"Slammed" the X5

[SlickGT1]

I would lower mine if I didn't live in pothole / shit road city. Not as crazy low, but I would do it. I think it is different. Plus with my computer laying in the trunk, it will take me all of 2 minutes to raise it back up when necessary.

[TiAgX5]

[QUOTE=525iT_Feen;920545].....The ride comfort argument isn't even an argument you definitely give up some comfort......QUOTE]


????? Ride comfort has absolutly NOTHING to do with ride height, this has become the accepted "fact" about lowering a vehicle due to most lowered cars are running stiffer springs and firmer shock setting then OE.

The KW var3 coilovers have a slightly stiffer spring rate when compared to the OE air bags. The shocks "high speed" damping is not adjustable and is very similar to a good Bilstein upgrade shock, the "low speed" setting is adjustable.

Most of those who lower go for the high spring rates and stiff "high speed" and "low speed" shock setting thinking this is what makes for better handling when all they are doing is destroying the ride and decreasing control on most public roads that are anything less then perfect.

It's possible to lower a high vehicle and IMPROVE ride comfort and suspension compliance, just install softer springs and shocks with milder valving. This fact "flies in the face" of the "Fast N Furious" boy races who do almost ALL vehicle lowering and think STIFFER = BETTER!!!!!!!

[525iT_Feen]

Originally Posted by TiAgX5

????? Ride comfort has absolutly NOTHING to do with ride height, this has become the accepted "fact" about lowering a vehicle due to most lowered cars are running stiffer springs and firmer shock setting then OE.

The KW var3 coilovers have a slightly stiffer spring rate when compared to the OE air bags. The shocks "high speed" damping is not adjustable and is very similar to a good Bilstein upgrade shock, the "low speed" setting is adjustable.

Most of those who lower go for the high spring rates and stiff "high speed" and "low speed" shock setting thinking this is what makes for better handling when all they are doing is destroying the ride and decreasing control on most public roads that are anything less then perfect.

It's possible to lower a high vehicle and IMPROVE ride comfort and suspension compliance, just install softer springs and shocks with milder valving. This fact "flies in the face" of the "Fast N Furious" boy races who do almost ALL vehicle lowering and think STIFFER = BETTER!!!!!!!

You lost me there bud. I think we're saying the same thing? What i'm saying is with the AIR equipped x5s going to low severely deteriorates ride quality because the shocks AREN'T valved correctly for lowering the vehicle and the bags have too little pressure which creates excessive bounce from the rear.

With a coilover - the lower you go that stiffer it gets. In the case of the x5 I've found that that theory works for the front shocks but the rear bags being separate prevent the car from actually getting stiffer. Instead you just abuse the stock shocks and bag. I will lower my x5 just less then I have now.

I was saying that I WASN'T arguing that point. I love the way it looks and hate the way it rides. Sucks.

[TiAgX5]

Originally Posted by 525iT_Feen

You lost me there bud. I think we're saying the same thing? What i'm saying is with the AIR equipped x5s going to low severely deteriorates ride quality because the shocks AREN'T valved correctly for lowering the vehicle and the bags have too little pressure which creates excessive bounce from the rear.

With a coilover - the lower you go that stiffer it gets. In the case of the x5 I've found that that theory works for the front shocks but the rear bags being separate prevent the car from actually getting stiffer. Instead you just abuse the stock shocks and bag. I will lower my x5 just less then I have now.

I was saying that I WASN'T arguing that point. I love the way it looks and hate the way it rides. Sucks.

"......going to low severely deteriorates ride quality because the shocks AREN'T valved correctly for lowering the vehicle....."

Shock valving is a constant and therefore there is no change in ride quality until the suspension "bottoms out".




"......the bags have too little pressure which creates excessive bounce from the rear......"

The pressure inside the airbags does not change with ride height, volume inside the bags change. Vehicle weight and airbag cross-section remain unchanged when the compressor/venting raises and lowers an X and therfore the prior sentence is FACT.
An "excessive bounce" condition would be worn shocks or under-damping, not a change in airbag volume or your incorrect logic "too little pressure".

[Skyline]

[QUOTE=TiAgX5;920564]

Originally Posted by 525iT_Feen

It's possible to lower a high vehicle and IMPROVE ride comfort and suspension compliance, just install softer springs and shocks with milder valving. This fact "flies in the face" of the "Fast N Furious" boy races who do almost ALL vehicle lowering and think STIFFER = BETTER!!!!!!!

While this is true, you will at the same time be losing suspension travel. There's no such thing as win-win scenarios when it comes to modifying your suspension. The reason that most folks go to stiffer springs when they lower a car, is to compensate for reduced suspension travel. So if that six inch pothole just about bottoms the car with a stock suspension at a given speed, ideally, with the lowered car with increased spring rates, you still use up all your suspension travel on that same pothole at the same speed, (without hitting the bump stops). Needless to say, you will feel the hit much more in the lowered car, and have a somewhat increased chance of bending a rim. If you lowered the car, and left the spring rates the same, (or made them softer as you suggest), that same pothole that almost bottomed a stock suspension would cause you to hit the bump stops, and possibly do damage to the car.

A lot depends on where you drive, and how you drive. The faster you go on bumpy roads, the more suspension travel you want.

[525iT_Feen]

Originally Posted by TiAgX5

"......going to low severely deteriorates ride quality because the shocks AREN'T valved correctly for lowering the vehicle....."

Shock valving is a constant and therefore there is no change in ride quality until the suspension "bottoms out".




"......the bags have too little pressure which creates excessive bounce from the rear......"

The pressure inside the airbags does not change with ride height, volume inside the bags change. Vehicle weight and airbag cross-section remain unchanged when the compressor/venting raises and lowers an X and therfore the prior sentence is FACT.
An "excessive bounce" condition would be worn shocks or under-damping, not a change in airbag volume or your incorrect logic "too little pressure".

haha however you word it the stock shocks and bags in this car are not designed to be driven on at 2 to 3 inches lower then stock and significantly affect ride comfort.

I'm about 95% sure I can put brand new shocks in the back and have the same exact issue but you seem to be a very technical person so i'll let you have the last word. haha

[Skyline]

Originally Posted by 525iT_Feen

With a coilover - the lower you go that stiffer it gets..

Stiffness is a function of spring rate...not ride height. If you simply drop the lower perch of an adjustable coilover, it will get lower...not stiffer. If you substitue a spring with a higher spring rate, (perhaps lower; but it could be the exact same length), it will get stiffer.

[Ricky Bobby]

Originally Posted by 525iT_Feen

I'd love links to both those cars. I'm pretty well versed in aftermarket air and will most likely switch over to it when $ permits.

I agree with you that its not really ideal for daily driving but its a silly obsession.

Look up X5SND, he has the custom air setup.


As far as the white X in Florida that was slammed with stance on aftermarket wheels, can't find him just yet.

[smwmustang]

Call me stupid, but do you not have to have the air ride at all four corners to make it work with programming? Is there a way to do this with just the air ride in the back?

Thanks

Shawn

[4.8isX5]

You can do it but you would need coilovers up front as you cant just code them cause you have coils up front, the rear you can code down, but no point cause of the front.