Lowering an F15 X5 with Air suspension Rear!

[boba-fett]

Hi guys, I have tried a search, and the info I have found is a bit sketchy!

Can someone help me out with a "how to" and whats needed to lower an X5 with Air suspension rear and springs on the front?

Thanks in advance.

[shimmy23]

Originally Posted by boba-fett

Hi guys, I have tried a search, and the info I have found is a bit sketchy!

Can someone help me out with a "how to" and whats needed to lower an X5 with Air suspension rear and springs on the front?

Thanks in advance.

there's a few DIYers out there for this. We have it a little easier in that we can simply swap the front springs and then use lowering links for the rear. Overall forum opinion seems to be eibach, dinan springs ride the most compliant. Dont waste your $ on H&R. If you want to go lower then coilovers from KW or BC.

KW now has a HAS kit that includes front and rear adjustable collars. If you are on rear air, you'd either toss the rear collars and run links or swap to springs.

Your X5 is beautiful BTW. Was looking at some of pics you posted recently. clean car!

[boba-fett]

Originally Posted by shimmy23

there's a few DIYers out there for this. We have it a little easier in that we can simply swap the front springs and then use lowering links for the rear. Overall forum opinion seems to be eibach, dinan springs ride the most compliant. Dont waste your $ on H&R. If you want to go lower then coilovers from KW or BC.

KW now has a HAS kit that includes front and rear adjustable collars. If you are on rear air, you'd either toss the rear collars and run links or swap to springs.

Your X5 is beautiful BTW. Was looking at some of pics you posted recently. clean car!

Thanks for the kind comments about my X5

So you buy front lowering springs, then some linkage for the rear?

[shimmy23]

Originally Posted by boba-fett

Thanks for the kind comments about my X5

So you buy front lowering springs, then some linkage for the rear?

correct, like this kit (front kit only):
https://www.tunershop.com/eibach-spr...6-pro-kit.html

then buy rear links like these:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/29103951892...Cclp%3A2047675

There's a few euro vendors that carry both springs and links in a kit. I can't seem to find them at the moment tho.

[boba-fett]

Originally Posted by shimmy23

correct, like this kit (front kit only):
https://www.tunershop.com/eibach-spr...6-pro-kit.html

then buy rear links like these:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/29103951892...Cclp%3A2047675

There's a few euro vendors that carry both springs and links in a kit. I can't seem to find them at the moment tho.

Thanks Ill get them bought

[shimmy23]

your other option is dinan but not sure they offer that across the pond?

as far as installation videos, FCP euro has a YT diyer and there's a couple others on YT too

[meds1976]

What about KW V3 Inox coilovers? That’s what I’m thinking with on my X6.

[boba-fett]

Originally Posted by meds1976

What about KW V3 Inox coilovers? That’s what I’m thinking with on my X6.

To be honest mate I won’t have it long enough to to enjoy the benefits given the cost!

I don’t keep my cars long!

[meds1976]

Originally Posted by boba-fett

To be honest mate I won’t have it long enough to to enjoy the benefits given the cost!

I don’t keep my cars long!

Yes, I vaguely remember from the F30 forum. 😂

[boba-fett]

Originally Posted by meds1976

Yes, I vaguely remember from the F30 forum. 😂

That’s nothing mate, I’ve slowed down a lot, I used to go to work in one car, and come home in another!

[meds1976]

Originally Posted by boba-fett

That’s nothing mate, I’ve slowed down a lot, I used to go to work in one car, and come home in another!

I find buying and selling cars a pain. Hoping to keep my X6 for a good few years.

Btw, floating caps is what you're missing on your X5 😉

[meds1976]

boba-fett any update on lowering?

I decided against the KW coilovers and have ACS springs on order. Hoping to have them installed in a few weeks. Also adding 15mm/20mm spacers.

[boba-fett]

Originally Posted by meds1976

boba-fett any update on lowering?

I decided against the KW coilovers and have ACS springs on order. Hoping to have them installed in a few weeks. Also adding 15mm/20mm spacers.

Not yet, its on my things to do, been buggering about with my other cars, but I will get round to it.

[BMtroubleU]

Hey all! New here, recently got into an F15. Got a good deal, and so far think its a great car.

