp you can easily see the electronically controlled rear shock absorbers of the adaptive drive system.  It can be stiffened using the sport mode switch behind the gear shift.  The air suspension is a separate device that does as it says - it keeps the car level and the headlights pointing properly to compensate for extra weight in the back.  I believe, but this needs verifying, that cars with factory fitted towbars also have rear air suspension. At the front shock absorbers and springs are based on McPherson strut design and is not an air suspension.

Hope this helps,

Graeme

[Alchemist]

[quote="Graeme"]
Nehal X5 is absolutely right.  I have a 2007 3.0sd registered in 2008 that came with adaptive drive and self levelling air suspension with the third row seating.  If the car is up on a ramp you can easily see the electronically controlled rear shock absorbers of the adaptive drive system.  It can be stiffened using the sport mode switch behind the gear shift.  The air suspension is a separate device that does as it says - it keeps the car level and the headlights pointing properly to compensate for extra weight in the back.  I believe, but this needs verifying, that cars with factory fitted towbars also have rear air suspension. At the front shock absorbers and springs are based on McPherson strut design and is not an air suspension.

Hope this helps,

Thanks for this, really helpful. The model I've pulled the trigger on has the Sport button and I can could see the controllers on the shocks when I glanced underneath. Bit nervous of complex/expensive repairs if it goes wrong at some stage but hey ho, it's a prestige car!

Graeme
[/quote]

[Graeme]

Hi,

I've not had any problems - touch wood - with the adaptive drive in 159,000 miles. Over the last 3 years I've had to replace both air bags and a front spring though.  Work done by an independent specialist at reasonable prices.

Graeme