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  1. #1
    Join Date
    May 2018
    Location
    Hillsboro, OR, USA
    Posts
    9
    My Cars
    2003 E39, 2006 E46 & E53

    Suspension Upgrade Selection for 2006 BMW X5 3.0i (E53)

    Hello and Good Day to All,

    Can I ask for help?

    I am stuck on making a decision which way to go for upgrading suspension system on 2006 BMW X5 3.0i (E53).
    I am soliciting the BMW Community for recommendations on which option listed below is best for my application.
    I have read through a few "threads" both on "Xoutpost" and "Bimmerforums" for suggestions and advice.
    However, I could not find definitive recommendations for the X5 3.0i.
    Most of the threads focused on the 4.4i or 4.6is or 4.8is with equipped rear air suspension.

    Some prefer KW coilovers, others prefer BC Racing coilovers and the rest swear by ST coilovers.
    Then there's the debate between Coilovers versus lowering springs and traditional Shock/Strut.

    I could use some help, please, to figure out which way to go.
    Below is a profile of who I am, my X5, and my questions.

    Thank you in advance.


    BACKGROUND:
    I am hesitant to go with Bilstein B6 Performance Cup kit with H&R Sport Springs on the X5 (E53).
    See option 2 below.

    REASON: I used the Bilstein B8 Performance Shock/Strut Cup Kit from ecstuning.com on the
    525i (E39) and hate the harsh ride. The B8 for the E39 is matched with H&R Sport Springs
    LINK: https://www.ecstuning.com/b-assemble...t/35-114079kt/

    Don't get me wrong, my 525i (E39) drives great on smooth roads, but when the road is uneven, I can
    feel the bumpiness of the road. Drives me crazy ... I do not what my X5 feeling the same.






    Who I AM:
    Driving Style: Spirited (I want my BMW to respond when I demand it)
    Car Function: Daily Drive, occasional Interstate travel, go-to vehicle for inclement weather
    Track: NO (however, maybe one day in the lifetime of this SAV, if an opportunity to track presents itself, I will seriously consider it)
    Street: Everyday

    What I Want:
    Adjust height of the X5 to improve handling and cornering by lowering the center of gravity
    Improve aesthetics of the car (turn a few heads)
    Picture below is the current state. Tissue box to give perspective of the gap.
    I want to go low by at least 2 inches, those tissue boxes are about 4 ~ 5 inches

    full.jpg


    Questions:
    1. Coilover or Traditional Shock/Strut with Lowering Springs
    (I am hesitant to go with traditional shock/strut/lowering spring, but please convince me otherwise)
    (What am I not considering with traditional shock/strut option)

    2. If recommendation is to go with Coilovers, which coilover to choose. Why?


    Options Researched:

    Option One:
    I-20 BC Racing BR Series True Coilover Suspension Kit – E53 X5
    Price: $995
    Features:
    9k Front and 12k Rear Spring Rates
    Linear Front and Rear Springs
    2 inch minimum and 3+ inches of total potential drop


    Option Two:
    KW Coilover Kit – Variant 3 (V3) – E53 X5
    Price: $2464.99
    Features:
    Individually Adjustable rebound and compression damping
    Individually height-adjustable, 35 – 65mm, Front and Rear
    Individually height-adjustable, 1.4 inch – 2.5inch, Front and Rear


    Option Three:
    Bilstein B6 Performance Shock & Strut Set – E53 X5
    H&R Sport Spring Conversion Kit – Front & Rear – E53 X5
    Price: $794.28 + $444.45 = $1238.73
    Features:
    Heavy Duty (HD) Shock and Strut set
    H&R Sport Springs lowering height of 1.2 inch to 1.5 inch



    THANK YOU IN ADVANCE
    Attached Images Attached Images
    Last edited by shogun; 10-13-2018 at 04:37 AM. Reason: double posts merged

  2. #2
    Join Date
    May 2018
    Location
    Hillsboro, OR, USA
    Posts
    9
    My Cars
    2003 E39, 2006 E46 & E53
    After agonizing back and forth: I decided to bite the bullet and go with option one below: 8k Rear Spring Rate
    The only difference between the I-76 and I-20 is the rear spring rate, and since I don't track the X5, the 12k Rear Spring rate is not what I need.

    Option One:
    I-76 BC Racing BR Series True Coilover Suspension Kit – E53 X5
    Price: $995
    Features:
    9k Front and 8k Rear Spring Rates
    Linear Front and Rear Springs
    2 inch minimum and 3+ inches of total potential drop

    Option Two:
    I-20 BC Racing BR Series True Coilover Suspension Kit – E53 X5
    Price: $995
    Features:
    9k Front and 12k Rear Spring Rates
    Linear Front and Rear Springs
    2 inch minimum and 3+ inches of total potential drop
    Last edited by shogun; 10-13-2018 at 04:35 AM. Reason: double posts merged

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Nov 2018
    Location
    Taiwan
    Posts
    1
    My Cars
    2013 BMW X6M
    Hello, great car, why did you drop out KW V3 option?

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Mar 2001
    Location
    STR, MUC, LHR
    Posts
    25,294
    My Cars
    I love turbos!
    Sorry to chime in late, but I think you made a good choice. I have the Bilstein/H&R kit on my 04 X5 3.0. It is great on smooth roads, but on crappy roads, it gets bouncy. The drop does look good, though. lol

    X5Style 467.jpg
    Last edited by The Beastmaster; 11-04-2018 at 07:18 PM.

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Feb 2007
    Location
    Sanger
    Posts
    2
    My Cars
    318is
    Quote Originally Posted by The Beastmaster View Post
    Sorry to chime in late, but I think you made a good choice. I have the Bilstein/H&R kit on my 04 X5 3.0. It is great on smooth roads, but on crappy roads, it gets bouncy. The drop does look good, though. lol

    X5Style 467.jpg
    What size and style are these wheels?

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Mar 2001
    Location
    STR, MUC, LHR
    Posts
    25,294
    My Cars
    I love turbos!
    Sorry for the late reply. 19" Style 467.

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