Lowering an X5 5.0: Eibach or H&R?

[Sylvan Lake V35]

I will listen for the system to activate...maybe it's not......like I said both BMW and the independent shop looked at it for issues and neither found any?? It sits the same height running or if its off even when it's off for a few hours I measured it and it was the same height. I might try to crank the H&R links up as high as I can tomorrow and try hopping on the rear a few times and see if I hear any thing happening. The independent shop has contacted H&R 2x now they don't seem like they want to do anything at this point I thought they would have better customer service...I have ran their springs on a few other cars in the past and had good results. If KW would sell just the font coil overs I would get a set but it seems like my rear is the issue....maybe I will jack the front up a couple inches and see if the rear tries to level it out, I guess then I would know if the low the front is keeping the rear from coming up.

Skunk our over all diameters are still almost the same. Front is 0.3" difference and the rear is 0.1" difference so negligible differences. I am jealous of your wheels though they look great.

[skunkd]

The only thing I can think of at this point is that the ride height sensor may not be plugged in fully, the connector is damaged, or the actual sensor might be at fault some how?

I really don't think the front has any effect on the rear period. since ive seen people with the 2" drop spring installed in the front and stock links in the back and the rear was still sky high until they installed adjustable links in the rear. It definitely has something to do with the rear itself in my eyes.

[Sylvan Lake V35]

I haven't had a chance to change out the links back to the OEM, I work away during the week so my weekends are fairly busy. I went and stood by the rear this morning and unlocked the truck I could hear a brief buzzing that I would guess is the compressor. I would have to say its the truck itself but like I said both BMW and my independent shop checked it over last week I guess if I put the rear links back on and it stays the same I will know something is malfunctioning.


Edit, I think the truck is the issue I just held an OEM link against the H&R one and they are the same length.....

[ZooyorQ]

Thought I would chime in.

I have a 2009 X5 4.8 on 20" 2-Piece Forged Wheels (not stock, much lighter wheels) with pretty decent sidewalls.

I have the H&R 1.2" Kit.

It is unbearable.. I have a 50lb tool bag in my trunk and it gets about 1-2ft of air on the slightest bump. My neck is sore, I've actually got air myself many times.

I'm having it removed this Friday. I'm not sure if its the wheels or what but its pretty bad.

The shop I'm bringing it to (Sonic MS) says that they can lower the car a little with the GT1 tool and remove the links. Sort of like a happy medium.

[Sylvan Lake V35]

So my truck was in transport mode, so the compressor wouldnt kick in. My independent shop figured it out by trial an error eliminating parts one at a time then finally recoding it. So far I have only drove it a few blocks and it rides ok but certainly not stock like. Tomrrow I will put on about 100miles and if its too rough Ill turn up the links a bit and see how it feels.

[ZooyorQ]

Originally Posted by Sylvan Lake V35

So my truck was in transport mode, so the compressor wouldnt kick in. My independent shop figured it out by trial an error eliminating parts one at a time then finally recoding it. So far I have only drove it a few blocks and it rides ok but certainly not stock like. Tomrrow I will put on about 100miles and if its too rough Ill turn up the links a bit and see how it feels.

I hear my compressor kick on/off everytime i walk near the car. I didn't know the links were actually adjustable until I read this thread, so I might start by having them adjust the links closer to factory, but still like 1/2" lower or so.

I think mine is riding so low in the back that I'm getting flashed by everyone (thinking I have high beams on, but I don't)..

[ALPINE_X5]

Sylvan - if that is your new adjusted height then you need to raise it one turn more and it should level your car out to a close to stock ride. Glad they found the problem. I hope that resolves your issues. Mine is fine and no one complains about it. It's amazing what 1/2 inch to 3/4 inch can do. That's what she said

ZooyorQ - did you have someone install them? Reason I ask is that the instructions says to set it at 65mm distance(if I recall) between the two end posts(bolts) I set mine at about 68-69mm and it did two things. It let my headlights point more downward and gave me more light coverage on the road. It was a BIG improvement I knew it would do that but I didn't know that much!!

And your SUV will ride much much better. Obviously the SUV is lowered so the feeling of "stock" will not be exact but its not too far off if you set it right.

[ZooyorQ]

Originally Posted by ALPINE_X5

Sylvan - if that is your new adjusted height then you need to raise it one turn more and it should level your car out to a close to stock ride. Glad they found the problem. I hope that resolves your issues. Mine is fine and no one complains about it. It's amazing what 1/2 inch to 3/4 inch can do. That's what she said

ZooyorQ - did you have someone install them? Reason I ask is that the instructions says to set it at 65mm distance(if I recall) between the two end posts(bolts) I set mine at about 68-69mm and it did two things. It let my headlights point more downward and gave me more light coverage on the road. It was a BIG improvement I knew it would do that but I didn't know that much!!

And your SUV will ride much much better. Obviously the SUV is lowered so the feeling of "stock" will not be exact but its not too far off if you set it right.

Someone else installed them, but thanks for the note. I'll bring that with when I have them adjusted on friday!

[ALPINE_X5]

No worries Zoo. I hope that it works out. Once you get it adjusted you won't want to remove them. No they won't be like Coilovers but then again they are not 3K either.

The ride is compliant enough for everyday use. I don't even notice it lowered anymore but other people at the dealership when I brought it in for service asked me if I lowered it. They seem to notice it immediately. I think it is subtle.

[ZooyorQ]

Originally Posted by ALPINE_X5

No worries Zoo. I hope that it works out. Once you get it adjusted you won't want to remove them. No they won't be like Coilovers but then again they are not 3K either.

The ride is compliant enough for everyday use. I don't even notice it lowered anymore but other people at the dealership when I brought it in for service asked me if I lowered it. They seem to notice it immediately. I think it is subtle.

Thanks again!

When I dropped down to 20"s from the OEM Style 215 21"s I felt like it looked like I had miniature little wheels on it. Its amazing how we now think 20"s look small.. just 10 years ago they were 'huge'.

That said I love the way it looks dropped .. but I'm paying the price with ride comfort and I'm not sure I can do it anymore. I'm hoping a happy medium will eliminate the goofy look with the smaller wheels I put on it, and still ride decent. I'm not a picky guy, and like I said.. I've been driving it this way for almost 2 years.. but it is getting a bit tiring now. Then again maybe I screwed up my suspension from driving it so low for the last 2 years.