Switch from sport suspension to "normal"
 

Hi everybody!

I was wondering if anybody has changed their sport suspension (struts, at least) with the "normal" one.

I drive a 2004 X3 3.0 w/sport package and I must admit that I regret getting the sport package for the kind of use I make to the X3. It is great on (good) highways, but UNBEARABLE on stone-paved mountain roads.

I just wish I knew better, but I think I still can put the "normal" struts on. Has anybody done it?
Any suggestions for other aftermarket suspension (not sport...) are welcome.

Any suggestions welcome!

Most aftermarket suspension will use even higher springer rates than what you've got now. Change the shocks and springs together and you should be fine. It should be a direct swap.

Thnx for the reply!

Doing a web search I found the following:

- KONI do not have a strut for the X3

- Bilstein has VNE-C360, VNE-C361 and BNE-C362. They are all B4 Gas struts, intended for OEM replacement parts. They also have sports struts which are of no interest to me.

The springs are the same for the standard and the sp pkg versions. Why should they be replaced? Tirerack have some spring replacement suggestions, but they are all for lowering and sports handling...

If you ask around enough, you could get lucky and find a local enthusiast who would do an even swap with you from a non-sport X3...

I'm pretty sure the non-sport springs are of lower rates. Just check with a BMW recycling center and buy the complete strut assembly- shocks with springs. That way you'll be guaranteed a smoother ride, you'll know it's from a non-sport.

http://www.bmrparts.com/

The differences between sport and non-sport are the struts and the sway bars.

I have been thinking quite a bit about this dilemma for 04 Sport owners. I am going to suggest some things that MIGHT possibly help your ride quality:

1. Switch to a lighter weight 17" wheel and touring all season tire (although that last step will cost you grip and braking effectiveness)

2. Do a big brake upgrade using lighter //M floating rotors and aluminum calipers

3. Go to a smaller sway bar

4. Use a higher grade strut like the Bilsteins.

My thoughts on items 1 and 2 are that if you reduce unsprung weight you should improve ride quality. As to item 3, this should minimize the impact of bumps that are not taken straight on, but it will also diminish handling. Finally item 4 should just help because Bilstein seems to make a better product (this is just anecdotal) than OEM.

Just some thoughts...

One more suggestion: go to a softer sidewall tire.

On our 04 NON sport we changed the OEM Bridgestones
to Yokohama YK520’s for a noticeably smoother ride!!

We did lose a small amount of performance
HOWEVER my butt meter thinks that under most conditions other than a manicured race course the YK520’s will OUT perform the turanzas due to the fact that they will be in contact with the road and not bouncing around

ab

Great info,

Thanks everybody!

I'm thinking of getting one with a sport package. Can you tell me the con's of the sport package? How much off-roading or what kind of traveling do you do?

Well, driving on good highways, the X3 is great and it even beats lots of sports cars (in the lass of th MB sportscoupe, BMW32x, and that kind), especially when not driven by competent enough drivers. I can turn on closed highway curves doing 180-200 km/h and feeling perfectly safe...

BUT as soon as you get on badly-paved (even city) roads, damaged with "holes" and everything, then you should be prepard for a very unpleasant ride. I never actually do hard off roading. On the snow, using Dunlops Wintersport M3, it is great too. On country/mountain roads with lots of stones, however, it is practically unbearable. Although the car CAN go uphill, it is so tiring and unpleasant that you actually feel the pain.

One cant have it all, right?