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  #81  
Old 07-19-2016, 03:33 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by swell64 View Post
X5M WHITE WITH RED LEATHER 😱😱😱😍😍 Just SEXY! Can't afford that tho lol Lowering links might work and I've seen a few in the street lowered but I have no idea what kit was used.

Thanks for your help man 👍🏽
KW coilovers are absurdly overpriced, a full airbag suspension even more so. I happen to come across a store having a clearance sale on H&R 2" springs with lowering links for $150 shipped, stole a set of forged amd staggered 22's for $2500 shipped and overall I couldn't be happier.
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  #82  
Old 07-19-2016, 07:45 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by m5james View Post
KW coilovers are absurdly overpriced, a full airbag suspension even more so. I happen to come across a store having a clearance sale on H&R 2" springs with lowering links for $150 shipped, stole a set of forged amd staggered 22's for $2500 shipped and overall I couldn't be happier.
Yeah I did the H&R spring drop on my E53 X5 4.6is with new sachs struts and the ride looks and feels perfect. I placed lowering links on the rear to achieve the correct stance desired with the H&R springs.
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  #83  
Old 07-20-2016, 05:14 PM
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I went with the H&R kit. The coilovers might be worth the extra expense for handling purposes to some but the kit, spacers, heavier swaybars, strut tower brace, HD struts and camber plates is more than one should ever take to the edge on the street. The drop from the H&R kit gets close to exceeding max negative camber specs. I would be surprised if the extra drop with coilovers would be in spec.
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  #84  
Old 07-20-2016, 05:25 PM
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Coilovers = $950
Complete suspension rebuild = $1000

Aligned perfectly, still within factory specs...just handled better without a ton of gap. Your limits are lower than mine :-)
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325hp 98 BMW 740iL - ///M5 6spd, www.bavengine.com w/ Performance Option, electric fan, CF intake tube w/ heatshield, Mag 14816 w/ notched bumper, Bilstein/H&R Stage II/Powerflex

600+hp 02 Harley F150 - MHP900 Stage 3 engine, KB2.3, 8# lower, 60# inj, Walbro FP's

135hp 01 TL1000R - M4 full exhaust, K&N, Yosh box, -1/+2 gears, 2CT's
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  #85  
Old 07-22-2016, 03:08 PM
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You are correct, depending on the drop you could align within specs. I don't know how far you went. If you have the capability to crop your pictures or reduce the resolution you should be able to post pictures.

Not saying coilovers won't improve handling if for no other reason than you can lower the center of gravity. I am saying that coilovers are only one of many components needed to "significantly" improve the handling of an X5.

My limits on the street are just inside of being dangerous to myself or others. That is well within the capabilities of my suspension mods. The 4.6 handles quite well as delivered though has very little similarity to a BMW car. My goal was to move as close to that 'feel' while still having a Dollar spent per handling improvement equation that was logical to me. I felt that the money spent on the coilovers I would consider would result in a far better value equation if spent on more HP/TQ. For clarification only, the comparison of H&R lowering kit is not $950 to $1,000. It is $375 to $950. Rebuilding the suspension is mostly separate expense.

If I were to start over, the first thing I would do is find Eibach front and rear sway bars. That single change was a big one. The result was a much improved turn in and less body roll. I would purchase spacers to widen the stance and get an alignment that was at the spec limit of negative camber. Tires will wear faster but--. I think these things are universal rather than specific to a 4.6. Benefits from strut tower brace, camber plates, HD struts and shocks were noticeable but not as much as the first changes I mention. I upgrade some of the suspension but I think it made feel good more than anything else. I really like the looks of a lowered X5. I have two wheel air suspension and it works fine so I had no interest in removing it. That was a significant factor in the choice of H&R lowering kit. If I were to go to coilovers now I don't think I would consider those that don't have adjustable rebound rate and damping as coilovers that would more out of other things I have done.

I have attached a link to a youtube video that may worthwhile watching if someone is considering a lowering kit or coilovers. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=biOLaKSC0sM
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Last edited by bcredliner; 07-22-2016 at 03:26 PM.
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  #86  
Old 07-22-2016, 04:33 PM
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Fwiw you can purchase adjustable rear control arms to tune the rear camber.
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  #87  
Old 01-03-2018, 04:30 PM
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Thinking about pulling the trigger on the BC coils. Any pics installed and also what is the height adjustability range?
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  #88  
Old 08-13-2019, 10:38 PM
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I've got a few questions for you guys who have converted. Mine is starting to leak, and mainly want to ditch the air ride due to future repair cost, many members are commenting they should have replaced them instead of trying to fix the air. Its a family rig so comfort is more important than handling. I'd like to lower it just a tad if it doesn't sacrifice comfort.

-Is the ride on full soft comparable to oem?
-Highest position still lower than stock height for 4.8is? If not, how much lower?
-Any rubbing with spacers? I have 25mm front, 30mm rear on style 168s
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  #89  
Old 08-14-2019, 02:24 AM
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I think the BC racing coils are much harder than people realize.

When I looked into replacing my air suspension in the 4.8is, I found that the BC racing spring rates are 90kn at the front and 120kn at the rear. Quite a firm and jittery ride (particularly in the rear) from what I've read..

I spoke with the guys at Eibach (as H+R were bordering between no help and downright obnoxious....) anyway the Eibach springs I put on are rated at 45kn to the front and 60kn to the rear.

It's still a firm ride and definately harder than the stock air (you bounce around a bit on small bumps) although I'm not sure yet if that's related to the fact that we also have some old run flats on it or the Bilsteins are to sporty.

I've not found any info yet on what the 4.8is standard spring rates are in comparison but figured softer than BC coils was the route to take.

The Eibach's I've installed have once settled gone to the exact ride height within a few mm front and back, which curiously has meant that all I've done regarding the air system is pull the fuse for the compressor.

I have no self level suspension inactive light showing or any faults though ISTA....

The upside is it handles significantly better. I've shocked a few people at how fast it goes around some tight corners....
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  #90  
Old 08-31-2019, 05:07 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by LVR View Post
I think the BC racing coils are much harder than people realize.

When I looked into replacing my air suspension in the 4.8is, I found that the BC racing spring rates are 90kn at the front and 120kn at the rear. Quite a firm and jittery ride (particularly in the rear) from what I've read..

I spoke with the guys at Eibach (as H+R were bordering between no help and downright obnoxious....) anyway the Eibach springs I put on are rated at 45kn to the front and 60kn to the rear.

It's still a firm ride and definately harder than the stock air (you bounce around a bit on small bumps) although I'm not sure yet if that's related to the fact that we also have some old run flats on it or the Bilsteins are to sporty.

I've not found any info yet on what the 4.8is standard spring rates are in comparison but figured softer than BC coils was the route to take.

The Eibach's I've installed have once settled gone to the exact ride height within a few mm front and back, which curiously has meant that all I've done regarding the air system is pull the fuse for the compressor.

I have no self level suspension inactive light showing or any faults though ISTA....

The upside is it handles significantly better. I've shocked a few people at how fast it goes around some tight corners....
Thanks for the input LVR, do the springs fit the existing air ride shocks in the front?
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