Bilstein Heavy Duty Experience

[Vsmvince]

I find the prices comparable. You get what you pay for. Sach's will give you the OEM ride quality.

[FSETH]

Suspension feel can be a very personal thing. I put Bilstein HD's on my e36 with stock springs and M3 wheels and have been happy for over 140,000 miles. I have not put them on my X5 though.

Did you get the correct shocks? What I mean is there are different shocks for cars with sport packages, self-leveling, etc. If you are sure you did and you are unhappy with the feel, I would pull them off before it is too late and change them out for something else.

From your quote, I am pretty sure I know where you bought them from. If my guess is correct, my step dad bought their lowering springs and Bilstein HD's for his e30 325e. When he put them on, it was way stiffer than he had hoped for. After a phone call they agreed to allow the return without a re-stocking fee if he purchased other shocks from them. He ended up going more OEM and was happy.

[mrbmwx5]

I'm really happy with Bilstein HD on my 01 3.0i X5.
The handling and ride ways better then the stock BMW bilstein shocks.
http://www.xoutpost.com/bmw-sav-foru...40k-miles.html

[ncsucarjock]

For the record on the Bilstein HD's, I've had now (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, yup) 7 vehicles with Bilstein HD's all the way around. I have noticed that sometimes the Bilstein HD's need a few thousand miles to settle in. I recall one set that was installed that I thought I would have to remove ('89 Volvo 740 sedan), but the more I drove it, and the more aggressive I got behind the wheel with it, the more they smoothed out, and in a couple thousand miles they really settled down and behaved quite well. That particular car handled quite well (it had other mods done as well).

But they've been on the Suburban, 4 Volvos, a BMW, and a Jeep and I've recommended them and put them on many other friends vehicles, and they've all been excellent. When the X5 needs new ones...it'll get bilsteins.

[mark scheurer]

Originally Posted by mrbmwx5

I'm really happy with Bilstein HD on my 01 3.0i X5.
The handling and ride ways better then the stock BMW bilstein shocks.
http://www.xoutpost.com/bmw-sav-foru...40k-miles.html

For the prices you listed, your link to Bavauto goes to the non-HD Bilstein shock.

These are probably a lot softer than the HDs.

Is there a good way to tell if the shocks need to be replaced?

[StanF18]

Out of curiosity, is there a specific "lifespan" for the OEM shocks?? I've seen more than a few Forum members putting new shocks on. Is it because they are itching for that extra-sporty ride feel, or is it because their initial shocks somehow degraded over time?

I'm at 95,000 miles and I just put new brake pads and rotors on. But I have never had an issue with the shocks or ride quality.

[Bill Valley]

Originally Posted by mark scheurer

For the prices you listed, your link to Bavauto goes to the non-HD Bilstein shock.

These are probably a lot softer than the HDs.

Is there a good way to tell if the shocks need to be replaced?

Agreed. I had HD's on my Saab and the ride was rougher. They help the handling, but sacrifice ride quality. The non-HD Bilsteins would be better for the X5.

[Weasel]

Originally Posted by StanF18

Out of curiosity, is there a specific "lifespan" for the OEM shocks?? I've seen more than a few Forum members putting new shocks on. Is it because they are itching for that extra-sporty ride feel, or is it because their initial shocks somehow degraded over time?

I'm at 95,000 miles and I just put new brake pads and rotors on. But I have never had an issue with the shocks or ride quality.

I'm also at 95,000 and my OEM struts feel like new as well. I'm anticipating them to last till between 120k and 140k before needing to be replaced. And the main visible way to tell when they are letting go is to look for the internal oil to seep/leak out of the strut where the shaft comes out of the body.

I did research myself on struts and determined no aftermarket struts will match the comfort and handling of the OEM 4.6is struts I have... Maybe the 4.6is struts can be used as an upgrade for the 3.0i and 4.4i models?

[lo_jack]

Originally Posted by Weasel

I did research myself on struts and determined no aftermarket struts will match the comfort and handling of the OEM 4.6is struts I have... Maybe the 4.6is struts can be used as an upgrade for the 3.0i and 4.4i models?

That is an interesting question. I'd be interested in the answer.

I bought my X5 with 68k on it. It has 130 now, and it felt to me like the shocks/struts were done around 90. They still work, but it is a bit more given to leaning in turns and bouncing excessively.

I have put HDs on two older SUVs and my firebird, and agree that they can be harsh at times, but my wheels stay on the ground. That may not be ideal depending on how or what you are driving.

[Weasel]

Just did some cross referencing on realoem.com, all E53s use the same strut mounts and spindles, so the struts are fully interchangeable! Sport models springs should be swappable, but if you don't have the sport package you may need to buy 4.6is springs as well. The rear shocks are also different for 4.6is vs the rest, but the air springs are the same.