Lower an X5

[Foxx]

What's the overall opinion of lowering X5's? I have '09 xDrive 4.8 and I'm seriously considering taking her 1.5-2.0 inches lower, but my dealer said it's a bad idea with X5s, they are meant to stay the way they are, the suspension is very sensitive on those cars (supposedly). I'm not sure if I believe this, I'm under the impression u can easily lower any car, as long u use good shocks, struts and even coilovers, they would be better than the factory ones, right?
I want it just a little lower, I don't really like that high SUV look, esp having a 911 and E46 lowered to a point I can't go down into my garage. I don't want the car to become too stiff though, this one is already pretty stiff as it is, wouldn't want it to be more. Any recommendations out there? maybe an adjustable suspension? anyone?
Also, would my warranty be voided if changed suspensions?
Thanks all.

[ard]

My overall opinion? Form follows function.

An SUV is designed to ride high, it's overall concept is such that when you lower them you look unusual, some say freakish.

We began lowering cars to gain aerodynamics, lower the center of gravity...we also moved to larger rims to allow larger rotors...junior ricers have taken both these concepts- the lowering and larger wheels -well past 'what is needed' or 'what is useful' into the 'I want it extreme and in it's extremeness we find some kind of 'statement'...' Reminds me of the 50s where someone decided cars needed fins on the back...and a race began for the biggest fins! We just take a design cue and take it to it's extreme.... I digress.

Any car can be lowered. HOWEVER, not all cars can retain appropriate spring/suspension travel. It isn't just cutting springs, or getting stiffer but shorter springs. You may think it is...many people who are 'suspension-clueless' will buy only based on "it lowers 2.5 inches" Without taking into account the new suspension travel, damping rates and suspension geometry, I would not do it.

Modifying the suspension will surely cause BMW to deny any claims relating to the suspension, and they could claim that it impacts the driveline should you have a claim and they are feeling annoyed.

I have adaptive drive so no lowering for me...

A

[m32]

Originally Posted by ard

My overall opinion? Form follows function.

An SUV is designed to ride high, it's overall concept is such that when you lower them you look unusual, some say freakish.

We began lowering cars to gain aerodynamics, lower the center of gravity...we also moved to larger rims to allow larger rotors...junior ricers have taken both these concepts- the lowering and larger wheels -well past 'what is needed' or 'what is useful' into the 'I want it extreme and in it's extremeness we find some kind of 'statement'...' Reminds me of the 50s where someone decided cars needed fins on the back...and a race began for the biggest fins! We just take a design cue and take it to it's extreme.... I digress.

Any car can be lowered. HOWEVER, not all cars can retain appropriate spring/suspension travel. It isn't just cutting springs, or getting stiffer but shorter springs. You may think it is...many people who are 'suspension-clueless' will buy only based on "it lowers 2.5 inches" Without taking into account the new suspension travel, damping rates and suspension geometry, I would not do it.

Modifying the suspension will surely cause BMW to deny any claims relating to the suspension, and they could claim that it impacts the driveline should you have a claim and they are feeling annoyed.

I have adaptive drive so no lowering for me...

A

Ard,

It's edwin (precisionporsch from 6) Quick question... you mentioned you have adap drive so no lowering... are you saying you dont' want to lower it or you can't? I *think* I have the adaptive drive (I have the sport button - sorry...sounding like a noob but I'm still learning about the X) and I bought some lowering links. I thought I could lower the rear but am curious to your thoughts

Edwin

[Foxx]

Originally Posted by m32

Ard,

It's edwin (precisionporsch from 6) Quick question... you mentioned you have adap drive so no lowering... are you saying you dont' want to lower it or you can't? I *think* I have the adaptive drive (I have the sport button - sorry...sounding like a noob but I'm still learning about the X) and I bought some lowering links. I thought I could lower the rear but am curious to your thoughts

Edwin

I'm curious to hear the answer to this myself.

BTW, thank you for your opinion, I 100% agree with you, that's why I wanted to hear from other how they fell about lowering an X5.

[Aqua Bliss]

Don't do it. I came from a 3 series and lowered it 1.5" with sport springs. It looked great but the rear tires wore really really fast (no matter how many times I aligned it), and I ended up with some wear to the suspension that I think was irreversible. It remained bouncy even when I put back the stock springs... could never get that nice firm factory suspension back without shelling out some major bucks for new shocks and who knows what else. I regretted doing it and would recommend against it especially on the x.

[ard]

Originally Posted by m32

Ard,

It's edwin (precisionporsch from 6) Quick question... you mentioned you have adap drive so no lowering... are you saying you dont' want to lower it or you can't? I *think* I have the adaptive drive (I have the sport button - sorry...sounding like a noob but I'm still learning about the X) and I bought some lowering links. I thought I could lower the rear but am curious to your thoughts

Edwin

Hey... and if I recall you used to be m32 there as well!

Frankly I do not know for sure if it CAN be done, but I know that unless you re-engineer the suspension geometry you will have issues. The electrodynamically controlled struts come in one flavor- so to replace the struts with coilovers (required to lower the body and maintain suspension travel) you need to replace the adaptive drive units with plain units.

Look at what we go through on the 996TTs.... to drop the body you go to coil overs. Those that buy the "H&R sport lowering springs" have less suspension travel and have a shock damping rate that is now 'not matched' to the springs.... You need to lower the upper perch, retain the same travel and match the damping rate to the springs.

Once you lower the body, then you deal with suspension geometry- usually when the body drops the camber increases- you can dial some of this out, but only so much. You'll need adjustable links (ie dogbones, etc) to set the wheel alignment to the new lower position.

Perhaps there are people making such suspension parts for the E70. Frankly I cannot see much of a market for a $4000 coilover kit for an X5...surely for the 996TT, but most X5 drivers will just slam it down (if they like the look) and grit their teeth.

back to your car- if it is a 2009 or earlier and HAS the "Sport Package" it has adaptive drive. Sport button is (I think) an indicator. In 2010 the adaptive drive was a separate option.

A

[X-cellent]

My buddy has an 09 4.8, with adaptive drive (sport button by shift lever) and bought a set of Hartge springs and rear links ('cause of self leveling rear suspension) which lowered it 2". Struts and bushings are all stock.

The new springs make the truck look great, but it rides terribly. He never has suspension in sport as it is too rough over small bumps.

His alignment and tire wear is probably better than my stock 4.8s (I'm on my second set of 20 RFT Dunlops @ 18k and he's still going strong on 22" non rft's at 10k, so while the overall performance of the suspension from an SUV standpoint may be diminished, the effect on running gear is nominal.

Thsi is not a simple drop, and his was done by a high end Hartge dealer. There are many on here who have dropped their X's, it's all about how you're goign to use it and what you like in a ride.