kW coilover install?
 

Anyone ever install a set of kW coil overs on a 4.6is? Is there anything special when swapping out the rear air shocks? Or a diy?

I've done a few sets to the 4.8is but is in essence the same.

You just need the rear upper spring perch from BM. If you have full air suspension then you need a few more bits for the fronts too.

I'm selling a set of KW's if you are looking for a set.

What are you looking to get for them?

Was thinking if about $1500 plus shipping. Shipping could be expensive to the States but could come to an agreement over the combined cost.

I lik the Price!!! paypal payments welcome?:stickpoke

I've been bitten before with PayPal and shipping items overseas and people doing chargebacks etc once they have the item. Prefer bank transfer but I can possibly get this done through CA Automotive here in the UK so you would in essence be buying them from CA Automotive. How does that sound? I'd have to enquire if it's possible.

Here's some pics etc of my fitting of the KWs to my own 4.8is:

So onto the coilovers.

This is how the OSF looked to start with with a blown airbag:
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y15...5/DSC_0017.jpg

The old setup:
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y15...DSC_0025-1.jpg

And finally removed:
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y15...DSC_0026-1.jpg

Always nice when you get a present to open:
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y15...5/DSC_0032.jpg

This is some serious kit. Fully adjustable, Height/Compression/Rebound:
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y15...5/DSC_0036.jpg

Old with the new:
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y15...5/DSC_0038.jpg

Front installed:
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y15...5/DSC_0041.jpg

Now, onto the rear:
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y15...5/DSC_0043.jpg

The rear airbag once removed:
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y15...5/DSC_0042.jpg

The rear adjustable spring perch:
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y15...5/DSC_0044.jpg

All in and replaced:
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y15...5/DSC_0045.jpg


After a decent clean this is how the X looks (finally air suspension free):
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y15...5/DSC_0058.jpg

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y15...DSC_0059-1.jpg

May not look very low but it will settle further and tbh it is a a 4x4 at the end of the day.

It's basically sat where the lower air suspension setting would be, which is fine by me.

Last job now is to get the air suspension coded out.

^ looks good. Do you have a part list of everything you needed to fit you. 4.8 is?

1500 is a heck of a deal. New cost is more than double that

Yeah I could find the part numbers and provide them.

Yeah I could provide the part numbers.

Raj how's the ride quality compared to the air suspension? Is it improved, diminished or the same? Any increased handling or braking characteristics? Thanks in advance, awesome looking x5 with Alpina rims as well.

The ride is very much improved. You lose all the sofa like qualities of the air suspension. The KWs provide a firmer but not crashy ride and offers a more sure footed feel. You can carry more speed through the bends etc. Under braking the nose doesn't dip as much as previously too.

Overall very pleased with not having air suspension.

did you have to disconnect any air lines or deactivate the air compressors when you did this install?

this is my plan if/when my air suspension gives me any problems.

I removed the air compressor, small air canisters, accumulator and valve block. Plus the fuses in the rear quarter panel for the compressor etc. I left just the actual air lines running throughout as that was a little more hassle to remove them.

You can however, just remove the fuses in the rear and leave everything in the X as you just want the compressor kicking in trying to feed air to the bags that have been removed.

Also by selling my air pump and other components I actually made quite a bit of money back towards the cost of the KW's etc. eBay'd everything and got something like $1400 back.

Only thing that remains is the control module itself as it is required for the other systems (4x4, DSC, etc).

That doesn't sound too bad at all. Thanks for the information.

Let us know if you figure out how to code the x5 after removing the air suspension to get rid of the error lights


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Already done buddy using the scanner 1.4.0 software ;)

I decided not to install the E53 X5 KW Coilover v3. if anyone is interested in buying a brand new set let me know

How much?

$2000 US obo plus shipping. Brand new in the box.

Slick, why are you not installing them?

Am I the only person who would LOVE a bit more ride height? Especially in snow.

hell of a deal slick, i sent you a PM. let me know if you can ship to the US.

Ran into some financial issues, need some cash.

Slick, sorry to hear. Good luck. I hope it all turns out better.

You can get a set of BC Racing coilovers for $995, there's a thread about them on the site.

Slickdaddy, Sent you a pm about your parts for sale.

Jeff

Any chance getting the required parts numbers for a 4.8is too? To be honest, I'm not sure what else I would need if I purchased the BC coilovers.

Probably. But I'm used to driving a lowered E30 through the snow, and before that a really low A4. My X5 has too much ground clearance in my opinion.

In these two pictures is it set at the highest setting by any chance or is there more room to dial up height?

^^. That's Great deal for a new set!

Under dealer cost.

Isn't the warranty non transferable? So I wouldn't expect to get any sort of service from KW after buying them second hand, although new.

While true, you're also not likely to get dealer cost on them. MAP pricing on the V3s is $2799.99.

On top of that, find out how long you get to wait to get them when KW is out of shelf stock. Currently they have 1 set in stock.

Hi.

when fitting KW V3's you need the following parts:

01 Guide support 31306779604
03 Plate 31331096068
04 Self-locking hex nut 31106774714
05 Protection cap 31331090616
06 UPPER SPRING POCKET W/AXIAL CAGE BEARING 31331090612
07 SPRING PAD UPPER 31331091233
08 Support 31336780245
09 Additional damper (bump stop) 31336751594

Taken from the following link: RealOEM.com * BMW E53 X5 3.0i GUIDE SUPPORT/SPRING PAD/ATTACHING PARTS

Rears you do not require any additional parts as I believe the BC's have the rear spring round the damper body like the front setup. For the KW's you need the upper spring perch.

But I believe the BC's come with the upper spring perch etc so you may not need no7. Until you get the coilovers or someone can chime in with what comes with them I'm just guessing at the upper spring perch.

In all fairness that was fairly close to max height. There really wasn't much higher you can go from there.

RajB Knows BMWs!!! Thanks again RajB for all of your very helpful info. :bow::bow: