Air Suspension Ride height setting.

BimmerGuyFL78 · 08-26-2020, 07:29 AM

Since I am new to this forum and as an owner for a new 2021 X7, I wanted to see what everyone's opinions/preferences are for driving their X7 in which ride weight suspension setting they choose or which one they feel is the best for ride comfort.

Auricom · 08-26-2020, 07:34 AM

While not a X7 owner, but was provided a MY19 xDrive50i M Sport with ZDG test vehicle for 3 months.

Personal preference for X7 and X5: Adaptive Drive and Sport Level ride height, great balance of daily drive and sport damping.

cleex024 · 08-26-2020, 07:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Auricom

While not a X7 owner, but was provided a MY19 xDrive50i M Sport with ZDG test vehicle for 3 months.

Personal preference for X7 and X5: Adaptive Drive and Sport Level ride height, great balance of daily drive and sport damping.

but is there a way to keep it in that setting without being in sport?

BimmerGuyFL78 · 08-26-2020, 07:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cleex024

Quote:

Originally Posted by Auricom

While not a X7 owner, but was provided a MY19 xDrive50i M Sport with ZDG test vehicle for 3 months.

Personal preference for X7 and X5: Adaptive Drive and Sport Level ride height, great balance of daily drive and sport damping.

but is there a way to keep it in that setting without being in sport?

My question was more towards the Air Suspension ride height setting, being that there are 5 settings. Not the drive modes.

Auricom · 08-26-2020, 07:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cleex024

but is there a way to keep it in that setting without being in sport?

You can code the X7 to automatically start in dynamic drive mode like Sport Individual, where you can customize damping to SPORT which will maintain the air suspension level to SPORT level (-20mm/-0.787"):

My settings for Sport Individual:

Damping
SPORT, activates EDC sport damping and lowers the air suspension to SPORT level (-20mm/-0.787")

Steering
SPORT, heavier steering feel

Engine
COMFORT

Transmission
COMFORT

Auricom · 08-26-2020, 08:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alpine535Msport

My question was more towards the Air Suspension ride height setting, being that there are 5 settings. Not the drive modes.

Well technically there's 2 levels for normal everyday speed driving - Normal or Sport Level.

Dynamic Level is not selectable and automatically lowers when the vehicle is traveling between 87-124mph.

Sport is manually selectable or lowers automatically over 124mph.

You can only drive H1 or H2 under 18-27mph speeds.

While you can select air suspension levels independent of drive modes. Air suspension characteristics are affected by the Drive Mode you're in.

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unfoundnemo · 08-26-2020, 08:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alpine535Msport

Since I am new to this forum and as an owner for a new 2021 X7, I wanted to see what everyone's opinions/preferences are for driving their X7 in which ride weight suspension setting they choose or which one they feel is the best for ride comfort.

For comfort around town, I just leave mine in the default/comfort settings. I drove to work on Monday morning in the X7 with the radio off in the default comfort mode after putting a hard 200 miles on my M3 on Sunday. That stark contrast really made the X7 shine in what it's for.

On the highway, I'm typically in the standard sport setting even for comfort, but that's largely due to most of my highway drives containing some moderate grades and curves. There's just a little too much movement in anything less for my liking.

unfoundnemo · 08-26-2020, 08:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alpine535Msport

My question was more towards the Air Suspension ride height setting, being that there are 5 settings. Not the drive modes.

It's rare that I feel the need to adjust the ride height beyond what the drive modes default to. Typically if I do so, I would be going up for clearance when off tarmac, or down for entry. If I had some straighter highways, you might see me in the lowest driveable setting while not utilizing sport damper settings.

cleex024 · 08-26-2020, 08:32 AM

I would just like to drive in comfort in the -20 ride height setting.

BimmerGuyFL78 · 08-26-2020, 09:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Auricom

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alpine535Msport

My question was more towards the Air Suspension ride height setting, being that there are 5 settings. Not the drive modes.

Well technically there's 2 levels for normal everyday speed driving - Normal or Sport Level.

Dynamic Level is not selectable and automatically lowers when the vehicle is traveling between 87-124mph.

Sport is manually selectable or lowers automatically over 124mph.

You can only drive H1 or H2 under 18-27mph speeds.

While you can select air suspension levels independent of drive modes. Air suspension characteristics are affected by the Drive Mode you're in.

Attachment 2398288

Your feed back helped a lot. Thank you all for taking the time to inform me. 😊

Auricom · 08-26-2020, 10:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alpine535Msport

Your feed back helped a lot. Thank you all for taking the time to inform me. 😊

Anytime!

DSTJ99 · 08-29-2020, 07:30 AM

I almost always drive around in comfort and tap the button to lower one level. It feels much more taught than std height which comes across floaty to me. Especially on the highway.

sbkim · 09-30-2020, 07:47 AM

Just wanted to confirm that Load Level is only available with the doors closed and in park?

Seems like the trunk button works with obviously with the trunk open but perhaps not with the doors open?

Thanks

iconoclast · 09-30-2020, 09:28 AM

doors must be closed to lower.

Kruppa · 10-01-2020, 09:39 PM

I'm surprised there's still no way to code that allows you to drive in the lowest setting if you choose.

toddwalton · 10-02-2020, 11:12 AM

Every time I get in the X7 I start the engine and immediately hit the Sport button.

This brings up Sport Individual which a) lowers the suspension and b) turns off the auto stop/start function.

I find the lower center of gravity provides a better and less-floaty driving experience, and I hate when the engine shuts off at intersections so win-win for me.

iconoclast · 10-02-2020, 11:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kruppa

I'm surprised there's still no way to code that allows you to drive in the lowest setting if you choose.

