KW or H&R springs or Stock Suspension X5M

[SyL3nTFoRcE]

Hey guys,

Just got back form my trip to florida and of course the rear airbag goes out on me I know its only $300 and i already removed the old one but would it be worth it tgo get springs right now? or KW coilovers?

How are the springs on an X5M? i think i have adaptive drive and also self leveling sensors

How are KW with thew same as the top?

Any input will help alot. I really want to lower my car but i heard good and bad things about springs and KW are super expensive but if they are worth it i might get them.

[jcm3]

Not sure what you looking to accomplish. If you want to lower and have the best comfort go w the KW. If you want to lower on a budget get the H&R (just adjust the rears properly). Every setup retains the airbags so you still need to replace that.

[SyL3nTFoRcE]

Originally Posted by jcm3

Not sure what you looking to accomplish. If you want to lower and have the best comfort go w the KW. If you want to lower on a budget get the H&R (just adjust the rears properly). Every setup retains the airbags so you still need to replace that.

I honestly want to go for a lower look. Not to low since its still a SUV.

I thought when you buy H&R springs or Coilovers the Rear bags get replace by the springs?

[jcm3]

No the rear airbags stay w KW and any lowering kit if you have stock airbags

[SyL3nTFoRcE]

Originally Posted by jcm3

No the rear airbags stay w KW and any lowering kit if you have stock airbags

Thats good to know. One thing i should mention is i like the comfort of my car stock so I"m hoping i can keep that with the Springs but if not i might do KW

I didn't realize its just links in the rear. But I'm wondering how comfortable it is to have the springs. I heard some people say its good, some people say its horrible. Just wondering if people can put some input who have them as well

[deansbimmer]

Comfort levels are subjective to the owner. No drop, no matter how it's done will really equal the comfort of stock, and generally the lower you go the worse the ride becomes. KW with a conservative drop would be more comfortable than a spring/link drop. I preferred not to lose EDC function so I went with a 1.2 H&R drop which I thoroughly enjoy.

[BzsBimmer]

Originally Posted by deansbimmer

Comfort levels are subjective to the owner. No drop, no matter how it's done will really equal the comfort of stock, and generally the lower you go the worse the ride becomes. KW with a conservative drop would be more comfortable than a spring/link drop. I preferred not to lose EDC function so I went with a 1.2 H&R drop which I thoroughly enjoy.

Where'd you get the best deal on the KW setup? PM me if you need to. Thanks.

[deansbimmer]

Originally Posted by BzsBimmer

Where'd you get the best deal on the KW setup? PM me if you need to. Thanks.

You mean the H&R? I got it from Tirerack.

[m5james]

$3000 KW - If you track your truck on the weekends and/or don't mind adjusting it back and forth between comfort and performance based on how you drive
$500 H&R - EVERY day usable and performance settings at the push of a button when you keep EDC.

Unless you're one of those people who need the placebo in thinking that if you spend more that somehow that makes it better, then get the KW. If you'd like to get the same look and damn near the same performance, save your money by getting the H&R and use what's left over for a stage 2 tune and I promise you'll be a happy man.

I've taken mine to two Bimmerfest trips (Seattle, Hollywood, Vegas and back), daily driven (22's during spring, summer and fall then 20's during winter) and I have zero regrets on the 2" setup.

[pers785]

Originally Posted by m5james

$3000 KW - If you track your truck on the weekends and/or don't mind adjusting it back and forth between comfort and performance based on how you drive
$500 H&R - EVERY day usable and performance settings at the push of a button when you keep EDC.

Unless you're one of those people who need the placebo in thinking that if you spend more that somehow that makes it better, then get the KW. If you'd like to get the same look and damn near the same performance, save your money by getting the H&R and use what's left over for a stage 2 tune and I promise you'll be a happy man.

I've taken mine to two Bimmerfest trips (Seattle, Hollywood, Vegas and back), daily driven (22's during spring, summer and fall then 20's during winter) and I have zero regrets on the 2" setup.

So I am leaning towards the 2" setup. Did you have to do any extra adjustments to the rear links or did you set it up as H&R recommended?

[SyL3nTFoRcE]

Thank you all for your help, i think im decided on H&R springs i think i might start off with the 1.2 and if dont like the setup ill do the 2" drop

My biggest worry was if i was going to run into issues with EDC or any other thing like adaptive drive self leveling and what not. Its not as easy to lower these than i thought since it can mess up with some functions

[deansbimmer]

Coilovers will eliminate the function of the EDC system. Springs will not, and the self leveling function will be retained. I even tow with my X5 and the 1.2 drop. Works great.

