Any successful self levelling to coilover conversions?

[The_Danielson]

I am new to the forum, I recently purchased a 2008 X5 4.8. So far I am very happy with it, its a great car!

However I am a bit of a snob when it comes to the ride height of my vehicles. I have always lowered my cars, and I would like to do the same to the X5. I know an X5 is an SUV and is not ideal in a lowered state, but I am willing to accept the consequences.

I know there are spring kits for these cars, but I have always been biased to the customization that only coilovers can deliver. After endless days of researching whether a coilover kit can be fit to a self leveling X5, I have still not found anyone that has done this successfully. KW and D2 says it can not be done.

My question is, has anyone ever attempted this? I know with the X5M's some guys have just used the KW shocks on the rear and used the links to adjust the height. Anyone done this on the regular X5's?

Any information is appreciated.

Thanks

[wsmeyer]

I don't know why it couldn't be done. Just change the shocks and springs and recode the car with the adaptive suspension removed from the VO.

If you are just concerned with ride height get the rear shocks and make some adjustable linkage arms for the rear ride height sensors. Heck you could cut a 10mm section out of the center of the stock plastic ones, drill a hole down the center of either side, tap them and then put them back together with a piece of threaded rod and they are now adjustable.

Then sell me your right rear shock cuz the electronics are busted in mine

[The_Danielson]

Thats what I am thinking, theoretically it shouldn't be difficult.

However according to D2, "the Spring mounts are different and the springs are a different length. They say you cannot use the OE air springs with the D2 shocks, they are not long enough if to retain stock height. You would need to drop the truck at least 1.5” and with that amount of lowering the OE air spring will bottom out."

So I am wondering if anyone had direct experience on this conversion?

If I find a way to do it, I will definitely sell you my shock! ^^

[wsmeyer]

That makes sense. They aren't saying you can't convert from air bag to spring, just that their shocks are shorter and implying the air bags have less useable travel and they will bottom out at the ride height necessary for the shorter shocks.

H&R makes two spring kits that lower the front 1.2" or 2" but both kits lower the rear 1". This would coincide with what they are telling you.

[The_Danielson]

Right, thanks for clarifying.

But wondering if there is a way to get the aftermarket springs to fit and work with adjustable perches? It seems the control arms would need custom perches/mounts to get the springs to mount correctly?

[Jyohay]

Considering you can buy air bag to spring conversion kits I. Don't see why not Rear Air Suspension Conversion Kit | BMW X5 2007-2012

[ard]

Originally Posted by The_Danielson

theoretically it shouldn't be difficult.

Never is....

What will you do when the car is tripping errors related to the gutted ride height sensors/pumps/etc?

[wsmeyer]

Originally Posted by ard

Never is....

What will you do when the car is tripping errors related to the gutted ride height sensors/pumps/etc?

Yeah you definitely have to recode the car and remove the self-leveling feature. Difficult is subjective but I would deem that the easiest part of the job.

[wsmeyer]

Originally Posted by The_Danielson

Right, thanks for clarifying.

But wondering if there is a way to get the aftermarket springs to fit and work with adjustable perches? It seems the control arms would need custom perches/mounts to get the springs to mount correctly?

Have you poked around RealOEM? I'm pretty sure the main suspension parts are the same and the air-bag / springs assemblies are interchangeable.

[The_Danielson]

Originally Posted by Jyohay

Considering you can buy air bag to spring conversion kits I. Don't see why not Rear Air Suspension Conversion Kit | BMW X5 2007-2012

I have seen those kits, but according to KW and D2, their spring mounts dont adapt to our suspension mounts for some reason. These conversion kits must have custom mounts that are designed for our suspension.

Originally Posted by ard

Never is....

What will you do when the car is tripping errors related to the gutted ride height sensors/pumps/etc?

I own an AutoLogic, so I can easily code out the errors

Originally Posted by wsmeyer

Have you poked around RealOEM? I'm pretty sure the main suspension parts are the same and the air-bag / springs assemblies are interchangeable.

I have, and I can't find a detailed section showing all of the suspension components with self leveling vs. without

It seems weird that no one has personally attempted this? I would like to give it a try, but it is a costly purchase of coilovers that may not work..