Yeah. Look for people without MSport. There's 2 suspension setups, not 3, so anyone with the blue stripe can tell you how it rides.

 

Am also in a similar situation - UK based. Have been trying to figure out whether I can add the 'm adaptive' when mine arrives, via the online upgrade thingy. Appreciate the adaptive suspension was removed from all orders for a while but now seems to be back.

Have seen the 'm adaptive' available for a few hundred pounds so seems logical that non 'm' adaptive is on at least some cars to remotely upgrade from.

Anyone know for sure?

 

It's hardware, not software. If it's not spec'ed on the build, it's not going to be available later.

 

I have a UK M-Sport so no adaptive suspension. I never drove it with so don’t have much to compare, but it has a great ride with standard, I love it. Better than previous 5 series I’ve had but again, can’t compare to adaptive.

 

Perfect! Comparison is the thief of joy, and if as you say it rides well with just the standard suspension, then I am more than happy. Thankyou so much for this personal view, it is exactly what I was after

 

the Pro pack costs a pretty penny (I believe around £2350) and as it is a lease, I struggle to justify.

Check out the M seatbelts in the Pro pack, they look wonderful! Might sway you...

 

Yeah understood the adaptive is hardware however 'm adaptive' seems to be offered as a software upgrade.

https://www.bmw.co.uk/en/shop/ls/dp/VDC_Offer_gb

You’re right. Adaptive cruise control requires specific hardware (radar IIRC) that isn’t standard, but in the UK all builds come with it onboard already and you can buy the upgrade to enable it for 750. I’m not aware of a UK spec that builds adaptive in regardless though, must be for another region.

I tried your link, does confirm my car is not eligible.

I thought this was about adaptive suspension, not adaptive cruise.

The cruise is associated with DAPP, and the suspension is associated with the MSport, as far as I understood.

 

Yeah, I was highlighting that certain hardware upgrades are ‘built in’ in certain regions to be enabled via the connected drive store. Adaptive Suspension is certainly listed on the connected drive store, so I assume some region has cars with the hardware built in

 

Yep this is my point. Before it's offered as a software upgrade at least some cars must have the adaptive suspension hardwear without the m adaptive suspension being paid for in advance.

I just can't see anything on the Internet that confirms this or states which spec/county it applies to.

 

I own an i4 40 with M Sport suspension (non adaptive), and an i4 M50 with adaptive suspension.

I would say the non adaptive one is really good, at least for German roads. I would not pay extra for the adaptive one. The adaptive one is a bit harder in sports mode but not more comfortable in comfort mode.

 

I test drove the M50 with adaptive (also had it on a previous 340i M Sport and a 530e) and the e40 without it. When set the comfort mode, I really couldn't tell the difference, and I really rate the ride and handling of the normal e40, for normal day to day driving.

When in sports mode, there is a marked difference, with a much firmer ride. Does it handle better? Not in my opinion, just makes the ride uncomfortable on UK roads. When I previously had it, I rarely used the firm setting.

 

I've driven the i4 e35 without adaptive suspension, and IMO, it feels the same as my M50 in Comfort Mode, as others have suggested. Given that my M50 has spent 99.9% of its time in Comfort mode, I would say that not having adaptive suspension is fine. I'm someone who normally likes to be in the sporty settings in a car, but the Comfort mode/non adaptive suspension is perfect in the i4 IMO.

Also worth noting: if you plan on lowering the car, the adaptive suspension is a complete waste. Going to sport suspension is just annoying since I lowered my car. As a result, I've kept the car in Comfort mode 100% of the time.

 

@kipsate @OdysseyOne @generic.user @morkjt thank you guys so much for your views. They are honestly so valuable to me and I appreciate the time each of you took to let me know this information. This is such a lovely community and you guys have helped make my decision so much easier! I wish you all the best for this year

 

In my i4M50 with "Nordic Type" winter tyres, I dont like the handling of the car with Comfort Dampening at high speed - this was even a problem in Spain (December) where the Winter tyres became very soft, so I switched to Sport Dampening whenever driving more than 120KMH.