[m5james]

Originally Posted by pers785

So I am leaning towards the 2" setup. Did you have to do any extra adjustments to the rear links or did you set it up as H&R recommended?

It took about a week to settle before I got it sitting just right in the front. The rear you wanna get just a little bit higher than the front and it rides perfect. Mind you this is a steep driveway and the rear doesn't sit that high currently. The collages above show how it sits for DD use.

[m5james]

Originally Posted by SyL3nTFoRcE

Thank you all for your help, i think im decided on H&R springs i think i might start off with the 1.2 and if dont like the setup ill do the 2" drop

My biggest worry was if i was going to run into issues with EDC or any other thing like adaptive drive self leveling and what not. Its not as easy to lower these than i thought since it can mess up with some functions

I'm running 22's 75% of the time and the gap is perfect. I'm no stance/slammed guy either, I just wanted a nice gap that's no more than a couple fingers at most. IMHO if you're still on 20's, just get the 2" as that'll still look good, won't look slammed but you'll be able to tell it's actually lowered.

This was super easy to lower. Replace front springs, replace the plastic arm with this little adjustable guy and that's all. All functions remain the same and far easier than KW.

[philly42]

Originally Posted by deansbimmer

Comfort levels are subjective to the owner. No drop, no matter how it's done will really equal the comfort of stock, and generally the lower you go the worse the ride becomes. KW with a conservative drop would be more comfortable than a spring/link drop. I preferred not to lose EDC function so I went with a 1.2 H&R drop which I thoroughly enjoy.

I didn't know H&R offered two different lowering options. I thought it was only 2" I may consider this for my first mod. Funny I thought it would take a while after getting the car before I would consider modding. LOL...not even a month

[BzsBimmer]

Yeah I'm trying to find the best price on the H&R 2" drop. Searching the forum for people trying to sell theirs isn't providing any good leads.

The vendor forum mainly is all about tunes, wheels, and down pipes.

[deansbimmer]

Originally Posted by BzsBimmer

Yeah I'm trying to find the best price on the H&R 2" drop.

Just buy it from Tire Rack. They're selling at 295 with free shipping. I couldn't beat that when I was shopping for my 1.2 setup. I doubt you could do any better than that, even if you wasted hours looking.

[BoostedNYC]

Originally Posted by m5james

I'm running 22's 75% of the time and the gap is perfect. I'm no stance/slammed guy either, I just wanted a nice gap that's no more than a couple fingers at most. IMHO if you're still on 20's, just get the 2" as that'll still look good, won't look slammed but you'll be able to tell it's actually lowered.

This was super easy to lower. Replace front springs, replace the plastic arm with this little adjustable guy and that's all. All functions remain the same and far easier than KW.

How's the ride? I been seeing a lot of people saying the 2" drop is bouncy.

[E70'11]

Originally Posted by BoostedNYC

How's the ride? I been seeing a lot of people saying the 2" drop is bouncy.

+1

I was curious about the samething, I like how the 2" is more favorable but I did hear the ride is fairly bouncy

[TheVazha]

Originally Posted by deansbimmer

Just buy it from Tire Rack. They're selling at 295 with free shipping. I couldn't beat that when I was shopping for my 1.2 setup. I doubt you could do any better than that, even if you wasted hours looking.

What he said.

But just for fun, get the 2" set up and run 22's. It looks unbelievable. Designate it as your weekend ride and you'll be fine.

[BzsBimmer]

Got the 2” drop. Adjusted the rears a few times but maybe because I’m on the stock 20”, I notice the fronts bottom out when on speed bumps and the sort.

Thinking of switching up to the 1.2” and see how it is.

The rears are pretty well adjusted and only really bounce when hitting large bumps and the beast is loaded with family.

[Teh.brandon]

Originally Posted by BzsBimmer

Got the 2” drop. Adjusted the rears a few times but maybe because I’m on the stock 20”, I notice the fronts bottom out when on speed bumps and the sort.

Thinking of switching up to the 1.2” and see how it is.

The rears are pretty well adjusted and only really bounce when hitting large bumps and the beast is loaded with family.

That's interesting...I recently installed the 2" and haven't had any issues with bottoming out