C5 X7 VTR+ Very harsh suspension

[mikevybiral]

New to me C5 X7 2008 2.0 HDI VTR+ (Metal suspension). Chinese tyres of illegible brand.

After 30+ years on hydraulic suspension I thought I might manage with this metal spring version but it's way too hard and harsh, a real spine jangler!
Maybe this is normal but if it's not I'd welcome any advice on softening it up. Otherwise it will have to go.

I do notice that because mine has a glass roof the front springs are stiffer than for the non-glass roof models. With the help of a friend I confirmed this. He has a non-glass model, otherwise identical to mine. When he (65kg) stands on the driver door cill, the front wheel arch drops 2.5cm. When I (100kg) do the same, the drop is 1cm. Obviously this is a big difference, greater I think, than could be accounted for by a slight difference in spring spec.

Can anything be done?

Thanks,
Mike

[Jay-Bruce]

Isn't VTR a "sporty" trim, so you'd expect shocks and springs to be stiffer, possibly even anti roll bars as well. You could change the tyres for ones with more sidewall showing and a more supple ride? What sized wheels does yout x7 have on it?I have tried to calculate a tyre size to gain more sidewall to give you a rolling radius akin to that of the optional 19" alloys. 225/50/18 or 225/55/17 or 245/55/16 would all be about the same size as the standard 19" tyres for an x7. After the change I think you'd need to hook the car up to a lexia/pp2000/diagbox to tell it it was now "effectively" on 19's to avoid speedo errors etc. If by any remote twist of fate you were in north east scotland, I'd be willing to do that re calibration for you.

[Jay-Bruce]

I'm basing those calculations off of 245/40/19 on the 19" adriatics, and playing with tread with/ aspect ratios here: https://tiresize.com/tyre-size-calculator/

[GiveMeABreak]

Yes if changing wheel sizes you need to tell the ESP ECU or you will have errors with the ESP system.

[Stickyfinger]

Switch to 17 inch wheels