Help me decide on lowering
 

I need the help of my fellow enthusiasts......Should I lower my X and which option is better IYO. Eibach or H&R?

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Yes!!
 

thanks SilvX5
....the drop is the same approx. 1.25"?

Awesome Info....In Boston the roads are crappy...thanks

Has anyone used intrax lowering Springs?

1.5inch drop all the way around
http://www.drivewire.com/performance...gsprings.html#

Lower is better! Is this hard to do yourself?

H&R = Lower & better handling but harsher ride (significant bounce on hways)
Eibach = Only lowers by 1" and good handling but ride quality is very close to stock.

i'm in the market for a new setup as well..not sure what you mean by significant bounce on the highways when it sounds like the H&R springs are stiffer..?

I've tried both and currently have the Eibach since I couldn't stand the stiffer H&R Springs...

When I say bounce, the front end of the X5 literally bounces up and down slightly when driver over the ever slight imperfections on the highway... This is very noticeable at night when you'll notice the lights move...

ahh i see...so in your opinion eibach is the way to go? worth it?

For my needs, Eibach is the solution... I needed to lower the vehicle w/o sacrificing ride quality. Very worth it for my needs/requirement.

Choosing one over the other is really a question of what you want out of it. If you don't mind the harsher ride then H&R is the way to go...

This is VERY subjective. I have the H&R on my wife's X5 (we just got it to replace the X3). I found the ride to be far better then stock as I thought the stock was way to soft and mushy. We use the car to haul our 2 year old and on road trips and with the H&R's it is very stable at 100+ mph and is great around town.

I am sure that the Eibach's will work great, but if they are as soft as stock, then I personally would never want them.

Just remember, opinions on suspension are like opinions on a watch brand, a cigar or mens shoes - all subjective opinion. We have customers that come into the shop and say that one specific suspension is too soft, then the next customer says it is way too stiff! Your best bet is to get to a shop that can let you experience something. I can arrange anyone in SoCal to have a ride in my x5 with H&R.

Thanks
Brad @ evosport

I'd seriously recommend replacing shocks to something like this when lowering. Stock shocks are not meant to handle this job.

http://www.bilstein.com/mistore/ymm_...reYMM=storeYMM

Nice to see you here Brad!

And I totally agree that it's very subjective when it comes to suspension choices.

what's the normal round-a-bout price to have your suspension upgraded, including the needed equipment?

It was a DIY for me so I saved couple hundred... But bringing it to the shop would entail around 2-3hrs. labor for the front lowering springs + alignment.

OK....so lets say I decide to go with eibach.....What in all do I need to buy. Is the rear lowered with DIS or do I replace Front and rear shocks and springs? Please excuse my ignorance on this topic....

D

You have an '04 4.4 so I'm assuming you have the air suspension on the rear. For lowering, the basic thing to do is replace your front springs and have the dealer lower the rear air suspension via DIS. Next thing to do is have your alignment done.

The shocks is pretty much optional, I've read/heard several comments around this and IMHO no need to replace it. I have not done so myself...

Hope this helps.

Thanks, happy to be on the board!

I agree, no shocks needed on the 4.4 with air.

The H&R kit has rear arms for lowering, so you can use the DIS or Autologic (what we have) to further adjust, or just leave it.

Thanks
Brad

what if i want to lower it on a 4.4 without air suspension...

H&R has a kit, same price.

H&R - Sport Springs - BMW e53 X5 (All) w/ Air Ride Rear Susp Only, 2000 on - Fr 1.2" Rr 1.0" - 29378-1

H&R - Sport Springs - BMW e53 X5 (All) w/o Air Ride Rear Susp, 2000 on - Fr 1.2" Rr 1.0" - 29378-2

Thanks
Brad

Ok, guys.

if you decided to get Eibach springs,
please check this site,
I'm getting mine from there as well for $160.13 shipped. :thumbup:

and whats the average labor cost?

it depends, you should call around and find it.
for me, when I had H&R springs installed, it was around $200, front springs and end links swap.
however you won't swap the end links if you get Eibach springs, so I think it would be $200+ or less.