Good info Weasel!

How do you think the OE sport package shocks on a 4.4i would compare to a 4.6is?

Just checked, 01 4.4i sport suspension rear shock is the same as 4.6is. And apparently I didn't scroll down enough, the sport suspension struts are all the same as well. The 4.4i with sport suspension has the same struts as the 4.6is...

So basically if you have standard suspension you can use sport suspension struts and springs to upgrade yourself.

NOTE: Do not buy/use HD Bilstein shocks for the X's if you're not going to lower her.It is very
rough and harsh ride.

Any you may also need to replace the rear stabilizer bar and rubber mountings with sports suspension setting version, which is 1.5mm thicker.

I just rolled 190K - you think it is time to replace my original shocks/ struts?? :D

You can do it at anytime to upgrade you suspension setting to sports suspension setting (S226A). Remeber to replace your front shocks, rear shocks, rear air spings and rear stabilizer bar including rubber mountings. Then your X will become sports suspension seetings. You can find the right parts at realoem.com. Remember to carry out chasis alighment after complete the job.

Interesting Bilstein discussion. I'd put Bilstein HD's on my wife's Explorer and had to take them out after 1,000 miles they were so bad. Way too much rebound for the stock suspension. But I'd put HD's on a previous Tahoe and they were fantastic. And the HD's in my 911 were way too soft.

FWIW, Bilstein will revalve any of their shocks and struts. I send my 911 shocks and struts to them every year to be rebuilt and revalved any time I make suspension mods. Every time I go stiffer on the torsion bars, or now converting to coilovers, I give them the compression and rebound specs I want and they set the valving up the way I want. And it's a pretty darn good bargain too- about $100 per shock.

I may make a call to Ramone at Bilstein Motorsport and see if he knows the factory specs on the HD's for our X5's. Then maybe we can figure out how to revalve to smoothe them out a bit. I suspect that like a lot of the HD's, the valving is too stiff on compression and too soft on rebound which makes it feel like on every bump it has way too stiff a spring and nothing to control the body going back up after hitting a dip in the road. Very typical of the HD, since it's typically used in conjunction with a lower/stiffer coil spring.

From what I understand, the sport suspension on the E53 is way too bouncy and firm.

Bilstein makes a shock that is not their HD and should be close to the sachs OEM. MrBMW apparently put it on his car & likes it.

Not to me. Too firm or too soft is just a matter of personal preference.

I think that they are all HD for the X5. MrBMW has the HD's for the front and rear, care to confirm? (I think its Tom)