[Markap]

I'm looking at 2 different 2011 X3 2.8's One has the Nav package with bluetooth and the other has the Dynamic Handling Package - other than that, they are identically optioned with all the rest of the stuff I want.

The one with the Nav package is about $1000 less than the other and has about 6,000 fewer miles on it.

During the relatively short and tame test drive I was not able to experience much regarding the Dynamic Handling package.

So, if you had to give up one, which would it be considering that I could always use my iPhone or get a Garmin for GPS.

Thanks,

Mark

[April1]

If you are not much into Sporty drive, accept one with Nav.

[Le Chef]

You can always add Nav via smartphone or a separate Garmin after the fact, but you can't add anything like DHP after the fact for the same amount of money.

[Markap]

Does it really make a difference or is it as I've read "An overly complicated solution to a problem which never existed"? Couldn't tell much on my (admittedly sedate) short test drive.

For sport, I usually just take one of the bikes....

[bren]

Are we talking about stand alone nav, or is it the tech pkg? It seems to me that if you are looking for a 28i you'll probably get more out of the tech pkg.

Presumably these are ex-demos? Why not just order a new one the way you want it? Are they really discounting them that much?

[lbjgh]

The dynamic dampers in normal mode provide a smoother ride when you aren't carving corners.

[xDrive35i]

Originally Posted by lbjgh

The dynamic dampers in normal mode provide a smoother ride when you aren't carving corners.

This is misleading, unfortunately, because the rocker switch for the X3 does not have a COMFORT setting. NORMAL is comfort on this car. SPORT is sport. Those are the only two damping modes. There is not a third choice on that front.

Obviously, though, the rocker switch provides three drivetrain modes. Those are NORMAL, SPORT, and SPORT+. Let's do some thread searching now, please? I've written in tons of threads about this, and we have to put it to rest before I suffer some sort of brain damage.

[Markap]

Originally Posted by bren

Are we talking about stand alone nav, or is it the tech pkg? It seems to me that if you are looking for a 28i you'll probably get more out of the tech pkg.

Presumably these are ex-demos? Why not just order a new one the way you want it? Are they really discounting them that much?

Pricing is about 25% off list which seems pretty attractive...

[lbjgh]

ya I know. normal=comfort with dynamic dampers. I don't think I was missleading, the chart itself is self explanitory. ...and yes your previous posts have been very informative.

I wonder how the driving experience control will be incorporated into the switch?

Originally Posted by juddholland

This is misleading, unfortunately, because the rocker switch for the X3 does not have a COMFORT setting. NORMAL is comfort on this car. SPORT is sport. Those are the only two damping modes. There is not a third choice on that front.

Obviously, though, the rocker switch provides three drivetrain modes. Those are NORMAL, SPORT, and SPORT+. Let's do some thread searching now, please? I've written in tons of threads about this, and we have to put it to rest before I suffer some sort of brain damage.

[saulgoodman]

if you search the thread for "loss of steering", most of the X3's had DHP or M-sport. Also some users experienced issues with "sport transmission" and "chassis stabilization" malfunction. 28i drives well without a DHP, if you put the shifter to "S" then you get an enough pull from the 8 speed and NA I-6, and you can smoke most of the SUV's/cars from a stop light...except for a 35i . In my opinion DHP make sense only for 35i...I will go with Nav or Tech pkg for a 28i.

[Le Chef]

Without DHP the truck wallows and bounces: it's very soft. Which is why DHP is essential for me. My wife drives the truck most of the time in "Buick" mode, but on the occasions when I have to drive it, it goes straight to sport mode and stays there.

[RichardBR]

Originally Posted by Le Chef

My wife drives the truck most of the time in "Buick" mode.

Is that because she don't know what the button is for, or doesn't she bother?

[sfax]

Originally Posted by Le Chef

Without DHP the truck wallows and bounces: it's very soft. Which is why DHP is essential for me. My wife drives the truck most of the time in "Buick" mode, but on the occasions when I have to drive it, it goes straight to sport mode and stays there.

Are you saying it wallows without DHP (i.e. no DHP installed on car) or with DHP switched to Normal mode? I would think the wallowing effect is more pronounced in DHP Normal than in a car with no DHP although I can't confirm this as I have sports suspension in mine and it doesn't wallow. I guess the question is "is the feel of the suspension in DHP Normal mode identical to the feel of the suspension with no DHP?" I haven't driven both setups so can't answer that.

[xDrive35i]

Originally Posted by lbjgh

ya I know. normal=comfort with dynamic dampers. I don't think I was missleading, the chart itself is self explanitory. ...and yes your previous posts have been very informative.

I wonder how the driving experience control will be incorporated into the switch?

I meant the chart was a tad misleading for new forum users. BMW is known to be very misleading.

[Le Chef]

In DHP it wallows in normal but my wife disagrees. It makes me seasick, so I keep it in Sport all the time.

[Nahoa]

Sport vs Normal has nothing to do with DDC

[lbjgh]

..sure it does.

DDC
normal=comfort (softer than normal)
sport=sport

no DDC
normal=normal
sport=sport

Originally Posted by Nahoa

Sport vs Normal has nothing to do with DDC

[Nahoa]

That's not accurate. Dynamic Damper Control is a feature of the suspension that dynamically adjusts the suspension to accommodate the road surface, it is not the differences between the Sport and Normal settings.

[bren]

Originally Posted by Nahoa

That's not accurate. Dynamic Damper Control is a feature of the suspension that dynamically adjusts the suspension to accommodate the road surface, it is not the differences between the Sport and Normal settings.

DDC does indeed firm up the dampers in sport settings.

Please don't be one of those guys who thinks the shocks magically tighten without DDC.

[Alligator69]

Without DDC the "sport" switch only affects the variable steering (if you have it), response of the automatic gearbox and the response of accelerator.

I think it's slightly misleading because on the navi screen it shows you when you're in sport mode that the setting affects Steering, engine(gearbox) AND suspensions.

Infact I believe there's nothing to setup if you don't have the DDC

[Le Chef]

I have DDC and there's a clear difference between "Normal" (throwing up) and "Sport" (enjoying driving)

[LEDZEP]

You get a lot more with NAV than just NAV. Unless you want the gearhead bragging rights on the suspension, it's a no-brainer. Get the NAV.