What is more bizarre is that the loading/access mode immediately goes up the moment you start to move or that you have to manually press it upon exiting. I prefer how it operates in our LR and RR vehicles. Much more intelligent functionality.

jsmonet · 10-02-2020, 03:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by iconoclast

doors must be closed to lower.

this is the second most annoying lockout on the car

iconoclast · 10-02-2020, 04:15 PM

agreed but every vehicle i have owned with air suspension functioning in this manner. i suspect it is to mitigate risk of injury in this litigious world we live in.

jsmonet · 10-02-2020, 04:45 PM

I keep trying to move the iDrive knob up, up, down, down, left, right, left, right, back, menu, PUSH and nothing happens :|

Luminor513 · 10-03-2020, 10:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kruppa

I'm surprised there's still no way to code that allows you to drive in the lowest setting if you choose.

Only way to accomplish this is with lowering links.

BimmerGuyFL78 · 10-04-2020, 01:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jsmonet

I keep trying to move the iDrive knob up, up, down, down, left, right, left, right, back, menu, PUSH and nothing happens :|

What's that supposed to do??

08-26-2020, 07:29 AM	#1
BimmerGuyFL78 Lieutenant 578 Rep 472 Posts Drives: 2023 BMW G30 540i Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Orlando, FL iTrader: (0)	Air Suspension Ride height setting. Since I am new to this forum and as an owner for a new 2021 X7, I wanted to see what everyone's opinions/preferences are for driving their X7 in which ride weight suspension setting they choose or which one they feel is the best for ride comfort. __________________ 2023 BMW G05 X5 xDrive40i 2023 BMW G30 540i
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08-26-2020, 07:34 AM	#2
Auricom Brigadier General 4360 Rep 4,246 Posts Drives: 2020 X5 xDrive40i M Sport Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: DMV iTrader: (0)	While not a X7 owner, but was provided a MY19 xDrive50i M Sport with ZDG test vehicle for 3 months. Personal preference for X7 and X5: Adaptive Drive and Sport Level ride height, great balance of daily drive and sport damping. __________________ Current BMWs - '20 X5 xDrive40i M Sport, '20 BMW M550i \| Past BMWs - '03 E39 540iT M Sport, '06 E53 4.8is, '11 E70 M Sport LCI
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08-26-2020, 08:32 AM	#9
cleex024 Lieutenant Colonel 104 Rep 1,529 Posts Drives: 2008 BMW 335i Coupe Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Woodbridge iTrader: (2)	I would just like to drive in comfort in the -20 ride height setting. __________________ Space Gray l 6MT l OSG LSD w/ VAC Race Diff Cover l Cobb e30 l Morr vs8.2 l UUC SSK w/ DSSR l VSRF Catless Dps l RPI Intercooler l CDV Removed l HID AE 8000k l ETS Catback l AST 5200 w/ Vorshlag Camber Plates l ER Dual Oil Coolers l Rear Camber and Toe Arms l K&N Drop In l Solid Tranny/Diff/Subframe Bushings l Bridgestone RE-11
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08-29-2020, 07:30 AM	#12
DSTJ99 Second Lieutenant 77 Rep 205 Posts Drives: '20 X7 40i - Tanzanite/Coffee Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Philly Burbs, PA iTrader: (0)	I almost always drive around in comfort and tap the button to lower one level. It feels much more taught than std height which comes across floaty to me. Especially on the highway.
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09-30-2020, 07:47 AM	#13
sbkim Lieutenant 59 Rep 529 Posts Drives: 2021 X7 M50i Join Date: May 2006 Location: Chicago Burbs iTrader: (0)	Just wanted to confirm that Load Level is only available with the doors closed and in park? Seems like the trunk button works with obviously with the trunk open but perhaps not with the doors open? Thanks Last edited by sbkim; 09-30-2020 at 07:59 AM..
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09-30-2020, 09:28 AM	#14
iconoclast Self-Deprecating Narcissist 7263 Rep 6,561 Posts Drives: Audi BMW Ferrari LR MB Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: In, Out & Around... iTrader: (1)	doors must be closed to lower. __________________ http://www.instagram.com/_.iconoclast/
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10-01-2020, 09:39 PM	#15
Kruppa Second Lieutenant 437 Rep 239 Posts Drives: 2023 M5 Comp & 2024 X7 Join Date: Nov 2017 Location: Charleston, SC iTrader: (0)	I'm surprised there's still no way to code that allows you to drive in the lowest setting if you choose.
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10-02-2020, 11:12 AM	#16
toddwalton Lieutenant Colonel 1291 Rep 1,622 Posts Drives: 2019 X7 - 2024 G26 Join Date: Mar 2019 Location: USA iTrader: (0)	Every time I get in the X7 I start the engine and immediately hit the Sport button. This brings up Sport Individual which a) lowers the suspension and b) turns off the auto stop/start function. I find the lower center of gravity provides a better and less-floaty driving experience, and I hate when the engine shuts off at intersections so win-win for me.
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10-02-2020, 04:15 PM	#19
iconoclast Self-Deprecating Narcissist 7263 Rep 6,561 Posts Drives: Audi BMW Ferrari LR MB Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: In, Out & Around... iTrader: (1)	agreed but every vehicle i have owned with air suspension functioning in this manner. i suspect it is to mitigate risk of injury in this litigious world we live in. __________________ http://www.instagram.com/_.iconoclast/
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10-02-2020, 04:45 PM	#20
jsmonet Captain 302 Rep 913 Posts Drives: 2020 x7 m50i Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: so cal iTrader: (2)	I keep trying to move the iDrive knob up, up, down, down, left, right, left, right, back, menu, PUSH and nothing happens :\| __________________ 2020 bmw xHippo, v8tt edition
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