i just replaced my struts with Sachs all around because with most of my searching I found that the bilsteins were harsh and I have rear self leveling which they aren't compatible with. I wanted the sports but the Sach's cost about 60% less. I got front and rear eibach sway bars for $350 from autoanything.com around x-mas time. they were offering a 15% discount plus free shipping and on top of that eibach was offering 10% rebate on purchases before Dec 31st. With the sway bars and my H&R springs I figured it would handle like a jack rabbit regardless of the struts. It doesn't ride as smooth as I thought it would so I'm a little disappointed but I guess I can attribute it to the poly bushing on the sways. Overall the sway bars make it handle much better.

Any one know if there are any thicker sway bar end links out there? I read on a thread about someone installing adjustable ones but I can't find anything anywhere.

go with the stock swaybar bushings drilled out to size. hd's are set for sporty driving. little bumpy but less rebound. plus you can get the adjustable spring perch. x5girl had the thread with the adjustable endlinks. getting these x's to handle how we want can take time after deviating from the norm specs

I'm afraid you are suffering from a mismatch on components and I can assure you, the poly bushes will make no difference to the ride quality or harshness.

I would say you have a problem with the springs, dampers or both. I have urethane bushes also in the rear subframe and the front thrust arms and have no extra harshness through the car.

Suspension kits need developing with all components working together and buying mix-n-match is just asking for trouble, thats why PhoenixMotorsport spent so much time developing a kit in stages, all of which compliment the other.

My car has been featured now in 3 seperate publications and in all cases, the handling has been raved over. I suppose you get what you pay for but IMHO, if you are not seeing an improvement, everything you have spent was a waste!

X5Girl

Just seen what I 99% thought was your car featured in this weeks Autocar magazine. Article claims it has belonged to MD of Phoenix Motorsport since 2005- Mag ownership claims aside I thought you sourced around 2008.

Not the best article & doesn't do your car justice IMO.

Engine all good if they averaged 23mpg over 500 miles & pressing on. Is it running a standard map or maybe a middle of the road one that slightly improves performance & MPG, (totally understand if you don't want to discuss same on forums) ?

They messed up with the data lists - shown as 320 HP 6-speed car.

Having it alongside CR-V is IMO comical....I have driven a few CRV's including that engine & similar spec - CRV very over rated , (IMO RAV4 far more dynamic than CRV in the bends).

Article titled " DEALS OF THE DECADE " gives impression it is not a comparison test & clearly you cant compare yours to the CRV or for that matter the MX-5 & Focus ST170. Yet the article declares a "Winner" in the Focus...The Ford is a decent enough car but I can't see the logic in comparing these different cars against one another.

Criticisms are of article & not you or your car.

If it's not your car in the mag then please accept apologies for any misunderstanding.

Always nice to see mag articles on E53 & I have read others with interest too.

Just a quick FYI:
I read a report of a test conducted some years ago pitting all the then current 4X4 vehicles against a ski-ramp. Only two managed to climb the ramp and make it safely back down again. One was the Toyota 4Runner and the other was the X5. Even the LR Discovery failed!
So I would not discount the X's abilities by too much.

Gerry,

Curious to know what size the Phoenix sway bar sizes are compared to Eibach? Also the springs you used was matched with the stock sturt correct? How much lower did the springs offer? 30mm?

Thanks

D'oh... can't believe I didn't realise sooner ! Every post by X5girl mentions phoenix. I've seen Gerry's car and it looks damned similar to X5girl's car ;)

I've also met Gerry and he sure as hell is not a girl !!

I'm afraid X5Girl (Kerry) moved on just over a year and a half ago and now the car is mine, thats why she no longer posts and I have been replying to any direct queries.

I am in Camberley whereas she was in Reading. I developed the stuff on her car when I was seriously ill and got lifts everywhere in exchange, mainly to and from hospital.

Being disabled put too much strain on our relationship so she "grazed in other pastures" whilst I was in Intensive Care.

$hit happens.

Gerry.

To straighten the facts, I have been disabled for 5 years and she had the car about 2 years. It also has 20" wheels. 303 bhp, auto transmission.

Sorry to hear that, sure it wasn't the easiest times. If you'd like I'm sure the admins wouldn't mind changing the screen name for you. (if you don't want to be "X5girl" but want to keep posting under the same account)

Not too bothered about being on the forum as I am highly active on the 8-Series boards but I am always here to help you guys with techno-info if you ever need it.

8Tech.