3.0 Lowering

[vinuneuro]

Don't just lower it. Get shocks that are valved for such use as well, Bilstein should have some relevan application.

[Kewl X5]

Unfortunately, unless you go with AC Schnitzer, no other companies currently make sports struts/shocks for the X5 in the U.S. I guess the market is not there.

My recommendation is NOT to lower the X5 3.0i and accept it for what it is. The sports package has a nice compromise with handling/ride. You can put lowering springs, but you won't have enough dampening with the OEM Struts/Shocks and your ride will be even more "bouncy" and less settled and even though you have lower center of gravity, when you hit a bump, you'll be bouncing around everywhere....

[windblow]

Originally Posted by Kewl X5

Unfortunately, unless you go with AC Schnitzer, no other companies currently make sports struts/shocks for the X5 in the U.S.

KW suspension makes full coilovers variant III for the X5 3.0i. Do a search on the internet and you shall find, more expensive but allows for more adjustments.

Originally Posted by Kewl X5

My recommendation is NOT to lower the X5 3.0i and accept it for what it is. The sports package has a nice compromise with handling/ride. You can put lowering springs, but you won't have enough dampening with the OEM Struts/Shocks and your ride will be even more "bouncy" and less settled and even though you have lower center of gravity, when you hit a bump, you'll be bouncing around everywhere....

I think different. The Eibach springs are good, you can install together with the Bilstein struts/shocks combination to provide you with better handling than the sport oem setup. Bilstein makes shock/struts for the X5, and their aftermarkets products for the X5 are firmer than stock. The 1.2in drops all around are best suited for the X5. It allows you room for more utility, leave room to add bigger wheels and fatter tires for more roadholding. And if you want, you can increase track by choosing aftermarket wheels offset carefully, or add H&R spacers. Then you can add some negative camber to the front wheels with a set of RE camber plates. If you do, it's very important to get the right type of spacer for safety reasons.
The bottom line is you can do a lot to improve the handling of your X5. They come suited to the average consumers, sport for the more demanding drivers, but you'll need to mod if you're an enthusiast. I'd say go for it!

[Kewl X5]

Hey, that's great if Bilstein finally makes struts/shocks for the X5. At the time I was considering these mods (back in 2002) there wasn't any Bilstein struts/shocks for the X5. I agree that Eibach makes great springs, but you should match it with decent struts/shocks. However, if you have X5 with a rear air suspension and if you lower it with BMW's computer, what amount of dampening are you going to use?

Anyhow, good luck with the mods. Trust me, you don't me---I have plenty of mods on this X5.....Come check us out at West Fest IV in California to check it out.

Good luck with your mods.

Originally Posted by windblow

KW suspension makes full coilovers variant III for the X5 3.0i. Do a search on the internet and you shall find, more expensive but allows for more adjustments.


I think different. The Eibach springs are good, you can install together with the Bilstein struts/shocks combination to provide you with better handling than the sport oem setup. Bilstein makes shock/struts for the X5, and their aftermarkets products for the X5 are firmer than stock. The 1.2in drops all around are best suited for the X5. It allows you room for more utility, leave room to add bigger wheels and fatter tires for more roadholding. And if you want, you can increase track by choosing aftermarket wheels offset carefully, or add H&R spacers. Then you can add some negative camber to the front wheels with a set of RE camber plates. If you do, it's very important to get the right type of spacer for safety reasons.
The bottom line is you can do a lot to improve the handling of your X5. They come suited to the average consumers, sport for the more demanding drivers, but you'll need to mod if you're an enthusiast. I'd say go for it!

[Eurosport]

Bilstein HD is more firm than stock sport?

hd is recommended for use with stock springs per bilstein website
so they still don't make bilstein SP for X5