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2010 2011 BMW 5 Series Forum F10 F10 Technical Topics Wheels / Tires / Suspension / Brakes Sway Bars on xDrive
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      05-31-2020, 07:29 PM   #1
vadymie
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Sway Bars on xDrive

Hi guys,

So after reading this whole forum and researching all kind of info and feedback about sway bars on xDrive cars - I am totally confused.

Some people say M5 swaybar is compatible, just like on RWD cars. Others says it is not compatible.

Some people say they installed H&R or Eibach just fine on xDrive cars. Other say they are too not compatible. Even H&R and Eibach own website do not list swaybar products for xDrive cars.

Usually, I would rather trust an official specs (not compatible) and would overweight negative feedback from people who had some issues, and would just pass on an idea.

But in this case, I feel like I really want to do an upgrade.

Am I upgrade options really limited to just Euro-spec M550d xDrive, parts numbers:
31-35-6-798-565 - front
33-55-6-791-932 - rear

Or H&R and Eibach also work on xDrive?

Can someone confirm that with a decent level of confidence confirm H&R/Eibach 30mm/20mm swaybar works on xDrive? The questions is mostly goes towards front sway bar of course, since there is no difference at read in RWD and AWD cars.

Unfortunately, part catalogs like RealOEM does not make this questions any easy, because RWD and xDrive part numbers are different, which could be simply because the swaybars have different thickness, or because they also have different physical dimensions due to xDrive suspension/steering elements at front. Pictures are the same, but I don't think I can trush that.

Thanks in advance to everyone.
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      05-31-2020, 07:33 PM   #2
vadymie
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If someone personally had success installing H&R/Eibach sway bars into a xDrive car - please say something. Did you experience any fitment issues?

Is there something at front in xDrive that makes sway bar not compatible, or is it just marketing that they don't advertise compatibility with xDrive?
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      05-31-2020, 08:30 PM   #3
Sylverlee
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I used a xdrive in the rear for RWD. It worked.I believe I read someone used H&R on x-drive.
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      06-01-2020, 06:24 AM   #4
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Quote:
Originally Posted by vadymie View Post
If someone personally had success installing H&R/Eibach sway bars into a xDrive car - please say something. Did you experience any fitment issues?

Is there something at front in xDrive that makes sway bar not compatible, or is it just marketing that they don't advertise compatibility with xDrive?
I've posted this a bunch of times so I'm not sure why people read it as contradictory.

1/ I have installed the full H&R 30mm/20mm kit on my X-Drive. It installed the same as on RWD (some trimming of the undertray necessary for clearance). It fits, it works, I drove it like that for weeks.

2/ For reasons of handling balance, I reverted back to M5 front bar. The H&R 20mm rear has been on the car for years.

3/ I have an M5 front bar on the car, it's been there for years, lots of people confirm fitment. The angles on the bar is not the same as stock and the end links fit a little weird, but works. No end link failure for me yet. When I was doing my coilover installation I observed that in some positions with the M5 front bar installed the end link can make light contact with other suspension components in some cases.

4/ Both H&R and Eibach continue to assert that their bars are NOT FOR X-DRIVE. I don't know why, because they do fit, but maybe they have a good reason for specifically telling everyone not to use them. I wish they'd speak up about what that reason is.

5/ The rear end of the X-Drive is identical to the rear end of the RWD. Both non-M F10 rear ends are different than the F10 M5 rear end and the M5 rear bar cannot be used.
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      06-01-2020, 09:06 AM   #5
n3985
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New Eibach kit works for xDrive

https://www.ecstuning.com/b-eibach-p...-20-022-01-11/
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      06-01-2020, 04:21 PM   #6
vadymie
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Surly73,

Thanks for update. I guess I will proceed with H&R or Eibach sway bar purchase (whichever is available.. looks like they are identical), and i will try to figure out any issues.

Btw, your car is 535xi, which is somewhat lighter on front than comparing to my 550xi. Maybe with my level of weight, 30mm front bar will be more balanced than in your situation.
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      06-01-2020, 06:08 PM   #7
Surly73
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Quote:
Originally Posted by n3985 View Post
That's new!
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      06-01-2020, 06:09 PM   #8
Surly73
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Quote:
Originally Posted by vadymie View Post
Surly73,

Thanks for update. I guess I will proceed with H&R or Eibach sway bar purchase (whichever is available.. looks like they are identical), and i will try to figure out any issues.

Btw, your car is 535xi, which is somewhat lighter on front than comparing to my 550xi. Maybe with my level of weight, 30mm front bar will be more balanced than in your situation.
Anything is possible. I've found that after doing the KWv3 coilover installation, even though I now have -1* of camber up front due to lowering, that it seems to understeer considerably worse than before. I already have a 20mm rear bar, so I guess I'm looking at possibly going back to the stock front bar?
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      06-04-2020, 02:53 AM   #9
perrymaxima
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Does your 550i xdrive have sport+ suspension mode? Why not Dinan Shockwave vs aftermarket sways? Asking because I’m in the same boat.
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      06-05-2020, 02:25 PM   #10
vadymie
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No. My 550xi has standard non-adjustable suspension.
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