Shocks Choices and Part Numbers
 

Hey everyone

So I have searched and searched and everything has ended up pointless.

What I have:
2003 4.6is with sport suspension and auto leveling in the rear. The front shocks are blown.

My Choices:

1) BMW Shocks - $550 a shock
2) Bilstein B4 (L -22-119278, R - 22-119278) - $400 for a pair
3) Bilstein B6 (L - 35-107422, R - 35-107439) - $735 (all 4 rear - 24-107440)
4) KYB Excel-G (L - 335925, R - 335924) - $220 a shock
5) Monroe OESpectrum (L - 72340, R - 72339) - $220 a shock

Now I have read that Bilstein shocks are too harsh. I have not been able to track down if it is the B4's or the B6's that are too much so please can someone shed some light on this once and for all.

Thanks you in advance for your replies.

I have blistein hd's and I love them. I don't find them to harsh at all.

Thanks for the reply.

Anyone else have an opinion?

I just replaced with OEM shocks / struts along with control arms, bushings, tie rods etc. drives like new at 93k miles.

So I have asked this question before and am still in search of rear shocks for my 05 4.4 (sports suspension) with rear self leveling. I currently purchased the H&R lowering spring set (with rear links) and HD Bils struts for the front and will install them when I replace both front axle assemblies.

I would like to replace the rear shocks as well but don't want to replace them with OEM/touring shocks. Anyone knows where I can get a set of performance shocks for the rears for a reasonable price? I contacted these guys (Schmiedmann - Styling/Tuning/Spare parts for BMW - New parts) but they stated they did not carry the shocks for my X.

At this point I'm starting to think that there are no rear performance shocks for X5's with the sport suspension/self leveling . . . possibly because it is not necessary due to the self leveling - it'll adjust according to type of driving? Should I just replace the rears with OEM or OEM type shocks? Ifso, any recommendation on vendors? I purchased the suspension components listed in the first paragraph from tire rack - best prices I've seen so far.

Thanks.

I put Bilstein HD on front and love them. Just like oe sport feel. Mine is 4.4 with sport package. Rear is air self level so I have not replaced those shocks yet.

Hoaesq, what did you end up doing? I'm about to buy the H&R spring set myself, and was thinking about going with stock shocks all around. I hear the Bilstein HD's are too stiff and I live in New York where the roads are awful.

Does anyone have feedback about going with stock shocks and a 1.2 inch drop? All the aftermarket options say that the shocks are not applicable with air ride suspension. I don't want to mix and match front and rear shocks and it'll be much cheaper to just swap springs.

Also, for anyone with the H&R springs, how much does it actually lower the car? Is it 1.2 inches as they claim? Do I need to program the rear at all or do the links do the trick alone?

Thanks!

fi the bilstein is anything like what they make for the e39 5 series, i wouldnt recommend them. They raised the front of the car and they are only compliant on smooth pavement.

I'd get the KYB.

jcorreanyc,

I have since sold my X . . . sad . . . and I miss the darn thing. Still looking for the right X5M and now leaning towards a 911 Turbo. I've digress . . .

It's all preference. I purchased my H&R lowering kit from the Tire Rack as well as the HD Bils front struts. They sat in my garage for a few months when I was looking for the rears. If you look at the Bilstein catalog or anywhere else that sells them, the information you'll get for the rear shocks states that they do not fit the rear air suspension. It's a catalog error. I don't recall the part number but if you search for hoaesq, you'll probably find a post where I provide the correct info.

Back to your question: "Is it too firm - with the lowered H&R and HD Bils." Initially, they were firmer than I expected but that was fine with me. The darn thing killed the corners and looked much better than stock height without the "slammed" look. I was initially worried about "slamming" the ride but it actually was tasteful. Once the struts and shocks were "broken in", the ride was a bit firmer than the stock sport ride. Some of the roads out here in the bay area are crap as well but I didn't mind as I was not agreesive in driving over certain roads. I think it is well worth the trade off. After all, it's not that hard to replace the struts and shocks. I think it took me a few hours from start to finish without any help.

