Strutmonkey SM100 kit installed with pics.

[SJTrance]

I have a 2013 X5 with 86K miles and recently started to notice that the truck was wallowing over bumps and a bit scary on the highway when going through big dips. I figured that it was time to refresh the suspension but also to lower it modestly. I didn’t want a jarring ride as I live around the NYC area and this is mainly a family vehicle. I heard about Strutmonkey from a family member who installed a factory refresh kit with the stock springs. I got everything installed at a local shop for a great price. Since all of this comes pre assembled, it l cut down on the labor required.

The ride is butter soft at slow speed potholes. You can feel a slight bit increased stiffness. When driving and cornering with a bit more enthusiasm, the body roll is reduced and it feels like I have more traction. It sort of feels lighter. I love the look with a slightly raked drop towards the front. It is a mildly aggressive stance without looking slammed. I couldn’t be happier.

[ryansbmw]

Looks nice. Keep us updated on how the Bilsteins perform. I had them in the past on my E39 and I kept developing a "clunk" and they needed to be replaced.

It looks like they make some nice kits. Ill need to inquire about the Koni Special Active kit they have.

BTW, is that Jersey City in the background? If it is, I used to live around the corner from there. Fun area.

[SJTrance]

Yes, this is JC. I like it here a lot. Good food, nice parks and good walk-ability. This SM100 kit is the stock Sachs shocks/struts with Eibach springs. The Bilsteins would have been considerably stiffer which I didn’t want on these roads. The Eibach springs are a very moderate drop at around 1.5” front and 1” in the rear. Finally got to do some more aggressive cornering and they handle very well.

The Bilsteins come with a lifetime warranty, right? Did you use that warranty to replace your previous set? How was that process? I had Bilsteins on my older E36 328i with the H&R Sport springs and they were great. Handled like it was on rails; especially on track.

Edit: oh I think we chatted before. You have the green X5 with the sports activity package, right. I’ve seen your X5 in the area. We passed each other once and I wanted to say hi, but you were chatting with someone. We talked about doing this very upgrade a while back.

[ryansbmw]

Ahh my bad. When I looked up the kit on their website they used a pic with Bilsteins. Hope you enjoy the sachs kit!

WRT to Bilsteins, no issue using the warranty to get them replaced. Only problem was I had bought them on my own and brought to the shop so I had had to pay the labor each time to get them swapped. They handled excellent but was rough at time with the roads we have in that area. When they developed a clunk for the 3rd time, switched to Koni yellows and was very happy.

Yea JC was great. Lived there for almost 10 years. When wife and I had a kid, we needed more space so we moved last summer. Didn’t have the $$ to buy up in that neighborhood. But I had (still have) the blue X5 M Sport. Always parked in that little lot next to Zepplin.

Sorry for the sidebar. Enjoy the new setup! I really need to get going with my suspension soon. Life got in the way haha.

[wcs531]

Originally Posted by ryansbmw

Ill need to inquire about the Koni Special Active kit they have.

Just fyi - Koni special actives did not need a spring compressor with eibach springs, so assembly was a breeze.

[JellyStyle]

Originally Posted by SJTrance

I have a 2013 X5 with 86K miles and recently started to notice that the truck was wallowing over bumps and a bit scary on the highway when going through big dips. I figured that it was time to refresh the suspension but also to lower it modestly. I didn’t want a jarring ride as I live around the NYC area and this is mainly a family vehicle. I heard about Strutmonkey from a family member who installed a factory refresh kit with the stock springs. I got everything installed at a local shop for a great price. Since all of this comes pre assembled, it l cut down on the labor required.

The ride is butter soft at slow speed potholes. You can feel a slight bit increased stiffness. When driving and cornering with a bit more enthusiasm, the body roll is reduced and it feels like I have more traction. It sort of feels lighter. I love the look with a slightly raked drop towards the front. It is a mildly aggressive stance without looking slammed. I couldn’t be happier.

Any part numbers and pricing that you did?

[SJTrance]

Originally Posted by JellyStyle

Any part numbers and pricing that you did?

I would fill out their questionnaire and they’ll get back to you with detailed pricing. I believe my kit was around $1549. Yours may vary depending on what your specific X5 has optioned and what you’re looking for. I don’t have specific part numbers of all of their individual pieces. I got the SM100 kit. I could have opted for their SM200 kit with Bilstein shocks/struts for around $1999.

[SJTrance]

With great sadness, I am reporting that my X5 is officially dead. Caught in a flood on the FDR in NYC. Wrong place at the wrong time. The picture shown is after the water has receded quite a bit. She still looks fantastic tho. Now, I’m on the lookout for an F15.

[Daytonawim]

Crap thats sucks

[NewerE70Owner]

I'm very sorry to hear that... Your post is one of the reasons I reached out to chris@strutmonkey in the first place and was a contributing factor on deciding to go with Eibachs over the H&R setup. Was a beautiful ride...

[ryansbmw]

Damn that sucks man!

[StradaRedlands]

Just seeing this, sorry this happened to you and that beautiful X5.

[SJTrance]

It’s all good. I’m having some fun searching for a replacement.

[StradaRedlands]

Originally Posted by SJTrance

It’s all good. I’m having some fun searching for a replacement.

Our family's GL450 was just totaled, so I am commiserating with you from the west coast!


+1 for Strut Monkey. You can buy cheaper from FCP or wherever, but for an all in one assembled package, SM is the way to go!!!

[TTV8M]

Yeh and vehicle prices are sky high still