Update time!
I replaced the front airbags with BC Racing coilovers since 20-07-2020. Fitted like a glove! The reason for removing the air suspension is that there was a leak in a line or one of the bags. I added the front air myself without any modules, just an airtank hooked up to a paddle valve and the rear compressor. But the airtank was leaking and the compressor would only turn on when the rear bags needed air. This would mean I needed to pump up the bags everytime they lost air.(which was once a week) Finally got tired of it and hated to ride on the bump stop when the air escaped.
So I ordered the BC racing shocks for the front only, which I should have done in the first place...
Fitment is great, no modifications needed.
The ride quality is very comfortable, about the same as air! I had them on a very low setting the first day and it drove fine, not hitting the bumpstop like the air suspension would when it was at the same height. The tire would hit the fender on big bumps though, so I raised the ride height about 1 inch and increased the dampner stiffnes to 10 clicks from soft. Perfect.
Way less droop, I like that
I was reading about Big Brake kits for a long time and the first idea I had was to buy some Range Rover 380mm 6 Piston Brembo's off ebay and make them fit the E53 hub. Turned out that that they needed a new set of inserts to fit correctly and a new brake line. So I came acros this very nice thread:
https://xoutpost.com/bmw-sav-forums/...o-upgrade.html
E70 X5M Big Brakes would be a direct fit to the E53. SWEET! So I went online to find me a pair and immediately found a complete set with rotors and pads for just 600 Euro's from Germany
Cheap if you ask me. Pads and Rotors are OEM BMW and about 50% life left on the discs and pads. Nice.
They are huge.
Ready for paint
Base coat done, 364 Topaz Blau./ (no plants were harmed when painting these calipers
)
Meanwhile doing the rear brakes too
And fixed the weird spot on my passenger rear door
2K clear coat done on the calipers.
Very happy with the results!!! Missing M sticker will come in soon.
I will fit them next week as this weekend I will have my first Time Attack event with my Renault Clio RS in Germany and I need to make sure the X is 100% ready to tow the trailer with the Clio. Looks like we will have a rainy weekend over there. Can't wait to make the trip with the X5, many pictures will be taken and I will post some over here.
After we are back from the race weekend I will put the X5 on the lift and replace some parts:
Rear subframe bushes (4x)
Rear camber and toe arms from Project Silver
Rear balljoints
Rear and front roll bar rubbers (2x)
Remove middle resonator or a muffler delete. Not sure yet.
Possibly replace 4 inch tip with stock 4.6is tips when keeping stock mufflers
When this is done I will have almost all new suspension parts apart from rear shocks and topmounts (bags have been replaced about 2 years ago(Arnott))
Will check condition of gearbox mount, engine mounts and central bearing as there is a big clunking sound when suddenly pressing the gas when driving in gear. Might be rear subframe bushes, dont know, will replace them first.
I will check for worn parts like CV joints and boots, Guibo's, diff bushings.
I want to give the underside a good clean and maybe restore some parts if needed. I've noticed that some heatshields are loose in some places. Find my minor oil leak. Check Steering U joint. Torque stiffening plate.
After all the work is done I want to re-torque front and rear suspension parts under load. After that I want to make sure the rear suspension is level and do a full alignment.
