Fluid Motor Union Lift kit installed PICS!!
 

After reading in Performance BMW mag last November, i think, I emailed the company and cost pricing and a ton of questions answered with regards to how much of a lift, how easy it would be to install, etc. I was impressed by what they'd done to the over all look of the X5. Some of you might think it's over the top but very purpose built while I decided I just wanted a little more ground clearance to go with my oversized winter tires. Since I really only drive my X5 in the winter, I thought it would be a nice upgrade while replacing old struts. Here's a photo of their project X5.
http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r...x520lifted.jpg
http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r...UY/liftkit.jpg
http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r...GUY/Struts.jpg
http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r...UY/spacers.jpg
The install very actually quite easy. Everything went into place as I hoped it would. To install the rear spacers above the airbags, we removed the tire, unhooked the airline, pulled the airbag out, clipped the spacer in place and slid the whole works back into the hole and bolted it in place. We didn't have to drop the rear subframe or anything which was a huge relief. I was concerned I'd need a wheel alignment or have to do some adjusting on the shock towers in the front but we bolted everything back to where it had been before and all is well.
Before picture
http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r...Y/IMG_0765.jpg
After picture
http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r...Y/IMG_2793.jpg
I also added 20mm spacers on the back end to give it a little wider stance which I was able to feel actually while cornering which was nice!!!
The ride is firm and feels good in corners. The struts only allow for a certain amount of give before they feel like they push back so cornering feel great too.
My next project will be fabricating a custom exhaust system with the muffler parallel to the bumper and with the exhaust tip coming out the trailer hitch opening similar to what Fluid Motor Union did but that will have to wait till spring when I have my summer car back on the road.

I saw the whole build on S|W, look awesome!

Nice, how much of a lift 40mm, 50?

How do you like the Bilsteins on the front? I need to change the fronts on my 03 and I am still undecided on which brand to use for replacement.

It was a 2" lift which is 50mm and you won't go wrong with the Bilsteins. I was quoted $477 each from BMW on OEM struts and the Bilsteins were $320 each at the tuner shop I frequent. That's a huge saving for me personally and they feel awesome. I'll be putting those into my E36 M3 this summer I hope.

Where you are I don't blame you for wanting more ground clearance.

Nice. Looks good!

When I saw the X5 jacked up parked on top of a 5 series I thought WOW awesome. I'll kick some ass this winter. We've had a patheticly warm winter with such little snow it's pains me to say that it was kind of a waste but with it being plus degrees and dry streets, I'll still take that any day over minus 30c and worrying about other idiots on the road not being able to control their own shit. LOL
Springs almost here and I can start working on my car. I bought a Dinan supercharger for it as well as a bunch of carbon fiber parts that will go nicely with what I"ve already done to it so either way, I'll take it as it comes. The daylight hours are already getting so much longer and it's good to see spring on it's way.

I think you have posted here before about the tire size but I can't remember now, what size are those?

Fluid Motor Union is legit! I use these guys exclusively for my maintenance/tuning. Great people, reasonable prices and an awesome facility. I highly recommend if you are near the Chicagoland area.

I am very much interested in this! I would love to have a small lift like this to help when I take the X off-road towing my ATV. The X5 might not have a low range gear but with X-drive locking up the diffs and with proper tires, I would be able to go anywhere I need to go here in Florida. Do you think I can order the spacers through Fluid Motor Union?

I would try calling, visiting their website or FB page: https://www.facebook.com/FluidMotorUnion. I am sure you can order some spacers through them.