Ride quality is down...
 

So the ride quality of my 2007 X5 4.8 sport has been degrading over time. Lots of noises from front suspension when going over bumps or driving on rough pavement. So far i have replaced the sway bar end links and the car got a bit quieter but i still get occasional clunking noise.

What else to replace in order to enhance the ride quality to near stock :)..

Cheers!!

Sent from my SM-G955U using Xoutpost.com mobile app

Do you have Adaptive Drive?

Some other things to replace are the strut top hats and related parts, lower control arms and tension rods (I think that’s what they’re called... the other lower control arms).

I do have adaptive drive. There is a sport button but it doesn't really do anything!!

Sent from my SM-G955U using Xoutpost.com mobile app

That’s my observation on the button as well on my 08 48i, but I think the car drives and handles superbly either way. I’ve also dealt with some clunks, lower suspension arms were my culprit. I’ve started ordering all my parts through FCP because of their lifetime warranty and how these cars chew through suspension parts. I think my strut bearings are giving it up now, have a little chatter over bumps from that area.

This?
Attachment 75765

Sent from my SM-G955U using Xoutpost.com mobile app

I’ve replaced parts 5 & 10 from the link below due to clunking. Had a #5 fail twice but the interval suggested it may have been a defective part. On a separate note; do you have any rear camber issues? That’s just started to manifest on mine, I think it’s the upper arms but have yet to dive into it.

RealOEM.com - Online BMW Parts Catalog

What kind of issues?

Sent from my SM-G955U using Xoutpost.com mobile app

Excessive inner tire wear. Camber can’t be adjusted to within spec, much less my preferred tolerances. Susp components look fine, but the lean is increasingly obvious to the naked eye.

Did you replace the entire arms? I am thinking maybe replace just the bushings using a press tool. Way cheaper.

Sent from my SM-G955U using Xoutpost.com mobile app

Pretty much every bmw has that. Its pretty obvious when you look straight at the rear of the car. I think its done on purpose for better handling. Yes i did get uneven wear on my old set in the rear. I didnt notice it until it was too late. I had to buy a new set of tires and since i learned a lesson, i have been rotating my tires every 4000 miles and getting alignment once a year. So far so good. Wear is pretty even since i also see excessive outer wear on the fronts :) so evens out...

Sent from my SM-G955U using Xoutpost.com mobile app

That’s true, but yes I did. Some folks aren’t fans of pressing new fittings into these arms, but for me it was just about making it easier. If you’re going to pull it off and service one bush I’d go ahead and do all fittings on each arm.

Yes I’ve had BMWs for years. They eat tires on a good day and do have suspension set up for handling and not necessarily tire wear. But this is excessively bad. Unfortunately my wheel/tire setup can’t be rotated, but I do get regular alignments. That along with tires that where destroyed only on inner edge was what tipped me off!

1. Lower control arm bushings are a MAINTENANCE item on modern BMWs. Expseically on the E70.

2. Replace @60-100k, if early (i.e. 60k) I would just do the bush. Every OTHER replacement, put in a new arm. If 100k+ just do the arm.

3. See my signature on Bimmerfest for alignment advice. DOnt assume a car is "aligned" becuase a shop gives you a print out showing 'all green'

Rockauto carries the UltraPower brand and it's much less than genuine BMW. Any idea on quality?

Sent from my SM-G955U using Xoutpost.com mobile app

IMO rock auto is just crap. No-name parts, just asian/indian/3rd world stuff that gets an english label.


I buy suspension parts from FCPeuro. Lemforder seems a decent alternative to OE.


Although if you are just doing bushes, that is only like $75 per (? havent looked in a long time) TRW and lemforder are listed as OEMs. $120ish per side, for the whole arm

Oh, if you do DIY... make sure to do the torquing under full suspension compression. It matters, the twist of the bush if you torque t with the wheels up in the air, when it compresses they will fail really quickly...

thanks for the tip!