BMW stock shock after 140k miles

[anthony1k]

If these are the heavy duty, get ready for a seriously bone jarring ride.

[Sterling 4.4]

I went with stock shocks just recently with 93K miles on the clock. Did some misc bushings and it feels like new!

[hoaesq]

Just got a set of H&R lowering springs and HD Bils struts. I wasn't able to find HD shocks for the rear either until a member recommended this place:

Schmiedmann - Styling/Tuning/Spare parts for BMW - New parts - the link seems to be broken now.

Anyhow, I wanted to ensure I ordered the correct HD shocks for my 05 X5 4.4 (approx. 80k miles) with rear self leveling so I emailed them. On their site, they seemed to have the HD rear shocks (they have a huge selection)but the response I got back was they are not avalable.

Now, I'm not sure if it is because the rears have the self leveling and BMW figured it was not necessary to add stiffer shocks because the air springs will make the auto adjust as one takes a corner hard but it sure seems that way. I'm just as perplex as the group here. I figure if I'm going HD up front, why not do the same for the rear. I'm not too concerned about the harsher ride because I'm willing to give up comfort over better conering/handling.

anythoughts? Should I just get a set of OEM/touring shocks for the rear?

[Gregory891]

Everything you wanted to know for the E53 rear shocks and using real (yellow) Bilstein B6 shocks.

Officially the Bilstein catalog listed a B6 (single tube, high pressure) rear shock for the E53 except self leveling suspension. It clearly is in error, as the rear air spring system simply replaces the coil spring, the rear shock is a separate unit in both (identical) cases. The part number for the original low pressure (Bilstein B4) shock is different for a stock, sport and rear air spring suspension, it's just a difference in valving. The front self leveling system which is an entirely complete system (air spring and shock), so you either keep this system or entirely convert to springs and conventional shocks.

Again, for the rear, there is no difference. Bilstein is in error. I found this with my former E34 touring and had them correct this error back in 2007 or 2008. For the X5, I researched this long and hard and wrote an email to Krupp-Bilstein with the findings, part numbers, comptitive shock listings, etc.. After no reply in a month, a paper letter. After another month of no reply, I tried via Krupp-Bilstein in the US and promptly got a reply. Helpful assistance, they confered with Germany and confirmed that yes their catalog was in error and that they would correct this. They should have corrected their catalog by now (my emails were Sep/Oct 2012) but in the event it's still in process, read on.

Bottom line. ALL E53 can take the BE5-A744-H0 (B6) rear shock. Not because I say so and Bilstein confirmed I was correct, I've done it on my car.

I just installed a pair on my 2002 X5 3.0d. It has rear only self leveling suspension. Start to finish it took an hour. I didn't jack up the car, there is enough clearance to do from underneath. Upper access isn't fun, but after you remove some plastic covers, you can do the job. You can save time and upbolt the shock rod at the top and leave the upper mount in place.

My old shocks (original rears, Bilstein B4 twin tube low gas pressure) did 245.000 km of service, not blown and they still had pressure.

CONCLUSION: X5 rides better. Front to back pitch essentially gone. You can sense it's firmer in the back but not at all jarring. Also nicer in on & off ramps, sharp turns. Less tramming effect as well. Overall a bit firmer than before, but again as the old shocks are original to the car with 245.000 km it's not a fully objective new vs old comparison. I run the factory 17" wheels / tires, which would be more compliant than 18" or 19" tires. Roads in my part of the world (Switzerland) are in fairly good shape, not racing track smooth but few pot holes.

Definitely pleased with the results, I want better and a bit firmer but am not trying to make an M car. I had also replaced by final stage resistor at the same time, my heater fan had entirely stopped working with no funny signals up to that point. You CAN replace in 30 minutes and you do NOT need to remove the glovebox (LHD car).

[wallyx5]

Thanks for the update. I am way over due.

[admranger]

Originally Posted by Gregory891

Everything you wanted to know for the E53 rear shocks and using real (yellow) Bilstein B6 shocks.

