Sagging Rear Suspension

NYAWE60 · 03-07-2021, 11:49 AM

This has been discussed a million times and I've read a lot of threads about it but each situation is unique so I figured I'd leverage the power of the internet and Bimmerpost.

Here goes, I've had my E70, 2010 X5M for about 15 months now. It was a one owner car, owned by a very wealthy PM on our team at work. He was trading it in on a Tesla Model X which Tesla low balled him on so he asked me if I was interested in buying it for the trade in price as an enthusiast. It was a SoCal car its entire life until 2019 and had thousands in dealer maintained records. I purchased it with 71,000 miles on it.

Recently the rear suspension is sagging overnight. It levels out within 20 seconds of starting the car but its a daily thing now. My question is, how can I tell if its the compressor or the air springs. Neither are prohibitively expensive, those parts are easily acquired for a little over $500 altogether from Arnott and Aerosus. They were thousands years ago. I dont want to have to replace parts unnecessarily? I'll happily do the springs or compressor or the springs and compressor. I just don't know how to determine which route I should go.

I could understand if one side sagged, then it would likely be that specific spring, but in my case its both. Could both springs fail at the same time or should i just go ahead and replace everything? Let me know what you guys think and thanks in advance.

By the way, I always wanted one of these X5M's and I'm real happy to have purchased an E70 gen car, specifically because of the hydraulic steering. The thing is a beast and I personally think it offers 90% of the performance of the new X5M at a fraction of the cost. That said, if I had to plunk down $110-120K on a new SUV, the 2021 X5M would be the only answer for me. Newer gen BMW steering is so freaking numb. I've had several E46 M3's, an E90 M3 and an E60 M5. Theres something about the 2004-2011 model BMW's that I love.

igell · 03-08-2021, 11:02 AM

If the compressor is raising the car when the rear is sagging, then its your springs. easy 2h job.. buy the arnaut bags from rockauto(cheapest) 260 shipped out the door. Mine also sagged on both sides.. i think once one fails, the other side fails within days since it putts more pressure on the other side to stay inflated.

JessBMWx5e70 · 03-08-2021, 03:24 PM

Hey! Sorry I don’t have much to offer - I have an X5 e70. Owned just over a year. Sitting at 110xxxkms. For the last few months if I leave the car for a night or longer (intermittently faults), the rear has dropped. Usually the same on both sides but one side is progressing now. As soon as i open any door the compressor kicks in and it corrects itself. I worked for a BMW dealership at the time so we have tried multiple remedies. They have had the car for 2 full days a week apart trying a new compressor pump? But have not been able to find a solution. I’ll update as go, but also looking for answers! Good luck!

eDubz · 03-08-2021, 05:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JessBMWx5e70

Hey! Sorry I don’t have much to offer - I have an X5 e70. Owned just over a year. Sitting at 110xxxkms. For the last few months if I leave the car for a night or longer (intermittently faults), the rear has dropped. Usually the same on both sides but one side is progressing now. As soon as i open any door the compressor kicks in and it corrects itself. I worked for a BMW dealership at the time so we have tried multiple remedies. They have had the car for 2 full days a week apart trying a new compressor pump? But have not been able to find a solution. I’ll update as go, but also looking for answers! Good luck!

They tried a new compressor before replacing the air springs? It's the air springs...

Movado750 · 03-11-2021, 02:41 PM

I knew it, Just what mine is going through now. sometimes it will sag and go full low rider mode and then it will only go a bit.

Never ending BMW fixes. So you think it is the springs?

beetle6986 · 03-15-2021, 03:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Movado750

I knew it, Just what mine is going through now. sometimes it will sag and go full low rider mode and then it will only go a bit.

Never ending BMW fixes. So you think it is the springs?

