[twinturbomann]

I’m one of those guys that believed my salesman and bought a loaded 50i but regretfully found out it did not have the DHP package until it was too late.

After riding around in sports+ the lean around the turns is Ok. It leans hard enough that your wife will look at you with that look, “your going to fast - slow down” ...

What is wish i would have known at the time:
ZDH - Adaptive M Suspension Profession, includes IAS (integral active steering aka 4 wheel steering), active roll stabilization

Is the active roll stabilization possible to add or is this just a thicker sway bar? The rear differential is a loss - calipers have been professionally painted blue.

I’m hoping adding the ARS might be possible. Does anyone know or ventured down this path?

Selling my X5 50i to take a 25k loss to upgrade is a hard no for me.

[AndroidRobot]

You could look up the P/N's and see if it can be retrofitted or if a 3rd party is going to make a better sway bar

[VTENGR]

Based on this it doesn't seem like you can add it after the fact.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GYBPc9748xQ

[Auricom]

Originally Posted by twinturbomann

Is the active roll stabilization possible to add or is this just a thicker sway bar? The rear differential is a loss - calipers have been professionally painted blue.

I'm hoping adding the ARS might be possible. Does anyone know or ventured down this path?

It's more than just thicker sway bars. You're going to need at least these 3 plus any other parts below plus labor and programming for it all work. Retrofit is going to be significantly more than the $3650 ZDH option from the factory.

Alternate route is to go with is aftermarket springs/struts and lower it. Chalk it up to a learning experience.

Dynamic Front Stabilizer


Dynamic Rear Stabilizer


IAS Unit

[Laki021]

Would be simpler and cheaper just to replace the car.

[sandwi54]

It would be at least 10k to retrofit something like that, not to mention you'll void the warranty of the entire drivetrain. It'll be cheaper to replace the car.
Lesson learned, always ask for the build sheet or window sticker and verify the equipment yourself prior to taking delivery. A lot of us have made that mistake before.

[AndroidRobot]

Originally Posted by sandwi54

It would be at least 10k to retrofit something like that, not to mention you'll void the warranty of the entire drivetrain. It'll be cheaper to replace the car.
Lesson learned, always ask for the build sheet or window sticker and verify the equipment yourself prior to taking delivery. A lot of us have made that mistake before.

he has a 40i not a 50i. The active sway bar wasn't offered for the 40i

[sandwi54]

Originally Posted by AndroidRobot

he has a 40i not a 50i. The active sway bar wasn't offered for the 40i

OP said in his post that he has a 50i. Am I missing something?

[AndroidRobot]

Originally Posted by sandwi54

OP said in his post that he has a 50i. Am I missing something?

nope I misread you're good!

[solstice]

Due to the complexity of ARS and integration into the electrical system and control system of the car it will be a nightmare of issues with no warranty to lean on. Don’t do it.

I know people who have had success fitting the M5’s passive sway bar on regular F10 5 series cars for under $1k in parts and labor. In your case this would be the sway bars from new X5M when it arrives. It’s worth checking if it will fit.

Another option is after market coil-overs but this is also a road to electronic issues including fault codes being thrown etc. if your X5 has some sort of adaptive dampers now.

[MystroX5]

What is your end goal for this SUV?? In the 50i, you have to really push it in the corners before DHP becomes a factor. All passengers I have given rides up my mountain roads are scared to death long before DHP is a major factor.
In a 5000lbs + SUV I question how much harder core performance you are realistically requiring of your 50i?

[dan321]

Originally Posted by MystroX5

All passengers I have given rides up my mountain roads are scared to death long before DHP is a major factor.

Reminds me of an old joke: "I want to die like my grandfather, in his sleep, not like his screaming passengers."

[solstice]

Originally Posted by MystroX5

What is your end goal for this SUV?? In the 50i, you have to really push it in the corners before DHP becomes a factor. All passengers I have given rides up my mountain roads are scared to death long before DHP is a major factor.
In a 5000lbs + SUV I question how much harder core performance you are realistically requiring of your 50i?

I love ars myself and it has little to do with cornering abilities ( some body roll can increase mechanical grip) and everything to do with reducing the sensation of body roll and replacing it with the agile and sporty feel of flat cornering while increasing comfort when going straight.

I owned two BMWs with ars and the effect is felt at almost all speeds.

