I'm assuming you will need to buy a 2.5" top perch to re-use our stock strut bearing mounts. Something like this...

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/aa...4171/overview/

http://static.summitracing.com/globa...LL64171_ml.jpg

Sam (my mechanic) didn't even have time to check as he was doing the job Saturday along with a ton of other stuff. He said to bring it back and he would screw with it but at first glance I think D-Unit might be right that you need the perch from Summit or something similar.

Make's sense. Let us know if you go that route i'm curious to hear your opinion.

On my BMW e23 7 series, I had to create my own custom coilover since they don't offer anything for that car. Anyways, here's a picture of that same top perch being used with the stock "guide support." I am sure same principal applies to the x5.

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e3...ps7cf02739.jpg

Since the 4.8is has stock air bags in the front, I think if we wanted to get rid of the BC front camber plates, we would also need to buy the stock guide supports from a non-air e53.

Here's a diagram from a 2005 4.4i with non-airbags. You would need (2) #1s (31306779604). I am surprised the price is actually pretty reasonable. Although you lose the adjustability of the camber plates, the stock guide supports should be quiet and more comfortable.

http://realoem.com/bmw/diagrams/y/e/60.png

ECSTuning ($42 each for Lemforder)
Search SiteSearch 31306779604 - 31306779604 - Front Strut Mount - Priced Each - ES#2569885
http://c1552172.r72.cf0.rackcdn.com/395680_x600.jpg

http://c1552172.r72.cf0.rackcdn.com/395649_x600.jpg

^Thats what I was looking for, Olek that should give you the quietness of stock you are looking for.

Looking to install these next weekend. Any helpful hints or what order I should proceed?

Install is pretty straight forward, the only advice I have is I had someone measuring all 4 corners (edge of the front and rear bumpers where they meet the body) to make sure it sat level with me in it, then I adjusted the height repeatedly until it was level, lowered the way I wanted and then got my alignment done.

Before you started the install, did you first have to unplug the compressor in the trunk? How do I deflate all the air bags before I remove them?

:stickpoke

I unplugged the power, deflated them and then just left them that way. I've yet to make new adjustment arms for the self levelling sensors.

I ordered from the same link that was posted, but did not receive any free adjusters. Did you guys have to specifically request them?

Yes. I compared prices between a few places, told them I was doing so and they offered free rear adjusters, which you'll need. I cut small holes in the rear panels and they poke through the panels.