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2010 2011 BMW 5 Series Forum F10 BMW 5-Series (F10) Forums General 5-Series Sedan and Wagon (F10 / F11) Forum Sportier suspension upgrades for Xdrive?
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      10-02-2024, 10:51 AM   #1
reketieris
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Sportier suspension upgrades for Xdrive?

Mornin.
After having many older beemers, I recently acquired a pretty fresh 530d Xdrive as a daily driver, however, I am less than impressed by the suspension.
Overall I'm used to firmer suspension and the F10 just feels way too floaty and bouncy, I have gone through and changed bushings and freshened it up, however its still like that.

I thought no big deal, I'll just get sportier shocks and springs, however, I'm facing the fact that most kits, like Koni for example, state that they are meant only for the RWD versions?!

Anyways, I'd love if somebody that has an F10 Xdrive and maybe some suspension upgrades could help me with this, also maybe with the overall driving experiance.

My car has the normal, non-active suspension.
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      10-02-2024, 10:55 AM   #2
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Part of the softness of the F10 is the electronic steering. You can't get rid of that :-(
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      10-02-2024, 12:28 PM   #3
reketieris
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Quote:
Originally Posted by StradaRedlands View Post
Part of the softness of the F10 is the electronic steering. You can't get rid of that :-(
True, but generally I dont mind the steering feel that much. I'm talking more about the general stiffness, I dislike the fact that the car is so bouncy, feels almost like riding with blown shocks (mine are fine tho).
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      10-02-2024, 12:43 PM   #4
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Quote:
Originally Posted by reketieris View Post
True, but generally I dont mind the steering feel that much. I'm talking more about the general stiffness, I dislike the fact that the car is so bouncy, feels almost like riding with blown shocks (mine are fine tho).
It's not awful, just a contributing factor.
I'd imagine a Bilstein/H-R combo for XDrive has to be out there somewhere?
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      10-02-2024, 01:17 PM   #5
reketieris
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Quote:
Originally Posted by StradaRedlands View Post
It's not awful, just a contributing factor.
I'd imagine a Bilstein/H-R combo for XDrive has to be out there somewhere?
I can find some Bilsteins, however im unsure wether the B6 or B8 would be more suitable. I know the B8 are stiffer, but I have heard they are even too stiff.
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      10-02-2024, 02:58 PM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by StradaRedlands View Post
Part of the softness of the F10 is the electronic steering. You can't get rid of that :-(
Don't the X-Drives have rack & pinion? I thought only the non X-Drive's and non M cars had "electric" steering...
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      10-02-2024, 07:47 PM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ezaircon4jc View Post
Don't the X-Drives have rack & pinion? I thought only the non X-Drive's and non M cars had "electric" steering...
I know it's like that in the E84 X1, but don't know about it on F10?
Could make up for the oil pan gasket change tears!
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      10-02-2024, 08:41 PM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ezaircon4jc View Post
Don't the X-Drives have rack & pinion? I thought only the non X-Drive's and non M cars had "electric" steering...
Pretty sure you're right, I think all xDrive F10s got hydraulic steering.
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      10-03-2024, 07:33 PM   #9
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All xDrive cars have hydraulic steering.

As for the OP question I have Bilstein B6 with Dinan springs. I also did H&R swaybars. I am very happy with the result. Not too stiff but not as floaty or under-dampered as stock.
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      10-04-2024, 07:34 AM   #10
reketieris
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Quote:
Originally Posted by bk_mike View Post
All xDrive cars have hydraulic steering.

As for the OP question I have Bilstein B6 with Dinan springs. I also did H&R swaybars. I am very happy with the result. Not too stiff but not as floaty or under-dampered as stock.
Thanks for the answer. I am also looking into B6's.
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      10-04-2024, 08:51 AM   #11
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H&R Springs on factory struts made a world of difference on mine. Rides great and not floating like a Cadillac.
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      10-07-2024, 04:52 PM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by DementedF10 View Post
H&R Springs on factory struts made a world of difference on mine. Rides great and not floating like a Cadillac.
Interesting. How long u had them? People on another forum said the stock shocks would make the car even more bouncy and would just blow the shocks rly fast.
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      10-11-2024, 09:32 AM   #13
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I've run H&R's on stock shocks for about 100,000km now. No issues.
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      10-13-2024, 05:28 PM   #14
reketieris
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Quote:
Originally Posted by CanadianTSi View Post
I've run H&R's on stock shocks for about 100,000km now. No issues.
How's the ride? Not too bouncy? Does it bottom out?
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      11-06-2024, 09:09 AM   #15
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I'm debating about going for the bilstein B6 together with H&R adjustable springs.

I ideally want coilovers but KW V3 are way to expensive and don't trust the BC in my nordic climate. I have EDC but I rarely use it and the EDC shocks are crazy expensive..
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      12-10-2024, 03:42 AM   #16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Khally View Post
I'm debating about going for the bilstein B6 together with H&R adjustable springs.

I ideally want coilovers but KW V3 are way to expensive and don't trust the BC in my nordic climate. I have EDC but I rarely use it and the EDC shocks are crazy expensive..
Replaced all 4 shocks this weekend and safe to say that it was long overdue. All EDC shocks were blown..
The ride so far on Bilstein B6 and AC Schnitzer springs is amazing compared to before, and a lot stiffer aswell with the new shocks (had springs installed already)
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      12-10-2024, 07:15 AM   #17
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Curious: As someone who drives their F10 X-Drive daily in the salt belt, are those B6s 100% painted steel construction? Original dampers are aluminum bodies (no rust). KW is stainless dampers with powder coated steel on the front forks (not without issues).
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      12-10-2024, 12:42 PM   #18
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Upgrade your swaybars first. It’s a big improvement over stock. There are many aftermarket options or if you want to stay OEM, M5 front and 650 rear swaybars.
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