ARS is a heavenly match for an SUV and should IMO be standard on all premium SUVs.

[nvsocr7]

Originally Posted by solstice

I love ars myself and it has little to do with cornering abilities ( some body roll can increase mechanical grip) and everything to do with reducing the sensation of body roll and replacing it with the agile and sporty feel of flat cornering while increasing comfort when going straight.

I owned two BMWs with ars and the effect is felt at almost all speeds.

ARS is a heavenly match for an SUV and should IMO be standard on all premium SUVs.

This. I was finally able to test drive an m50i with DHP and i tell you, if you are someone who is sensitive to body roll DHP is a game changer. It was instantly noticeable just pulling out of the dealer lot and driving regular suburban streets. you can corner at 35-40mph and it feels like a gentle curve.

[Bandit67]

Wondering if you can comment on how the DHP's ride quality was (compared to air suspension)...and what size wheels you were riding on? Many thanks!

[AndroidRobot]

Originally Posted by Bandit67

Wondering if you can comment on how the DHP's ride quality was (compared to air suspension)...and what size wheels you were riding on? Many thanks!

I've driven both on 21"s and own a 50i/DHP on 21"s. The DHP is much more buckled down, has more confidence etc. The AS is bouncy, and while it is adjustable body roll is noticed and the X5 doesn't feel as good. This is coming from a person who pushes theirs pretty hard because I enjoy the craziness of how this big, heavy SUV can handle It's no sports coupe but it sure tries!

[martinf79]

In Canada, you can't get ARS w/o the air suspension (I would have considered it as a stand-alone option), but don't want it with the air suspension. Everything I've read / test driven w the AS made the ride feel like I was driving an old cadi.

[AndroidRobot]

Originally Posted by martinf79

In Canada, you can't get ARS w/o the air suspension (I would have considered it as a stand-alone option), but don't want it with the air suspension. Everything I've read / test driven w the AS made the ride feel like I was driving an old cadi.

They offer the active sway bar without DHP? I've never seen it offered with AS on the X5

[Bandit67]

Thanks for the color Android....is the ride "harsh" at all....or still fairly comfortable over bumps? Thx!

[nvsocr7]

Originally Posted by Bandit67

Wondering if you can comment on how the DHP's ride quality was (compared to air suspension)...and what size wheels you were riding on? Many thanks!

Originally Posted by Bandit67

Wondering if you can comment on how the DHP's ride quality was (compared to air suspension)...and what size wheels you were riding on? Many thanks!

DHP takes away nearly all the body roll, and the lurch when you accelerate, it's all very smooth but crisp. You can push into corners and turns without physically feeling any lean, it turns on a dime too. Everything feels much more sturdy and put together. The 4 wheel steering is huge. I pulled out of the same dealer lot in my car and the DHP. It's night and day difference. The 50i without DHP is good but not on any sort of turns. Imo. DHP seems better suited for suburban driving and lower speeds. Passengers notice the improvement too. For me it's a no brainer.i was on 22 with crappy roads. Bumps are significant improvement with DHPtoo, less bounce back and forth.

[AndroidRobot]

Originally Posted by Bandit67

Thanks for the color Android....is the ride "harsh" at all....or still fairly comfortable over bumps? Thx!

I live in West TX ie roads suck and the ride is way softer than my X3 M40i even when I put 20" wheels with non-rfts. Keep in mind my X5 has 21" wheels with RFT tires and rides better. Impacts are felt but not jarring. The steering wheel doesn't really move even over large potholes which is nice. I wouldn't call it an old caddy in terms of taking bit hits, it's like a tennis ball hitting a wall vs a baseball. One has give but isn's super hard, the other is like a rock. So the suspension is firm, not overly so yet also compliant. It's been a long day so my explanation is probably awful but I hope it gets the point across.

[solstice]

Originally Posted by Bandit67

Thanks for the color Android....is the ride "harsh" at all....or still fairly comfortable over bumps? Thx!

Also remember that ARS not only acts as super beefy sway bar when needed to near eliminate body roll in all situations, it also improve comfort when going straight compared to a non ARS car. ARS is effectively a sway bar that is fully decoupled going straight and dynamically “grows” to counteract body roll forces. In summary it’s super awesome on a luxury, sporty but also comfortable heavy vehicle with high center of gravity like, well an SUV