Bilstein Heavy Duty Experience

[mrbmwx5]

I do have HD all around. It's very rough and harsh ride at times,so i went ahead and lower the X turn out to be very good ( feel and handling is much better) and i like it after it been lower.

[lo_jack]

Originally Posted by mrbmwx5

NOTE: Do not buy/use HD Bilstein shocks for the X's if you're not going to lower her.It is very
rough and harsh ride.

I would think that has more to do with reduced travel. No shock meant to damp on X" of travel is going to do as well at X-2" travel or similar.

[anthony1k]

After driving on these turkeys for six months I just can't take it anymore. It is not only that they are super stiff, they just don't work in sync with the springs. Every road imperfection is transfered into the cabin. Over larger bumps the rear gets up in the air. Passengers are taking a beating and so does the car. I hear rattles that weren't there six months ago. The retailer where I bought the Bilsteins is offering me a 60% store credit if I return them so I went ahead and ordered a set of Sachs. By the way, I spoke with a rep from Bilstein of NA who was totally unhelpful. They wil not be getting any of my business in the future.

Based on my experience, I strongly advise fellow X5 owners to stay clear of the Bilstein Heavy Duty shocks and struts. They are totally unsuitable for US roads.

[shooter]

How much did you pick up the sachs for? bavauto seems to be the cheapest

[Gregory891]

For the fellow in New York would installed Bilstein shocks and feels they are too firm, three questions? What engine do you have? What wheels do you have - 17, 18 or 19? Tire height adds damping as well. Did they "settle in"?

FYI, Koni is not an option for the X5 - they don't offer it for this model.

[anthony1k]

Originally Posted by Gregory891

For the fellow in New York would installed Bilstein shocks and feels they are too firm, three questions? What engine do you have? What wheels do you have - 17, 18 or 19? Tire height adds damping as well. Did they "settle in"?

FYI, Koni is not an option for the X5 - they don't offer it for this model.

Dead stock 3.0 with 17 inch stock wheels and OEM Michelins. The rears were replaced six months later with Sachs. The fronts are still in the car. As I remember road surface quality is pretty good in Switzerland so they might be okay for you.

[Gregory891]

Thanks. Mine is a 3.0 but diesel, manual transmission waiting for my UUC short shifter and stock 17 wheels. You have normal springs in the rear or self leveling? The rear Bilstein shocks you removed, were they B6 (yellow, I don't have the part number handy)? Sachs are low pressure, twin tube - one of the two OEM shocks when the X5 was built. Do you still have the former rears? Front are Bilstein B6 or something else?

[SlickGT1]

NYC. I made this Billstein HD mistake twice. I guess I am a glutton for punishment.

First time, e36 328is. Son of a bitch it was messed up rough. I was able to deal with it for about 4 months, then just had to remove them. Sold them on bimmerforums, and replaces with sports, with lowering springs. MUCH better.

Second time Lexus GS430. Lowered it a bit with Ltuned springs, note they are factory eibachs, billstein HD, and I almost cried the first time I hit a bump. All day replacing this shit, and it was terrible. They were gone in two weeks.

[Gregory891]

Hmm, I've had nothing but good experiences and with cars in the US and Europe in more than 20+ years.

1977 320i (E21, US), sport Bilsteins (as the car was 1" lower). Firm but good.
1981 M535i (E12, Europe). Factory Bilsteins. Great car, firm but good.
1980 733i (E23, US). Aftermarket Bilstein HD / B6. Firmed it up nicely, made a large "boat" corner like a BMW should.
1990 325i touring (E30 touring). Aftermarket Bilstein HD / B6. Firmed it up nicely.
1995 525 touring (E34, US). Aftermarket Bilstein HD / B6. Firmed it up nicely.
2002 Honda CRV (US). Aftermarket Bilstein HD / B6. Did rear first, totally eliminated front to rear pitch. Front were the icing on the cake.
1981 320/6 (E12, Europe). Bilstein HD / B6. Firmed it up nicely.

The ONLY car I know that it can cause issues with is the classic BMW 2002, the B6 rears are WAY too firm. Front B6 are fine for this car however.

[SlickGT1]

If the roads in NYC were better, the HDs might have worked for me, but the roads are the worst in the country. The HDs were so stiff, that my head unit actually came out of my e36 after hitting a pothole.

Can even count how many rims i've bent or cracked.