OFFICIAL: Modified Suspension & Wheel Database
 

I've been thinking of doing this for a while and hope other participate.

As of late I've seen more and more people refreshing their suspension and replacing the factory components with various aftermarket products available to us for our e53s. I couldn't get much information about my BC's when I considered them for my Lemans and there wasn't much more when I purchased them recently for my Tiag two years later. I thought this might be a nice resource for people considering upgrading their suspension to have one place where they can find information. I'm not looking for only lowered X's as I've even seen people purchase the FMU kit to raise them. Whatever it may be (lowered with spring/shock combo, factory air/links, aftermarket air, coilovers, etc) post it here following the below template. I know some people are secretive about wheel specs which I understand so share as you wish.

Feel free to share just wheel specs as well if you are on standard suspension.

Car: 2006 4.8iS
Suspension: STANDARD spring rate BC coilover's with extended rear dampening adjusters. Stock sway bars. No strut bar.
Additional Components at time of install: All front arms, links, ball joints, and tie rod assemblies.
Wheels: Titanium Rohana RF2 20x10ET40 20x11ET25 (Actual offset is ET0 with a 25mm spacer).
Tires: 275/40/20 315/35/20 Continental DWS
Review: I've been on these coilovers for almost two months and love the ride. I hated the stock ride (even at stock height) of the air suspension in the e53. I set the bump points with my BC's (took apart the body, set where I wanted the travel to be, and adjusted the actual body of the coilover) to allow relatively low daily ride height considering the aggressiveness of the wheels. It BARELY rubs on really hard dips and handle's like its on rails. Ride comfort on sh*tty Boston roads is great. The only thing I don't like is the chunkiness' caused by the front camber plates on bumps. A sacrifice worth making in my opinion.
Pictures:
https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5776/...422a2647_b.jpg

https://farm1.staticflickr.com/571/2...1163352e_b.jpg

https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5815/...142220a2_b.jpg

What do you mean by this? How do you think your your current setup would feel minus the camber plates?

Great idea for a thread by the way.

The X5 looks tits man.

I think it would "feel" the same but be less noisy. Those pillow ball style mounts always clunk more for some reason. The car is TIGHT it just makes quite a bit of noise at slow speeds going over bumps.

Hopefully more people can share their setups.

Thanks man. Appreciate it.

Car: 2006 Dinan 4.8iS
Suspension: Stock. Lowered 1" using DIS. Dinan front strut bar.
All arms, links, ball joints, and tie rod assemblies from Meyle.
Wheels: HRE 648R 20x9.5 +31 Front, 20x10.5 +36 Rear
Tires: 275/40/20 315/35/20 Bridgestone Dueler
Review: No different from stock.
Pictures:
http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/n...psaa3d777b.png

http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/n...ps6c0c11e1.png

Nice 525 looking good now.

Car: 2006 4.8is

Suspension: Factory Air-Ride, front Arnott air struts, suspension refreshed in front Poly bushings in thrust arms.

Wheels: STR 10.5" all around

Tires: Front 275/40/20 Michelin Diamaris Rear 315/35/20 Delinte D8 Desert Storm

Review: Alot more planted then stock, higher rebound feel on certain dips, but whats causing that feeling is it returns to settled just as quick.

Pictures:
http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/07...4fb1b0b92b.jpg

http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/07...84d9feec53.jpg

Just a note, if you guys could add offsets as well that would be a great reference.

I'm running Bc coilovers too but have zero noise up front from the camber plates. I had the original 4.8is air suspension, and to be honest, I couldn't believe how harsh it rode.

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

My previous 4.8iS

Car: 2004 4.8iS
Suspension: Factory Air lowered with GT1 and controlled by Intrax lowering module (discontinued) which allowed you to keep car in lowest setting at any speed.
Additional Components at time of install: Front thrust arms and links
Wheels: Factory Style 168 with 30mm in back.
Tires: 275/40/20 315/35/20 Michelins (don't remember model)
Review: I was not a fan of this ride. The car would EXTREMELY harsh over bumps and potholes and was overall to stiff. It handled well but pretty much felt as if you were riding on bump stops
Pictures:
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7326/8...0e09b48c_b.jpg

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7368/8...e0b437eb_b.jpg

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7455/8...db427b3c_b.jpg

:drool:

we need some more pics in here...

