Adaptive Dynamics: Better ride by software mod?

Hi,

While my SD4 with Adaptive Dynamics suspension corners very well, I find the ride way to stiff when just cruising in a straight line, e. g. on a German Autobahn.

Okay, I had a Citroen C5 (wonderful hydraulics) before but my Jaguar XJR or e. g. the new BMW 3 series I tested provide superior comfort.

Is there anything software could do about it? Maybe there are different settings for other countries (US)?

Thanks for some comments
Torsten

Are you using the AD in normal driving mode or winding road mode (the button on the center console?), as this allows you to vary the stiffness of the suspension, and in normal road mode AD suspension is great on fast straight roads!

Always normal mode, of course. The one with the lorry pictured. The "Nürburgring-mode" (winding road) is completely unacceptable.

I would have thought that the autobahns are up to a mich higher standard than what we have to endure here in the uk! however after Citroen suspension I suspect nothing else can compete. I wouldn't call the AD "stiff" even on our motorways. I run 19"s so the ride is going to be a little more naturally compliant. It's when it becomes "choppy" in full AD that I have an issue. But then the roads here can be pretty bloody awful!

I think it all comes down to personal preference. On my test drive i found the AD (switched on) to be acceptable but felt it could be stiffer, but then I like very stiff suspension. Too much body roll in the corners for me and it feels like driving a barge on wheels, and with a car with a higher centre of gravity this tends to be more noticeable.

LR have to try and setup the suspension for the majority, and this isn't going to suit everyone.

My issue with the AD is the following - i added 20" rims and with the AD it's a very bad combo. In the city the ride is hard even with the AD turned off - on the highway though and on windy roads it's a pleasure to drive!!! If I had a choice I would get the 18" rims and the AD.
Btw have you notice any weird thumping sounds when going over uneven surfaces e.g drive way etc? I have this issue and LR Cyprus say it is a normal characteristic of the AD

I have 19'' as well and they absorb short "hits" (potholes) as good as the Citroen. Its the longer "dips" which are shaking me. And I would never compare it with the Citroen, but a BMW 3-series is no barge as well.

Noise: Yes, I also noticed "clongs" when rebound on a speedbump.

BTW: Is AD only "on" in the "race-mode", when the speedo and tach markers turning red?

AD is on all the time in either mode, I too also notice 'clongs' on rebound from larger speed humps, makes me wonder what it would sound like off road over bumps etc.

I suppose we all have our own ideas of what constitutes a hard riding car. For me, by no stretch of the imagination is the Evoque one such. I find it's very comfortable, more so than a Mercedes SL which cost twice as much. I'm really surprised that you think the Dynamic Mode is "completely unacceptable". Even in that setting, the car is still quite soft and hardly ready to tackle the Nordschleife.

One thing to check is the tyre pressures which may be a bit higher in Germany for the potential higher speeds. You might reduce them a bit but you run the risk of increased tyre wear and it's not a good idea if you are driving the car hard.

In this month's Car Magazine, they compare two Evoques, one with Adaptive Damping, the other without and while there are other spec differences which will influence how the car drives, it's very clear AD yields real benefits and is a must have if ride quality is important. That makes it all the more surprising that, with AD, you think the car is hard riding. I can't think of a single review reaching the same impression. I've never been in a Citroen but I can't imagine I'd like their roly-poly ride.

As there are different expectations I find it appealing that the ride could be changed just by software as with AD. So why not make use of it? Therefore the thread.

By now I wonder if we in Germany indeed do get a different setting than in the UK. Something like "for drivers used to race Audis on the Autobahn".

Tyre pressure for 19" is 36 PSI in the front and 32 PSI for the rear wheels.