2" drop vs 1.2" drop X5M

[StatenEye]

Hey guys - Can we get some pics of the beast dropped in both variations please? Before and afters would be appreciated. Also if you could post a short review on ride quality that would also be appreciated. I'm guessing this thread will be helpful for many members.

I'm looking to throw the 21" Style 128s on the car in the near future but the truck is in desperate need of a drop!

Thanks

[radx5m]

subscribed

[JakeandhisX5m]

in it to win it

[Cattivo]

Originally Posted by StatenEye 535i

Hey guys - Can we get some pics of the beast dropped in both variations please? Before and afters would be appreciated. Also if you could post a short review on ride quality that would also be appreciated. I'm guessing this thread will be helpful for many members.

I'm looking to throw the 21" Style 128s on the car in the near future but the truck is in desperate need of a drop!

Thanks

I'm very interested in this as well

[windtendo]

From everything I've read, the 2" drop makes the X5 too bouncy and rough. If you want to go past 1.2" I'd recommend KW coilovers 100%

[gixxerboy63]

I have 1.2s and love them as they ride every bit as good as OEM, but allows the car to stiffen up a little more in the turns which also exhibits less body roll. I think the 2.0s gives up more in terma of comfort because of even less suspension travel and also has the tendency to bottom out more quickly.

Waiting for some 2.0 owners to chime in for verification.

[fourpointeight]

I was waiting for someone to post up good comparison pics but i guess these will have to do.
My cousins 08 x5 4.8 executive pkg. In space grey is dropped on the H&R 2" drop
My 08 4.8 sport premium tech pkg is on 1.2" H&R drop

He no longer has his as he traded in for a 13' 650xi gran coupe but i have been a passenger and driver of both so this is my best comparisson review.

He had his 2 years before i got mine and i used to love sitting in it, everything felt sooo nice and i was always in aww, especially driving at night with the panoramic shade open. I never realized how stiff his suspension was because 90% of the time it was highway driving. Ocassionally we'd hit a pothole or sunken sewer gate and it would send a shock through ur head but the handling and how firm and planted it felt with the 315 tires felt amazing.
2 years later i purchased mine and the first mod i did was lowering on 1.2" because his ride height was substancially different compared to my stock when side to side. ( pic attached)
The dampening and suspension travel on mine is better and softer but still sends thise teeth jarring moments every once in a while. I still brace myself when i see a pothole that i cant avoid.... "cringing"
Sometimes i still wish i would have got the 2" drop for the look and the handling. If i dont go with KWs i will definitly be going Bilstein sport shocks paired with 2" H&Rs.
Overall, if you're willing to sacrifice comfort for stability then i personally would go 2".
1.2 rides similar to stock with a drop that should have come factory. On anything smaller than a v8 1.2" might be too little as on the v8 and diesels the drop is 1.5-1.7"
With the 2" for lighter 6 cylinders i dont feel you'd have a problem and even really notice the difference compared to a 1.2" on a v8. But the drop on a v8 and diesel with the 2" goes really close to 2.5"
But the 2" has a much stiffer spring rate to make up for the shorter suspension travel and i feel like they'd both bottom out on very similar potholes and most people who claim 2.0 is too much never have really tested it first hand. Ive driven 335s with much much stiffer suspension, any car with a drop in general are really really stiff and bottom out.
Anyways thats my thought on the 2. If you cant justify the KWs and a 1.2" makes you think you want lower and u can handle it being really firm then go for it.
2" u can fit 2 fingers in the wheel gap in front, 1.2" you can fit 4.
The rear on both are air and adjustable. When u go with a drop on air suspension you always want a little rake (rear is higher than the front) this prevents the bouncing everyone complains about.

[Toneaero]

Dropped mine 2" via H&R. I didn't like it at first because of the harsh ride but can't deny how great it looks dropped. Every regular height x5 makes me cringe now. LOL

Highway cracks and bumps here in MN does shake things up but its the price you pay for a lowered SUV on 20" or larger wheels.

Would I do it again? Yes, but spend the money on some proper kW. Two reasons why I didnt do kW initially is because it eliminates the EDC option and that it also costs 10 times as much.

[fourpointeight]

Originally Posted by Toneaero

Dropped mine 2" via H&R. I didn't like it at first because of the harsh ride but can't deny how great it looks dropped. Every regular height x5 makes me cringe now. LOL

Highway cracks and bumps here in MN does shake things up but its the price you pay for a lowered SUV on 20" or larger wheels.

Would I do it again? Yes, but spend the money on some proper kW. Two reasons why I didnt do kW initially is because it eliminates the EDC option and that it also costs 10 times as much.

LOVE THE RIDE HEIGHT

[RustyX5M]

Originally Posted by Toneaero

Dropped mine 2" via H&R. I didn't like it at first because of the harsh ride but can't deny how great it looks dropped. Every regular height x5 makes me cringe now. LOL

Highway cracks and bumps here in MN does shake things up but its the price you pay for a lowered SUV on 20" or larger wheels.

