BMW X5 e70 4.8i with X5M brake swap and air ride delete with Koni/H&R

[ICCCPI]

Original Post: https://icccpi.livejournal.com/407.html

Hello everyone,

I got inspired to write this article, because Internet is lacking information regarding simmilar swaps available on e70’s, especially 4.8i’s, as majority of those NA V8s are equipped with an air ride in the back. As for brakes, it’s a direct swap from an X5M e70, but let me start from the beginning:

2007 X5 e70 4.8i with 178km, cracked right spring, needing complete brake job. Personally, it felt like a big powerful boat, as I moved from a standard 01 330ci with Eibach/Koni FSD struts, upgraded sway/strut bars, spacers and bigger rims.

From the beginning I was looking for a V8 e39 m5, however move to a house made AWD vehicle a must, but I didn't want to give up a desire for NA V8. This car is also mainly used on a Canadian 401 highway, so V8 is perfect, brakes and suspension did not do a good job at all. As this car picks up speed quite fast, I decided to go with brakes first

Kijiji helped me find e70 X5M brake calipers under 1k, donor car had about 70k. Up front I used f85 rotors, paired with OEM e70 brake pads and Stoptech lines. As for the rear, I used all new components from e70 X5M.

While putting this brake system together, it was quite obvious that the difference is day and night. Massive 4-piston caliper paired with huge brake pads, which hugs a rotor the size of some car’s rim. When it comes to front X5M rotors, they are only available from a dealer, as its a two piece, unique design and its is almost 16 inches in diameter.

The difference is very noticeable, especially taking in consideration how tired stock system was, but regardless, the level of confidence is not comparable, especially on the highway, braking from higher speeds. The only thing you have to watch for cars behind, as they have a harder time catching up to such a superior braking, especially in those situations when traffic is stopping from 100s to a dead stop. There are quite a lot of articles about this swap, so I am not going to go into too many details.

FRONT SUSPENSION:
As most of you know, 4.8i was considered top of the line and in most cases was equipped with 3d row seats or a tow option. Those two main reasons forced engineers into making the rear height adjustable. When it comes to lowering e70 with Self-Leveling Suspension (SLS), front is identical to all other models, however in the rear, a special adjustable end-link is typically installed. It artificially lowers a car by adjusting the height sensor. There was not much to choose from in the front, so I went with H&R Springs 1.2 inches drop (50435-4) in a team with Bilstein 4600 struts (24-143967). I also installed new OEM strut mounts (31336788776) and shorter Dinan bump stops (D193-7101A).

REAR SUSPENSION:
After I picked up an X, first thing I noticed how steering is much more responsive, braking and accelerating became firmer. It feels like the car is lighter and it drives more like e90. No more "boat affect"/typical "SUV" feel. However cornering was odd. The front axel takes a turn well, but when it comes to rear, it feels tight, but not as stiff as the front. I guess it's because my mechanic installed end-links that came with H&R spring kit (the one that’s for cars with SLS), so it lowered the car by deflating the bags, hence compressing shocks more then it supposed too. The ride became unbearably bouncy and it added a racked look. After a family road trip to Montreal, it was 100% decided to delete air suspension and swap it with something firm, but soft. On my e46 I used Koni FSD for over 7 years, however there was no FSD for a 4.8i with 3d row seating/SLS. FSDs worked great for me, they are soft when car hits a pothole and firm when cornering. After a month of struggle everything got to work. Here is a first (that I know of) X5 4.8i in Ontario on Koni FSDs with 1.0inch H&R springs in the back:

In order to make it fit, I used the Koni kit for a 3.0 e70 and all other components, such as spring shoes and strut mounts. Rear shocks on Self-Leveling cars are shorter for the air bag travel, so on cars with conventional rear suspension, mounts are about 4cm deeper, so it compensates the difference in strut's length. As for the compressor, my mechanic just pulled the fuze out, so far no code.

Wow, what a difference. Car behaves complete now, not bouncy at all, just the way a stanced e70 should drive and look!

Car was serviced at IVAS Automotive in Mississauga, Ontario IVAS Automotive - BMW Repair Mississauga & Auto Repair / Maintenance Services.

Feel free to cure your BMW there!

Let me know if you have any questions - [email protected]

Thanks,

Max

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