E53 X5 Suspension advice needed...

[E53Runner]

Hello and good afternoon BMer Fam!

I have been searching for a few years now on suspension upgrades and finally decided to purchase the H&R Sport Springs because although I love it at the stock height, I need to lower it slightly so that it is easier for my moms to get in and out due to her condition...

I am a proud owner of a 2006 E53 X5 that I have owned for 6 years now and just recently poured lots of loot into maintenance at 180K miles... Even tho its just the 3.0l, she runs like a beast and I love her...

The question that I have not been able to find the answer to is what Strut/Shock combo is recommended to use with the H&R Sport lowering Springs.

Thank you so much I really appreciate your input and advice...

[ELdaSensai]

ECS Tuning has them paired with Bilstein B6 Heavy Duty Dampers. I haven’t tried this combination out personally.

https://www.ecstuning.com/b-assemble...3cupkitconvkt/

[RocketyMan]

I lowered my X using the H&R springs only to fill in the wheel gap more on the fender. It lowered mine only about 1.2 inches on the front and about 1 inch on the rear. It does make the ride a bit more stiffer and responsive, but I don't see how lowering it an inch will help someone get in/out more. Maybe it will??

I used my stock struts BTW. On mine they're Bilstein and after 200k miles, they still seem to work well enough!

[E53Runner]

Thanks guys... I think I will install the H&R's with the stock struts and shocks and see what happens... Otherwise I will most likely swoop up the B6's...

Thanks again...

[EODguy]

Originally Posted by E53Runner

Hello and good afternoon BMer Fam!



I have been searching for a few years now on suspension upgrades and finally decided to purchase the H&R Sport Springs because although I love it at the stock height, I need to lower it slightly so that it is easier for my moms to get in and out due to her condition...



I am a proud owner of a 2006 E53 X5 that I have owned for 6 years now and just recently poured lots of loot into maintenance at 180K miles... Even tho its just the 3.0l, she runs like a beast and I love her...



The question that I have not been able to find the answer to is what Strut/Shock combo is recommended to use with the H&R Sport lowering Springs.



Thank you so much I really appreciate your input and advice...

If you really want to make it easier for your mother to get in and out of the X5, go with the air suspension from another e53 like the 4.8iS. Not sure whether it's possible to code the RHC to a 3.0 since I don't believe they were offered on the US market. After that little question is answered the next is finding a working RHC (maybe easier stateside) but the easy thing will be getting all the hardware from one in a junkyard or from someone who has pulled their system or if you had followed me around before I switched over to springs. Zamboni flashback!!

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[g300d]

I've paired H&R springs with Bilstein Sports (same damping as HD's) on other cars and they work well with each other. I feel OE sports suspension is more comfy though for your mom.

Also I think step boards will help your mom get on board, if you dont have them yet.

[oldskewel]

Really? Installing H+R springs to lower it 1" to help your mom get in the car?

Well if you got that one past the CFO, you may as well make plans for an xoutpost design review in Las Vegas to go over the plans. I'll PM you my schedule.

[E53Runner]

I guess that's how I justified my decision to finally buy and install H&R's...HaHa... Step boards are a great idea g300d...

Are you talking about the Bilstein B6's? Sounds like they dont make B8's for the E53. According to Bilstein on their site, the B8's are designed to work with lowering springs...