rear self leveling suspension

[scesare]

Can anyone out there help me to determine if I have an issue with my 2008 BMW X5 rear suspension? After parking outdoors all day in cold weather (~30F) I noticed that the rear of my car was sitting noticeably lower than my front. I unlocked my car using my remote and this seemed to activate something that sounded like a pump. I walked around my car and noticed the rear of the car was rising back into it's proper position. I drove my car home without any issues. Additionally there were and are no warning lights or error messages on my dash or in my history. Is this a signal that there is an issue with the self leveling suspension? I never noticed this before. As a side note, my third row seating was engaged at the time. I have since disengaged it and returned it to it's stowed position.

[mitch808]

The airbag is compromised, replace it

[2slick4u]

The airbag has a slow leak & needs to be replaced.

[X5MRuns]

I'm having the same issue and suspected airbag was the culprit. Anyone have experience with the cost of replacing and should both rear be done or just the faulty one? I think the prices are under $300 for each bag if I'm not mistaken. Labor though......

[Qarban]

Had this one done on my wife's truck last July at the stealership

[bmwx5er]

Originally Posted by X5MRuns

I'm having the same issue and suspected airbag was the culprit. Anyone have experience with the cost of replacing and should both rear be done or just the faulty one? I think the prices are under $300 for each bag if I'm not mistaken. Labor though......

The Arnott airbags cost around $160 each at amazon. I've read recommendations to replace both, even if only one is faulty.

Here's a DIY if you're interested (based on this, the labor should be no more than 1 hr per side): http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/sho...ghlight=arnott

[bmwx5er]

Originally Posted by Qarban

Had this one done on my wife's truck last July at the stealership

$1800 to replace the rear air suspension?? hope this didn't come out of your pocket...

Edit: just realized that it was $2500 total, which includes the air compressor as well, not just the springs.

[Qarban]

Two local indy shops quoted me just a few $ lesser than what the stealership charged me

[F06msportmia]

Hello fellas!

I just replaced my two rear bags with Arnott ones and they ride great. $1800, $2500, or little less is just highway robbery from the Indy or Dealership.

I did mine in 30 min each side, I got the bags locally and saved a ton of money. Yes, you can find them online for $160 to $200. By both and do it yourself.

This is DIY job, Arnott even has a 7 min video on how to do it. I hope this helps if you have any questions PM me and you can give me a call.

[Qarban]

I wished I had the time and skills

[bmwx5er]

Originally Posted by e70msportmia

Hello fellas!

I just replaced my two rear bags with Arnott ones and they ride great. $1800, $2500, or little less is just highway robbery from the Indy or Dealership.

I did mine in 30 min each side, I got the bags locally and saved a ton of money. Yes, you can find them online for $160 to $200. By both and do it yourself.

This is DIY job, Arnott even has a 7 min video on how to do it. I hope this helps if you have any questions PM me and you can give me a call.

Qarban's car seems to have air compressor replaced as well, in addition to the air bags. The compressors are priced at around $900 at a few online dealership stores.

[F06msportmia]

Originally Posted by bmwx5er

Qarban's car seems to have air compressor replaced as well, in addition to the air bags. The compressors are priced at around $900 at a few online dealership stores.

Understood, the $900 price tag on a compressor also sounds high and incorrect. The Arnott compressor is $450 to $650 shopping around is always good.

Another suggestion, shop around get the parts and then get an indy to do the install.

Well if you decide to DIY, hit me up and I can help you out.

Good luck!

[PAX5]

Originally Posted by Qarban

I wished I had the time and skills

Unfortunately that is what BMW counts on ... and then they rob you.

[warminwisco]

What models have air suspension?

[jiggz]

Originally Posted by warminwisco

What models have air suspension?

For starters, all 3rd row equipped vehicles have the self leveling suspension (option 220).

After that I'm not sure which models/trim got this, if any… Though pretty sure some people here have this option w/o 3rd row?

[fourpointeight]

I have the air suspension in my 4.8i w/o 3rd row, i got one of them replaced under cpo but the otherside went 2 months later, 1 month after warranty expired. I replaced this one myself and it only took approx 30 mins. Most of that time was trying to figure out how to take it off.
Both were replaced with oem bags from the dealership, the one i had to purchase was $300 CAD discounted. If i were to replace them again i would go with the arnott brand as they use continnental rubber. I trust continnental as i use the Extremecontact DWS tires and use their V belt for the serpentine belt

Driving with a blown bag is the scariest thing... soo bouncy i thought my rear end was gunna come off the ground with every little crack or hole i drove over

[warminwisco]

So they are not like Benz or LS and 1000 a piece. They only put em in the thrid row as they expect more weight to be in there for the self leveling headlights? Does it make the ride that much different than without? Have a LS430 bags 4k for new airstruts no arnott copies. thanks

[mitch808]

Originally Posted by PAX5

Unfortunately that is what BMW counts on ... and then they rob you.

Didnt realize they were a non-profit?

[fourpointeight]

Originally Posted by warminwisco

So they are not like Benz or LS and 1000 a piece. They only put em in the thrid row as they expect more weight to be in there for the self leveling headlights? Does it make the ride that much different than without? Have a LS430 bags 4k for new airstruts no arnott copies. thanks

The difference between the airstruts and what the x5s have is that the bmw has shocks in the rear also, the air bags just replace the springs that the normal x5 has.
I think the main reason for the air bags was for towing and heavy capacity loads to keep the truck level. The older e53 v8 x5s had airstruts in the front and back and were around 1200CAD a piece

[X5MRuns]

I ordered the Arnott bags for the rear and called the Indy shop for an appointment. SA indicated that it might not be the bag, perhaps an air line is blocked, they have seen this a few times apparently.

I'm hoping for the best but preparing for the worst.

Will post as more info is available.

UPDATE.....

Got her back, it was the right spring. Both changed $500.00 bucks for labor at the Indy shop, good as new.

Thanks fellas!!!!

[Flying Ace]

On the DIY, how do you rotate the bad 90 degrees? Doesn't the weight of the car sit on it? Or is it after you have the car on jack, no weight is on that part of the suspension?

[fourpointeight]

Originally Posted by Flying Ace

On the DIY, how do you rotate the bad 90 degrees? Doesn't the weight of the car sit on it? Or is it after you have the car on jack, no weight is on that part of the suspension?

Jack it up first and pop the bottom of the airbag out, its a clip and then twist the top. As long as the wheel is in the air then theres no weight on it. Just make sure when u put the new one in that the bag isnt crinkled or it'll wear and leak prematurely