Suspension components 90k miles

[Vivek.]

Originally Posted by osmansiddiqui95

No wonder suspension is all out. If you think this is a truck. Too me this thing is fragile and more a of a tuned performance suv that drive like a small car and beats mustangs

I drove over a curb slow with back tire accidently. Next day later air suspension was out on that side.

Please don't think that "this is a truck to me" = "I treat my X5 how F150 owners treat their trucks". And if you think the F15 drives like a small car I'd suggest you drive a small car.

Suspension is not "all out", the control arms are making a slight noise in specific situations after 100k miles.

Originally Posted by crystalworks

Gotcha. Makes sense. LOL... I use my e61 wagon for truck duties. Just got back from Lowes with 6 2x4x10 and 4 2x6x10. It's always hilarious the looks I get when I go out and load. Nobody can believe it will hold it.

My X5's, while not really "sports cars" are more of a family hauler vehicle that only really sees smooth pavement so the aluminum parts it came with are what I throw back on. But I don't seem to have the same problem with tow driver's you've had either.

Now that you mention the problem with active steering arms being different, I'll have to see what ours requires by VIN. It's pretty well equipped but don't think it actively steers. Has adaptive suspension...

The active steering option varies the steering ratio so you don't have to crank the wheel around and around if you're turning lock-to-lock while parking. It's kinda subtle but a nice feature.

[Vivek.]

Originally Posted by ciscorob

Right here, this is NOT a truck by my definition, I have a ram 2500 turbo diesel for real "truck" activities.

Maybe a bad word choice haha. I keep it clean and don't do anything dumb in it. My other two cars are on R888r's and the other is a convertible on polished BBS's...neither are set up for snow adventures. Using the X5 in situations I wouldn't use those ones is what I meant by 'truck'.

[F15_SGM]

Originally Posted by Vivek.

Please don't think that "this is a truck to me" = "I treat my X5 how F150 owners treat their trucks". And if you think the F15 drives like a small car I'd suggest you drive a small car.

Suspension is not "all out", the control arms are making a slight noise in specific situations after 100k miles.



The active steering option varies the steering ratio so you don't have to crank the wheel around and around if you're turning lock-to-lock while parking. It's kinda subtle but a nice feature.

I have a corvette ZR1, X5 doesn't drive that small but what i can say is that x5 with my options drives smaller than my f10 sedan. It definitely doesn't drive like my Lexus GX SUV either. Thus it's a SAV. Very similar to a smaller sedan driving maneuverability with a much lower ride height than a SUV. So far i've exceeded 100K no suspension abnormal wear. Maybe that's linked to cities with bad road like NYC or similar.

[ciscorob]

Originally Posted by Vivek.

Maybe a bad word choice haha. I keep it clean and don't do anything dumb in it. My other two cars are on R888r's and the other is a convertible on polished BBS's...neither are set up for snow adventures. Using the X5 in situations I wouldn't use those ones is what I meant by 'truck'.

Gotcha, I can see that. I was thinking you were hauling lumber from Home Depot in it, lol. But seriously, I wouldn't piece together any of the suspension, replace it all with the kit, my worst regret was not doing the front shocks when I did it because while its still "good" they're at the end of their life. I can agree its sad how little life you can get out of the suspension components on an X5, even with just city and highway use only.

[Vivek.]

Originally Posted by ciscorob

Gotcha, I can see that. I was thinking you were hauling lumber from Home Depot in it, lol. But seriously, I wouldn't piece together any of the suspension, replace it all with the kit, my worst regret was not doing the front shocks when I did it because while its still "good" they're at the end of their life. I can agree its sad how little life you can get out of the suspension components on an X5, even with just city and highway use only.

My shocks somehow feel fine, and I say this after driving my '14 X5 back to back with a 2022 X5 that had 7k on the clock. I know at least the rears are definitely original since the stickers on them say 2014. The normal test I've used on smaller cars is to push down on the hood and trunk in a resonance pattern and then stop, checking for any lingering bouncing (should go up to the top and immediately stop). I'm not sure if I could actually accomplish this on the X5--maybe if I stood on a tire and pulled on the roof rail

And yeah, nappa leather is way too delicate for hauling lumber

[kendallc24]

I'm experiencing a "floating" feeling while cornering on the interstate in excess of 65-70mph. The traction control light comes on as well. Any ideas on what would cause this? Feels a bit unsafe.

