The best advice is to drive with/without and decide for yourself.

For me, it's (1) the ability to soften/stiffen the suspension dynamically, (2) automatic load leveling, and (3) parked stance.

 

My sentiments as well. I'll add significantly reduced level of body roll on corners.

 

I like it. $1800 to be able to get in/out easier every day for 10 years, sounds pretty good deal.
And I always drive with lowered clearance and less swing.

 

Hi all -

Looking for input on the air suspension on a T6 R-design on 21" wheels. I drove the R-Design w/the base suspension and thought it handled very well being an SUV and riding on 21" wheels. I'm also used to a firm ride and it doesn't bother me; I'm really looking for the best handling possible as I'm going from a sedan to an SUV. What are the benefits of the air suspension? The stance definitely looks better when lowered, but not sure if it's worth the cost. In terms of being able to lower it for loading, I don't think I'd ever need or want to.

Thanks

If your going to get 20" to 22" wheels I would get the air suspension. I love the air suspension on my 2018 xc60 Rdesign with 22" summer wheels ??.

 

Funny I was just thinking today while loading the Kayaks: "Damn it's nice this thing parks like a low-rider..."

'Worth the cost...' is always subjective, but IMHO the ability to significantly change the handling dynamics and ride height are part of what makes the XC a go-anywhere do-anything champion.

 

Wow - that car looks great in red!

 

That does not look like the designed method of carrying kayaks with a kayak stacker. I sure won't want to be behind you in a car. Years ago I had a sailfish sailboat put on a car by a salesman when I bought it and it flew off the car. Fortunately onto the side of the downward sloped grass shoulder with no damage. Thule has other accessories to use to tie the front strap without using a tow hook. I hope you are tying the sterns also, or they will fly off the front with hard braking.

 

Come now, don't hijack the man's thread, the discussion was air suspension.

(And you know nothing, John Snow: http://assets.yakima.com/product/instructions/8004041/1?_ga=2.27348347.676866722.1555983123-480997341.1555983123 )
(okay you're kinda right, directions show vertical alignment instead of flat stacked, but as far as I can tell that's purely their assumptions of a smaller roof and larger kayaks than I have. They are substantially more secure and compact nested the way I have them tied down, but YMMV)

 

I haven’t seen any with air suspension on the dealer’s lots. Are they there?

 

I haven't seen any with air suspension on the dealer's lots. Are they there?

I didn't have to try it, since I had it on my 2016 XC90, but I did test drive an Inscription XC60 with air-suspension that the dealer had on the lot as a tester/loaner...

 

I’m trying to find a BMW X3 with their adaptive suspension (it sort of like the Volvo air suspension) on a dealer’s lot. But I’m told it’s very rare to find and I have a better chance of finding a golden unicorn.

 

Mine was from the dealer's lot FWIW, maybe I was lucky...

 

Air suspension provides a softer ride and absorbs road bumps better, but it isn’t dramatic and not worth the money for everyday driving. However, if you plan to go off-road, it is a must. The air suspension raises the chassis considerably, allowing you to go places you couldn’t with the standard suspension.

 

Air suspension provides a softer ride and absorbs road bumps better, but it isn't dramatic and not worth the money for everyday driving. However, if you plan to go off-road, it is a must. The air suspension raises the chassis considerably, allowing you to go places you couldn't with the standard suspension.

I disagree with this statement (at least the latter part of it); air suspension is worth every penny as it evens out the ride feel and absorbs road imperfections. It will also reduce any body lean when driving in twisty roads thus providing a more enhanced driving experience.

 

for me well worth it.

 

Yes, it is

I got it for my XC 60 T8 and it is definitely a much smoother ride with the air suspension. I did drive both with and without air suspension models before I decided to purchase it.

 

Definitely good to have. We really like it and with the ****ty roads in ILLINOIS, it does make a difference.
When you have to go off-road, I was surprised to see how much higher ground clearance it gets...it felt like getting out of truck after being used with "Pure" driving mode in which it's lowered.
Because of the roads I sticked with the 19" rims as well. Sure 20, 21" are very nice looking but I think they won't last long around here.

 

This is my big concern. I am looking at either an XC60 or XC90 to replace my 2013 XC60 and all of the stuff I like on a showroom has the blasted 20" or larger wheels.

I'd like to find something with the air suspension and also the smaller 19" wheels but I doubt I'll find them together in the same package.

 

If you lease or keep vehicles for a short term, get the air suspension if you think it’s worth it. We keep our vehicles for 10+ years and the system will be pricey when it needs replacement or repair.

 

If you lease or keep vehicles for a short term, get the air suspension if you think it's worth it. We keep our vehicles for 10+ years and the system will be pricey when it needs replacement or repair.

This is good advice... I've been told that the air components are expensive to repair and they tend to need to be replaced at around 55-60K miles. I agree that the nicer ride is worth the cost, but the long term issues probably override the comfort for a lot of folks...

 

I'm sure I might qualify as "short term" for you but I normally purchase mine and drive them outright to some point until it's unfeasible--in this case, air suspension would be worth it on some back roads I will surely encounter on some trips I have in mind.

So, it's probably a toss-up. I was hoping to find something with the air suspension but it's not a mandatory item.

 

I ended up going without the air suspension for this go around.

My next go around I may make that change but opted for the 20" wheels anyway at this point.

The point for me was long-term ownership. I am unsure if I will be owning this one long-term at this point but opted for not going with the air suspension.

 

You replaced your older XC60?

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

A bit late from when the OP posted this but I had it in my XC90 and decided not to get it in my XC60 as it didn't provide me the ride I was expecting from air suspension. I'm fine with the ride quality in my 'normal' XC60 but as noted, what one is happy with is highly individual so it'd be best to ride in vehicles equipped with both and make the decision yourself.

 

It's a stiff ride without air on North-eastern roads. Maybe, if you live somewhere away from winter and potholes, it might make sense. But it really is win-win. You want to play around, lower the car, and you get a BIG improvement in handling. Otherwise, enjoy the cushy drive.

The downside is the stupid compressors that WILL die on you at some point, if, again, you live anywhere cold.