When I sold teh X, the guy that bought it love the height and how smooth and well the X5 handles for a 7-8 year old SAV. I think that was the big seller . . . in addition to me taking care of it.


PM me and I can send you pics.


Best of luck.

I have the HD and I find them a bitt too stiff. I'm going back to stock with sport struts & my H&R's. Its a heavy mofo the X, depends on what you like.

I have the H&R lowering kit for rear air which is the two front springs and height sensor links. I tried the Bilstein HDs and took them off. The ride was too harsh. I could have lived with that but the X was skittish, darted around the lane, felt like a handful all the time, was not even comfortable to passengers. In the rain it slowed me down and kept me on full alert. I went back to OEM struts and shocks. FYI- The Bilstein setup was with Eibach sway bars that contributed to the resulting handling.

The front drop was closer to 1.5. I don't recall if the links for the rear were enough, I think they were. I replaced then with metal adjustable links. I also added spacers which dropped it a little more because of the geometry and added to the new look.

@bcredliner, tell me about these adjustable rear links! Where did you get them? How do they work exactly? How much of a range do you have with them?

Thanks to everyone for the great info. I think I'm just going to put H&R's on my stock struts and shocks. Why spend an extra $700 on shocks to just make the ride worse? I just hope I don't destroy my stock struts by bottoming them out on potholes... We'll see.

Purchased the links a few years ago and don't remember the source but they look similar to the following link: BMW x5 Air Suspension lowering Links Module Rear Links Only | eBay

The links I have will drop the rear a little more than 1/2in. more than the links that come with the H&R kit. I don't have them set at the minimum because I want the front a little lower than the rear.

The suspension has not bottomed out and I have stock struts.

I replaced the front struts and sway bar links just this weekend. Wasn't an overly difficult DIY project; I rented the spring compressors from Autozone and had added help from my new electric impact wrench I got on sale at Harbor Freight. I went with Sachs Touring 290 240/ 290 239 and during my test drive my front end is firmed up and drives noticeably smoother on the road. I was overdue for new struts/shocks. I replaced by rear shocks with Sachs this past summer. I also replaced the strut mounts, both front and rear. Currently FCP Euro has the Sachs front struts for $183 each.

The problem is that BMW made several different struts and shocks for the E53, all depending on the options the X came with (sport suspension, air suspension). They all look the same and fit the same but I'm assuming they are tuned or valved differently. Now you see Sachs, Bilstein and Monroe making replacement struts/shocks with just one part number for all. How can this be? Some websites that sell the Sachs shocks say that they are not for use with the sport package. For my 4.6is, I don't think I would go with anything but OEM BMW struts. I would love to find a cheaper alternative, I just can't make sense out it.

There are several websites that offer OE or OEM BMW X5 4.6 struts or shocks that cost much less than purchasing at the dealer.

I have a 4.6 which as you know has only rear air. I have tried aftermarket shocks and struts. I am extremely happy with the suspension package I now have. It is lowered using H&R kit, has 18mm Velocity spacers, Eibach sway bars front/rear, camber plates, strut tower brace and still on 87 rims but with Continental DWS contact extreme contact tires. After trying both an aftermarket HD and standard offering I went back to OEM struts and shocks.

There are several websites that offer OE or OEM BMW X5 4.6 struts or shocks that cost much less than purchasing at the dealer.

I have a 4.6 which as you know has only rear air. I have tried aftermarket shocks and struts. I am extremely happy with the suspension package I now have. It is lowered using H&R kit, has 18mm Velocity spacers, Eibach sway bars front/rear, camber plates, strut tower brace and still on 87 rims but with Continental DWS contact extreme contact tires. After trying both an aftermarket HD and standard offering I went back to OEM struts and shocks.