Aftermarket sway bars?

[DAYTA]

I recently picked up a 2018 X5 (coming from a F31 M-Sport) and while I have enjoyed it so far, I have to say the reviews were correct in that the car does tend to roll quite a bit in the corners.

My car is a non-M so it has the standard suspension which I prefer for my family's comfort (wife drives it 90% of the time). However, if possible I'd also like to add stiffer sway bars to help reduce body roll. Do any options exist for our cars?

[DuSh]

Easiest option for you now would be to install lowering springs H&R or Eibach or AC Schnitzer. They will reduce body roll noticeably. With Eibach your comfort ride will be basically same as stock, so you won't get bouncy ride.

P.S. Just FYI x5m and x6m showed almost same lap time as m3/m4 - while having tons more weight and power.
In our case non-M x5 has DHP option (dynamic handling package) that makes it handle a lot better (including active sway bars), but in your case since your x5 came without it - it's a lot easier to get a spring set (very affordable as well).

[AlpineX]

How about without lowering, bilsteins?

[DuSh]

Originally Posted by AlpineX

How about without lowering, bilsteins?

I don't think Bilstein produces springs for our x5 and shocks alone won't help body roll - they will just compress. It's springs (and sway bar) that helps to control it.
So the lowering part is pretty minimal to be honest with Eibachs - 0.6 inch or so. To the point that you can consider it as a stiffer spring that helps with body roll rather than lowering spring.

[brevets10000]

Originally Posted by DuSh

I don't think Bilstein produces springs for our x5 and shocks alone won't help body roll - they will just compress. It's springs (and sway bar) that helps to control it.
So the lowering part is pretty minimal to be honest with Eibachs - 0.6 inch or so. To the point that you can consider it as a stiffer spring that helps with body roll rather than lowering spring.

Anyone have a profile before and after with the eibachs? I prefer the look of the higher profile but can’t visialoze how much lower .6 would look

[Violator]

Originally Posted by brevets10000

Anyone have a profile before and after with the eibachs? I prefer the look of the higher profile but can’t visialoze how much lower .6 would look

There are many threads covering this, do a quick search and/or check out my ‘Mods Almost Complete’ thread.

If you’re looking for a significant improvement, your best bet is to trade for one with DHP.

[Maverik259]

Originally Posted by brevets10000

Anyone have a profile before and after with the eibachs? I prefer the look of the higher profile but can’t visialoze how much lower .6 would look

I got about an 1" of drop from the eibach when I did mine. It's noticeable to me cuz the damn thing looks like a lifted Jeep stock but no one else will know. I still don't think my wife knows I did it yet even though she knew I was in the garage for 6 hours one day.

[Road Carnage]

Another (more expensive) option would be the KW V3 coilovers. I installed them on my non-m sport x5 and it’s a totally different vehicle. Handles much better, much flatter through corners. The nice thing about the coilovers is the springs & shocks come matched and with the V3 you have independent compression and rebound damping adjustments to fine tune the ride to suit your tastes.

[M302_imola]

Originally Posted by Road Carnage

Another (more expensive) option would be the KW V3 coilovers. I installed them on my non-m sport x5 and it’s a totally different vehicle. Handles much better, much flatter through corners. The nice thing about the coilovers is the springs & shocks come matched and with the V3 you have independent compression and rebound damping adjustments to fine tune the ride to suit your tastes.

That is a great setup. Like most things in life, you've got to pay to play though.

[DAYTA]

I have KW coilovers on both of my other cars (V3s on my NSX, V1s on my RS4) and I love them. However, I don't think they'd be appropriate for my family hauler.

It sounds like Eibach springs are the only option to improve body control without affecting ride comfort? No one makes aftermarket sway bars for the F15/F16?

[turboawd]

If your wife drives it 90% of time, then I wouldn't bother doing anything.

[DuSh]

Originally Posted by DAYTA

I have KW coilovers on both of my other cars (V3s on my NSX, V1s on my RS4) and I love them. However, I don't think they'd be appropriate for my family hauler.

It sounds like Eibach springs are the only option to improve body control without affecting ride comfort? No one makes aftermarket sway bars for the F15/F16?