I have rear air bags as well, but I am dying to lower the ride height (to an extent). I’m on 21” 599Ms if that helps. I have gone with H&R in the past, but per this post I hear they’re not ideal for this car? Wondering if anyone with airbags has lowered with another product and if so, results/recommendations? Thanks in advance all!

[meds1976]

Originally Posted by BMtroubleU

Hey all! New here, recently got into an F15. Got a good deal, and so far think its a great car.

I have rear air bags as well, but I am dying to lower the ride height (to an extent). I’m on 21” 599Ms if that helps. I have gone with H&R in the past, but per this post I hear they’re not ideal for this car? Wondering if anyone with airbags has lowered with another product and if so, results/recommendations? Thanks in advance all!

I’ve gone with ACS springs running on 20s.

[BMtroubleU]

Car looks great; thats a perfect ride height. ACS is actually based out of Miami as am I, whoch is convenient for my impatience lol.

You’re on rear air bags as well I presume? Thanks for the quick reply!

[meds1976]

Originally Posted by BMtroubleU

Car looks great; thats a perfect ride height. ACS is actually based out of Miami as am I, whoch is convenient for my impatience lol.

You’re on rear air bags as well I presume? Thanks for the quick reply!

Yes, rear airbags as well.

[BMtroubleU]

They’re actually all sold out unfortunately! But I may go with H&R VTF; they sound like they’ll work and heights adjustable, so if I don’t slam it and keep it about an inch drop or so, should accomplish what I’m looking for. Thanks for tips - I can post a picture if interested after.

[prodigymb]

I have some brand new Eibach springs for sale if anyone is looking to lower their F15.

[Geo41e]

Originally Posted by boba-fett

Hi guys, I have tried a search, and the info I have found is a bit sketchy!

Can someone help me out with a "how to" and whats needed to lower an X5 with Air suspension rear and springs on the front?

Thanks in advance.

Hey buddy, thought i'd give my 2 cents here from Australia

I just lowered my X5 M Sport with rear air suspension.
Front springs were replaced with Eibachs (lowered the front by about 15mm)

The rears were calibrated using a Snap on diagnostic scan tool.
Note, if you are going on this path, with my case anyway, under Air suspension>special functions>rear height calbiration, the encrypted on baseline height said 735mm left and right.

when you input your new height, it will want to match that baseline number, so, if you want to go lower by 10mm, you input 745mm, and on board computer will pretty much think, oh i'm too high compared to baseline, lets lower by 10mm...and if you want to go higher, then go opposite.

Also, if you want to calibrate again, you do it off the base line, and not what you previously put in, if that makes sense, so repeat the above process.

Hope this helps..kinda of a bit long sorry !

This is my ride height now:

[davegill]

Originally Posted by Geo41e

Hey buddy, thought i'd give my 2 cents here from Australia

I just lowered my X5 M Sport with rear air suspension.
Front springs were replaced with Eibachs (lowered the front by about 15mm)

The rears were calibrated using a Snap on diagnostic scan tool.
Note, if you are going on this path, with my case anyway, under Air suspension>special functions>rear height calbiration, the encrypted on baseline height said 735mm left and right.

when you input your new height, it will want to match that baseline number, so, if you want to go lower by 10mm, you input 745mm, and on board computer will pretty much think, oh i'm too high compared to baseline, lets lower by 10mm...and if you want to go higher, then go opposite.

Also, if you want to calibrate again, you do it off the base line, and not what you previously put in, if that makes sense, so repeat the above process.

Hope this helps..kinda of a bit long sorry !

This is my ride height now:

Sorry for my ignorance on this, but the rear can be lowered simply with programming?

[Geo41e]

Originally Posted by davegill

Sorry for my ignorance on this, but the rear can be lowered simply with programming?

Hey Dave - all good

So yes, you can (as I have done)

We used a Snap diagnostic tool and purely "tricked" the air suspension computer to think it was too high, and it lowered the rear.

If you want more detail, let me know.

FYI - I went down by about 15mm. (stock M adaptive dampers)
anything lower than that, i would recommend coilovers as the rear starts to get a bit too bumpy.