***PIX OF THE NEW X5*** (Still a work in progress). Enjoy!

[C's Bimmer]

Originally Posted by King

I looked into the aero kit, but I think to get the complete look I might get the M Sport kit. It's a lot more money, but I like the fact that the bumpers and wheel arches will be all black. The kit will also mean eliminating the running boards and swapping out the roof rails! The new parts will give it a much more agressive look rather than just painting the existing bumpers. It's so obvious when people do that!

As for springs, from the research I did, Hamann seems the way to go although again they are twice the price! They seem to have just the right height. Spacers, not sure about which brand to go with. It would have to be nothing more than 20mm.

I actually considered the M Kit for a long time. But after looking at it further, I actually like the look of the Aero Kit better. I like the stock, sport front bumper with the mesh grills. Also, dealers can't order the M Kit as a "Kit", here in the US. Currently, you would have to order it piece by piece, including ALL the mounting hardware. It made no sense. It's only offered as a "kit" outside the US. I even tried Canada and that was a chore when talking to some dealers up north. I'm sure it will eventually become a kit, here in the US, once the M X5 is out, but for now, it's not offered as a whole.

H&R makes springs for our car, so no need to go the Hamann route. I should also point out that H&R makes the springs for Hamann. Hamann's springs are actually, H&R. Most people don't know that, but I was in touch with H&R a few years ago regarding my E60 and development of a new suspension system. I was talking to their R&D team on a weekly basis, for months. At the time, Hamann was the only company that offered it at the time and they proceeded to tell me that this system was actually made by them (H&R). They finally offered the same kit under the H&R brand and I saved a ton of money, as opposed to going with their system under the Hamann brand.

As for Spacers, I just need to determine what's the appropriate width for this vehicle. I've had spacers on all my BMW's, so I'm very familiar with them. I just need to figure out the ideal set-up for this particular car, based on the correct offsets of the 214's and the remaining gap between the wheel arch and the outside of the tire/wheel. I'm going to use a tape measure and see. I know 10mm will be perfect for the front, but am unsure of the rear. Once you open and mount spacers, you can't return them, so I need to make sure I get the correct size for the rear. It's either 12mm or 15mm. Fortunately, I don't have to be worried about rubbing, since the car sits so high. However, I don't want the wheels sticking out beyond the wheel wells or my X5 will look like it came out of a Cheech and Chong movie.

[rh71]

Originally Posted by cmansbimmer

However, I don't want the wheels sticking out beyond the wheel wells or my X5 will look like it came out of a Cheech and Chong movie.

I don't know the exact measurement but without spacers the rears go right out to where the fender flares start... this is the best I can show of the rears without spacers...



In my opinion, from a standing view, it looks perfectly aligned already but if you want perfection - which I know you do, you'll have to break out the measuring tape.

[C's Bimmer]

Yeah, there's still room in the rear to push them out further. The best view is directly from the back, looking straight ahead from each side. It gives the car an even beefier stance and improves handling, due to the wider stance. I'm thinking 12 in the rear and 10 in the front for sure. I guess I'll have to be the guinea pig. I'll let you know.

Originally Posted by rh71

I don't know the exact measurement but without spacers the rears go right out to where the fender flares start... this is the best I can show of the rears without spacers...



In my opinion, from a standing view, it looks perfectly aligned already but if you want perfection - which I know you do, you'll have to break out the measuring tape.

[Herr Bauhaus]

Originally Posted by cmansbimmer

I actually considered the M Kit for a long time. But after looking at it further, I actually like the look of the Aero Kit better. I like the stock, sport front bumper with the mesh grills. Also, dealers can't order the M Kit as a "Kit", here in the US. Currently, you would have to order it piece by piece, including ALL the mounting hardware. It made no sense. It's only offered as a "kit" outside the US. I even tried Canada and that was a chore when talking to some dealers up north. I'm sure it will eventually become a kit, here in the US, once the M X5 is out, but for now, it's not offered as a whole.

