I bought a 2010 550i sport last summer. When I was shopping for cars I considered a 2010 MB E550 before I eventually ended up the BMW. Now I would only buy a BMW with the sport package. But sometimes I'm wishing that I could have some control over the firmness of the suspension like the Airmatic in the E550. It seems with the E60 you have to decide at the outset whether to purchase a sport or non-sport and thereby having a firm or softer suspension at all times.

This brings me to my question about the F10. What exactly is Adaptive Drive with Dynamic Damper Control? Is this similar to the Benz Airmatic? That seems to be the best of all worlds giving a choice between comfort and a firmer ride. I only have a two-year lease on my 550i, so I'm really curious about this. Thanks.

 

per the official press release:



https://5series.net/forums/index.php...opic=92649&hl=



The new 5 Series can be equipped with a Sport Package that adds Adaptive Drive, which contains several key features.
? Driving Dynamics Control, introduced on the 2009 BMW 7 Series and Z4 Roadster, allows the driver to set the ride/handling/drivetrain behavior of the car through a single rocker switch on the center console. Adjacent to the E-shift lever or manual shift lever is the Driving Dynamics Control selector (logically, on the driver?s side). Driving Dynamics Control provides four standard settings that tailor vehicle behavior to different moods. The settings are Comfort, Normal, Sport and Sport+. Affected vehicle parameters include engine throttle response, transmission shift characteristics, power-steering assistance level, and Dynamic Traction Control mode (in the Sport+ setting).
? Dynamic Damping Control is an evolution of the Electronic Damping Control (EDC) that has been available on several BMW models. On the new 5 Series, Dynamic Damping Control (DDC) is combined with a slightly lowered (10mm) suspension. Dynamic Damping Control adjusts the shock absorbers to any level of firmness, quickly adapting to road conditions and the driver?s demands. Suspension control is always optimum for current road conditions, vehicle speed, and load. The shocks default to the softest appropriate setting for the vehicle?s speed, and when the vehicle encounters an irregular road surface, they adjust instantaneously to control ride motions, preserve ride comfort, and maintain adhesion to the road. The system is so fast that even at highway speeds the system can sense a pothole at a front wheel and adjust rear-wheel damping before it reaches the same pothole. Dynamic Damping Control is the first BMW system to vary the shock absorbers? jounce and rebound strokes (wheel moving upward and downward) both steplessly and independently; this capability results in a unique combination of desirable firmness (for handling) and excellent comfort on uneven road surfaces.
? Active Roll Stabilization. This high-tech system reduces body roll, popularly known as ?lean,? in cornering. It improves handling by virtue of better suspension geometry (wheel angles relative to vertical), but there is a psychological component as well: Drivers and passengers alike marvel at the ?flat cornering? that results from ARS. When the vehicle enters a corner or curve, or begins an avoidance maneuver, ?lateral acceleration? is generated. This is read by a sensor, which transmits a signal to the ECU. The ECU processes this signal and transmits it to the valve/sensor block. In turn, the valve/sensor block determines the hydraulic pressure applied to the anti-roll bars to control body roll.

 

I did read the press release, but I'm still uncertain about the description. It reads "Dynamic Damping Control adjusts the shock absorbers to any level of firmness, quickly adapting to road conditions and the driver?s demands." Does this mean the Comfort, Normal, Sport, and Sport+ settings affect the suspension? Or only the "engine throttle response, transmission shift characteristics, power-steering assistance level, and Dynamic Traction Control mode (in the Sport+ setting)"?

I read that to mean there is only one suspension setting no matter the Driving Dynamics Control setting. It's just that it adjusts itself to the road conditions, but there is no driver setting to make it firmer or softer. Am I wrong?

 

I think its everything. Dynamic Dampening is a subcomponent of Addaptive Drive. With it the car is lowered by 10mm, which always looks nice.

 

"When equipped with the Sport Package, the new BMW 5 Series Sedan includes Adaptive Drive, which encompasses Driving Dynamics Control, Electronic Damper Control, and Active Roll Stabilization."

This means that it'll be one expensive package to get.

Also, the system is controlled by electronics, that means it'll be quite expensive to fix if things go wrong.

Of course, BMW has to stay ahead of the competition.

 

I believe I read $4500 for the sprt pkg in one of the recent reviews...

 

Similar to EDC on the M cars.