BMW X5 SUSPENSION REWORK.

[Jordo]

lol, nice ride! So you have this same kit? How much? And so I understand correctly, this lowers 25mm and makes the sway bars more ridged.

[bigwave2255]

no kits , stock as a rock, i was just curious about all the surface rust on the OP,s car

its something we dont see in Australia, even living by the coast

[Isambard]

Originally Posted by bigwave2255

thanks, it had me wondering, as mine is as clean as underneath.

i wonder if that is the reason many have to do suspension repairs at what i would consider an early age, and may also be the reason for power train and electrical issues that from my limited experience have not heard of here in Australia

Spot on mate! Still, my X is going to get the oz treatment in a few months' time as I plan to take him to Perth for a nice relaxing emigration!! So, I'm just in the process of changing as much as is reasonable in preparation for a long and healthy, relatively salt and rain-free life in oz.

[bigwave2255]

well done, i have never been to Perth, i live on the Gold Coast, other side of the country, but i believe Perth is a really beautiful place, you might have to save up for a boat as well

and a bar fridge for all the great Margaret river wine

good luck with the move

[Isambard]

Originally Posted by bigwave2255

well done, i have never been to Perth, i live on the Gold Coast, other side of the country, but i believe Perth is a really beautiful place, you might have to save up for a boat as well

and a bar fridge for all the great Margaret river wine

good luck with the move

Thanks BW. Already been eyeing up boats! It'll probably be the first time my tow bar has actually seen any action!! Certainly hasn't since my 3 years of ownership..

[Blanky]

Hello guys,

I'm new here as I just obtained a 04 E53 3.0 sports pack from my uncle. He drove fast on regular road, and accelerate fast as I had hard time catching him up without traffic lights. Now he moved on the 5 series sedan.

When I got this car, the first thing I did was changing the worn Micheline tires, all changed to continental UHP tires. (it came with 19" rim). The noise and ride fell improved slightly. However, the riding quality in city is very "bumpy" as I compare to my ssangyong rexton. The place that I drove frequently had tonnes of pot-hole and re-constructions. And when I drove over Costco's parking lots' speed bump at less than 15km/hr, I can feel my rear "Jumped" as rear wheel traveling through the bump. I don't really think the jump is normal, and I felt slightly dizzy after driving in city for half an hour.

Couple days ago, I put 100kg load in the rear trunk. Then went out for a drive for 20 min. The car felt much solid and stable, and my head doesn't felt as dizzy as before. However, adding extra 100kg load on car is not sensible way to improve drive quality, so I deflated the tires from 36psi to 34 psi, and the improvement of ride quality improved very slightly.

Although the car only did 50,000km, I'm thinking of replacing the old shock absorbers with oem parts, but not sure if it will be a waste of money or an great improvement over ride quality. Please shade some light on this ride quality issue for me, thanks in advance.

[X5girl]

Thats not the rear shock absorbers, its the rear subframe bushes completely detached.

Its really common and not visable from under the car until you lower the subframe, then the bushes will fall apart in pieces. Owners go on driving the cars until the clonk starts because the fault never gets reported on service and its not easy to see unless you know what to look for.

Most cars over 40,000m need them but they get ignored.

Best option, and easiest to fit, and covered with a lifetime warranty are the Powerflex urethane replacement bushes. Available from [email protected] in WA.

[Blanky]

Thanks Gerry:

I'll discuss the bushing of the rear sub-frame tomorrow with my local repair shop. I'm posting an earlier picture from your post to confirm that is the item. Hope you don't mind.

Thank you.

Best regards,
Blanky

[X5girl]

Yes, thats where the bush is. As you can see, there is no room to see the condition of the bush as it is almost fully enclosed.

Lower the subframe slightly and you will see the outside of the bush adrift from the inside.

You need to do all 4.

Cheers,

Gerry.

[Blanky]

Hello Gerry:

My technician told me that he loosen the screw of that bushing and couldn't see any sign of worn or split of that bushing.... He said that he suggest I keep the old bushing on till it shown sign of worn and split. He also told me he test drive 2 other X5 3.0 yesterday, and their road feel are similar to mine. One of them did 50k and the other one did 65k.

That brings me another question. Could it be that this worn/deteriorate of bushing was gradual that most people think it is "normal" not to replace it until it split or worn. I'm thinking to purchase parts from US and ask another workshop to install the bushing for me.. Is there a brand that you would recommend?

thanks in advance.