Gents with BC coils, you're saying that BC coils at a lower stance still rides better than stock air suspension at stock height?! I"M SOLD! lol

I would be really surprised that a coil over suspension would deliver a better ride than an factory height air suspension. This is a highly subjective evaluation. Coil over may handle better in the twisties but ride comfort? Highly unlikely ..

BC Coilovers rides better.....maybe because his old Air suspension wasn't functioning correctly?..........I think?:dunno:

At stock height on the air ride vs lowered on the BCs id be hard pressed to say its a better ride especially on bumpy roads. Air will glide more over it IMO. Im not sure if BCs come with different spring rates if they do and you have a softer version and dampener settings set really soft then maybe.

I think one of the major things that have to happen here is the person considering the change to coil overs ought to ride in members vehicle to determine if the set-up is delivering a rid suitable for that person. I have been in a number of coil over equipped vehicles and it really depends on springs and dampening to make a difference. For instance a number of my fellow enthusiasts have coil over on their E39M5 and one of three that I rode in rode really nice like a factory setup but with better handling. The other two were stiff like a go kart and there is no way I would be able to live with that set-up on daily basis. The difference between the E39M5 with coil overs that I liked vs the other two simply was the spring rates and dampers/dampening set-up. With regards to the E53 if the air suspension system is functioning correctly and dampening as designed then the ride is acceptable to many. Many of todays cross overs and SUVs use full air suspensions to achieve a balanced ride and load control. So these systems have their merit but when they begin to age and fail then the nightmare sets in. If the air suspension in the E53 is failing, you do not want to waste time chasing the problems and you want a reliable alternative then perhaps the coil over is the way to go. Its a set it and forget it system.

Bc coilovers
 

I'm on bc coilovers since shortly after I bought the x5. Susp inactive would come on at highway speeds with the air.
Bc coilovers handle very well.
My opinion is i like them better than the stock hight and springs.
My dampening is mid to hard considering I'm low and I don't want body roll and tires to rub fenders.

I'm on stock 18 inch wheels with nice mud and snow tires. Old bushings and stock sway bars. No strut bar.
Iv gone offroad plenty of times since. Including mud, snow, dirt roads rain and all. Handles excellent! If I go offroad I adjust dampening to soft to absorb the bumps.

Oh I have a e39 m5 with bilstein pss coilovers without dampening control. I think it's perfect in terms of ride comfort.

I do wish there was someone closer to me that has a e53 and coils on so I can feel the difference.

I'm due for front air bag replacement as my front right seems to sag about an inch over a few nights. My rears are brand new. I'm right at that $ threshold where it'll cost me 600-1000 for refurb or new arnotts or just do bc coils and code out the EHC2. price doesn't seem that much off. I don't mess with my height very much on my x5 so I don't mind the "set it and forget it" If a lowered stance with BC coils ride around the same as stock height airs, I'd consider it.

I didn't have any issues with my factory stuff (as TMV) can testify since he bought the fronts. I replaced it because, despite being a neat feature, I hated the ride quality.

Anyone in the Boston area thats wants a ride in a coiled truck feel free to get in touch with me.

Its so Ironic that you mentioned a E39 M5 with the bilstein pss coilovers as the one you like. This is the one that I liked between the three that I have ridden in. I believe my friend had ordered his set from Turner Motorsports.

i ordered my through tirerack. If there were a set of bilstein pss for the x5 i'd totally jump on it. I've done Ksport coilovers during my highschool years.. thats like +10 yrs ago. those were grueling. I was sick one time and coughed so hard I pulled an ab muscle. The ksports were so rough and bumpy that driving on the freeway was very painful. Are there any forum members with the KW's that would like to chime in?

Car: 2006 4.4i sport
Suspension: STANDARD spring rate BC BR coilovers. Stock sway bars. No strut bar. Lowered 3"
Wheels: OEM style 168, 9.5/10.5 x20 with 15mm spacers F/R
Review: pending further mileage

Pictures:

http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i3...psztgodpnp.jpg

http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i3...psnywpwwom.jpg

very true, and one would need to eliminate all the variables that go into ride quality to truly compare apples to apples (spring rates, wheel diameter, tire construction, psi, etc). However, in my brief experience, the BC BR coilovers I just installed with standard spring rates and dampers at the softest rebound adjustment, the ride is very compliant. Almost too much. As for handling in the twisties.....that's another thing altogether. I didn't really buy the X5 to carve up twisties......only to look cool taking my daughter to dance practice LOL

Yeah even my daughter loves the look of my X5 4.6is.