Have any of you considered converting to springs like shown in the link below? Mine are sagging and I'm trying to figure out if I should go with springs or bags. I think this is a pretty easy DIY job. I just put lowering springs on my 335 last month. The rear took me 2 hours tops.

https://www.amazon.com/Suncore-251BW...ot_top?ie=UTF8

03-07-2021, 11:49 AM	#1
NYAWE60 Captain 650 Rep 779 Posts Drives: 2008 Porsche 911 Turbo 6 speed Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: NYC iTrader: (0)	Sagging Rear Suspension - My Story This has been discussed a million times and I've read a lot of threads about it but each situation is unique so I figured I'd leverage the power of the internet and Bimmerpost. Here goes, I've had my E70, 2010 X5M for about 15 months now. It was a one owner car, owned by a very wealthy PM on our team at work. He was trading it in on a Tesla Model X which Tesla low balled him on so he asked me if I was interested in buying it for the trade in price as an enthusiast. It was a SoCal car its entire life until 2019 and had thousands in dealer maintained records. I purchased it with 71,000 miles on it. Recently the rear suspension is sagging overnight. It levels out within 20 seconds of starting the car but its a daily thing now. My question is, how can I tell if its the compressor or the air springs. Neither are prohibitively expensive, those parts are easily acquired for a little over $500 altogether from Arnott and Aerosus. They were thousands years ago. I dont want to have to replace parts unnecessarily? I'll happily do the springs or compressor or the springs and compressor. I just don't know how to determine which route I should go. I could understand if one side sagged, then it would likely be that specific spring, but in my case its both. Could both springs fail at the same time or should i just go ahead and replace everything? Let me know what you guys think and thanks in advance. By the way, I always wanted one of these X5M's and I'm real happy to have purchased an E70 gen car, specifically because of the hydraulic steering. The thing is a beast and I personally think it offers 90% of the performance of the new X5M at a fraction of the cost. That said, if I had to plunk down $110-120K on a new SUV, the 2021 X5M would be the only answer for me. Newer gen BMW steering is so freaking numb. I've had several E46 M3's, an E90 M3 and an E60 M5. Theres something about the 2004-2011 model BMW's that I love. __________________ 2008 997TT 6-Speed - stock (for now, just enjoying) 2019 Audi S5 Sportback JB4 equipped - mommy mobile 2011 X5M - daily family hauler 2010 Toyota Prius - stealth mobile 140K miles since new and still 45 MPG 2017 Lexus GX460 - (gone) - easily one of the most reliable cars I?ve ever owned 2014 328i xDrive M-Sport - 270 WHP w/JB4 (gone) 2010 BMW 535i RWD - 400 WHP (gone) 1992 R32 Nissan Skyline GTR 500 WHP (gone) 1993 Toyota Supra TT 6 speed - 500 WHP (gone)
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03-08-2021, 11:02 AM	#2
igell Private 15 Rep 98 Posts Drives: 2011 x5m Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: bay area, ca iTrader: (0)	If the compressor is raising the car when the rear is sagging, then its your springs. easy 2h job.. buy the arnaut bags from rockauto(cheapest) 260 shipped out the door. Mine also sagged on both sides.. i think once one fails, the other side fails within days since it putts more pressure on the other side to stay inflated.
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03-08-2021, 03:24 PM	#3
JessBMWx5e70 Registered 0 Rep 1 Posts Drives: 2009 X5 e70 Join Date: Mar 2021 Location: New Zealand iTrader: (0)	Same problem. Hey! Sorry I don’t have much to offer - I have an X5 e70. Owned just over a year. Sitting at 110xxxkms. For the last few months if I leave the car for a night or longer (intermittently faults), the rear has dropped. Usually the same on both sides but one side is progressing now. As soon as i open any door the compressor kicks in and it corrects itself. I worked for a BMW dealership at the time so we have tried multiple remedies. They have had the car for 2 full days a week apart trying a new compressor pump? But have not been able to find a solution. I’ll update as go, but also looking for answers! Good luck!
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03-11-2021, 02:41 PM	#5
Movado750 Private First Class 21 Rep 166 Posts Drives: 2012 X5 M Sport Join Date: Feb 2017 Location: Minnesota iTrader: (0)	I knew it, Just what mine is going through now. sometimes it will sag and go full low rider mode and then it will only go a bit. Never ending BMW fixes. So you think it is the springs?
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