my BC coilovers thread

[jmitro]

I didn't like the higher stance on my 06 X5 4.4i, so decided to convert to BC BR coilovers. It had standard coil springs front and air suspension in the rear. I asked for standard spring rates. Unfortunately, in my haste to disassemble everything, I forgot to measure the ride height and alignment. But I estimate I dropped the car about 3" from stock.
I also swapped from 19" rims to 20" 4.8is rims and 15mm spacers from ECS tuning. The stance looks more aggressive now, IMHO. I set the dampers at full soft F/R; the ride is very compliant except for really rough roads which bounce the car around, but I haven't yet played with shock settings. At the current ride height, the very outside of the rear tires scrapes very lightly over big bumps.

Notably, I removed all the rear air suspension components, which left a big hole in the chassis. I decided to weld it shut so fabbed a cover plate and welded in place. Still needs seam sealing underneath to make it rustproof.

As a side note, I recently moved in to a house with a two post 9000lb lift. Wow, this is SO nice!

[4.8isX5]

Nice! Funny it reminds me of my own X when i had the style 168s, minus the 4.8is trims and flares. I have yellow fog tint up front as well and we are close to the same height, i still run air ride.

At stock heights i feel the roof rails go well with the car, at your height now id consider deleting them if you havent, gives it a sleeker look.

[4.8isX5]

Back in the day..

[X53Jay4.8is]

Originally Posted by jmitro

I didn't like the higher stance on my 06 X5 4.4i, so decided to convert to BC BR coilovers. It had standard coil springs front and air suspension in the rear. I asked for standard spring rates. Unfortunately, in my haste to disassemble everything, I forgot to measure the ride height and alignment. But I estimate I dropped the car about 3" from stock.
I also swapped from 19" rims to 20" 4.8is rims and 15mm spacers from ECS tuning. The stance looks more aggressive now, IMHO. I set the dampers at full soft F/R; the ride is very compliant except for really rough roads which bounce the car around, but I haven't yet played with shock settings. At the current ride height, the very outside of the rear tires scrapes very lightly over big bumps.

Notably, I removed all the rear air suspension components, which left a big hole in the chassis. I decided to weld it shut so fabbed a cover plate and welded in place. Still needs seam sealing underneath to make it rustproof.

As a side note, I recently moved in to a house with a two post 9000lb lift. Wow, this is SO nice!

Man I love your lift. it fits so nice. I sent you a PM to ask you a few more questions on the lift. By the way what is the distance between the columns of the lift? Yes your coil over change looks good

[Rosssavage]

Yeah, as a Brit I'm almost more impressed with having lifts in your house than your car!

In the UK, you need to be spending £1m+ to get a house with those sort of facilities.....

Whenever I visit the US I'm always impressed with the attitudes towards modding / maintaining / generally rolling up sleeves and just getting on with it. As a nation we seem to be very conservative mechanically over here...

[tmv]

Nice ride height and wheels. So jealous of the lift in the garage.

[525iT_Feen]

My advice. Drive it for a few weeks and get it nice and broken in. Then adjust the bodies to set the bump point and adjust dampening. Also, you can get extended adjusters for the trunk so you can assemble all your plastics again. Glad to see more people making the switch. I think its a great setup.

You should add your experience/input here:
http://www.xoutpost.com/bmw-sav-foru...-database.html

Adjusters:
Racing Rear Shock Damper Adjuster Extender | eBay

EDIT: Also jealous of the lift

[D11nyd]

Great post! I was just about to do a search on lowering the x53 and noticed this recent thread!
Mines silver and I plan to get hold of some of the 4.8is 20inch as there a great looking wheel but struggling to get hold of some in the uk! My search continues!
Really thinking about lowering mine now after reading this as they look amazing sat down a few inches!
Damn I was meant to be saving up!

[jmitro]

Thanks guys.
I love the way it looks now; more purposeful and aggressive.

Originally Posted by 4.8isX5

At stock heights i feel the roof rails go well with the car, at your height now id consider deleting them if you havent, gives it a sleeker look.

Interesting; hadn't thought of that, but I will give it a try. Definitely looks similar to your car. I will be installing the front skid plate, and considered painting the rear diffuser in silver to match the paint, similar the 4.8is.


The lift is definitely a welcome accessory. My REAL project car right now is this Porsche 914 that I'm restoring (it's upside down on a rotisserie)

[Marcadelic]

Originally Posted by 4.8isX5

At stock heights i feel the roof rails go well with the car, at your height now id consider deleting them if you havent, gives it a sleeker look.

+1 helped mine a ton