X5 E53 4.8is Rear shocks

[Danny2121]

Hi,
I was wondering if anyone could shine some light on what rear shocks are used for the X5 4.8is with self level all four airbags is it the telescopic ones.
I’ve just ordered Arnott rear airbags, Arnott front airbags with shocks, bilstein B6 rear shocks and I was looking forward to installing the B6 with reading some good reviews.
My question is can I use these or are they for when you do a conversion to springs as it’s misleading in the B6 description.
If this is the case and I have to go with the telescopic ones does anyone have a good quality make or does anyone know who makes the OEM versions.
Thanks in advance guys

[ajacks8]

B6 are a great option! You’ll need them with or without bags, as the bags are in place of springs with air suspension. I’ve run every combo across 3 e53’s now.

[Danny2121]

Hi Jack,
I’m keeping the air suspension, I’m not changing over to coils.
Would the B6 struts be able to be telescopic with the higher and lower setting of the air suspension?
I have air suspension front and rear.
Thanks for getting back to me👍

[ajacks8]

Originally Posted by Danny2121

Hi Jack,
I’m keeping the air suspension, I’m not changing over to coils.
Would the B6 struts be able to be telescopic with the higher and lower setting of the air suspension?
I have air suspension front and rear.
Thanks for getting back to me

“Telescoping” will be unaffected if bags are retained. I swapped my 4.8is over to B6 without issues…but then converted to H&R springs later, due to an undiagnosed SLS issue.

[Rockit]

Bilstein's are a very heavy duty shock, I put them on my 3.0 and it drives like a truck. Yeah I know its a truck. They have very old technology and it s a cheap shock.

This company makes a lot of different range shocks and tuned springs. They have extremely expensive shocks to simple one valve shocks, call them and see what they offer. WAY better than Bilstein's. https://motioncontrolsuspension.com/

I'm starting to put them on all my cars....I have not put them on my X5's yet.

[Danny2121]

Thanks guys,
Has anyone fitted my set up before.
Running Arnott front shocks and rear B6 shock absorbers, all with Arnott air bags SLS?

[Danny2121]

Just wanted to through this in from my experience.
So I purchased Arnott front shocks with air suspension (with or without sports suspension).
Rear bilstein B6 yellow shocks with sports Arnott airbags for the 4.8is which I found is a no go, the ride was like a stiff bouncing castle.
I researched and 4.8is does not have sports air suspension, it has comfort so i installed comfort instead.
Then the ride quality with the rear b6s was amazing motorway and whining country lanes great but slow control and little bumps you felt a harsh ish ride.
I read that the 4.8is has bilstein b4 OEM, so I purchased and installed them.
The ride was pretty much the same with regards to bouncing but the cornering was absolutely crap, I don’t remember it being like that with the OEM rear shocks on.
So I put the b6s back on and I can now corner like I’m on a rail track.
I’ve wondered if the 4.8is did in fact have b6s fitted from factory but painted black not yellow?
I wanted to tell you guys who are thinking of changing shocks to not be put off by b6s as they’re not as bad as some say but I take it’s personal preference.

My questions are

1- Is my set up of having Arnott front shocks ok with bilstein b6 rear shocks?
2- If by swapping out my rear top rubber mounts would make it better ride quality with regards to going over bumps with noise travelling through car, the ones that are on look ok with no obvious cracks or anything, or can it be the density of the rubber that is worn but can’t be seen?
Thanks guys

[wpoll]

Pretty sure your rear OE shocks are Bilstein (mine are). Not likely the B6 model but something very close.

Bilstein make a B4 version (coincidentally, the B4 is black and not yellow). I have recently fitted B4 front shocks and will fit the B4 rears sometime soon. Very happy with the ride quality.

https://www.bilstein-shocks.co.uk/bl...nd-bilstein-b6

[Danny2121]

Thanks Wayne,
I think I just got used to the b6 rear shocks, I suppose that when I’m pulling my caravan it will help.
I’m happy with my set up it was just over the noise whilst going over bumps, I’m wondering whether to change the rear top shock mounts, if this would help with quieting the noise a little.
Has anyone changed them at all and if so did it make a difference as I don’t want to change them for the sake of it.
Thanks guys