Question about lowering
 

What is the best setup to lower my 2005 X5 4.4i sport. I don't want to change the ride quality. I want the same ride as the sport. What are the best springs to use, and should I change the struts also?

I never got a response, and I have searched all over the forum can some one shed some light?

I used the H&R lowering parts for my '04 4.4. Front springs and rear links for the rear air suspension. Ride quality is only slightly firmer than before around town and tracks better on the highway.

My concern is using the stock shocks and struts, with H&R of Eibach springs. Would it be a better ride going with bilstien shocks/strut and lowering springs. Also will the OEM shocks hold up with the H&R or the Eibach springs?

I used H&R for front spring and the back I took truck to dealer and is perfect my ride is the same.

I've used mine for a year this way, including quite a few thousand miles towing my race car trailer cross country. Stock shocks have held up fine so far. When it comes time to replace the shocks then I'll do Bilsteins.

I just dropped her with KW coilovers!!

Take a read into this thread...

http://www.xoutpost.com/x5-e53-forum/...ls-delete.html

RR:thumbup:

What springs will be best for rid quality I am going with 22" tires and the tires are 295/30/22 thanks for all the replies keep them coming!

I used H&R up front and my adjustable endlinks for the rear air suspension ,Product plug. I never felt a differance from stock with that set-up. I also had 22" rims on my 4.4i. Email me for info on the endlinks.

Silver 5, first great looking X5 you had! Thanks for the info but I don't have air suspension in the back. So I am thinking of the H&R over the Eibach? What do you guys think? Remember I am looking for the smoothest ride not the best performance.

LOL!! KW COILOVERS!

RR:thumbup:

How do I know if I have air ride suspension?

look behind your rear wheels if you see springs then you don't if you see Black color air bag then you do. There is other ways but I found that to be the simplist.:dunno:

3.0i is usually steel spring, 4.4i, 4.6i, 4.8i is at least rear air. Since you have the 4.4i, you're going to have the air suspension in the rear.

Ok i figured out I have air suspension in the rear. So do I just need the front springs? I have been looking and if that is the case, why are the spring kits the same price. I have a friend that can lower the rear with the progman. Also has anyone heard of the Vogtland springs? How is the ride compared to H&R?

No, you need front springs and rear links that are either shorter than the OE links or are adjustable. Need to trick the self leveling system into lowering the rear to equal the amount of the front. The H&R system is a pair of front coils and a pair of adjustable rear links.

I don't believe the factory software can lower the car as much as is necessary, though I don't know that for sure. And be careful what springs you choose for the front if you have your friend lower the rear. Lowering the air bags in back only slightly stiffens the rear (accomplished by the fact that lowering the air bags adds a bit or overlap on the bags which will firm it up modestly). If you get a front spring that's too stiff compared with the rear, you will end up with an X5 that has a lot of understeer and will have twitchy steering response.

The adjustable links are a great option simply because they can always be adjusted. But yes the dealer equiptment cam change the ride height as well. It is an easy task as long as the tech knows what to do.

TowX thank for the info. Now I am a little cautious about using the the software to lower the X. Need to be sure of what springs and rear set up I am going to use. I have been looking at the VOGTLAND brand springs, all the specs look good. Also need to know how they compare to H&R.