Spec X5 Overland Build

[Purplefade]

Originally Posted by thstone

I am looking for just enough of a lift to keep the front tires from rubbing on the fender over large bumps so I chose the Tema 30mm (1.2") lift kit. It looks like fairy decent quality for the off roading that I have planned and was affordably priced at $147. I am planning the install for this weekend.

The FMU kit is much higher than I need for the size of tires. I might have used the FMU kit if I had selected a larger tire.

BMW E53 X5 Lift Kit TEMA 30mm

Actually looks like a nice kit and a very nice alternative to FMU at the price! Is that aluminum I assume?

[thstone]

Originally Posted by Purplefade

Actually looks like a nice kit and a very nice alternative to FMU at the price! Is that aluminum I assume?

The TEMA kit spacers are made from some type of hard rubber. The front spacers have a metal insert for the bolts but the rear spacers are all hard rubber.

This might add a bit of compliance to the suspension which could be good for ride comfort on rocky roads but not optimal for handling. I have other cars which are optimized for handling (like a classic air cooled Porsche 911) so this is a tradeoff that I am willing to make to gain some off road capability in the X5.

And I'm pretty sure that is where most of the cost difference comes from (molded rubber vs machined aluminum). The other likely contributor to price difference is country of origin and their relative native costs (Tema is Russian made vs FMU is US made).

[Purplefade]

Would agree on the cost for sure. I would also say if they are a hard enough material that there shouldn’t be any issue and they may definitely be easier on the rear end during your off-road sessions vs the aluminum for sure

My only concern, and it may be completely invalid, is the rear spacer sturdy enough to hold up to a spring moving around on it all the time. I know my power flex insulators on my Notchback are poly, but they’re only about a 1/4 inch thick.

Call me paranoid but I might try to find an insert that matched the inner diameter of the rear spacer opening and bolster that top hard plastic lip a bit. Again, probably paranoid but with an inner metal “bushing” it may help keep that upper lip from flexing as the spring puts leverage on it, especially in harder off camber turns with the weight of the X leaning to one side.


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[thstone]

Originally Posted by Purplefade

My only concern, and it may be completely invalid, is the rear spacer sturdy enough to hold up to a spring moving around on it all the time. I know my power flex insulators on my Notchback are poly, but they’re only about a 1/4 inch thick.

Call me paranoid but I might try to find an insert that matched the inner diameter of the rear spacer opening and bolster that top hard plastic lip a bit. Again, probably paranoid but with an inner metal “bushing” it may help keep that upper lip from flexing as the spring puts leverage on it, especially in harder off camber turns with the weight of the X leaning to one side.

I think your concern has merit. The rear spacer is 2.1" tall with an inner diameter of 1.95" so a 2" long piece of 2" OD/0.065" wall aluminum tubing might do the job. What do you think?

[Purplefade]

I would be comfortable with that. At 2.1” tall, I might cut my “bushing” 2.5” tall to give myself total lip stability . Would rise out of the spacer ever so slightly and give you comfort that the entire top lip was more solid.

The fronts, I have no concerns with, I think being sandwiched between the strut tower and mount that those will be good to go.


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[thstone]

Good idea about making the bushing taller. I ordered 12" of tubing so I should have more than enough. Tube arrives tomorrow so I'll use it as part of the install this weekend. Thanks!

[Purplefade]

Excellent! Looking forward to some before and after pics


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[thstone]

** 2500 mile General Grabber ATX Tire Review **

I have logged around 2,500 miles on the General Grabber ATX (265/70/17) and would say that they have exceeded all of my expectations!

Handling: All-terrain tires will never provide the handling and grip of a low-profile summer tire, but the Grabber ATX provides sure-footed handling that inspires confidence in corners. I have been able to test this on freeway on/off ramps where I dive into the corner to the extent that the stability control intervenes. The ATX provides very good feedback to the steering wheel and grip breaks away progressively. For everyday street, highway, and trail driving, the handling of the ATX is exemplary.

Ride Comfort: The Grabber ATX excels in this measure with a ride that is surprisingly smooth and comfortable. I was worried that an E load rated all-terrain tire would have an overly stiff ride but this is not the case at all. In addition, the ATX tracks nice and straight on the highway and doesn't impart vibration to the steering wheel.

Noise: This is another area where I had concerns about tire noise intruding into the X5 cabin. The good news is that the Grabber ATX didn't increase highway road noise or create bothersome thumps/bumps over freeway expansion joints. The ATX is very quiet and road noise simply isn't an issue.

Wear: Although the ATX's only have 2,500 miles, wear is hardly noticeable and appears to be even across the tread.

Traction/Wet: There hasn't been any rain yet in SoCal so I haven't had an opportunity to evaluate the traction of the ATX in any other conditions than dry (where they have worked very well).

Traction/Trails: I have been able to evaluate the Grabber ATX on off-road trails in both SoCal and Arizona and found the tires to be capable of far more off-road challenges that I will probably ever attempt in the X5. On primary and secondary forest and desert trails the ATX provides excellent handling, tons of grip, and a very good ride quality.

Appearance: Looks are highly subjective, but I personally like the look of the Grabber ATX. The tire has a tread pattern highly reminiscent of the BFG KO2 with a more aggressive sidewall.

Pricing: Tire Rack priced the Grabber ATX $30 less per tire than the BFG KO2. Additionally, at the time that I made my purchase General Tire was offering a $100 rebate on a set of four tires, so a set of ATX was $220 less than a set of BFG KO2.

Overall: Overall, I am really pleased with the General Grabber ATX. The tire handles well, rides smoothly on roads without road noise, and is probably more capable off-load than I will ever need. Regardless of price, the ATX is a credible competitor to the all-terrain leading BFG KO2.

[alberniken]

Appreciate the details on the Grabber tires.

I am pretty happy with my KO2's but they are starting to get a bit worn (30k-km of logging road tends to do that ) So good to know there is a viable option


cheers
Ken

[kspark]

Appreciate all the effort putting the examples together here.

I just picked up a set of 18" style 69's that I plan to put all-terrains on. Considering adding FMU's lift kit, but first I'll wait to see how the TEMA kit works for you. Any reason you chose that over the J level?

What's the consensus for biggest tire diameter without a lift? So far it looks like 265/60/18 is a safe bet.