Lowering a E53 X5

[rs53kao]

Hi, i am just in the process of buying a 2004 X5 3.0 petrol with self leveling rear suspension. Does anyone have any experience with lowering them? If i use lowering springs on the front does the rear just level itself? Thanks

[Silent1]

why do you want to lower an SUV, if you want something that can corner get a normal car, if you want it to look 'pimped', i think you may be in the wrong place

[Chris71]

I did read this right .....you knowingly bought a car that sits a yard off the ground and now you want to lower it?

Might I suggest it won't be as good for scaling Andean peaks or fording the Amazon after that? Your ability to blast across sub Saharan Africa or compete on the Camel rally may be severly reduced.

[bullrunner]

Book your car into your local BMW Stealer, THEY WILL CHARGE YOU ONE HOURS LABOUR to plug into their computer and adjust the settings for the air suspension....they can make it go as low as you want but usually you wouldnt want more than a couple of inches.....

[rassi]

bullrunner said:

Book your car into your local BMW Stealer, THEY WILL CHARGE YOU ONE HOURS LABOUR to plug into their computer and adjust the settings for the air suspension....they can make it go as low as you want but usually you wouldnt want more than a couple of inches.....

Does the previous model X5 have air suspension as standard? Apart from the 4.8, thought it was only self-levelling rear air "springs" but conventional up front?

Edited by rassi on Thursday 28th June 14:49

[bullrunner]

My old 4.4 sport had rear air suspension and the BM Stealer had no issue doing the job...although it was done as a favour as i knew one of the technicians....

[freddies_dad]

Right - I'm only asking because I'm curious not that I want to do it - but what net effect does this have on the car? Just looks or does it change anything else?

To be honest, if I had the choice to "pimp" my X5... the first would be to improve the brakes and the second would be to get more power. Can either be done on a 4.4i Sport?

[shadowninja]

freddies_dad said:

To be honest, if I had the choice to "pimp" my X5... the first would be to improve the brakes and the second would be to get more power. Can either be done on a 4.4i Sport?

Which isn't really pimping it. If one lowered the X5, put better brakes and improved the power, then surely a 4wd estate of some sort would have been a better option. Speaking of which, those M5 estates look nice.

Anyway, lowering the car would lower the CofG which would make for less jelly-like handling (something that always makes me chuckle when 4x4 drivers take corners too quickly as if they're driving a normal car - think dramatic lurching).

Edited by shadowninja on Thursday 28th June 17:16

[bullrunner]

It will tighten up the handling however it will give you a harsher ride as less rebound.....Mine had 23" wheels and the ride was shall we say not the best but it would stick to the road pretty well and eliminated most of the body roll....I had a carbon airbox / induction kit on it but it hammered the fuel consumption.....

[rs53kao]

The reason i want to lower the X5 is purely for looks as i want to fit the 4.8is 20" alloys. The "face lift" 2003/4 on X5 has self leveling Air rear suspension only with the front being conventional springs. We have just sold our E46 M3 convertible as this was no longer a practical car with a 3 year old and the imminent birth of number 2. As for the first two responses my mate had a 4.6is X5 and that would keep up with my M3 on the straights and wasn't far behind through the twisty bits but maybe BMW were wrong to lower them.

[largerandrock]

Buy a ACS suspension kit think there about £1200-£1300 but if your messing about with suspension on such a big car/4x4 its worth spending the money cos you dont want to end up upside down!.