Rear shock recommendations (self leveling)
 

I am going to replace my rear shocks.

Car is a 2011 x5d with 3rd row and self-leveling.
I tow a 5000-6000lbs trailer 8-10 times a year.

Why? Lately when towing it seems like I’m getting a bit more up/down motion in the rear. Plus I’ve got 125k miles on the vehicle, which seems like a reasonable lifespan for an OE shock. Car passes the bounce test, but that is not a valid test with the self-leveling rear suspension, and while I’m huggably chubby, I don’t think I weigh enough to do a bounce test with the trailer hooked up.

As you guys know, the OE replacement runs about $340 a side (list is >$400 a side). That’s more than the alloy double adjustable race shocks on my old SR!! No way...

I’m seeking recommendations and feedback from anyone who has tried the Bilstein B4 or B6 or another aftermarket shock.

Running H&R lowering springs with air in the rear and the B6s all the way around - absolutely LOVE them [emoji106]


Sent from my iPhone using Xoutpost.com

Thanks, I’ll go with Bilsteins

When I contacted bilstien last year they said only B4 will work in the rear if you have air

Rear shock recommendations (self leveling)
 

I can confirm that isn’t the case, running B6 on all forms corners, strut up front, bags in the rear. B4, per my understanding, is best suited for the adjustable air rides where you can set the car higher or lower with the interior control. I originally sourced mine from FCPEuro who could not deliver them, then went through Tire Rack... who also could not deliver them and then finally found them on the west coast through a friend of mine at Autozone.


https://www.pelicanparts.com/More_In...xoCK60QAvD_BwE

EDIT - let me double check that, I am am E53, you are an E70.... crap...

Sent from my iPhone using Xoutpost.com

And that is true, Bilstein sadly does not seem to make the B6 performance shocks for the rear of the D models with electronic or self leveling suspicion ☹️. My apologies, GREAT shock, but not available.

That said, I would still look at the available Bilstein options for your car as you won’t be disappointed [emoji106]


https://www.bilstein.com/us/en/produ...67661320485826



Sent from my iPhone using Xoutpost.com

That’s what I just found out too. It the B4’s should be better than stock shocks with 125k on them. The price is great $125/ea vs $350/ea for OEM).

I definitely agree with that [emoji106].


Sent from my iPhone using Xoutpost.com

I have a set of new condition Koni with the short rears for air that I'd sell cheap. I installed and then removed a few days later after figuring out how to make the longer (non-air) shocks work.

Koni makes rear shocks for E70’s with self leveling??

When I searched online, these never came up.
I only found koni’s For w/o rear air.

What are the PN’s?