H&R makes springs for our car, so no need to go the Hamann route. I should also point out that H&R makes the springs for Hamann. Hamann's springs are actually, H&R. Most people don't know that, but I was in touch with H&R a few years ago regarding my E60 and development of a new suspension system. I was talking to their R&D team on a weekly basis, for months. At the time, Hamann was the only company that offered it at the time and they proceeded to tell me that this system was actually made by them (H&R). They finally offered the same kit under the H&R brand and I saved a ton of money, as opposed to going with their system under the Hamann brand.

As for Spacers, I just need to determine what's the appropriate width for this vehicle. I've had spacers on all my BMW's, so I'm very familiar with them. I just need to figure out the ideal set-up for this particular car, based on the correct offsets of the 214's and the remaining gap between the wheel arch and the outside of the tire/wheel. I'm going to use a tape measure and see. I know 10mm will be perfect for the front, but am unsure of the rear. Once you open and mount spacers, you can't return them, so I need to make sure I get the correct size for the rear. It's either 12mm or 15mm. Fortunately, I don't have to be worried about rubbing, since the car sits so high. However, I don't want the wheels sticking out beyond the wheel wells or my X5 will look like it came out of a Cheech and Chong movie.

I also looked into the M body kit a few month ago and came to the same conclusion: it is very expensive to install 'aftermarket' here in the US (parts & labour $7k was quoted to me) and I ended up concluding that the car looks less aggressive in the front with the M-kit than with the standard front + aerokit. I do like the rear bumper of the M-kit though...

Regarding spacers: my 21" 215's (285 front, 325 rear) already have no space left under the sports package fender flares so I think there is not much room for spacers with your 214's (275 front, 315 rear) if you do not want the wheels to stick out under the fender flares...

Keep us posted on your progress, I enjoy reading this post!

[mingso]

i have h&R 12mm spacer on my 22s ,wheel is perfectly in line with the wheel well ,keep in mind my 22s are 11.5 in width same as the 21s style 215 OE i think the 15mm spacer would fit nicely for your cars rear ,back to your x5,awesome ride

Originally Posted by cmansbimmer

I actually considered the M Kit for a long time. But after looking at it further, I actually like the look of the Aero Kit better. I like the stock, sport front bumper with the mesh grills. Also, dealers can't order the M Kit as a "Kit", here in the US. Currently, you would have to order it piece by piece, including ALL the mounting hardware. It made no sense. It's only offered as a "kit" outside the US. I even tried Canada and that was a chore when talking to some dealers up north. I'm sure it will eventually become a kit, here in the US, once the M X5 is out, but for now, it's not offered as a whole.

H&R makes springs for our car, so no need to go the Hamann route. I should also point out that H&R makes the springs for Hamann. Hamann's springs are actually, H&R. Most people don't know that, but I was in touch with H&R a few years ago regarding my E60 and development of a new suspension system. I was talking to their R&D team on a weekly basis, for months. At the time, Hamann was the only company that offered it at the time and they proceeded to tell me that this system was actually made by them (H&R). They finally offered the same kit under the H&R brand and I saved a ton of money, as opposed to going with their system under the Hamann brand.

As for Spacers, I just need to determine what's the appropriate width for this vehicle. I've had spacers on all my BMW's, so I'm very familiar with them. I just need to figure out the ideal set-up for this particular car, based on the correct offsets of the 214's and the remaining gap between the wheel arch and the outside of the tire/wheel. I'm going to use a tape measure and see. I know 10mm will be perfect for the front, but am unsure of the rear. Once you open and mount spacers, you can't return them, so I need to make sure I get the correct size for the rear. It's either 12mm or 15mm. Fortunately, I don't have to be worried about rubbing, since the car sits so high. However, I don't want the wheels sticking out beyond the wheel wells or my X5 will look like it came out of a Cheech and Chong movie.