Desporting!
 

Has anyone gone through the process of replacing the sport suspension components?

I picked up a 2005 3.0 Manual with sport package. I love the seats, shadow line, etc. but find the ride to be obnoxiously stiff on our lovely roads here in WI. With 120k, I figure the shocks are due replacement anyway so I am thinking about reverting to the 'non-sport' springs and stabilizer - that seems to be about it?

I wouldn't jump to the conclusion that you need to 'de-sport,' may just be dead shocks and other suspension problems [bushings, etc.]. Mine has the sport package, fresh tires, and 86k on the odometer and I find the ride smooth and BMW-like. That said, I don't know what all goes into S226A on the build sheet - "sports suspension settings"

I have a sport as well, I find the ride firm, but not super stiff. I wouldn't trade my sport package for anything.

qft.

I am shocked daily a vehicle as big as my X handles as well as it does.

I traded it for a fully modded 350Z that handled amazingly and am not exaggerating when I say the X handles well.

Interesting - I have driven just one other E53 that was a non-sport and I noticed a significantly less harsh ride - it reminded me of my previous E34 525, nice and firm/connected but not over-the-top. That one had around 100k and I would be 90% sure it was on original shocks. I find mine to be 'just right' on the highway but downright harsh on those frost-heaved Wisconsin local roads @ 35-50MPH. I have no doubt that my car suffers from worn shocks and my OE 255/55/18s are about shot but, at the risk of rebuilding current suspension to find it too stiff, I see little downside in switching to non-sport specs. Frankly, at ~4700lbs vs. 225HP on a car that will probably end it's service life in my teenage Daughter's hands, I am inclined to lean towards the comfort end of the spectrum.

Forgive my ignorance but, was the sport package and air-springs mutually exclusive? Do you have air springs on your 4.4?

There are sport air springs & non sport.

My 4.4 has the sport.

Got it - I have mechanical coil springs all around

When did you get your X?

I do not believe they were sold in the US without rear air.

I just picked mine up in December with 119k - it was originally delivered in Wisconsin. I did scurry under there and double-check that I do have actual springs. Haven't gotten too far into it but it seems V8s came standard with air - M54 came standard with Mechanical springs?