Officially the Bilstein catalog listed a B6 (single tube, high pressure) rear shock for the E53 except self leveling suspension. It clearly is in error, as the rear air spring system simply replaces the coil spring, the rear shock is a separate unit in both (identical) cases. The part number for the original low pressure (Bilstein B4) shock is different for a stock, sport and rear air spring suspension, it's just a difference in valving. The front self leveling system which is an entirely complete system (air spring and shock), so you either keep this system or entirely convert to springs and conventional shocks.

Again, for the rear, there is no difference. Bilstein is in error. I found this with my former E34 touring and had them correct this error back in 2007 or 2008. For the X5, I researched this long and hard and wrote an email to Krupp-Bilstein with the findings, part numbers, comptitive shock listings, etc.. After no reply in a month, a paper letter. After another month of no reply, I tried via Krupp-Bilstein in the US and promptly got a reply. Helpful assistance, they confered with Germany and confirmed that yes their catalog was in error and that they would correct this. They should have corrected their catalog by now (my emails were Sep/Oct 2012) but in the event it's still in process, read on.

Bottom line. ALL E53 can take the BE5-A744-H0 (B6) rear shock. Not because I say so and Bilstein confirmed I was correct, I've done it on my car.

I just installed a pair on my 2002 X5 3.0d. It has rear only self leveling suspension. Start to finish it took an hour. I didn't jack up the car, there is enough clearance to do from underneath. Upper access isn't fun, but after you remove some plastic covers, you can do the job. You can save time and upbolt the shock rod at the top and leave the upper mount in place.

My old shocks (original rears, Bilstein B4 twin tube low gas pressure) did 245.000 km of service, not blown and they still had pressure.

CONCLUSION: X5 rides better. Front to back pitch essentially gone. You can sense it's firmer in the back but not at all jarring. Also nicer in on & off ramps, sharp turns. Less tramming effect as well. Overall a bit firmer than before, but again as the old shocks are original to the car with 245.000 km it's not a fully objective new vs old comparison. I run the factory 17" wheels / tires, which would be more compliant than 18" or 19" tires. Roads in my part of the world (Switzerland) are in fairly good shape, not racing track smooth but few pot holes.

Definitely pleased with the results, I want better and a bit firmer but am not trying to make an M car. I had also replaced by final stage resistor at the same time, my heater fan had entirely stopped working with no funny signals up to that point. You CAN replace in 30 minutes and you do NOT need to remove the glovebox (LHD car).

This is good news! Shocks are on my list of things to do for my X5 in 2013!

Thanks!

[hoaesq]

Here it is on the Blis site (for 2005 4.4 with self-leveling):

Parts catalogue

AND

Parts catalogue

This is the cheapest place I found with free shipping.

Bilstein Monotube Shock Absorbers and Struts for 2005 BMW X5 | AJUSA.com

[hoaesq]

I actual called the US office and was told Bils did not make shocks for the rear (with self leveling) back in March. I guess you spoke to someone who knew what they were talking about.

Excellent finding friend. I've been searching high and low for rear shocks to compliment the front HD Bils I replaced a couple of months ago (I finally found time to work the X). Guess my next project is to replace the rears.

Thanks man.

[Riggodeaux]

NYCSterling, you are late to this old thread. If you are speaking to the springs on the front struts, yes, you remove the springs using a strut spring compressor and reinstall them on the new struts. Look at the DIY instructions on the Pelican Parts site. You might need to replace some ancillary parts, too. There are other threads which suggest using the B4 Billies, more like an OEM ride for non-air standard and sport suspensions, as the HDs might be a bit stiff in this application. I plan to install the B4s, instead of the HDs, later this year. I used HD Bilsteins on Ford Superduty trucks to great advantage, so its not that I oppose the bright blue/yellow color scheme ....

[hoaesq]

it has been some time . . . man I miss the X5. Springs . . . you don't need to replace the spings. I replaced mine with springs that provided a lower ride hieght. This was by choice because I wanted a little more aggressive stance. I also order the lowering units for the rear air suspension as well. After all that work, I ended up selling the X a few months later because I needed a 7/8 passenger SUV.

BTW, I went to autozone and borrowed their spring compressors and it worked fine. it took a lot of muscle to compress the springs but end the end wel worth it. the X drove so much smoother/firmer.