[M302_imola]

Originally Posted by kendallc24

I'm experiencing a "floating" feeling while cornering on the interstate in excess of 65-70mph. The traction control light comes on as well. Any ideas on what would cause this? Feels a bit unsafe.

Are you running non-oem tire sizes? I'm upgraded my wheels to 22" and oversized tires. The rears wore way faster than the fronts so I just replaced the rears. As soon as I pulled out of the tire place I had the same symptoms you experienced. Very floaty in turn and traction control would light up. Didn't think it was the tires but I replaced all 4 and she was planted with no traction control interference.

[kendallc24]

No, I’m running regular sizes, NRF though.. staggered set up.

Car has 118k on it, pretty sure it’s original suspension components.

[tlow98]

Originally Posted by M302_imola

Are you running non-oem tire sizes? I'm upgraded my wheels to 22" and oversized tires. The rears wore way faster than the fronts so I just replaced the rears. As soon as I pulled out of the tire place I had the same symptoms you experienced. Very floaty in turn and traction control would light up. Didn't think it was the tires but I replaced all 4 and she was planted with no traction control interference.

Be careful doing this as you can wreck your transfer case super fast this way.

[M302_imola]

Originally Posted by tlow98

Be careful doing this as you can wreck your transfer case super fast this way.

Yep, luckily I learned my lesson before the TC got to upset. It really taught me how sensitive our TC's are.

[ricerboi]

I have the same, 2016 F15 50i with 116k miles and rear air suspension. Looking to change out everything in the front including control arms and struts. Is this the right kit?

FCP Euro F15 Kit

I’ve seen a lot of suggestions regarding front struts. My daily is an iX and the F15 is my backup car now, so I just want it to be like stock and reliable. What do you guys recommend for front struts?

Besides these 2 things for front suspension, do I need anything else? Also do I need to change anything for the rear air suspension? It seems to be fine right now.

[tlow98]

Originally Posted by ricerboi

I have the same, 2016 F15 50i with 116k miles and rear air suspension. Looking to change out everything in the front including control arms and struts. Is this the right kit?

FCP Euro F15 Kit

I’ve seen a lot of suggestions regarding front struts. My daily is an iX and the F15 is my backup car now, so I just want it to be like stock and reliable. What do you guys recommend for front struts?

Besides these 2 things for front suspension, do I need anything else? Also do I need to change anything for the rear air suspension? It seems to be fine right now.

That’s a good kit, yes. Only thing you could omit are the top ball joints as I don’t think I’ve ever seen a post about them wearing out.

For shocks…
Stock is BMW/Sachs (?). Expensive and work… like stock.
Upgrade all around = Koni special active
Similar to stock, but maybe slightly worse, but very reasonable = bilstein b4
Rides like a dump truck or for lowering = b6/8


Obviously pretty subjective. Depends on budget. Biggest value is the bilstein b4s by a long shot.

[BDO]

I just replaced both lower control arms on both sides, it's crazy how much of a difference it makes. I am now regretting that I didn't do sway bar links and upper control arms, but my mechie didn't mention they were FUBAR so probably ok till the next visit.

Car is on 70k miles and the lower control arms were toast. Definitely something worth doing at this mileage or above.

[tlow98]

Originally Posted by BDO

I just replaced both lower control arms on both sides, it's crazy how much of a difference it makes. I am now regretting that I didn't do sway bar links and upper control arms, but my mechie didn't mention they were FUBAR so probably ok till the next visit.

Car is on 70k miles and the lower control arms were toast. Definitely something worth doing at this mileage or above.

It’s eye-opening, right?!

The upper ones don’t wear too much. I replaced the shock as well and that helped a lot as well. Maybe I already said that this thread?

My next move is the rear suspension rebuild. 97k miles currently

[luigi-delgado]

So I am experiencing rebound in speed bumps... my BMW is a 2015 X5 xDrive 50i 4.4 with +70K miles, air and dynamic suspension.

Is this a problem of the shocks? or is it the air suspension? or both? or a bushing kit? or wishbones?

When driving in the highway it feels very normal, just on low speeds and speed bumps I can feel it very clunky compared to a new X3 I also have which feels pretty solid and sporty.