How to ruin an x5
 

1) remove air suspension and install coils:
http://i708.photobucket.com/albums/w...224_143011.jpg

step 2: Don't be satisfied with the low that the coils provide so install these:
http://i708.photobucket.com/albums/w...411_140816.jpg

make it even more sketchy and remove a locking perch:
http://i708.photobucket.com/albums/w...504_133146.jpg

this is how much i ruined it so far:
http://i708.photobucket.com/albums/w...504_161034.jpg

ADDED BONUS!!! blow out axles all the time!

WILL ADD PICS WITH WHEELS SOON!!



will upload a pic of it ruined with cool wheels soon...

If you wanted to go that low you could have just disconnected the air pump and let it sit on the bump stops.

Also what coilovers are those?

Still has a good amount of suspension travel, besides tires hitting the inner fenders... They are BC Racing struts, with swift springs 14k/11k I think thats the spring rate i kind of forgot. swift helper springs at 2k.

Happy with the ride?

What was the reason for the helper springs?

ride is stiff but the it feels much more responsive and planted to the ground. I was able to adjust the droop with them for an extra inch of low. If you look at the picture of the coils, the rear are threaded down as far as possible (low as they are designed to go). If i put a helper spring i was able to let the suspension "droop" and get it lower.

this video explains it very well!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=spicmpMnu70

Looks awesome. Im wanting to drop also. But air might be out of my price range.
Saw ur album. Nice rims...nice dish... BBS?

I'm not sure where you're going with all the "ruined" remarks. I'm not trying to go so low that i rub, but close to what you're doing while running completely different wheels.

If you wanted something that low you should have looked for a 5 Series Touring AKA Wagon

I'm just joking around. I said that because the huge loss of performance when going this low. When going up driveways the car 3 wheels and looses traction. You have to be extremely careful when on the highway to avoid anything to Bottom out out on. It's fun and an attention grabber, that's why I did it and still working to get it lower

I am confused... :dunno:

Is it stiff and planted to the ground or is it huge loss of performance??

If it is stiff and planted to the ground, i can see doing this mod, if it is the other way around, they can't see this as a mod that gained some function...

:dunno:

Very stiff and planted to the ground= harsh ride. You feel every bump in your in back. Having to keep your eyes peeled for any holes in the street gets annoying. It has its pros and cons. The cons seem to outweigh the pros. Cv joints are constantly breaking etc. Burning through tires. Don't get me wrong I still love the car it's just a different beasts now.

I think tbh going that low with this particular kit will hugely stiffen it up as there will be very little travel in the dampers. Great for highway/motorway and smooth bends. But I think maybe a little crashy?

The KW's in the pics in the 4.8is thread show mine at the minimum drop and for me it's spot on for handling and looks without being unroadworthy that getting up driveways you end up 3 wheeling.

That's just my opinion of course.

So, with such a loss of performance and compromised ride, is it worth it? I understand the looks of it but maybe a different air ride system, that gives a slightly lowered look while in motion, and you can drop it to the ground while parked? Thus, you will retain ride comfort and safety, and at the same time stay low to the ground for the looks... Just trying to figure out if it is possible to have the cake (low ride) and eat it at the same time (no sacrifice the ride quality)...

I think, X5SND has done something to that effect, even though I am not sure that is how he is using his ride...

Oh yea thought about a different air system. Definitely doable. My original plans were not go this low, but things changed. It's just a because kind of thing now. I'm exaggerating about the performance loss, but it is still noticeable but not as bad as I make it seem

This is how mine sits on KW V3's.

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y15...pscda590aa.jpg

That's at minimum drop so can wind them down a lot further BUT I don't think going lower is practical. Handling is superb and no issues with driveability.

Damnnn... the way i push mine i definetly want that BBK rajb. On my down the road list.

Here are couple of pick of two E53s - I just took these a few moments ago, both cars are parked outside, one is stock 2004 4.4 and the other one is stock 2006 4.8. The 4.8 is in the "ACCESS" mode on the full air ride.

The Access mode can be programmed to be a bit lower, for the looks...

Favourite mod for sure.

personally I NEVER understood the advantage to lowering an SUV or Pick-up truck.
removing the advantage of height and the vehicles look foolish when done so.
If a person wants a lowered vehicle, why not buy a car and lower it?
SUV/trucks are meant as utility vehicles and for bad road conditions, no? Yes they may have performance in them to a degree, but they are still not meant to be lowered as this changes everything about them.

I think mine is about as low as RajB's, lowered 1" through coding using the stock system.

Quite a few things clockwork...

For me its bigger cabin space, sitting higher up (different feel) - but your still in a lowered car, and having a "big body" car.

2. No one expects an SUV to perform like some can, our 4.8 is really fast for what it is, and ive changed some stuff in mine that improved all the numbers tenfold.

Its pretty funny when some dude in there v8 challenger ("american muscle") or something trys to get on it with you on the freeway and you are passing him at 120 lol.

3. Factory air suspension and height adjustment, which is why i wanted the 4.8is in the first place.

4. The look of the car, personally i love the look of e53's, especially the rear spaced out and fat tires, just doesnt look like any of the other suvs/cars on the road, definetly stands out.


Thats just a few things i have off the top of the head.

Oh yeah can fit up your wheel wells and space it out nicely for an aggressive look and have it lowered without breaking your oil pan, and constantly scraping shit like sedans/coupes.

:iagree:

Or if people want a monster car why jackup a sportscar?

http://www.donks.net/wordpress/wp-co...s/Donk_Car.jpg

I am sure i read the X5 is just a 5 series on stilts..correct?

Just lowered my X5 another half inch lol :)

The later 530 xi is a btter car then a X5.

To quote a review of the 530 and a X5

There's no great mystery as to why we prefer wagons over SUVs. Here's how the 530xi wagon stacks up against a six-cylinder X5: It weighs 630 fewer pounds, scores better fuel economy, beats it to 60 mph by a half-second, stops from 70 mph to 0 in 11 fewer feet, has better grip around the skidpad, and hauls more cargo with the second-row seats in place.

info? i've tried searching...perhaps my wording sucks..PM me if so

this image is going to haunt me forever!!!!!:wow::wow::wow::wow::rofl:

Using DIS to fool the computer into lowering the suspension. You need to have 2-axles air suspension system equipped on your E53.
http://www.xoutpost.com/593725-post81.html

http://i708.photobucket.com/albums/w...507_162743.jpg

:)

OMFG! That looks awesome! Veeery nice! Those wheels and that height works great together.

Thank you still much work to be done though

What size are the wheels in the pics

20x10.5 et 38. 315 35 20 tires

Get some more pics

I don't know how anyone would find ruining a car like this or any car in general ''cool'' or ''enjoyable''.