Would I do it again? Yes, but spend the money on some proper kW. Two reasons why I didnt do kW initially is because it eliminates the EDC option and that it also costs 10 times as much.

With the 2" drop do you have issues with the front bumper hitting parking block/curbs?

(theoretically, and assuming X5M front bumper)

[Toneaero]

Originally Posted by RustyX5M

With the 2" drop do you have issues with the front bumper hitting parking block/curbs?

(theoretically, and assuming X5M front bumper)

Unfortunately,yes. Luckily it was a very minor scrape on the front from a sidewalk to learn my lesson that it's no longer SUV height.

[StatenEye]

Originally Posted by fourpointeight

I was waiting for someone to post up good comparison pics but i guess these will have to do....

Great post man, thanks for taking the time. Much Appreciated.

[StatenEye]

Originally Posted by Toneaero

Dropped mine 2" via H&R. I didn't like it at first because of the harsh ride but can't deny how great it looks dropped. Every regular height x5 makes me cringe now. LOL

Highway cracks and bumps here in MN does shake things up but its the price you pay for a lowered SUV on 20" or larger wheels.

Would I do it again? Yes, but spend the money on some proper kW. Two reasons why I didnt do kW initially is because it eliminates the EDC option and that it also costs 10 times as much.

Gorgeous stance

[RustyX5M]

Originally Posted by Toneaero

Unfortunately,yes. Luckily it was a very minor scrape on the front from a sidewalk to learn my lesson that it's no longer SUV height.

Damn... One of the main reasons I haven't pulled the trigger yet.

Wondering if a 1.2" drop would have issues....

... Bueller?

[gixxerboy63]

Originally Posted by RustyX5M

Damn... One of the main reasons I haven't pulled the trigger yet.

Wondering if a 1.2" drop would have issues....

... Bueller?

Really no issues at all with 1.2 other than a more planted feel and less body roll in the corners.

[Cattivo]

Originally Posted by Toneaero

Dropped mine 2" via H&R. I didn't like it at first because of the harsh ride but can't deny how great it looks dropped. Every regular height x5 makes me cringe now. LOL

Highway cracks and bumps here in MN does shake things up but its the price you pay for a lowered SUV on 20" or larger wheels.

Would I do it again? Yes, but spend the money on some proper kW. Two reasons why I didnt do kW initially is because it eliminates the EDC option and that it also costs 10 times as much.

That looks sick bro! i think I'm gonna give the 2'' a try and if it gets too bouncy i'll get some KW's

[Christopher06]

When I had my e70 I also had to make a choice I went with the 1.2 H&R because most people said its just to bouncy with the 2.0 drop and I wanted it to feel almost OEM and Im glad I went for the 1.2 because the 1.2 was bouncy sometimes (Boston roads suck) and I just could not imagine how the 2.0 would be.But as most have said the 2.0 is for looks the 1.2 with my 22s summer or my winter 18s was just right for me

[StatenEye]

Originally Posted by Toneaero

Dropped mine 2" via H&R. I didn't like it at first because of the harsh ride but can't deny how great it looks dropped. Every regular height x5 makes me cringe now. LOL

Highway cracks and bumps here in MN does shake things up but its the price you pay for a lowered SUV on 20" or larger wheels.

Would I do it again? Yes, but spend the money on some proper kW. Two reasons why I didnt do kW initially is because it eliminates the EDC option and that it also costs 10 times as much.

According to this thread, increasing the links from 65mm to 67mm drastically improved ride quality. Is the a measure you have already taken?

http://www.xbimmers.com/forums/showt...=775997&page=3

particularly this post..
http://www.xbimmers.com/forums/showp...0&postcount=54

[fourpointeight]

Yes, it makes a huge difference in how "bouncy" the ride is. Adjusted mine 3 times to find where it was the most comfortable for me.

Honestly the 2" drop isnt as bad as you think. If thats the only thing holding you back i say just do it.
The look and sportiness are totally worth it and if it was really that bad there wouldnt be people with the 2" drop still on their X5s.
If you order the 2" and dont like the firmness i'll swap my 1.2" with you and i'll cover shipping. But im 99% sure u wont want to unless you're super anal about the stiffness.

[Phatcat]

Mine with KW. [IMG][/IMG]

[makisupa]

Has anyone bagged their e70? I can't recall any photos or even a real discussion about it. I don't think anyone makes a kit, but I know Airlift has a universal kit. That potentially could get the drop you want with out sacrificing on ride comfort.

[Kerrazy]

Hey FourPointeight, I may install 2" soon, If too "bouncy I may take you up on that offer of trades for your 1.2" ""

I am in Calgary so not far....lets keep in touch !