Several reasons:
1. Sway bars are the last thing I would touch in suspension to be honest - on 3 series folks who went with aftermarket sway bars - many ended with worse handling - very unbalanced - sway bars change a bit too much in how car handles and it's very hard to maintain balance, folks were getting oversteer/understeer to the point of car been unstable at moments - imagine that in family hauler.
2. x5 by itself is a family hauler like you said - so market is not as big for people who want to upgrade suspension. Coilovers are available, but not much beyond that. I'm sure there are some ways to install beefier sway bars from x5m for example (or just order custom sway bar), but I haven't seen it done yet - at least not at forum.
3. F15 generation is still kinda young - for majority of cars warranty just started to end in 2018, so not many owners ventured into mods like that. Average price of x5 is $80k (my 50i was $94k) so people tend to not mess too much with x5 (E70 previous generation has more experience, but prices are cheaper for E70).
4. Also, people who wanted a bit more of a spirited drive - went with DHP (I know I already said that, but this is the reason why market is not there yet and it's really the only OEM solution for what you want - and a very good one). Beyond that - folks generally go for x5m that has different suspension and handles a lot better.

I know I'm not helping, but it's a lot harder to get what you want in SAV land, unlike 3 series or audi rs4 or NSX. Porsche makes nice SUV, Cayenne Turbo S probably handles almost as good as rs4 lol, but costs like nsx. You bought 35i without DHP - basically a lowest x5 there is so unfortunately not much can be done beyond Eibach springs or some custom options.

[DuSh]

Originally Posted by DAYTA

I have KW coilovers on both of my other cars (V3s on my NSX, V1s on my RS4) and I love them. However, I don't think they'd be appropriate for my family hauler.

It sounds like Eibach springs are the only option to improve body control without affecting ride comfort? No one makes aftermarket sway bars for the F15/F16?

After thinking about it some more - I went to realoem and discovered that there is a OEM option of larger sway bar - that is stock for x5 with 3rd row seats.
So for majority of x5 stock sway bar is 22.5mm diameter, but for x5 with 3rd row seat option - there is a larger 23mm sway bar! Naturally it's stiffer than 22mm and is designed to withstand larger forces.

Part numbers:
Stock sway bar 22.5mm 33556858954
Larger sway bar 23mm 33556783042 (for x5 with 3rd row seats) - about $220 for OEM new sway bar (plus 2 larger bushings $18 each).

The difference is only 0.5mm, but it might be enough to be noticeable and should in theory decrease body roll compared to stock 22.5mm sway bar.
Swapping it should not be hard. Any takers? OP?

[iconoclast]

Originally Posted by DAYTA

I recently picked up a 2018 X5 (coming from a F31 M-Sport) and while I have enjoyed it so far, I have to say the reviews were correct in that the car does tend to roll quite a bit in the corners.

Do you have DHP and M-Sport?

[Xstar]

Originally Posted by DAYTA

I recently picked up a 2018 X5 (coming from a F31 M-Sport) and while I have enjoyed it so far, I have to say the reviews were correct in that the car does tend to roll quite a bit in the corners.

My car is a non-M so it has the standard suspension which I prefer for my family's comfort (wife drives it 90% of the time). However, if possible I'd also like to add stiffer sway bars to help reduce body roll. Do any options exist for our cars?

If yours is a six cyclinder, probably the simplest is to install Powerflex forward and aft rear subframe bushing inserts. Powerflex doesn't list subframe insert numbers for the F15. But I confirmed with them that their E70 inserts are correct for F15 as the subframes are the same.

For any F15 air suspension, install a set of lowering links. Set 4mm shorter than stock links to set rear height 3/4" lower is all it takes to make a huge reduction in floatiness plus lower the rear end for less "truck" appearance. $80 from http://loweringlinks.net.

[BleuDawg]

Originally Posted by DuSh

After thinking about it some more - I went to realoem and discovered that there is a OEM option of larger sway bar - that is stock for x5 with 3rd row seats.
So for majority of x5 stock sway bar is 22.5mm diameter, but for x5 with 3rd row seat option - there is a larger 23mm sway bar! Naturally it's stiffer than 22mm and is designed to withstand larger forces.

Part numbers:
Stock sway bar 22.5mm 33556858954
Larger sway bar 23mm 33556783042 (for x5 with 3rd row seats) - about $220 for OEM new sway bar (plus 2 larger bushings $18 each).

The difference is only 0.5mm, but it might be enough to be noticeable and should in theory decrease body roll compared to stock 22.5mm sway bar.
Swapping it should not be hard. Any takers? OP?

I have the 3rd row with 19"s and the body roll / handling is horrible so assuming this will not make an impact. weighting to get my H&R springs installed and hoping that helps...

[turboawd]

Originally Posted by BleuDawg

I have the 3rd row with 19"s and the body roll / handling is horrible so assuming this will not make an impact. weighting to get my H&R springs installed and hoping that helps...

You'd get a lot better feel by getting larger wheels....less tire sidewall.

[mpeteritas]

I know this is an old thread. Wondering if folks who have upgraded to Eibach or H&R springs could post some feedback on their experience. I am seriously considering Eibach Pro Kit for my 2017 X5 35d. I have the base suspension.

Mark